I mentioned the other day that the arena was about 90% full. On a Wednesday night in NYC, during a week where people stayed away because of the clown show called the UN, I would say, "pretty good". Also, the sections behind the stage were not for sale, so the max was reduced from like 18,000 down to about 15,000. Furthermore, at 90% full, that's 13,500!
If they would have advertised it as "former leader of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler", it would have been totally sold out- I live in NY and from experience, when I refer to Mark Knopfler, many people say "who?" and I say "from Dire Straits", and they say, "oh, yeah, he's amazing...". Maybe MK didn't want to be associated this the DS name, especially after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame disaster and his unhappiness over the tribute and fake DS bands.
Saul
ps, On Guy's tour diary for the MSG show, there are two pictures from behind Mark, that shows the crowd. The first is after BIA and right before Wherever I Go, while the second was taken after Going Home. I am the guy to the right of Mark, in the light blue shirt...you can't miss it since it stuck out like a sore thumb! Awesome.
MARK