Yes, there seems to be an out of touch problem... 799 Euros for a Pit ticket is probably as tasteless as it gets and just insulting to normal income people.
I would´t even spend that kind of money if suddenly Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison were to step down from heaven and team up.

On the other side, it's the free market, no one is obligated to buy those tickets, and if they do, I guess is a status thing.

For Berlin I got lucky dips and sure hope to end up FOS, but am happy as well whatever seats or GA I get.
In Stuttgart I got a nosebleed in like section 80, perfect for a relaxed concert experience.

Only 53 days to go!!

I think this issue is more complex because you are not comparing like with like.
In 1969 tours / shows were far simpler and thus cheaper to stage and organise.
In 1969 there were no stage sets to build and much less equipment to transport. Many bands still used a theatre's own PA system for example. There was very little or no lighting to set up. Just think of the numbers of people involved now in preparing a venue for the Stones to go on stage. Many bands had no mixing desks in 1969 and no monitor speakers on stage. I don't know about the insurance issues in 1969 but I would guess insurance was much simpler and cheaper to set up to cover a tour.
There is also the issue of market forces on prices. In 1969 in the UK for example most people went to see a band when it came around locally. The idea of travelling far or indeed seeing the Stones in another country did not exist. Now we are able to buy tickets online for anywhere a band performs and travel there easily. For example I live in the UK but have been to Stones concerts in Amsterdam and Rome. In 1969 that would simply not happen for the vast majority. So demand is different today and that must affect prices.
It is also true that "people always find the money if they want something badly enough" and the Stones are masters at creating demand for the same product over and over and over again.
But although the Stones in a few weeks will be performing only 50 miles from where I live I am not going to see them this time around. Been there, done that. They have always been musically central to my life and having seen them many times at their peak, I don't want to see them in decline.
I'm happy to put on Let It Bleed and play it loud.

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mosthigh
If you made minimum wage in the US in 1969, it was $1.30 an hour. Now its roughly $10 - $11 an hour.

In '69 you had to work about 6.5 hours to afford a top tier ticket. ($8.50)

Now, Lucky Dips aside, it would be at least 10 hours of wages to afford even a nosebleed, never mind Gold Pits and the like.

It's never been just about the workingman, and many/most of them probably don't make just minimum wage, but they have become an even more marginalized fanbase.

I still don't think that tickets were always as out of reach as they can be now. In 1978, even as a high school kid with a crappy part time job, it was not that hard to cough up $12.50 for JFK Stadium tickets. Today I have a lot more money but I think tickets are way too high. Although I was fairly surprised in 2006 to get tickets way in the back of Giants Stadium for about $60 each. I know good seats were MUCH higher.

"Gonna find my way to heaven ..."

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slewan
for Germany: The average gross income for a fulltime job is about 4200 Euros a month (for a single person that's some 2300 Euros net). Pit tickets are 799 Euros… – you get the problem

The average income does say nothing because there are people included who get 100.000s EURO each months. The "real" average income of most people is far below 4.200 I think. Let alone in Berlin.

They weren't always *as* out of reach; put bluntly

1995 - £25 got you standing on the pitch in Wembley and £30 got you a seat.

8 years later, sitting on the pitch in Twickenham cost £150 or so, and sitting at the far end from the stage, cost £75.

You can graph that any way you like, but that's a large spike, and no matter what the yardstick (how many Big-macs per ticket, for example) whilst tickets may always have been 'expensive' they weren't always *so* expensive.

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Kingbeebuzz

But although the Stones in a few weeks will be performing only 50 miles from where I live I am not going to see them this time around. Been there, done that. They have always been musically central to my life and having seen them many times at their peak, I don't want to see them in decline.
I'm happy to put on Let It Bleed and play it loud.

I can echo your sentiments here precisely Kingbeebuzz

Yeah, I got my tickets for London on 22nd May, but somehow don't feel quite the usual excitement about it. This time, it wasn't me asking for the tickets, but the kids (millennials)in our party, and they have seen them twice before, and even paying for their own tickets, so not just tagging along for the ride. And I was like 'Oh ok then' , and now have these strange feelings of trepidation.
A hard thing to 'fess up to, not only to myself, but especially in a place like this.

But others have been brave enough to make similar mutterings, - tbh I think I fear seeing them in their decline, which is something I don't want to do.
But hey I'm hanging on to my ticket, there's time yet for .......(er, not sure what I'm waiting for!)

Oh, and just to keep to the thread, I think my ticket price was reasonable, very much on a par with anything else on in London eg theatre tix, sports venues etc.
A lot of money, but such is life

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Hairball
The sad and ironic part is, as Rolling Stones tickets escalate with each tour, the less the fans are given in return as far as musicianship and creativity goes. Of course some fans choose to live in the past along with the Stones and will try and justify the cost no matter what, but it's really unprecedented to see an oldies act at such a cost. With 95% of the setlists consististing of songs over 35 years old, the cost of nostalgia has become very expensive. Seeing the poor sales of this current tour might have seen them take it a step too far, but at their old age can't blame them for milking it for all they can I suppose, though they probably won't be able to push it much further if they continue to tour.

Eggzactly! ... I have seen them enough, was actually done after the '97 tour, vowed not to spend the $$ again -- I made one exception as a coworker never seen them before so I decided to go one more time in '99 i think.

The digital age doesn't help either, as now I can listen to, or watch, most anything I want. So I am not willing to shell out hundreds in hopes that they "might" play a rarity or two.

.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018-05-03 01:08 by The Worst..

One problem is they need more money for hanging around in the best hotels available, also for dozens of people around. Another problem is that they need the same "200" people crowd for 14 shows now instead of around 30-40 shows on former world tour legs. Third problem is the cost of the stage. Every 30 or so shows they need a new multi million dollars stage if they don't wanna play on the same stage for 6 years. Of course they also demand a perverted big profit.
The result are the exorbitant prices. But their costs have also extremely increased.

German Band "Die Toten Hosen"

Düsseldorf Esprit Arena - 13. Oct. 2018 - 46000 tickets - SOLD OUT in 30 minutes - Ticket price EUR 57,00 - Seating or Standing = same price

because of fan demand 4 days later (on sale 2 Concert)

Düsseldorf Esprit Arena - 12. Oct. 2018 - 46000 tickets - SOLD OUT in 45 minutes - Ticket price EUR 57,00 - Seating or Standing = same price

---

No high marketing cost like promotion....... That´s another way to sell tickets to fans .... Ok, Stones have higher tour cost, but I think it can be organized with a ticket price from ca. 100 EUR.

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LeonidP

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Hairball
The sad and ironic part is, as Rolling Stones tickets escalate with each tour, the less the fans are given in return as far as musicianship and creativity goes. Of course some fans choose to live in the past along with the Stones and will try and justify the cost no matter what, but it's really unprecedented to see an oldies act at such a cost. With 95% of the setlists consististing of songs over 35 years old, the cost of nostalgia has become very expensive. Seeing the poor sales of this current tour might have seen them take it a step too far, but at their old age can't blame them for milking it for all they can I suppose, though they probably won't be able to push it much further if they continue to tour.

Eggzactly! ... I have seen them enough, was actually done after the '97 tour, vowed not to spend the $$ again -- I made one exception as a coworker never seen them before so I decided to go one more time in '99 i think.

The digital age doesn't help either, as now I can listen to, or watch, most anything I want. So I am not willing to shell out hundreds in hopes that they "might" play a rarity or two.

I felt the same after seeing them at Dodger stadium in '97 - it felt like a stage show production put on by Disneyland. But when Licks was announced in 2002, I got swept up with the theater/club hoopla, and am glad I did as some of those small shows were fantastic and tix ranged between $75 and $100 (apprx.). There were also some decent arena shows that tour I attended (Wembley Arena '03 comes to mind), but for the most part it was unmemorable. And then the Mick Taylor shows during 50 and Counting which were all worthwhile - especially Staples #2. I saw them a few times during the ABB tour, and a few times in recent years (one Zip Code, Desert Trip x 2, and *Vegas for extra cheap via stubhub), but none of them compare to some of the best and could have happily lived without them..

Other than some great club/theater shows during Licks, and the Mick Taylor shows during 50 and Counting, you really haven't missed much.

All that said, if they come back I will do my best to see them once, but won't travel far and won't pay over $100.

_____________________________________________________________
Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......

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satisfaction2
German Band "Die Toten Hosen"

Düsseldorf Esprit Arena - 13. Oct. 2018 - 46000 tickets - SOLD OUT in 30 minutes - Ticket price EUR 57,00 - Seating or Standing = same price

because of fan demand 4 days later (on sale 2 Concert)

Düsseldorf Esprit Arena - 12. Oct. 2018 - 46000 tickets - SOLD OUT in 45 minutes - Ticket price EUR 57,00 - Seating or Standing = same price

---

No high marketing cost like promotion....... That´s another way to sell tickets to fans .... Ok, Stones have higher tour cost, but I think it can be organized with a ticket price from ca. 100 EUR.

The ticket prices for Die Toten Hosen have also become "extremely expensive" if you want. I saw them in Halle in 1998, and the ticket price was around 14-15 Euro (just under 30 DM). Now it's 3 1/2 as much.

I genuinely don't feel that the Stones are any-longer affordable for the average earner. Twickenham will be my first show since the two London o2 shows in 2007. I attended four of the 'Bigger Bang' tour shows and the same amount during the preceding 'Licks' tour; two of which were outside the U.K.: New Jersey and Munich. During this period I was residing with 'mum and dad' and was relitvely care-free financially. Now, however, I have rent and utility bills to pay. A very different world. I'm just grateful I'm careful enough with the pennies to be able too see them the one final time!

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Hairball
I felt the same after seeing them at Dodger stadium in '97 - it felt like a stage show production put on by Disneyland. But when Licks was announced in 2002, I got swept up with the theater/club hoopla, and am glad I did as some of those small shows were fantastic and tix ranged between $75 and $100 (apprx.).

Same for me...Dodger Stadium '97 made me realize I was essentially done with stadium shows...have been to only two since - Stones in '02 at Anaheim and The Police in 2007 at Dodger Stadium (only time I ever got to see them).

Fortunate enough to see the Stones at The Wiltern in '02, plus the Angel Stadium show a couple of nights before (luckily got great seats down the RF line, with excellent view of the stage)...after that, it was just Staples 2003 and The Forum in 2006. Tried for Staples 2013, but didn't want to pay $$ to sit at the other end of the arena...my "bad seat" days are long gone, no matter the artist.

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Monsoon Ragoon
One problem is they need more money for hanging around in the best hotels available, also for dozens of people around. Another problem is that they need the same "200" people crowd for 14 shows now instead of around 30-40 shows on former world tour legs. Third problem is the cost of the stage. Every 30 or so shows they need a new multi million dollars stage if they don't wanna play on the same stage for 6 years. Of course they also demand a perverted big profit.
The result are the exorbitant prices. But their costs have also extremely increased.

yes, definitely a big issue too. I don't need all the hoopla. I don't need a big band. I don't need giant stage props. I don't need casino background singers. I would probably go again if it were just the 5 of them ... I'll allow one sax player and one keyboardist, but nothing beyond that.

There is a small upside to the high ticket prices - and no one here on this thread has mentioned it. Although I enjoy telling people that I only paid $12.50 for a Rolling Stones ticket at Madison Square Garden in 1975, no one is talking about HOW DIFFICULT it was to secure a ticket. Sure, the ticket was $12.50, but lucky ticket holders felt like they won the lottery just to secure a ticket at any price. In fact, the tickets were priced so low, that DEMAND greatly overwhelmed supply. So, in the old days, even though tickets were comparatively inexpensive, they were not so easy to secure. I remember seeing at the Rolling Stones at the United Center in Chicago in recent years, and I went expecting to buy scalped tickets outside the arena, I ended up buying a ticket from the box office just a few minutes before the show started. THAT NEVER HAPPENED IN THE 1970'S. Tickets sold out in minutes. People lined up for hours in front of arena box offices and/or TICKETRON locations. With the prices sky high as they are now, at least the ticket is available for someone willing to pay.

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HopeYouGuessMyName
There is a small upside to the high ticket prices - and no one here on this thread has mentioned it. Although I enjoy telling people that I only paid $12.50 for a Rolling Stones ticket at Madison Square Garden in 1975, no one is talking about HOW DIFFICULT it was to secure a ticket. Sure, the ticket was $12.50, but lucky ticket holders felt like they won the lottery just to secure a ticket at any price. In fact, the tickets were priced so low, that DEMAND greatly overwhelmed supply. So, in the old days, even though tickets were comparatively inexpensive, they were not so easy to secure. I remember seeing at the Rolling Stones at the United Center in Chicago in recent years, and I went expecting to buy scalped tickets outside the arena, I ended up buying a ticket from the box office just a few minutes before the show started. THAT NEVER HAPPENED IN THE 1970'S. Tickets sold out in minutes. People lined up for hours in front of arena box offices and/or TICKETRON locations. With the prices sky high as they are now, at least the ticket is available for someone willing to pay.

It's a balancing act really. In today's world, the plague upon us all is the 'secondary market', with all its malpractice and deceit and connivance and all the rest of it.

THIS time around though, Stones tickets are priced high enough to simply put off all the a**hole scalpers (that would normally scoop up tickets by the bucketload and sell them at hideously inflated prices) from buying them. That is why there still remains widespread availability for all shows .......

As a pricing 'strategy', it seems to have worked in large measure !

[ I want to shout, but I can hardly speak ]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018-05-01 15:27 by paulywaul.

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Monsoon Ragoon

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slewan
for Germany: The average gross income for a fulltime job is about 4200 Euros a month (for a single person that's some 2300 Euros net). Pit tickets are 799 Euros… – you get the problem

The average income does say nothing because there are people included who get 100.000s EURO each months. The "real" average income of most people is far below 4.200 I think. Let alone in Berlin.

You are right. Far below. That makes the problem of the high priced tickets even stronger. I did not get any of the cheaper tickets for stuttgart.the more expensive tickets: STILL AVAILABLE

I am not here to bash THE ROLLING STONES.Indeed they are the greatest rock and roll band in the world. They have created a history by continuing for 50+ years and I feel no band or singer has achieved that fate.
People began to write off Keith Richards in 2007 after his debacle performance,however he came back strongly after 5 years to prove the critics wrong. All the shows since 2012 till now were great. Mick a true frontman,Keith well a engine of the band,Ronnie and Charlie too.
But now I feel they should give up. As they are in mid 70s.

you should def write them a letter; I'm sure they'll make adjustments soon after.

I think some people should unsuscribe from IORR

So that's what this is all about. I saw the announcement on RollingStones.com and didn't understand till now.

STONES CALL IT A DAY
"If We Can't Please pftw04 What is the Point of Making Millions of Others Happy?"



Thanks a lot, pftw04. Way to spoil it for the rest of us.

I saw Crossfire Hurricane yesterday and I was so happy they continued. It was right for all of us and if you don't like it get off the train.

I think they should give up too as I have my bike outside...........

I know a guy who spoke to a guy, who works with a guy, who’s friends with a guy, who knows a guy that knows Keith Richards. And the guy who’s know the guy that’s friends with a guy who works with a guy spoke with the guy I know and that guy told me that Keith doesn’t give a @#$%& what pftw04 thinks.

Thank You Paddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until they finish the new album and tour for at least five more years, they should not give up!
Even then, they should keep on rolling as long as they please...

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Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......

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Paddy
I know a guy who spoke to a guy, who works with a guy, who’s friends with a guy, who knows a guy that knows Keith Richards. And the guy who’s know the guy that’s friends with a guy who works with a guy spoke with the guy I know and that guy told me that Keith doesn’t give a @#$%& what pftw04 thinks.

Spot on

When told of the news that they should give up because they're in their 70's, the band promptly issued this statement:



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Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......

THE ROLLING STONES SHOULD GIVE UP IN THEIR 70’s?!?? What are you thinking?! They’ve got BABIES to feed!!