Why have concert tickets become so expensive?

[krcit]

I just went to see Billy Joel last week. Tickets(the "cheap" ones) were 54.50 before the "convenience'" charge of $11.50. It was well worth it but I was waaaaay up in the nosebleed section. I've been dying to take my kids to see the Lion King on Broadway but at $110 a ticketx5, it's not going to happen anytime soon

 

[Alice's Mom]

My parents talk about the cost of tickets all the time. My Mom said she paid $8/ticket (the more expensive ticket) to see Elton John in the 70's, about 2 years ago she paid $200/ticket to see him in Vegas!

In November I saw U2 for $50 and Depeche Mode for $60 at the same venue, the Staples center and my DM seats sucked!

My huge concern is how difficult it is to get tickets, they sell out in a few minutes and they are instantly in the hands of brokers and ebay at 3 - 10 times the face value!

 

[ckay87]

What I miss are the days when I could say to a friend "hey, you feel like going to see xyz?" Now you gotta really love and adore a band to spend that kind of money.

In fact, I just went to see Bon Jovi alone on Saturday night. I had NO friends willing to spend the $135 for tix.

And I miss being able to just go "check out" a band I just kind of like in concert. Like, I wouldn't mind seeing Queen w/Paul Rodgers...but not that bad!

Unfortunately for me, concerts are one of my all-time favorite things to do. I just love the energy. Makes me feel alive.

 

[disneymcgraw]

I'm going to see Tim and Faith in Boston and compared to most ticket prices these days, I don't think $85 for two headliners is a lot.
They will both sing on their own, then sing together. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

 

[cats mom]

My huge concern is how difficult it is to get tickets, they sell out in a few minutes and they are instantly in the hands of brokers and ebay at 3 - 10 times the face value!

ITA

Not for a concert, but here's an example: Broadway across America Wicked
Coming to our venue Aug 2006

Just checked e-bay and there are 62 listings for tickets. Most are bin prices and are as high as $300 per ticket.

Tickets have not even gone on sale to the general public yet!

When they do I'm guessing they will probably be around $75 (based on what other performances have been)
Of course my guess is there won't be any decent seats left by then. Grrrr

 

[Nancy]

I'm going to see Tim and Faith in Boston and compared to most ticket prices these days, I don't think $85 for two headliners is a lot.
They will both sing on their own, then sing together. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

I am so hoping that I can win tickets, because I just can't swing that kind of money for concert, no matter how much a love the act. Now if I was single and had no other obligations that might be a different story! So everyone keep fingers crossed that I can win tickets for their Buffalo show.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

When ticket prices started soaring, one of the reasons given was the overall drop in record/CD sales related to the internet. Even though illegal downloading has gone down, people would rather download that song they like for 99 cents than buy the CD for $13. I remember all the years I bought singles, while others would buy a whole album for one good song--now no one has to do that. It really cuts into the income these people make. (I know, wah wah wah--but the up-and-comers are the ones that "suffer"). Since Sir Paul can't make as much from record sales, he charges $500 for the best seats. I like Paul as much as anyone, but I won't pay that kind of money to see someone just so when they die, I can say "I saw him in concert!"
DH and I used to see a lot of concerts before the kids came along. Since the kids, I have seen 4 shows--Def Leppard in 92 when DD#1 was a baby, the Monkees in 96 and 97 (took DD#1 to that one) and Pat Benatar in 03. She cost $45 a seat at our local zoo and we couldn't believe that! I guess we're cheapskates--but I'd rather save the money for a trip to WDW than pay $200 to see anyone.
Robin M.

 

[azgal81]

I would pay any price to see bon jovi. I have a seperate savings account for my concert tickets and well any other event I want to go to like hockey games or plays. I also use that for my plane tickets to fly to these concerts. I have another savings account for disney as well. I guess I'm lucky! Although the current tour is about wiping me out and there is news there will be a summer one as well. This is why I save in advance so I can enjoy these things! I would regret it if I wanted to go to a show or concert but I didn't because I couldn't afford it.

 

[Servants of Evan]

There are artists as well who not only charge for the full ticket but actually charge ABOVE the ticket price. Case in point is the Chief Parrothead, Mr. Buffett. The last contract I saw required the promoter to pay 110% of the gate. Simply put, ol' JB knows that when he comes to town, the venue's blenders will be whirrling non-stop, creating the frozen concoctions his fans need to hang on. He has ensured that he not only gets the full ticket price, but gets a cut of the bevarage sales as well...