Great thread Lindsay!
I'd like to offer a few thoughts/suggestions.
The only time I'd want early access to a venue is if the show was going to be GA. Maybe that's something you could consider offering for the "general admission" shows only and have some sort of special markings to identify the pre-sale tickets so that people don't try to take advantage.
I've never really been interested in going to soundchecks, but I'm sure that would definitely appeal to a lot of people! I'm not sure about the guys coming out to sign autographs after the show. Yes, it would be awesome, but if we're talking about perks that are meant ONLY for people buying ticket packages, then this idea won't work. Every Tom, *** and Harry (and a few ladies too, I'm sure! LOL!) will be milling around waiting to meet the guys, so there's no real advantage to paying extra for a "package". That's just my take on it...
I do have one idea.
What about a contest for each venue? I was thinking that the people who purchase their tickets during a pre-sale could be entered to win a chance to go backstage after the show for a short meet and greet/photos/autographs and perhaps a t-shirt or some other kind of official band merchandise. There could even be more than one winner per venue... Maybe even up to 5 winners per venue and the winners would be chosen randomly. I think it would help to generate ticket sales and get things hopping on the board again!
Just a suggestion!!