7:50 pm - 02/09/2013
This critical mass of such "legacy acts" might push 2013's totals beyond 2012's record sales numbers, estimated at $4.7 billion. That figure was boosted by sold-out tours from very familiar faces, with the three top-grossing performers -- Madonna, Roger Waters and Springsteen -- all card-carrying members of the Rock Hall and long since qualified for AARP membership as well. In fact, six of the top 10 touring acts in 2012 were age 54 or older, and they took in 67 percent of the box office among the industry's leaders.
But here's the rub. While North American grosses hit an all-time high in 2012, fewer seats were filled. The total number of tickets purchased by concertgoers -- 36.7 million -- was down 9 percent from the industry's banner year of 2009. So what's at work here? You guessed it: Ticket prices are reaching new heights, thanks largely to legacy acts, whose average ticket cost more than $100 in 2012. Paul McCartney, Van Halen, Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, Waters and Madonna were in this company last year, headed by The Rolling Stones, whose stupefying average ticket price exceeded $500 (a back-of-the-house, obstructed-view seat at Brooklyn's Barclays Center fetched $176).
( Great analysis about the future of the concert industryCollapse )
Source
Can the Concert Industry Survive After Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen and Madonna Retire?
This critical mass of such "legacy acts" might push 2013's totals beyond 2012's record sales numbers, estimated at $4.7 billion. That figure was boosted by sold-out tours from very familiar faces, with the three top-grossing performers -- Madonna, Roger Waters and Springsteen -- all card-carrying members of the Rock Hall and long since qualified for AARP membership as well. In fact, six of the top 10 touring acts in 2012 were age 54 or older, and they took in 67 percent of the box office among the industry's leaders.
But here's the rub. While North American grosses hit an all-time high in 2012, fewer seats were filled. The total number of tickets purchased by concertgoers -- 36.7 million -- was down 9 percent from the industry's banner year of 2009. So what's at work here? You guessed it: Ticket prices are reaching new heights, thanks largely to legacy acts, whose average ticket cost more than $100 in 2012. Paul McCartney, Van Halen, Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, Waters and Madonna were in this company last year, headed by The Rolling Stones, whose stupefying average ticket price exceeded $500 (a back-of-the-house, obstructed-view seat at Brooklyn's Barclays Center fetched $176).
( Great analysis about the future of the concert industryCollapse )
Source
I wouldn't even go see her today. If I ever get the urge to listen to a goat bleat irl then I'll go to the zoo tbh.
also, i don't understand how they somehow get in faster than all of us
It's such bullshit.
also depends on the artist though. I paid over $200 to see Brit Brit and will do it again. Just paid almost $200 for good Bey tickets at Barclays and was actually prepared to pay more (around $300). On the other hand, I just paid $60ish for Paramore so at least that wasn't too bad.
and that was actually a good deal, considering where the seats were. individual tickets in the first few rows are like $700-800 for the most part when tickets first started going on sale, from ticketmaster.
it's absolutely insane.
Festivals are awesome tbh. More bang for your buck, you get to see several of your favs and check out some new music. Its an inclusive experience, a several day party.
Meanwhile, smaller cheaper shows are great experiences as well. Its just evolving, like everything else.
There will always been an audience, but it's unlikely that they'll shell out hundreds of dollars to relive their youth, or that Mumford and Sons will be playing arenas in twenty years. It's a miserable experience seeing a band at a big venue.
omg ITA.
You wanna talk? Go to a bar or a coffee shop. Hell, stay the fuck home. Don't come to a concert where people paid money to see a musical artist or band perform. RUDE.
and it was still a phenomenal show (even though i fucking hate seeing bands like that in arenas)
the weed helped too
Edited at 2013-02-10 02:29 am (UTC)
i was weeping flipping through now mag the other day looking at all the shows i want to go to but can't afford :(
for cmw, does the wristband get into the big shows? i'm considering that.
also, i need to find someone who is willing to roadtrip to buttfuck nowhere to see mumford