I just wish there were new groups coming up that were generating the kind of buzz you got with the Legend bands. Maybe they can squeeze the ticket buyer because of the panic that once these classic groups are gone, there aren't any more.

for German readers: FAZ on the financial aspects of concerts, touring etc => [www.faz.net]

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treaclefingers

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RisingStone

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treaclefingers
There was a $25 per ticket concert series this year in North America in which a number of bigger name acts, Black Crowes, Styx, and a few others that I can't remember played for that price, which I believe is about 16 GBP.

From my perspective the only show I'll spend big money on are the Stones, but now even for them I'm not so sure since Lucky Dips have served me well in the last decade.

I've spent $150/ticket to see some top tier comedy; Seinfeld, Maniscalco, a bit less for Jimmy Carr so these higher prices aren't limited to music.

With all of that said, these are completely discretionary purchases, a night out, a birthday present, something special.

From a previous thread I see some people go out every couple of nights to a concert. Great for them and I'm sure expensive but it's within their means and part of their lifestyle. I wouldn't even want to go out every second night, not even when I was in my 20s.

But to bemoan the price of tickets...seriously? Just don't go. This isn't like health care, or food, or housing, it's completely discretionary.

And if the market has swung too far in one direction eventually it will come back to earth. If you're going to complain, why not complain about new vinyl records being sold at $40 or $50. Seriously?

El Mocambo at $250 for the neon version. Seriously?

But I just won't buy it then...I don't start a thread crying about the end of Western Civilization. This is the definition of a First World problem...people have real issues in the world and an overpriced concert ticket should be the least of our concerns.

Bemoaning the price of tickets is certainly not a real issue in the world. Neither are berating setlists and warhorses, complaining about a long overdue new album, lamenting the decline of Keith’s guitar play etc. They are not real issues in the world, either.

Bringing up “real issues in the world” in order to dismiss my point about non-essential life choices, e.g. discretionary purchases, seems to be downplaying things.

Topics and discussions on the IORR forums are largely not about real issues in the world, after all.

I agree with what you're saying, however my point is focused on the financial part, which is what you're concern is. This is a free market exercise. Springsteen charges out of the world prices and is slapped in the media.

I think this all eventually settles down, but you'll always have the tier one acts charging more because they can. They couldn't charge those prices if people weren't willing to spend the money. I just don't think it's anything to be concerned about as their are lots of different options for my money if I find going to a particular concert too expensive.

And my point is focused on the ticket prices, not on the new vinyl records or El Mocambo neon version (yes I agree, those prices are ridiculous).

Springsteen was severely criticized for the extortionate ticket prices for the next tour, allowing Ticketmaster to sell them by dynamic pricing. The general public and the media strongly reacted against it. In the end, however, the idea, “If you have means, buy the ticket. If you don’t, just don’t go,” may well lead us to the acceptance of dynamic pricing at large. You can’t logically deny it. What are we going to do if tickets for every concert, every event, are sold by dynamic pricing?

Robert Smith could charge more for the tickets of The Cure concerts, but he doesn’t. Why? Because he wants as many fans as possible to come and see their show by making it affordable for them regardless of their finances.

As long as there is someone like Robert Smith, the argument that a major rock concert can be priced as high as the artists and/or the promoters want loses me.

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RisingStone

And my point is focused on the ticket prices, not on the new vinyl records or El Mocambo neon version (yes I agree, those prices are ridiculous).

Springsteen was severely criticized for the extortionate ticket prices for the next tour, allowing Ticketmaster to sell them by dynamic pricing. The general public and the media strongly reacted against it. In the end, however, the idea, “If you have means, buy the ticket. If you don’t, just don’t go,” may well lead us to the acceptance of dynamic pricing at large. You can’t logically deny it. What are we going to do if tickets for every concert, every event, are sold by dynamic pricing?

That would be pretty awesome, if the prices went downward based on demand too without any artificial floors.

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Robert Smith could charge more for the tickets of The Cure concerts, but he doesn’t. Why? Because he wants as many fans as possible to come and see their show by making it affordable for them regardless of their finances.

As long as there is someone like Robert Smith, the argument that a major rock concert can be priced as high as the artists and/or the promoters want loses me.

Just go see The Cure then. And if he reaches the point where he will or only can do 15-20 shows a year, or the doctor says you can only sing 2 nights a week then you will also see his prices rise steeply.

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Dan

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RisingStone

And my point is focused on the ticket prices, not on the new vinyl records or El Mocambo neon version (yes I agree, those prices are ridiculous).

Springsteen was severely criticized for the extortionate ticket prices for the next tour, allowing Ticketmaster to sell them by dynamic pricing. The general public and the media strongly reacted against it. In the end, however, the idea, “If you have means, buy the ticket. If you don’t, just don’t go,” may well lead us to the acceptance of dynamic pricing at large. You can’t logically deny it. What are we going to do if tickets for every concert, every event, are sold by dynamic pricing?

That would be pretty awesome, if the prices went downward based on demand too without any artificial floors.

Who said there are no artificial floors for the ticket prices? There should be. Don’t know whether the current dynamic pricing in general has a price cap, though.

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Dan

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Robert Smith could charge more for the tickets of The Cure concerts, but he doesn’t. Why? Because he wants as many fans as possible to come and see their show by making it affordable for them regardless of their finances.

As long as there is someone like Robert Smith, the argument that a major rock concert can be priced as high as the artists and/or the promoters want loses me.

Just go see The Cure then. And if he reaches the point where he will or only can do 15-20 shows a year, or the doctor says you can only sing 2 nights a week then you will also see his prices rise steeply.

I assume you are talking about the Stones here. I have to admit theirs is an atypical case, more or less. I’d rather the entire ground is GA like old days, first come, first served, though.

Madonna is starting her tour in Vancouver in July, with Seattle getting the second date. Arena shows. For giggles I checked to see how much she was charging. For kind of medium seats it's $400-$500 before service charges. I don't even want to know how much the good seats are. I wouldn't mind seeing her as I never have. I had a chance in Vegas once but Prince was playing a smaller venue the same night. I got killer seats for Prince from the casino for reasonable money. The same money would've put me in the rafters for Madonna. I'm way more into Prince's music than Madonna's. So, hard pass on this tour. Sorry Madge but $1000+ for a pair is way out of my budget constraints.

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crholmstrom
Madonna is starting her tour in Vancouver in July, with Seattle getting the second date. Arena shows. For giggles I checked to see how much she was charging. For kind of medium seats it's $400-$500 before service charges. I don't even want to know how much the good seats are. I wouldn't mind seeing her as I never have. I had a chance in Vegas once but Prince was playing a smaller venue the same night. I got killer seats for Prince from the casino for reasonable money. The same money would've put me in the rafters for Madonna. I'm way more into Prince's music than Madonna's. So, hard pass on this tour. Sorry Madge but $1000+ for a pair is way out of my budget constraints.

She lip syncs now anyway.

Also this tour was supposed to be stadiums but guess they decided to go safely with arenas.

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Dan

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crholmstrom
Madonna is starting her tour in Vancouver in July, with Seattle getting the second date. Arena shows. For giggles I checked to see how much she was charging. For kind of medium seats it's $400-$500 before service charges. I don't even want to know how much the good seats are. I wouldn't mind seeing her as I never have. I had a chance in Vegas once but Prince was playing a smaller venue the same night. I got killer seats for Prince from the casino for reasonable money. The same money would've put me in the rafters for Madonna. I'm way more into Prince's music than Madonna's. So, hard pass on this tour. Sorry Madge but $1000+ for a pair is way out of my budget constraints.

She lip syncs now anyway.

Also this tour was supposed to be stadiums but guess they decided to go safely with arenas.

Ya, I would've went for the show if I could've got in for $100. Looking at it as kind of Broadway trip. Being on a fixed income it's just not happening. I'll live. Like I said I've never seen her but it's not like a bucket list thing for me. BTW: Prince was incredible that night in Vegas. I made the right choice.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023-01-18 02:26 by crholmstrom.

After the recent fiasco with the outrageous official platinum tickets, I'd say the BO$$ has become synonymous with overpriced concert tickets. Look up greed in the dictionary, and there's a pic of him all smiles.
Sure the Stones are guilty as well, but they have to share their bounty amongst the core members (and the other performers to a lesser degree), while Springsteen probably pockets 90% of the lions share all to himself.

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

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Hairball
After the recent fiasco with the outrageous official platinum tickets, I'd say the BO$$ has become synonymous with overpriced concert tickets. Look up greed in the dictionary, and there's a pic of him all smiles.
Sure the Stones are guilty as well, but they have to share their bounty amongst the core members (and the other performers to a lesser degree), while Springsteen probably pockets 90% of the lions share all to himself.

Nope

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Dan

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crholmstrom
Madonna is starting her tour in Vancouver in July, with Seattle getting the second date. Arena shows. For giggles I checked to see how much she was charging. For kind of medium seats it's $400-$500 before service charges. I don't even want to know how much the good seats are. I wouldn't mind seeing her as I never have. I had a chance in Vegas once but Prince was playing a smaller venue the same night. I got killer seats for Prince from the casino for reasonable money. The same money would've put me in the rafters for Madonna. I'm way more into Prince's music than Madonna's. So, hard pass on this tour. Sorry Madge but $1000+ for a pair is way out of my budget constraints.

She lip syncs now anyway.

Also this tour was supposed to be stadiums but guess they decided to go safely with arenas.

Guessing she waited too long and the stadiums are all booked up with other bands!!

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Hairball
After the recent fiasco with the outrageous official platinum tickets, I'd say the BO$$ has become synonymous with overpriced concert tickets. Look up greed in the dictionary, and there's a pic of him all smiles.
Sure the Stones are guilty as well, but they have to share their bounty amongst the core members (and the other performers to a lesser degree), while Springsteen probably pockets 90% of the lions share all to himself.

Bruce is just taking pages right out of the Stones' (and other major artists') playbook on this one. Just about everyone and their dog is doing Plats these days. That's the game.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023-01-18 06:43 by Topi.

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crholmstrom

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Dan

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crholmstrom
Madonna is starting her tour in Vancouver in July, with Seattle getting the second date. Arena shows. For giggles I checked to see how much she was charging. For kind of medium seats it's $400-$500 before service charges. I don't even want to know how much the good seats are. I wouldn't mind seeing her as I never have. I had a chance in Vegas once but Prince was playing a smaller venue the same night. I got killer seats for Prince from the casino for reasonable money. The same money would've put me in the rafters for Madonna. I'm way more into Prince's music than Madonna's. So, hard pass on this tour. Sorry Madge but $1000+ for a pair is way out of my budget constraints.

She lip syncs now anyway.

Also this tour was supposed to be stadiums but guess they decided to go safely with arenas.

Ya, I would've went for the show if I could've got in for $100. Looking at it as kind of Broadway trip. Being on a fixed income it's just not happening. I'll live. Like I said I've never seen her but it's not like a bucket list thing for me. BTW: Prince was incredible that night in Vegas. I made the right choice.

I've never had a deep desire to see her, but I do enjoy her music, and if I could ever get a decent priced ticket, I'd consider going, but she hasn't been modestly priced for quite some time now. I remember her playing MSG around the time that the Boys played there in 2006, and I had floor seats right next to the B-stage for the Stones. Face value they were $500/ticket. The Madge tix were $800 apiece if memory serves. She's been more than the Stones for a long long while.

For me, I wouldn't pay $100 to see her. $50 perhaps. I'd be OK being in the nosebleeds if that was the price. Kiss, too. They're another one I've never had a desire to see, but would grab a $25 Livenation ticket if I could - had the chance last year, but with COVID lingering, the ex didn't want to go, so I missed out. Not a huge fan of theirs either, but to say I saw them once - like Dylan - would be kinda cool.

Like many here, I myself am nearing the end of my concert going days. Not really because I can't afford it or have mobility issues, but because there's really not many left that I want to see at this point. I'll probably go see the boys again, and I'd most definitely go see Bruce in NJ again if the opportunity arose at a good price. Otherwise, I've BTDT. Now, I'd say most of any shows I go to would probably be because one of my kids wants to go, and my daughter having now switched from rock to pop has VERY different musical tastes from my sons. In that regard, I could possibly see a Taylor Swift (which I actually wouldn't mind), Beyonce (again no complaints but that might be more for the visual than music LOL), Rihanna (def no complaints), The Weeknd (again), Arianna (is there a torture alternative???!!). I wouldn't mind a Bruno Mars show - I bet he puts on a decent show. But again, none of these people I'm going out of my way to see. I wouldn't mind seeing Moon Taxi in concert again. I saw them years and years ago before they even caught on at all, not that they've really gotten too huge. I've followed them ever since, and really enjoy their music. John Williams was the last one on my list that I hadn't seen yet, and while he only conducted one song last year at his 90th birthday bash, it was a magical, memorable moment.

Just checked the Madonna Presale.

Platinum ticket, front row $6,529
TicketBastard fee $966.92
Facility Charge $4.25
Order processing Fee $7.00
Total $7,507.17

I have zero interest in Madonna, but am wondering what Stones tix will look like this time.

Yeah, no kidding. This is just Saturday morning cartoons.

I'm sure LDs will be around $30 each before fees, so I'm good!

I'm with Voodoo. My concert days are winding down. The prices suck, but it's more about diminishing returns. During one stretch last year, I saw 4 shows in a 5-day span. It seemed more like a task than something enjoyable. And, outside of Pearl Jam, My Morning Jacket and a few others, most shows are sterile copies of the show before, no danger, edge, or excitement.

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SomeTorontoGirl
Just checked the Madonna Presale.

Platinum ticket, front row $6,529
TicketBastard fee $966.92
Facility Charge $4.25
Order processing Fee $7.00
Total $7,507.17

I have zero interest in Madonna, but am wondering what Stones tix will look like this time.

Nosebleed tickets were around $120 after fees, which weren't as bad as I was expecting. On the other hand, I don't think this tour will sell very well, and I'm anticipating prices to drop. She's lost fans in recent years.

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NashvilleBlues
I'm with Voodoo. My concert days are winding down. The prices suck, but it's more about diminishing returns. During one stretch last year, I saw 4 shows in a 5-day span. It seemed more like a task than something enjoyable. And, outside of Pearl Jam, My Morning Jacket and a few others, most shows are sterile copies of the show before, no danger, edge, or excitement.

I'm with you guys. I've seen hundreds of shows & the whole thing has become ritual more than anything else. I'm being very picky now as not that much really excites me any more. I have a few artists I'll still go to automatically but not many. 1 just came off the list when Jeff Beck passed. Also, it's getting very hard to go due to health issues.

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NashvilleBlues
I'm with Voodoo. My concert days are winding down. The prices suck, but it's more about diminishing returns. During one stretch last year, I saw 4 shows in a 5-day span. It seemed more like a task than something enjoyable. And, outside of Pearl Jam, My Morning Jacket and a few others, most shows are sterile copies of the show before, no danger, edge, or excitement.

I’m feel the same. Years ago I had no problem paying 150 to 200 for artists. Now no way. After nearly 400 concerts I’ve been too since 1975 I finally wised up.

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SomeTorontoGirl
Just checked the Madonna Presale.

Platinum ticket, front row $6,529
TicketBastard fee $966.92
Facility Charge $4.25
Order processing Fee $7.00
Total $7,507.17

I have zero interest in Madonna, but am wondering what Stones tix will look like this time.

Ouch, that's more than my Super Bowl tickets which is a whole different ball game.

Fortunately I can afford the expensive seats but in reality there are only a handful of bands I will pay that for. Obviously I do it for the Stones but Madonna, no f'in way.

according to RollingStone Germany (regular) tickets for Madonna are between 53 and 352 Euros (reserved seating). Tickets for standing areas start at 209 Euros.
[www.rollingstone.de]

I guess these ticket price are quite reasonable since she plays indoor venues.

pit tickets for her show in Amsterdam are 280 Euros; cheapest seats are just 48 Euros (which is a laugh compared to Stones tickets)

Personally I have zero interest in Madonna



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023-01-18 19:03 by slewan.

I can't say that I've seen 100's of concerts, but I've been to my fair share over the years. I keep track of such things so that one day I can fondly look back:

The Rolling Stones (13, 1x in London)
The Strokes
Sheryl Crow
Goo Goo Dolls
Black Eyed Peas
Maroon 5
Beck (4)
Metric
The Charlatans
Alice Cooper
Kanye West
St. Paul & the Broken Bones
The Ghost Hounds
Billy Joel (3, 1x @ MSG)
Garth Brooks
Alan Jackson
Leann Rimes
Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band (Peter Frampton, Gary Brooker, Simon Kirke, Jack Bruce, and Mark Rivera)
Aerosmith (2, 2nd time in Boston - Slash special guest on Mama Kin, and Johnny Depp surprise guest on Train Kept A Rollin’)
Johnny Lang
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators
AC/DC
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Rusted Root
Ravi Shankar
Judy Collins
Stomp (does that really count as a band??)
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (in NJ)
Paul Simon
Bob Dylan
Pearl Jam (the infamous concert from which I'll one day be short a kidney LOL)
Bon Jovi (2)
Jeff Healy Band
SR-71
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Chely Wright
Doobie Brothers
Tommy Roe
Chuck Berry
Bo Diddley
REM
Radiohead
Tina Turner
Celine Dion
Gloria Estefan
The Eagles
Fleetwood Mac
The Who
The Police
Fiction Plane
Gary Allan
The Newsboys
Kutless
The Geraldine Fibbers
Hole
Cypress Hill
Pavement
Sonic Youth (2)
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
The Jesus Lizard
Elastica
The Boston Pops (Seigi Ozawa conducting)
The Boston Pops (Keith Lockhart conducting)
No Doubt
Paramore
Janelle Monae
The Afters
The Black Crowes
Truth & Salvage Company
Press Play
Coffey Anderson
Hawk Nelson
Revive
Britt Nicole
John Reuben
Fazeshift
Matisyahu (3)
Dub Trio
The Dirty Heads
Moon Taxi
Paul McCartney (Billy Joel surprise guest on I Saw Her Standing There)
Third Day
Tenth Avenue North
Trevor Morgan
Switchfoot
Paper Route
P.O.D.
Flyleaf
Stars in Stereo
Manafest
Jana Kramer
Pitbull
Keith Urban
Nick Jonas
The Weeknd
Axwell Ingrosso
Lil Wayne
Jason Derulo
Halsey
Stephen Marley
Jo Mersa Marley
Skip Marley
Black Am I
Tarrus Riley (w/ his dad Jim Riley on 1 song)
Morgan Heritage
Ziggy Marley
Steel Pulse
Maxi Priest
311
Guns-n-Roses
Lenny Kravitz
Train
Twenty One Pilots
MisterWives
Vesperteen
John Mellencamp
Emmylou Harris
Carlene Carter
Lily & Madeleine (backing vocals to Mellencamp, Emmylou, and Carter)
Metallica
Avenged Sevenfold
U2
Damian Marley
Kabaka Pyramid
Brantley Gilbert
Tyler Farr
Luke Combs
Tim McGraw/Faith Hill – Soul2Soul II
Margo Price and the Pricetags
Imagine Dragons
Grace Vanderwaal
Stone Temple Pilots
The Cult
Bush
Live
Counting Crows
John Williams 90th Birthday Celebration: BSO conducted by Ken-David Masur (multiple guests including James Taylor [Getting To Know You, Sweet Baby James with Yo-Yo Ma]; Itzhak Perlman playing on Theme From Schindler’s List; Branford Marsalis; Jessica Zhou; Eric Revis; J. William Hudgins; Yo-Yo Ma; and Williams himself conducting Raiders March)


The # of times I've seen an act is in parenthesis, as are any special notes. There are some opening acts that I'm missing because I can't really remember the year in which I saw the headliner to research who the opener was. One day I'll try and sort that out. Most likely when I have all my cds on display again and can go thru them to look at the ticket stubs.

Didn't wade through all the responses here, but, regarding ticket prices, interestingly I came across something regarding the Stones and concert prices back in the day. I, as I occasionally do, looked up a few things regarding my hometown. Came onto this article from Baltimore Magazine regarding the renovation of the old Baltimore Civic Center. I saw many a concert there from the Beatles in 1964 to Elvis in the 1970s, to Neil, Seger, Traffic, The Band, Rod Stewart, Elton, Dylan, The Dead and others, along with basketball games, hot rod shows. etc. What struck me in the article was the price of concert tickets back then including tax. Enjoy the read.

[www.baltimoremagazine.com]

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dmay
Didn't wade through all the responses here, but, regarding ticket prices, interestingly I came across something regarding the Stones and concert prices back in the day. I, as I occasionally do, looked up a few things regarding my hometown. Came onto this article from Baltimore Magazine regarding the renovation of the old Baltimore Civic Center. I saw many a concert there from the Beatles in 1964 to Elvis in the 1970s, to Neil, Seger, Traffic, The Band, Rod Stewart, Elton, Dylan, The Dead and others, along with basketball games, hot rod shows. etc. What struck me in the article was the price of concert tickets back then including tax. Enjoy the read.

[www.baltimoremagazine.com]

$1.75 for a Stones ticket? Were the LDs $0.75?

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24FPS
I just wish there were new groups coming up that were generating the kind of buzz you got with the Legend bands. Maybe they can squeeze the ticket buyer because of the panic that once these classic groups are gone, there aren't any more.

Not groups, but Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Adele, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and other solo acts have been selling tickets at breakneck speeds for hundreds of dollars per ticket (thousands in the case of the cursed Platinum tickets) for the good seats for the past few years.

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SomeTorontoGirl
Just checked the Madonna Presale.

Platinum ticket, front row $6,529
TicketBastard fee $966.92
Facility Charge $4.25
Order processing Fee $7.00
Total $7,507.17

I have zero interest in Madonna, but am wondering what Stones tix will look like this time.

I just got 2 tix for Vancouver via Amex. Upper bowl row 4, luckily got seats I always try to get. $231 total for 2 tickets including all fees!! They went pretty fast from fan club presale, etc. I'm sure when they go on sale to general public, the majority of them will have already been sold.

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NashvilleBlues

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dmay
Didn't wade through all the responses here, but, regarding ticket prices, interestingly I came across something regarding the Stones and concert prices back in the day. I, as I occasionally do, looked up a few things regarding my hometown. Came onto this article from Baltimore Magazine regarding the renovation of the old Baltimore Civic Center. I saw many a concert there from the Beatles in 1964 to Elvis in the 1970s, to Neil, Seger, Traffic, The Band, Rod Stewart, Elton, Dylan, The Dead and others, along with basketball games, hot rod shows. etc. What struck me in the article was the price of concert tickets back then including tax. Enjoy the read.

[www.baltimoremagazine.com]

$1.75 for a Stones ticket? Were the LDs $0.75?

very interesting – in 1964 the minimum wage per hour was $1,15. in other words: The most expansive Stones ticket was just four times the minimun wage per hour.
Nowadays the minimum wage is $7,25… and we all know what's the price for the most expansive (regular) Stones ticket…
But on the other hand: In 1964 the Stones were a relatively small newcomer band (at least in the US)

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BFR

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24FPS
I just wish there were new groups coming up that were generating the kind of buzz you got with the Legend bands. Maybe they can squeeze the ticket buyer because of the panic that once these classic groups are gone, there aren't any more.

Not groups, but Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Adele, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and other solo acts have been selling tickets at breakneck speeds for hundreds of dollars per ticket (thousands in the case of the cursed Platinum tickets) for the good seats for the past few years.

Kinda funny the poster just assumes no one is paying for anyone not The Eagles or the Stones when in reality the new bands have some of the most expensive tickets in the biz and they are selling to a fan base that doesn't have the mental baggage of cheap tickets in some distant past, never knowing a time when concerts weren't a luxury experience.

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Dan
Kinda funny the poster just assumes no one is paying for anyone not The Eagles or the Stones when in reality the new bands have some of the most expensive tickets in the biz and they are selling to a fan base that doesn't have the mental baggage of cheap tickets in some distant past, never knowing a time when concerts weren't a luxury experience.

Indeed. I forgot to mention Ed Sheeran...his Division tour was the highest grossing tour of all time with a tour profit of more than $776 million Tickets for his 2023 tour have an average price of $350. Harry Styles' last tour had an average price of $500(!!) and played as many as 15 shows per city in some American cities, selling out every one. The kids (or their parents) are willing to shell out the cash for their favs these days.