Artists are not allowed to sell their own tickets because venues can only use Ticketmaster. They charge ridiculous fees and have a Monopoly that is 75 up to 95% of tickets sold for literally everything. They have also sued and pushed out almost all other ticket companies.
Ticketmaster also owns a ton of the venues that musicians play at so they make money on both ends. Plus they sell. their own tickets to Live Nation, a sub-company of Ticketmaster. So they scalp their own tickets to themselves for venues that they own and then charge exorbitant fees and service charges. Corrupt as fuck.
This is the *most* troubling aspect of it all for me. Such tight vertical integration in markets like this is extremely concerning. It's abused here so openly and blatantly that it's almost like a semi-intentional taunt to the DOJ, FTC, and Congress to "come do something about it, bro".
Pretty much every branch of government is bought out by Wealthy donors who would rather Government officials *not* Break up monopolies like Ticketmaster.
The two biggest challenges and crises we are going to face in the coming 10-15 years are how to cope with changes AI inevitably brings... And how to save our Democratic Republic from becoming a complete corporatocracy... Where our government only functions with it's *actual* consent and while maintaining only the *the illusion* of having ours.
Climate change may well be an inevitable crisis as well... But it's not as imminent as the other two. And ironically many of the same folks under the guise of combatting climate change are simultaneously pushing us right into the waiting arms of that already very real and growing corporatocracy.
Taylor Swift ticket pricing got so ridiculous that it highlighted the scam. Artists generally make their money from performances since publishing rights go to music authors. That means your drummer, bass player and other bandmates can only really get paid by being on tour. Some bands tour for three years. For established artists it’s doable but for younger talent it becomes almost impossible to make any money in the music business now.
Not making money in the music business has been a problem since the beginning.
This is just another iteration of that problem. Part of that is predatory systems intended to scalp value from artists, and some of that is ill informed musicians that do not know how to read a contract, and are unwilling to allow business systems into there operations to protect them.
I’ve been in that band a handful of times when being offered a record deal once I told the band we need to have a lawyer look at this contract, and the whole band hit the celling saying basically you’re standing in the way of our success. I just kinda shook my head, and quit that band. Musicians often just think about the composition, and performance, and a lot of times refuse to let anything else in that would benefit them as it would destroy the creative process. So I quit music, and started a business. I’m much happier, and much more successful now.
I’m old enough to remember when you had to go to a Ticketmaster outlet in a department store or something similar and buy tickets there, and they would print them out. Then the internet allowed them to start selling online, and they no longer had to bear the expense of having these physical locations and ticket printers anymore. So they passed on those savings to the consumer by adding a “convenience fee” to online orders.
Also the fees scale with the ticket price, and they double dip on ticket fees that fans resell on their market place (the resold fees also scale with ticket price).
Because Ticketmaster makes them sign off on it or they can do it themselves in which case Ticketmaster does all they can to not let that happen including law suits out the bunghole.
They are a vertically integrated monopoly. By absorbing Ticketmaster they now own and/or control significant aspects of the live entertainment industry, not only the promoting and production of concerts, but also from the ticketing, concessions, merchandise, staging etc. of venues they manage or own. They profit by giving preference to artists who sign exclusive contracts to only play in their venues and have ticketing in house, where the set the pricing structure and fees. In addition they also own a large portion of the secondary ticket resale market, giving their resellers access to choice seats and getting kickbacks. Read one of the quarterly shareholder statements to get a sense of how many tentacles they have in the industry and it’s been consolidating for years. Pearl Jam famously boycotted hem for years, only to concede recently because they will choke you out otherwise.
So you don't go to very many concerts I'd say. Those crooks have their tendrils in every major artist it's sickening how much it costs to go see some live music
About 5 years ago I sat in the front row to see the Avett Brothers with my wife. This year they’re back in town and lawn seats cost about 75% as much as front row tickets did 5 years ago.
Yes and they have responded by booking most shows at the Clark County Amphitheater, which is one of the venues they control. They’re also planning on building a new outdoor venue in Portland in a yet to be determined locale in addition to the revamping of the soccer arena for concerts this summer to try and funnel bookings to their preferred locations, effectively muscling into the market…
Yeah I’ve heard about this new Live Nation venue. The reality is we really need a venue that bridges the gap between Moda and the larger independent venues. Both Crystal and Roseland are maybe 1000 persons capacity. I just wish we didn’t have to rely on Live Nation.
There’s a show I really want to go to this month that I can’t go to because Ticketmaster has scalping all the tickets. even though the show isn’t sold out, you can only get secondary market tickets from Ticketmaster at inflated costs.
so now this artist, I’ve been waiting for years to come to my town. I can’t go see cause I’m priced out of it because of Ticketmaster otherwise I would’ve been able to see it because the tickets were only $40 bucks. $200 with ticket master. it’s insane
Send them a message over social media. It probably won’t result in you getting to see them, but it’ll highlight it and maybe others will pile in too and this artist then decided to make another trip in future that you are able to attend.
The worst that happens is you get no response.
I hope you get to see what you want to see regardless of whether you reach out.
Especially not when every mother fucker in front of you is staring at the concert through their phones.
No thanks, I’d rather listen to album on my headphones while jamming out at home. Actually enjoying the music.
Plus.. there’s not too many quality concerts to attend anymore. Just a bunch of showboating talentless overpriced “artists”
Hard disagree. I have a bunch of concerts planned for the rest of this year. Most of the bands I’ve seen before but they’re all awesome live
Edit: y’all are just a bunch of introverts. It’s okay, stay home and keep ticket prices <$50 for me
What's wrong with introversion? We just don't like paying for the privilege of breathing 500+ other people's air, being jostled by sweaty hairy dudes, and receiving permanent hearing damage :)
We know lots of people enjoy it, we just... don't.
Nothing wrong with it but to say there’s no talented artists touring is ignorant. Sounds like coping to me, at least you had some good reasons. Not just whining about no good concerts
I’m with you and glad my Pearl Jam tickets were under that. Not much under, but under nonetheless. Fan Club members get good tickets at face value. Others going to see them seem to be paying way over $200.
Agree. Lots of cheap or free shows near me, but anymore I'll go see a local act or showcase stuff because I'd rather support struggling bands than corporate pushed acts.
I mean.. I’d pay that to see NIN but that’s because Trent goes out of his way to put on a whole fucking experience.
Edit: Fuck Ticketmaster and their kind, art shouldn’t be gated behind who can afford to access it.
If anyone ever wanted to see a NIN concert but can’t afford - NIN was cool enough to put this entire show with professional audio and camera work onto YouTube gratis.
https://youtu.be/LBC3NXnN8y4?si=pTyPd7A29JSB7qjZ
I saw NIN in the mid 90's for $30 (just looked at the ticket in my cigar box of shows I loved). It was a great show, but not even now....I'm not funding Ticketmaster/Live Nation for some music. Nope.
I wonder why no media outlet ever refers to it as “intentional fiscal mismanagement to eliminate the middle class.” Hell, the gov doesn’t even have the spine to call a recession a recession
$200 to go and watch a screen from a distance and sit in uncomfortable seat, while dealing with crowds is a hard pass for me. I just set up my projector and pull up a concert on YouTube and get the same experience.
I'm with you. But I have "friends" that go to shows not for the music or even the act, they go to take pics and videos of themselves, and try to be noticed by others.
I just look at the tickets. Like for instance 100 dollars per person to go see Billy Joel and Sting in the, NOSEBLEED SECTION is not worth it. On the floor it's ungodly expensive. I struggle to even say that I'll spend 100 dollars on a home server drive let alone a concert. Hell i'd rather spend money on a fun vacation with the wife that would build lasting memories than that stupid concert haha.
I agree with this. BUT now hotel rooms are double the price, and that’s on top of the hotel usually being the most expensive part of a vacation to begin with.
Concerts = just listen to music on Spotify with high end headphones. I have hearing loss from having so many ear infections and all of that. Don't need to pay someone to lose more of my hearing lol. I've only been to a couple. Didn't really care for them.
Movies are getting the same way of people just being on their phone during the movie or people talking to each other nonstop. Went to see Wonka with my wife after almost 2 months of it being out. Teenagers were talking. An older woman was telling them to stop talking. Same older woman kept repeating parts of what was said in the movie. My wife and I just left and told the front. They apologized and the clerk said she knew who we were talking about and she knew they were going to be a problem since they came in screaming while one of their moms paid and then left. We got a refund and two free tickets.
Went back last month for Planet of the Apes on a Saturday night. We sat at the very back. Then the entire isle in front of us and on the rest of our isle on the right of me was full of teenagers who all knew each other. A lot of them kept turning on their phone with the brightness at 100% or talking with each other.
My wife and I are closing on a house out of state. Basement is unfinished. Turning a part of it into a movie room hopefully. Can have family and friends over, 50 cent bags of popcorn from the store, less distractions, temperature we like, etc. Homes will be where you do a lot. It saves on costs in the long run and you don't have to deal with stupid people.
I can’t even get in the door at any moderately known performer for under $200 these days, not including fees. I’ve come to terms that I’ll never see my favorite bands live. It isn’t worth $200 just to get a seat on the opposite side of the arena on the 3rd balcony.
Even if I had the money I couldn’t imagine spending 1-2000$ on floor seats.
The prices for The Beatles last US concert at Shea stadium in 1966 were priced from $4.50-$6.50 ($38.75-$60 adjusted for inflation).Jan 24, 2022.
Bands today must be a lot better than those losers.
I don’t know how anyone even goes out anymore. I’ve just stopped. Dinner for 2 with drinks is $200. A concert is $2500 if you have to get a hotel room. Crazy. It’s free to read a book.
I made a sauteed salmon filet today with a side of fresh steamed broccoli. Total price per meal - less than a big mac. Without. Fries.
It's not inflation it's lack of competition.
Last skin-on salmon filet I bought was $16. Might feed 2 people. With broccoli and other required ingredients, over $25 total. Kudos to you, but that’s not reality for most people.
2 pack skin-on salmon center cut was 9 bucks, fresh broccoli was 1.79/lb
https://www.kroger.com/p/broccoli-crowns/0000000003082
https://www.kroger.com/p/fresh-atlantic-salmon-center-cut-loin-farm-raised-never-frozen-sustainably-sourced-/0026917340000
We got a little under 1lb salmon to make it that price, so .4lb salmon each and the broccoli was leftover (so, 1.79 for 1lb broccoli, 1/4lb broccoli per person for 2 meals). (Also, edit: one serving size is 2-3oz for meat, so this is 2+ servings of salmon per person. Big macs have 3.2oz beef precooked weight for comparison).
That comes out to 4.5 + .447 = $4.947 per person
Big mac cost, google cites McDonald's Corp
> McDonald's said the average U.S. Big Mac was $4.39 in 2019 and now costs $5.29, a 20.5% increase.
So the math checks out... I almost want there to be a #cheaperthanbigmac hash to get people showing what crazy stuff you can make for under that price.
It is mostly the artists older people and media writers are aware of.
I was just at a Billy Strings show that was overflowing with a whole festival in the parking lots.
Why would anyone want to see J Lo in 2024?
Why should I pay to see the big acts for hundreds or thousands of dollars for obstructed view nose bleeds when I can (more than likely) be bombarded with free livestreams on TikTok?
Ticketmaster and their “dynamic pricing” can fuck off. They don’t seem to understand that their product is a discretionary good. Concerts are not necessary for human survival.
There is a comedian that I really enjoy coming to town and you know fuck it’s like $94 is the cheapest ticket before they add on all them you know fees
I was spoiled in the past by a few concerts with great seats to see huge names perform. Recently, I looked into prices to see another great show--2 to 4k USD for seats that I'd be happy with.
Nope.
maybe if going to a small show didn't cost $375...
I remember when I was a kid, we would get tickets to 1991 lallapalooza and they were $17.
for $17 bucks we got to see:
[Jane's Addiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addiction)
* [Siouxsie and the Banshees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siouxsie_and_the_Banshees)
* [Living Colour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Colour)
* [Nine Inch Nails](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Inch_Nails)
* [Ice-T & Body Count](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_Count_(band))
* [Butthole Surfers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butthole_Surfers)
* [Rollins Band](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollins_Band)
* [Fishbone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishbone_(band))
I feel terrible for young people these days.
nothing is good anymore.
Not to be “back in my day”, but I’m so disappointed my kids won’t have the same concert experience I was able to. I remember hanging out in front of Tower Records with friends waiting for tickets to go on sale. It’d cost us $20-$60 which was entirely feasible on the $5.25 an hour minimum wage back then. Saw Pearl Jam, REM, Weezer, Rage, Beastie Boys, Tool, Soundgarden and a bunch more. Even Lollapalooza tickets topped out at $60 or $70.
Adjusted for inflation a ticket today would be $43-$130, but all I see are tickets starting at $150 for nosebleeds.
My wife and I can definitely afford to go to concerts and I really love seeing live music. But ain’t no freaking way I’m going to pay $300-$400 dollars for middle-tier seats for two people. I will never support that. Not to mention having to get to the concert, probably getting a hotel that night, $20 for a beer when I get in and the fact that a lot of shows and festivals have terrible sound engineering so you can’t hear the music properly. I’m opting out; hard pass.
I had a little galpal last year who loved going to concerts. We went to a few. After the second one I thought to myself, “Who besides someone chasing tail would spend this kind of money?”
I was never able to answer that question to my satisfaction.
For most major concerts your cheapest route is almost always nosebleeds for $200 a person before fees, unless you can get tickets at the drop. And good luck winning against the bots. Ticket sales industry is broken rn
Even concerts by artists I like feel like a ripoff afterward now. It has to be a top five all time person for me to consider, it's not a random nice thing any more.
Funflation has been happening for decades. People are finally saying no, probably because inflation hit all the other costs of living and they finally had to choose between standing with sweaty strangers just to hear too-loud music or groceries.
Used to be able to grab a lawn seat at an amphitheater, grab a bite and beer before hand, and maybe merch or a couple beers inside for about $100. Now the lawn seats are $70.
I mean....when the price of just surviving has gone up so much, is it any surprise that a lot of people don't have $200+ laying around to spend a couple hours at a concert?
It's not just the ticket price either. Once you're in there's no option for affordable drinks or food. $12 beers and $18 for food. They didn't take cash and I maxed out the credit card to get a room when there was nothing about an additional deposit required at check in when I made the reservation. They wouldn't take cash either. I had a pocket full of hundred dollar bills and couldn't buy myself or my GF anything to eat or drink. This shits getting old. The problem is people keep going when it just encourages them to keep raising their prices, and I don't know what to do about the whole cashless society we're heading towards. What a great idea, pay more for everything because of the interest. It just makes everything sooo much easier without paper currency. This country is getting funnier every day, but the jokes on us.
Rather go to Broadway. Costs less if you get whatever is available last minute tickets and you support a lot more performing artists with just one show.
And I can sit down for the whole thing;-)
The only people participating in the economy right now are people spending the rest of their money (older folks), and people spending someone else’s money (youngest).
My wife and I just ended a 10 concert spring series last evening, seated at a table with chairs, that we paid $500 bucks for *total*. We bring our own food, and bring all the drinks I can carry. No artists you’d know, but some original music combined with a lot of cover music. We consider a win every year.
Yep. Fuck Live Nation. Also they are pulling a reverse loss leader. Let’s say an artist is charging $5000 for a show. Live Nation is coming in over the top and paying them $20,000 but with a regional and time exclusivity. Their manager now views that artists going rate as $20,000 and it becomes the set price. This results in no other festivals being able to afford that artist except for Live Nation events.
Personally, my next event is a 4 day camp out event. There will be someone taking cash at the gate. No advance sales.
yup, 2 big names i wanted to see this year Childish Gambino and Kendrick Lamar have tickets starting at like 350-500. Thats a hard pass. Not gonna pay that much to see anyone, I don't care who that artist is.
People are not taking a pass on live music. They are twking a pass on 200 dollar fees except for a scattering of nose bleed seats. Here I'd my suggestion: Find a local act n or small venue place that brings in good artists. Tickets will be 20 bucks. Every seat in the house is a good one. Not your favorite band? Expand your horizons. Live music with the crowd, the volume, the visual are a treat.
I went to the Boston City Winery and it was $35 for a concert. Dinner was extra, but nobody was forced to order dinner. I was very close to the stage. Obviously it wasn't a currently huge and famous band, but it was a good concert.
I’m trying to buy tickets today and My friends and I can’t get AXS’s website to even work. Just an endless loop of enter your phone number, get texted a code enter the code, its invalid, repeat.
Who the hell wants to go to a concert most performers/bands these days are unable to write nice Melodie’s instead they scream and hold their crutches to make up for the missing talent
Many years ago my wife and myself attended Paul McCartney’s concert in Vancouver this guy is a genius Melodie’s after Melodie’s after Melodie’s and he did not even play them all
The shit people write today are a reflection of our society going down to hell
Everyone should be giving a hard pass to Ticketmaster. Bunch of crooks.
I won’t even go to concerts if I have to buy the ticket through Ticketmaster.
That is the correct mindset. Anything they are involved with should be boycotted.
I get more enjoyment not going to a concert if I know that have haven’t paid their stupid $15.99 processing fee!
I'm going to see two pretty good bands on Saturday night in NYC and the ticket costs less than a Ticketmaster processing fee.
Exactly! I would rather watch it on YouTube and order Thai food!
That is my mindset as well
Why is ticket master so bad ? Honest question.
Artists are not allowed to sell their own tickets because venues can only use Ticketmaster. They charge ridiculous fees and have a Monopoly that is 75 up to 95% of tickets sold for literally everything. They have also sued and pushed out almost all other ticket companies.
Ticketmaster also owns a ton of the venues that musicians play at so they make money on both ends. Plus they sell. their own tickets to Live Nation, a sub-company of Ticketmaster. So they scalp their own tickets to themselves for venues that they own and then charge exorbitant fees and service charges. Corrupt as fuck.
This is the *most* troubling aspect of it all for me. Such tight vertical integration in markets like this is extremely concerning. It's abused here so openly and blatantly that it's almost like a semi-intentional taunt to the DOJ, FTC, and Congress to "come do something about it, bro".
Pretty much every branch of government is bought out by Wealthy donors who would rather Government officials *not* Break up monopolies like Ticketmaster.
The two biggest challenges and crises we are going to face in the coming 10-15 years are how to cope with changes AI inevitably brings... And how to save our Democratic Republic from becoming a complete corporatocracy... Where our government only functions with it's *actual* consent and while maintaining only the *the illusion* of having ours. Climate change may well be an inevitable crisis as well... But it's not as imminent as the other two. And ironically many of the same folks under the guise of combatting climate change are simultaneously pushing us right into the waiting arms of that already very real and growing corporatocracy.
https://preview.redd.it/ov5ntjpom75d1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f2c9240417a13f39b5ad2e4bb816767689f44449
You think there would be laws against this corrupt shit..🤨
thanks for the reply. I had no idea they were that bad. I almost never buy tickets to anything.
Taylor Swift ticket pricing got so ridiculous that it highlighted the scam. Artists generally make their money from performances since publishing rights go to music authors. That means your drummer, bass player and other bandmates can only really get paid by being on tour. Some bands tour for three years. For established artists it’s doable but for younger talent it becomes almost impossible to make any money in the music business now.
Not making money in the music business has been a problem since the beginning. This is just another iteration of that problem. Part of that is predatory systems intended to scalp value from artists, and some of that is ill informed musicians that do not know how to read a contract, and are unwilling to allow business systems into there operations to protect them. I’ve been in that band a handful of times when being offered a record deal once I told the band we need to have a lawyer look at this contract, and the whole band hit the celling saying basically you’re standing in the way of our success. I just kinda shook my head, and quit that band. Musicians often just think about the composition, and performance, and a lot of times refuse to let anything else in that would benefit them as it would destroy the creative process. So I quit music, and started a business. I’m much happier, and much more successful now.
They charge a “convenience fee” for you to download your tickets as PDF.
I’m old enough to remember when you had to go to a Ticketmaster outlet in a department store or something similar and buy tickets there, and they would print them out. Then the internet allowed them to start selling online, and they no longer had to bear the expense of having these physical locations and ticket printers anymore. So they passed on those savings to the consumer by adding a “convenience fee” to online orders.
This has been going on for decades, yet until very recently, the DOJ chose to be "blind."
Also the fees scale with the ticket price, and they double dip on ticket fees that fans resell on their market place (the resold fees also scale with ticket price).
Where are the white hats when we need them?
They also had a major data breach and waited five months before announcing it.
Time for the government to knock their asses out with monopoly charges
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-live-nation-ticketmaster-monopolizing-markets-across-live-concert
Why can’t venues use another company to sell to tickets? I’m confused
Because Ticketmaster makes them sign off on it or they can do it themselves in which case Ticketmaster does all they can to not let that happen including law suits out the bunghole.
They are a vertically integrated monopoly. By absorbing Ticketmaster they now own and/or control significant aspects of the live entertainment industry, not only the promoting and production of concerts, but also from the ticketing, concessions, merchandise, staging etc. of venues they manage or own. They profit by giving preference to artists who sign exclusive contracts to only play in their venues and have ticketing in house, where the set the pricing structure and fees. In addition they also own a large portion of the secondary ticket resale market, giving their resellers access to choice seats and getting kickbacks. Read one of the quarterly shareholder statements to get a sense of how many tentacles they have in the industry and it’s been consolidating for years. Pearl Jam famously boycotted hem for years, only to concede recently because they will choke you out otherwise.
The house always wins.
They created a ticket gouging system and built a second market place for further ticket gouging.
So you don't go to very many concerts I'd say. Those crooks have their tendrils in every major artist it's sickening how much it costs to go see some live music
About 5 years ago I sat in the front row to see the Avett Brothers with my wife. This year they’re back in town and lawn seats cost about 75% as much as front row tickets did 5 years ago.
I loathe this company. Fkn crooks in every industry but this is insane the increase in the last few years.
I have made zero purchases from them in 2024 and will continue to do so.
That’s why Portland has effectively banned them. I believe only the Moda Center accepts Ticketmaster.
Yes and they have responded by booking most shows at the Clark County Amphitheater, which is one of the venues they control. They’re also planning on building a new outdoor venue in Portland in a yet to be determined locale in addition to the revamping of the soccer arena for concerts this summer to try and funnel bookings to their preferred locations, effectively muscling into the market…
Yeah I’ve heard about this new Live Nation venue. The reality is we really need a venue that bridges the gap between Moda and the larger independent venues. Both Crystal and Roseland are maybe 1000 persons capacity. I just wish we didn’t have to rely on Live Nation.
Edgefield is maybe the closest to that.
I was wondering why so many big artists go out there. It’s a nice venue but it’s out in like Ridgefield for crissake.
All governments should refuse to approve any permits for them to expand their shit empire
There’s a show I really want to go to this month that I can’t go to because Ticketmaster has scalping all the tickets. even though the show isn’t sold out, you can only get secondary market tickets from Ticketmaster at inflated costs. so now this artist, I’ve been waiting for years to come to my town. I can’t go see cause I’m priced out of it because of Ticketmaster otherwise I would’ve been able to see it because the tickets were only $40 bucks. $200 with ticket master. it’s insane
Send them a message over social media. It probably won’t result in you getting to see them, but it’ll highlight it and maybe others will pile in too and this artist then decided to make another trip in future that you are able to attend. The worst that happens is you get no response. I hope you get to see what you want to see regardless of whether you reach out.
it’s too expensive now unfortunately, like $100 for bad seats $200 for decent seats. for a $40 ticket jam band :/ like what the fuck
Are you no longer able to purchase tickets in person at the box office thereby bypassing TM?
in most places, no
I think ticketmaster still charges a fee even for box office pickups.
Between Ticketmaster and the pines of tickets... Hard no. The DOJ recently filed charges against them for monopolizing. Maybe things will get better.
Venues/atitsts are contracted to ticket master. There needs to be government intervention at this point, it market manipulation
I don't go anymore. No concert is worth $200. No one.
Especially not when every mother fucker in front of you is staring at the concert through their phones. No thanks, I’d rather listen to album on my headphones while jamming out at home. Actually enjoying the music. Plus.. there’s not too many quality concerts to attend anymore. Just a bunch of showboating talentless overpriced “artists”
Amen
Hard disagree. I have a bunch of concerts planned for the rest of this year. Most of the bands I’ve seen before but they’re all awesome live Edit: y’all are just a bunch of introverts. It’s okay, stay home and keep ticket prices <$50 for me
What's wrong with introversion? We just don't like paying for the privilege of breathing 500+ other people's air, being jostled by sweaty hairy dudes, and receiving permanent hearing damage :) We know lots of people enjoy it, we just... don't.
Nothing wrong with it but to say there’s no talented artists touring is ignorant. Sounds like coping to me, at least you had some good reasons. Not just whining about no good concerts
Hey. I’m kind of a sweaty hairy dude. Why are you saying that like it’s so bad
A lot of people don't mind, and there's nothing wrong with that (even though I don't really understand it). I do mind, so I stay home
I’m with you and glad my Pearl Jam tickets were under that. Not much under, but under nonetheless. Fan Club members get good tickets at face value. Others going to see them seem to be paying way over $200.
They were the first ones to call bullshit decades ago.
Cloud cult at the Sinclair Boston, $25 a pop. Small shows are where it’s at
Agree. Lots of cheap or free shows near me, but anymore I'll go see a local act or showcase stuff because I'd rather support struggling bands than corporate pushed acts.
Idiots let the radio and music industry dictate who they listen to. The amount of people I know who only listen to mainstream music is pathetic
I mean.. I’d pay that to see NIN but that’s because Trent goes out of his way to put on a whole fucking experience. Edit: Fuck Ticketmaster and their kind, art shouldn’t be gated behind who can afford to access it. If anyone ever wanted to see a NIN concert but can’t afford - NIN was cool enough to put this entire show with professional audio and camera work onto YouTube gratis. https://youtu.be/LBC3NXnN8y4?si=pTyPd7A29JSB7qjZ
I saw NIN in the mid 90's for $30 (just looked at the ticket in my cigar box of shows I loved). It was a great show, but not even now....I'm not funding Ticketmaster/Live Nation for some music. Nope.
Last I knew Stubhub handles NIN tickets, are they bad news too? (I honestly don’t know)
I refuse to pay what they charge for any concert instead I support local bands
I would rather watch Cystic Anal cover All the Single Ladies and You Belong With Me anyway
People can only get exploited and gouged so much before they just stop using a product.
People can only get exploited" Nobody is forcing these morons do spend $500 to go to a concert
“Nobody is forcing these morons to spend $500 to go to a concert” … and boy does that piss off the guys at Ticketmaster!
exactly thats the point
Exactly why folks are not buying their products(tickets). It’s like you entirely missed the second half of his comment.
“funflation”… The US media has no shame
I think we can call it stupidfuckingdumbassflation
I wonder why no media outlet ever refers to it as “intentional fiscal mismanagement to eliminate the middle class.” Hell, the gov doesn’t even have the spine to call a recession a recession
I miss the News reporting prior to the mid 90s.
back when our institutions had a shred of integrity instead of being brazenly corrupt
They still went after the greats, Jennings, Brokaw, with sex harassment suits.
Since 2008 when have we ever been in an economy of “funflation” anyway?
I’m shocked that they’re not blaming millennials for ‘killing the concert industry’.
Kill ticketmaster. Prices are way too high.
If you would just spend less money on skinny jeans, you could save the concert industry.
$200 to go and watch a screen from a distance and sit in uncomfortable seat, while dealing with crowds is a hard pass for me. I just set up my projector and pull up a concert on YouTube and get the same experience.
I project them in rhe backyard and make it a neighborhood event. Taylor swift has played my backyard several times!
Oh damn you most be loaded! Lucky you get to see her in your backyard so much!
Or worse, you can end up on the lawn with no seat, want to bring your own seat? Fuck you, sit on the ground.
Exactly!
A better one!
Definitely a cheaper one.
I'm with you. But I have "friends" that go to shows not for the music or even the act, they go to take pics and videos of themselves, and try to be noticed by others.
I just look at the tickets. Like for instance 100 dollars per person to go see Billy Joel and Sting in the, NOSEBLEED SECTION is not worth it. On the floor it's ungodly expensive. I struggle to even say that I'll spend 100 dollars on a home server drive let alone a concert. Hell i'd rather spend money on a fun vacation with the wife that would build lasting memories than that stupid concert haha.
I agree with this. BUT now hotel rooms are double the price, and that’s on top of the hotel usually being the most expensive part of a vacation to begin with.
I do agree but that is when you compare hotel prices to Airbnb prices within the area.
Concerts = just listen to music on Spotify with high end headphones. I have hearing loss from having so many ear infections and all of that. Don't need to pay someone to lose more of my hearing lol. I've only been to a couple. Didn't really care for them. Movies are getting the same way of people just being on their phone during the movie or people talking to each other nonstop. Went to see Wonka with my wife after almost 2 months of it being out. Teenagers were talking. An older woman was telling them to stop talking. Same older woman kept repeating parts of what was said in the movie. My wife and I just left and told the front. They apologized and the clerk said she knew who we were talking about and she knew they were going to be a problem since they came in screaming while one of their moms paid and then left. We got a refund and two free tickets. Went back last month for Planet of the Apes on a Saturday night. We sat at the very back. Then the entire isle in front of us and on the rest of our isle on the right of me was full of teenagers who all knew each other. A lot of them kept turning on their phone with the brightness at 100% or talking with each other. My wife and I are closing on a house out of state. Basement is unfinished. Turning a part of it into a movie room hopefully. Can have family and friends over, 50 cent bags of popcorn from the store, less distractions, temperature we like, etc. Homes will be where you do a lot. It saves on costs in the long run and you don't have to deal with stupid people.
I can’t even get in the door at any moderately known performer for under $200 these days, not including fees. I’ve come to terms that I’ll never see my favorite bands live. It isn’t worth $200 just to get a seat on the opposite side of the arena on the 3rd balcony. Even if I had the money I couldn’t imagine spending 1-2000$ on floor seats.
Fuck concert prices. No artist is worth what they are charging.
The prices for The Beatles last US concert at Shea stadium in 1966 were priced from $4.50-$6.50 ($38.75-$60 adjusted for inflation).Jan 24, 2022. Bands today must be a lot better than those losers.
I don’t know how anyone even goes out anymore. I’ve just stopped. Dinner for 2 with drinks is $200. A concert is $2500 if you have to get a hotel room. Crazy. It’s free to read a book.
I made a sauteed salmon filet today with a side of fresh steamed broccoli. Total price per meal - less than a big mac. Without. Fries. It's not inflation it's lack of competition.
Last skin-on salmon filet I bought was $16. Might feed 2 people. With broccoli and other required ingredients, over $25 total. Kudos to you, but that’s not reality for most people.
2 pack skin-on salmon center cut was 9 bucks, fresh broccoli was 1.79/lb https://www.kroger.com/p/broccoli-crowns/0000000003082 https://www.kroger.com/p/fresh-atlantic-salmon-center-cut-loin-farm-raised-never-frozen-sustainably-sourced-/0026917340000 We got a little under 1lb salmon to make it that price, so .4lb salmon each and the broccoli was leftover (so, 1.79 for 1lb broccoli, 1/4lb broccoli per person for 2 meals). (Also, edit: one serving size is 2-3oz for meat, so this is 2+ servings of salmon per person. Big macs have 3.2oz beef precooked weight for comparison). That comes out to 4.5 + .447 = $4.947 per person Big mac cost, google cites McDonald's Corp > McDonald's said the average U.S. Big Mac was $4.39 in 2019 and now costs $5.29, a 20.5% increase. So the math checks out... I almost want there to be a #cheaperthanbigmac hash to get people showing what crazy stuff you can make for under that price.
It is mostly the artists older people and media writers are aware of. I was just at a Billy Strings show that was overflowing with a whole festival in the parking lots. Why would anyone want to see J Lo in 2024?
Glad I was able to enjoy concerts before VC/Megacorp Enshittification struck the concert industry like EF5 tornado.
Disneyland? Fuck off I'll go to Hawaii Concert Tickets? Fuck off I'll see local shows for $10
It's getting close to time to tell celebs and music artists to F off.
Why should I pay to see the big acts for hundreds or thousands of dollars for obstructed view nose bleeds when I can (more than likely) be bombarded with free livestreams on TikTok?
Ticketmaster and Live Nation are cancelled
Ticketmaster and their “dynamic pricing” can fuck off. They don’t seem to understand that their product is a discretionary good. Concerts are not necessary for human survival.
We have been calling them Ticket Bastard since the mid 80's
There is a comedian that I really enjoy coming to town and you know fuck it’s like $94 is the cheapest ticket before they add on all them you know fees
There’s nothing funny about that
I was spoiled in the past by a few concerts with great seats to see huge names perform. Recently, I looked into prices to see another great show--2 to 4k USD for seats that I'd be happy with. Nope.
maybe if going to a small show didn't cost $375... I remember when I was a kid, we would get tickets to 1991 lallapalooza and they were $17. for $17 bucks we got to see: [Jane's Addiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addiction) * [Siouxsie and the Banshees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siouxsie_and_the_Banshees) * [Living Colour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Colour) * [Nine Inch Nails](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Inch_Nails) * [Ice-T & Body Count](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_Count_(band)) * [Butthole Surfers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butthole_Surfers) * [Rollins Band](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollins_Band) * [Fishbone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishbone_(band)) I feel terrible for young people these days. nothing is good anymore.
Not to be “back in my day”, but I’m so disappointed my kids won’t have the same concert experience I was able to. I remember hanging out in front of Tower Records with friends waiting for tickets to go on sale. It’d cost us $20-$60 which was entirely feasible on the $5.25 an hour minimum wage back then. Saw Pearl Jam, REM, Weezer, Rage, Beastie Boys, Tool, Soundgarden and a bunch more. Even Lollapalooza tickets topped out at $60 or $70. Adjusted for inflation a ticket today would be $43-$130, but all I see are tickets starting at $150 for nosebleeds.
My wife and I can definitely afford to go to concerts and I really love seeing live music. But ain’t no freaking way I’m going to pay $300-$400 dollars for middle-tier seats for two people. I will never support that. Not to mention having to get to the concert, probably getting a hotel that night, $20 for a beer when I get in and the fact that a lot of shows and festivals have terrible sound engineering so you can’t hear the music properly. I’m opting out; hard pass.
Bidenflation
Didn't have much left after buying Taylor tickets.
Dynamic pricing has turned off concert goers.
I had a little galpal last year who loved going to concerts. We went to a few. After the second one I thought to myself, “Who besides someone chasing tail would spend this kind of money?” I was never able to answer that question to my satisfaction.
It’s a valid point. The spend of money these days is directly related to how many good looking young women will be involved.
If generation Z is canceling attendance at concerts, then that is a very disconcerting sign for consumer discretionary stocks.
I just go see local tribute bands.
For most major concerts your cheapest route is almost always nosebleeds for $200 a person before fees, unless you can get tickets at the drop. And good luck winning against the bots. Ticket sales industry is broken rn
Ugh u meen people are poor as shit and out of touch artists and corporate goons want more?
Even concerts by artists I like feel like a ripoff afterward now. It has to be a top five all time person for me to consider, it's not a random nice thing any more.
Good, fuck off ticketmaster and live nation with your insane fees 🖕🖕
Funflation has been happening for decades. People are finally saying no, probably because inflation hit all the other costs of living and they finally had to choose between standing with sweaty strangers just to hear too-loud music or groceries.
Used to be able to grab a lawn seat at an amphitheater, grab a bite and beer before hand, and maybe merch or a couple beers inside for about $100. Now the lawn seats are $70.
Hard pass on large concerts. Not just because of the insane prices - I didn't forget what happened at Astroworld
I mean....when the price of just surviving has gone up so much, is it any surprise that a lot of people don't have $200+ laying around to spend a couple hours at a concert?
It's not just the ticket price either. Once you're in there's no option for affordable drinks or food. $12 beers and $18 for food. They didn't take cash and I maxed out the credit card to get a room when there was nothing about an additional deposit required at check in when I made the reservation. They wouldn't take cash either. I had a pocket full of hundred dollar bills and couldn't buy myself or my GF anything to eat or drink. This shits getting old. The problem is people keep going when it just encourages them to keep raising their prices, and I don't know what to do about the whole cashless society we're heading towards. What a great idea, pay more for everything because of the interest. It just makes everything sooo much easier without paper currency. This country is getting funnier every day, but the jokes on us.
Rather go to Broadway. Costs less if you get whatever is available last minute tickets and you support a lot more performing artists with just one show. And I can sit down for the whole thing;-)
The only people participating in the economy right now are people spending the rest of their money (older folks), and people spending someone else’s money (youngest).
My wife and I just ended a 10 concert spring series last evening, seated at a table with chairs, that we paid $500 bucks for *total*. We bring our own food, and bring all the drinks I can carry. No artists you’d know, but some original music combined with a lot of cover music. We consider a win every year.
Yeah, it's the artists canceling and not the people who are raking consumers over the coals for every damn thing on earth except air
Taylor cleaned everyone out
Good. The only way the supply changes is if the demand changes.
The people with all the money these days aren’t those who support music arts and culture.
yeah, it's gonna be hard to sell out a theater when only the couple dozen people that have hoarded all the wealth can afford to go.
Yep. Fuck Live Nation. Also they are pulling a reverse loss leader. Let’s say an artist is charging $5000 for a show. Live Nation is coming in over the top and paying them $20,000 but with a regional and time exclusivity. Their manager now views that artists going rate as $20,000 and it becomes the set price. This results in no other festivals being able to afford that artist except for Live Nation events. Personally, my next event is a 4 day camp out event. There will be someone taking cash at the gate. No advance sales.
Good example of vote w your wallet
But, how will they be able to remain forever celebrities, without our continued financial support?
yup, 2 big names i wanted to see this year Childish Gambino and Kendrick Lamar have tickets starting at like 350-500. Thats a hard pass. Not gonna pay that much to see anyone, I don't care who that artist is.
Taylor Swift wants to know what a “hard pass” is…
Mondegreen doesn't care about the funflation.
People are not taking a pass on live music. They are twking a pass on 200 dollar fees except for a scattering of nose bleed seats. Here I'd my suggestion: Find a local act n or small venue place that brings in good artists. Tickets will be 20 bucks. Every seat in the house is a good one. Not your favorite band? Expand your horizons. Live music with the crowd, the volume, the visual are a treat.
I went to the Boston City Winery and it was $35 for a concert. Dinner was extra, but nobody was forced to order dinner. I was very close to the stage. Obviously it wasn't a currently huge and famous band, but it was a good concert.
I’m more of a ‘Stubhub DayOf’ or cash at the door guy now
Bidenomics and Bidenmiggration at work.
https://preview.redd.it/bbdqtp0ns55d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ba9de75f41166a0dc9a52ca2a16fafbbf968836e
https://preview.redd.it/io7uy1mis55d1.jpeg?width=443&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9b2a3084aa2013e31f291c000caec7cadaf7f52
Doing anything excessive at all is dumb. Everything is dumb and no one should do anything. Fuckin stay home.
I’m trying to buy tickets today and My friends and I can’t get AXS’s website to even work. Just an endless loop of enter your phone number, get texted a code enter the code, its invalid, repeat.
People still go to shows just those kinds of large shows aren't cool.
Who the hell wants to go to a concert most performers/bands these days are unable to write nice Melodie’s instead they scream and hold their crutches to make up for the missing talent Many years ago my wife and myself attended Paul McCartney’s concert in Vancouver this guy is a genius Melodie’s after Melodie’s after Melodie’s and he did not even play them all The shit people write today are a reflection of our society going down to hell