Why Are Concert Tickets So Expensive and What Can You Actually Do About It? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

Why Are Concert Tickets So Expensive and What Can You Actually Do About It?

Live music concerts have always been a popular and vital part of the modern culture.

24
Why Are Concert Tickets So Expensive and What Can You Actually Do About It?

There's nothing like a live concert experience, where like-minded people come together in a large stadium or arena and enjoy the star they love, leaving all their day-to-day worries, responsibilities, and struggles behind.

However, when concert ticket prices are constantly on the rise, attending a live event is becoming a luxury expense that some fans can no longer afford.
This unfortunate reality makes it harder for diehard music lovers to support the singers and bands they care about.


Who's to Blame?

The music industry has radically changed during the last decade or two.
In the past, artists made most of their money from the sale of records or CDs.
However, today, in the age of cheap streaming media services and totally free music platforms, top-tier celebrity artists like Adele, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga or Beyoncé make most of their revenue from touring.

Still, the artists are not alone in this story.
There's an entire commercial food chain that also takes its piece of the income pie: managers, agents, producers, promoters and other members of the live event industry.

Productions are getting more creative and extravagant in order to face the competition and deliver a spectacular concert experience.
Needless to say, these big shows with amazing stage pyrotechnics, giant screens, special effects and fireworks require massive financial investments.
The skyrocketing production costs are eventually passed on to the consumer via the ticket price.

On the digital front, high-tech bots and scalpers (that operate illegally) snatch most of the tickets the minute they go on sale, only to resell them for a much higher price on alternative ticket distribution channels – aka the secondary market.

Last but not least, it is also a matter of the old rules of supply and demand.
When music lovers are willing to pay ridiculous prices to watch their beloved performers from up-close – why would anything change?


And Still… Can Anything Be Done?

It's a complex reality and there are no easy solutions.
Some lawmakers feel that some form of new legislation has to counter the current manipulated market in order to make ticket prices more affordable and accessible to the masses.

In the meantime, since artists and the gigantic industry that surrounds them are charging as much as fans are willing to pay, consumers can play their part in getting a better deal.
Purchasing tickets from a physical box office can often save a lot of money on the additional service fees that online resale marketplaces charge.

Buying early on pre-sales, which are normally available to certain credit card holders and people who belong to a major artist's fan club, are also a good way to obtain prime seats more affordably.

In addition, legitimate secondary market ticket sites often offer last-minute ticket bargains, sold under their face value, especially when it comes to live entertainment shows with less demand.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

225
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

108
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198892
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20085
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments