In last week’s column, I asked those of you who regularly attend concerts what the most is that you would spend to see your favorite artist.
The impetus for my query was the upcoming George Michael tour, which, in most markets, has a top ticket price of $250. Seems a little high, no?
Most of you thought so, but I also heard from some die-hard G.M. fans—even from Australia—with perfectly legitimate reasons (to them) for spending $500 on a pair of concert tickets.
Here’s what you had to say:
Ah, the price of a concert ticket. Not to show my age but…my first concert was Molly Hatchet. XL102 was sponsor and tickets cost $10.21; they played at the Landmark (Mosque). Since then I have seen many bands, acts, and events, some remembered better than others. I don’t believe I have yet to pay in excess of $100.00 for a ticket; by the time they add those fees on, Ticketmaster, facility use, and all the other junk fees that you cannot escape from (even by going to the Coliseum ticket window) only God knows what I have ended up paying.
I plan on seeing the B-52s at the end of the month at the National and there is a $6.00 “convenience fee” that is unavoidable. Just add it and tell me tickets are $43.50 instead of $37.50 plus ??? fees!! Only at two shows last year (Emmylou Harris at Browns Island and Buddy Guy at Toads Place—tickets purchased at a box office. No fees yeah!) have I escaped from fees and paid the true ticket price. How much would I pay? Paul McCartney is my last must-see and I might just break the bank for him.
—Kent Kannegieter
Concert ticket prices have gotten way out of hand. Artists who don’t make any money on their CD sales, seem to be trying to reap the rewards through their live shows. Ticketmaster fees are nearly as bad totalling over $12.00 per ticket. This is unacceptable.
There have been several dates booked in my local arena that have been selling for well over $50.00 per ticket. This is too much money for the working class.
Another new trend that is starting—concert venues are selling annual memberships to give you the rights to buy tickets in the premium seating areas. Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati sells annual memberships starting at $1200.00 per year, to give you the rights to buy the best seats. The concert tickets are extra. Enough is enough!
Poison’s tickets sold for $25.00 before the 12.43 ticketmaster fees. A reasonable price for a great show.
Guess which one I paid for.
—Robert Gunkel
$100 per ticket is my limit. I’m going to see Bruce Springsteen in C’ville this month and I’ve seen him at least once and often more times on each tour since Born In the USA. But as I much as I love Bruce, he has almost hit my personal $100 list price limit for tickets (actually went a little over with the ticket charges). U2 went over on their last tour, and as much as I love them, I passed on buying tickets.
As I look at my limited concert fund, I can spend $100+ for tickets to a big show, have to travel at least 75 minutes to C’ville’s JPJ Arena (where they don’t even serve beer sometimes), pay for parking and probably dinner, deal with traffic getting in and out of the venue, then drive back to Richmond late night on dark, dark I-64 or, if farther than C’Ville, pay for a hotel. Not to mention that I now have kids and would either have to get a babysitter (if my wife wanted to go) or bargain for some “time-off” away from home.
For all that money, I can attend 5 - 6 shows here in Richmond at places where you can buy beer and be within 15 minutes of any venue here in town. If we had big acts come to Richmond, there may be more inclination to see those stadium acts but with C’ville the closest venue, big money acts for me are now few and far between.
I actually wrote a lengthy blog about my idea for full venue ticket auctioning (which seems to already be bubbling up a bit) in December. If you want to check it out, it’s at: http://handfulofbrains.blogspot.com/2007/12/future-of-concert-tickets.html. I enjoy reading your columns. Keep up the great work!
—Tony Jordan
I am a big fan of your column and read your work on a regular basis. Most of the time we are in agreement. While I understand your point of view, I see the subject through a different lens.
“What semilogical person is going to spend $126—the top ticket price for the best seats on these two middling acts?“
The assumption there is that music fans apply logic when making choices. Most people make an emotional connection to music, which often times is counter to logical thought. Remember the “LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE” guy? People make an emotional investment in the musicians (or puppets) they love. It’s that simple. Some bands, like Van Halen, will capitalize on that emotional connection. I remember how I felt when I wore out that first Van Halen record in 4th grade. When I saw them in Greensboro last year I was right back in that moment. You can’t put a price on that. I would have paid double.
There are still a lot of deals out there. I saw Down at Toad’s Place for $18 (possibly the best club show I have ever seen). I go to 30-40 shows a year of all types. That is what I am passionate about. Economics rarely factor into the equation, and I understand that I am fortunate to be in that position. But I go because I love music, not because I can simply afford it. And if I could not afford it, I would be more selective about what I see. It is a business, and a lot of these bands won’t be around forever. If they can get the money they should grab it now.
Bottom line is that you can’t put a price on how a piece of music, a band, or performance will make me feel. Every now and then a band will have an off night and value isn’t there, but more often than not I will probably walk away with a big, dopey smile on my face whether I pay $18 or $150. Just my two cents. Keep up the good work!
—Mike O.
Ticket prices are way too high. I go see concerts based on value (with maybe a couple exceptions like U2, i.e., a real event). By value I mean that I weigh the group’s appeal against what they are charging. No complex formula, just a gut reaction.
For example, Spoon is at the Norva next week for $15.00. That’s a bargain and I saw them last year in Austin (and they were great). I’m there. On the other hand, and using your article’s example, I like Counting Crows, but not for $75.00. Try half that (at least for me). Buy the CD and pass on the concert; save $60.00 (not counting Ticketmaster rape and $7.00 per cup of Miller Lite swill).
—Thomas J. Szymanski
Melissa, read your article in the Weekender today. Great as usual. Now for my .02 about concert ticket prices:
Most of these high priced tickets are just that. Promoters and artist’s managers are just trying to see what the market will bear. Who in there right mind would think of paying $250 or even $100+ to see George Michael? $200 to $500 for two tickets plus service facility fees and ticket handling fees, plus parking…way to much. Some people might pay these prices but I won’t be one of them.
The best shows I have seen have been in the $10 - $25 price range from acts that might not be the band of the moment. Places I have been and seen good shows at reasonable prices around C. Va. are Innsbrook After Hours (not one of my favorite places but they do have good entertainment at a reasonable price), Toad’s Place (if you choose wisely this can be a fun night out), and finally the very best show I have seen at a really reasonable price was the Kid Rock show at the JPJA..(I got a $10 ticket, they called it something like Kid Rock in the Rafters or whatever. Great seat and great show.)
I can’t even justify the Eagles ticket prices for the upcoming concert at the JPJA and I live right here in Charlottesville. They add way too many fees to the ticket price and parking is additional and ridiculous. Also the Eagles haven’t done anything significant for the past 20 years. Many of these groups are just living on past glories and are in need of quick cash to support the lifestyle they have become accoustomed too, and a summer concert tour is the best way to replenish the depleted bank account and have fun at the same time. Just look at the recent Police tour. You’ll never hear from them again. I can go to Wall Mart and get a double disk album of the Eagles greatest hits for under $20 and feel like I’m at a concert while I listen to them, anytime.
P.S. Innsbrook After Hours May 7, Little Feat - $12.50 advance GA or $15 at gate…now that’s my price and will probably be a good show. When I see prices like that I just buy at the gate and if the artists cancels I’m not out of anything i.e…money, or including rearranging my life schedule to come out another time for a postponed show, i.e. Van Halen…(I really feel for those people who bought those tickets).
—John Falwell
I enjoyed reading your article… I think you do make a valid point about whether or not it is worth every penny to shell out top $$ for artists like George Michael, etc.
Well..I am one big example. I shelled out $450 (1 ticket) at the July 21st Madison Square Garden ticket in New York (front section 10th row). I got this through the Fan Club..and like you may already have guessed, I am a HUGE George Michael fan.
I have been to his concerts in London both in 2006 and 2007 (total I have been to 5 of his concerts in London) and would do it all over again if I have to. And I’d say it was worth every single penny. And I am planning to go to 11 of his concerts (so far I got front section tickets for 4 of his shows: Madison Sq. Garden, San Jose, San Diego, and Ft. Lauderdale).
I think depending on how much you appreciate the artist and his/her music, you will happily spend top dollar to see them perform live. In the case of George, he’s a legend (regardless of his reputation in the US), his talents are incomparable, and the voice…ah the voice!! Perfection!
Anyway, just want to share my thoughts about this.
—Mauricia
The only band touring that I would pay more than $30 to see is Rush. I have been to 6 of their shows at Nissan Pavilion and Va. Beach Amphitheater over their last three tours with a 7th in July on my calendar. I’ve paid as much as $90 face value per ticket. Of course, once the service fees were added on two $90 tickets ended up costing me $205, but that’s a whole ‘nother column. To me it’s worth the money because Rush does not tour with an opening band, instead playing two sets of their own music with total show times in excess of 2 and ½ hours. Even as a diehard fan, if they were offering a “traditional” concert with an opening band and a 1 and ½ hour set I’d be much more hesitant to shell out that type of money.
Thank goodness for local venues like The National, Toad’s Place, and Ashland Coffee and Tea. I have attended at least one show at each of these venues in the last 6 months and will continue to do so. They offer “name” acts from a variety of genres and couple them with good atmospheres and reasonable ticket prices.
—Grady A. Ray
I wanted to commend you for your well-written article on concert ticket prices. I’m one of those crazed fans that shelled out $525 for a pair of tickets to his Chicago show on July 9th. Was it worth it? Every penny. I’m not a frivolous spender by any means, but music means a lot to me. George Michael is an artist with a body of work that any music fan has to appriciate. Regardless of his recent run-ins with the law, his music stands up as a true test of time. The fact that he announced this as his last tour only further pushes the point to see a truly gifted singer-songwriter of our generation in person.
—Marcus C., Elgin, IL
I found your article funny. I guess it depends on what kind of fan you are. I live in Australia and am a happily married Mum of 5. I am also a MASSIVE George Michael fan. He has not toured over here in more than 20 years. I am flying with my hubby and kids and a good friend to New York to see George at Madison Square Garden. I bought front row seats for 21st July and seats in section 8 for 23rd. These tickets were $450 US for 21st and $254 US for the 23rd, then the cost to fly over and accomodation for 1 week in NYC. About 27,0000 AUS for my tickets. I have been a devoted fan for 24 years! I would do anything for George, I love him!! I love the man, his music, his body. Just amazing and I can’t wait.
—Kimberlie
I’m a New Yorker and more importantly I’m a die hard George Michael fan. I’ve traveled to UK Earls Court for two concerts in 2006 and in 2007. I went to Wembly for two nights. The pound kicked my [butt] but I didn’t care, I paid about $300 for each Circle of Faith ticket.
Now that he’s here in States, so far I’ve brought tickets for San Diego $350, NYC $454 (the first night), Philly $277 and St. Pete’s Florida $169. And I’m not alone, most of my friends who are fellow GM fans are also traveling from overseas and from various states to see him. Now factor in hotel and airfare and you get the picture. By the way I’m not done. I still need the 2nd NYC date and a seat for Tampa.
He hasn’t performed his own material in North America in over 17 years. He claims that his the last time. So how the hell can we not line up to see our man?
To have the opportunity to see George Michael is a priceless!. I’m not rich, I’m a working class girl with large credit card bill, but an even greater taste in fantastic music. George Michael is an icon. It’s unfortunate that most Americans can only remember him for the LA scandal. His true fans know him as world class singer, songwriter and kick [butt] performer.
His music brings us joy and I don’t mind going a little bit more in debt to see one of the greatest artists of our generation. Anytime, anywhere as long as I’m able, I’m going to be there.
—Em, Brooklyn, NY
Read Less...
Post a comment