The Sky is Falling
Published July 22, 2004
The concert industry is struggling this year, big time. It has been struggling for years, but this year is the worst. CNN reports "People aren't buying tickets. For whatever reason, ticket sales dried up around the middle of April — it was widespread across the industry". Gee, why in the world could this be happening, I thought to myself. Perhaps it is the recession, and many... if not all... of my generation (x) struggling to stay employed. Perhaps with gas at $2 a gallon we might have less discretionary income. But then the answer came to me... in the same article... that safely explains the trends of people not going to concerts anymore - "The average price of a ticket shot up from $26.05 in 1995 to $50.35 last year, according to Pollstar." Well, if the problem were that simple, it wouldn't take a monkey typing at typewriter to lure concert fans back... just lower prices, right?
Ah, it can't be that easy. There is probably a very complicated economic explanation for all this. I mean, if all we had to do to save the industry was lower ticket prices, you might see news like this: Promoters took note of the low ticket prices and have followed suit, albeit temporarily. Clear Channel Entertainment recently offered a one-day discount, selling lawn tickets at their Northern California outdoor amphitheaters for any show at $20 apiece, parking and fees included.
"They sold about 50,000 to 60,000 tickets in one day,"
You guessed it, same article. I want to say I am thrilled to death with this trend. As someone who used to go to concerts compulsively, I now go to only about 4 a year. It had better be a damn good deal too. Last year I saw Iron Maiden for $6, and Lolla was half price. The promoters are desperate, as they have launched most outdoor concerts for $20... with no service charge. That is significant, because Ticketbastard fees can run up to a third of the ticket price. So now that everyone has had to cancel their summer tours (Brittney, Christina, Lollapalooza etc) will the industry ever figure out to start with $20 tickets? Probably not, because two years ago I was getting free tickets to see bands like REM and Allman Brothers for the same problem.
- The Sky is Falling
- Published: July 22, 2004
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- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Business
- Writer: Lono
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Back to the bars. Lono: Amazon
I agree that ticket prices have gotten too expensive, but $20 tickets for most shows is simply unrealistic. One summer in the mid 90's I remember paying about $25 to see Eric Clapton, and then $75 to see Phantom of the Opera a few weeks later. Now Clapton, one of the greatest guitarists ever, was only in town for 1 night - while Phantom played every night. I knew it was only a matter of time before the industry model shifted to get the money, (and I'd say that Eric Clapton deserves $75 to $100), that the market would bear. But the market has consistantly proved willing to pay considerably more - $300 for Madonna, Simon & Garfunkel and The Rolling Stones, and that has changed the price structure down the line of what professionals get paid - not just the artist and agency, but sound people, production, travel the whole model has changed, which means that even artists that should be charging $20, have to charge $40-$50 in order to pay for everything they need. Or they have to get a corporate sponsor to underwrite those additional costs, though admittingly, some bands to not pass those savings on to the consumer if they don't need to. As ticket buyers pull back the wallets, the industry will have to adjust, but its not as simple as lowering ticket prices. Putting together a tour involves a lot of people, none of whom are going to volunteer to take a pay cut. It is interesting to see what artists opt not to rape their fans - U2, Bruce Springsteen and Prince are three HUGE artists that have sold tickets at fair prices, even though they could have charged like Madonna and the Stones.
True, the cost of operating a tour can be immense. Then again, they don't have to be that expensive. Depends on what is being offered to the audience for the money paid.
I dunno, if the artist is really that great, give me a decent sound system, lights and band. That should be enuf...
A proven great artist with an outrageous stage set up might be worth a slightly higher ticket for the theater of the performance. Otherwise, just get up there and play!!
peaceloveguidance
You think you're paying too much for your tickets, well get this!
I just checked out the website for Eric Clapton's upcoming concerts in Australia.
The best seats (platinum) are selling for $395.00 plus a $10 booking fee.
That works out $294.17 American, what a ripoff.
Clapton is good but he's not that good.
Last tour 17 years ago I paid around $50 for the same seats. I expect some sort of an increase but $405 cannot be justified however you look at it.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/17700)
Oh yeah, ticket prices definately. I haven't payed for a concert in years. The live performance sure isn't worth the money. You take a chance on getting a flimsy performance, bad sound, etc.
I quit paying for shows when the tickets topped $20. Yeah, agencies are holding up promoters who are holding up ticket buyers. The promoters lose there asses. As a promoter I pass on most any offer nowadays. They are way out of line.
Anyway Lono, you've got it right. The live performance thing has priced themselves out of business. Most of these shows aren't even that great.
peaceloveguidance