Boys and girls, somebody is not getting the message. Someone has not been paying attention. If you've read the news lately, the economy is in the terlet. Apparently everyone knows this but the concert industry, particularly the reviled ticketing agencies TicketMaster and Live Nation.
Coldplay has announced a new run of dates for their Viva La Vida tour that will keep them in North America through at least August. The topline ticket price for Coldplay runs in the $97.50 neighborhood, which feels high to a cheapskate like me, but wasn't terribly out of line with other top headliners before everyone's disposable income turned into last month's late rent payment. By the time taxes are tacked on and Live Nation takes their pound of flesh, that ticket rises to $131.
Children, hear me now: this is either another sign the economy is improving or someone is going to lose their ass this summer. I'm not predicting it will be Coldplay. It could be U2, who thinks now is the right time to charge mini-bar prices to play stadiums. Even they'll probably get away with it. Someone, though, is going to overreach. This bubble will burst just like the real estate bubble did. The music will stop and someone's ass is going to be left without a seat.
It hasn't been all sunshine and daisies for Coldplay. I suppose this expanding tour was supposed to be a victory lap but Robert Plant and Alison Krauss had other ideas. Coldplay was nominated for seven Grammy awards this year but walked away with two. They are being sued Joe Satriani for plagirism. Satriani claims Coldplay's hit single "Viva La Vida" is too similar to "If I Could Fly," a song from his Is There Love In Space? album. Chris Martin and his Oscar-winning wife Gwyneth Paltrow have both had to repeatedly deny rumors their marriage is on the rocks.
Then again, it hasn't been all that bad for them either. They had the best-selling album of 2008, which is no small accomplishment these days. Even before the economy went to hell, record companies couldn't get anyone to buy a record, particularly Coldplay's EMI label. It's kind of amazing when you think about it. The multi-platinum (and completely wonderful) Viva La Vida is approaching the 8 million mark worldwide. It's one of those rare occurences where commerce and quality are not diametrically opposed.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Actually Josh, I'm pretty sure the years biggest selling album was by Lil' Wayne, but Coldplay was right in there too.
My tickets for the Gorge were like about $100. when all was said and done. It's still too much in the current climate, but a bargain compared to guys like Neil Young and U2 (although there are those 10,000 field tix per venue at $55. a pop).
But yeah, the bubble is going burst, and my guess is it will be sooner than later. I'm kinda thinking it might even be the U2 tour.
-Glen
2 - Josh Hathaway
My source said it was Coldplay and that has nothing to do with the fact that Lil Wayne or whatever the fuck doesn't exist in my universe.
I think I'm going to shoot for the Nashville show. I've not seen them and I really like this album so I'd like to.
3 - Tom Johnson
U2 will have a multi-tiered pricing scheme with tickets hovering around these prices: $250/90/55/35, with the $55 tickets being the GA floor seating. Coldplay is a friggin' bargain compared to this. It is time for bands to start acknowledging that things have changed. Tickets don't need to be this expensive and we all know it.
4 - Dr Dreadful
Sheesh. Dunno what kind of seat you get for $250, but at that price I'd expect nothing less than to be onstage sitting on Larry Mullen's lap.
5 - Tom Johnson
It's ridiculous, but I've seen those prices listed in several places now, so they're going to be close to that, if not exactly those prices.
6 - Dr Dreadful
Coldplay must have cut prices drastically then. We saw them in San Jose last July. Our seats were up in the gods, but still, by the time we'd paid all the Ticketmaster fees it ended up costing us about $95 each.
7 - Josh Hathaway
Coldplay has not cut their fees drastically. Just got an e-mail about the Nashville show: $110 without the associated fees.
8 - Glen Boyd
A tipping point is coming for our rock n' roll "CEOs" methinks...
-Glen
9 - El Bicho
you crybabies, Clapton/Winwood at the Hollywood Bowl top price: $350 before the fees so closer to $375 more than likely. I'll wait for the DVD and see them just as close.
Plus, I won't have to hear some LA jackass on his cell, "Bro, it's amazing. I'm wasted right now and Steve just sang 'I'm wasted.' What? I can't hear you. I'll call you back when they play 'Tears From Heaven'. That's my pee-break song."
10 - Glen Boyd
LA Jackasses? Say It Aint So!