Some very interesting feedback on the increased concert ticket price story we discussed yesterday.
Nick Snow of Foundmusic.com points us to an article from last year:
- Members of the popular heavy-rock band Godsmack say they want to make tickets affordable for their current U.S. tour. But the economics of the concert industry may jar fans harder than the mosh pit at the band's show.
The face value of a general admission ticket to Godsmack's concert Wednesday at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater is $20. But no one attending the band's performance gets to pay that amount.
Instead, fans who purchase tickets on the phone or online are socked with a series of surcharges that boost the price to $35.60. These added costs, tacked on by distribution giant Ticketmaster and concert promotion conglomerate Clear Channel Entertainment, include a convenience fee, a facility fee and a handling charge.
Moreover, a hidden $3.50 parking fee is buried in the price of each ticket by Clear Channel, owner of the Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine. All told, the fees add a 116% markup to the cost of a $16.50 ticket.
These special charges have jumped dramatically since a ticket-price controversy rocked the concert circuit seven years ago. At the same time, the face value of tickets before surcharges also continues to increase--about 7% over the last year and more than 73% since 1995, according to data compiled by Pollstar, the concert industry trade publication.
Concertgoers, artists and booking agents are becoming fed up with a fee system they regard as price gouging.
"It's starting to spin out of control," said Tommy Stewart, Godsmack's drummer. "It's disheartening to bands like ourselves that are trying to . . . give the kids a good product for not a lot of money."
Veteran manager Arthur Spivak is concerned that the higher ticket prices will make it even more difficult for developing acts to find an audience.
"I think there are surcharges on surcharges," said Spivak, who handles the careers of such acts as Tori Amos and Eve 6. "By the time a kid who is working at a restaurant looks at a $25 ticket and it's 45 bucks, he starts to wonder, 'How many shows can I really go to?' "
Industry experts see signs that rising prices are beginning to turn off music enthusiasts. The number of tickets sold for the top 50 tours in North America is down 15.5% this year after increasing steadily the last three concert seasons, according to Fresno-based Pollstar.
Article comments
1 - Jim S
Do you think that the "35% of those surveyed who reported downloading more than 20 songs a month also reported buying less music as a result" could be because the "try and buy" concept turned into "try and find out it sucks, so don't buy"?
I'm figuring that there is a rational explanation, other than just saying that these potential consumers downloaded it and have it, so they didn't buy it.
In my case in particular, if I download something and like it, I buy it. If I don't like it, I don't buy it.
just a thought.
2 - Cindy Owens
I just went online to purchase two tickets to see Carl Palmer, playing at Toad's Place in New Haven, CT tomorrow night, June 1st. Imagine my surprise when, after noting the stated price of $22.50 per ticket, etix.com charges an additional $5.08 PER ticket for the privilege of printing out my own tickets! That is an astonishing 25% markup for the cost of these tickets.
If we do not fight this ridiculous practice, we will soon no longer be able to afford to go to ANY concert. I do not live close to the venue or I would have gladly gone there to pick up the tickets in person.
We really need to band together, contact our State Attorney Generals and make formal complaints about this practice. Perhaps if they get enough complaints from us consumers and concert-goers, they will at least TRY to combat this excessive misuse of power by these companies.
If you do not formally complain, you should not complain in public, as you've made no attempt to seek justice. I, for one am going to file my own complaint with CT Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.