NASHVILLE — If you want to sit in the really good seats for a Keith Urban concert this summer, a pair of tickets will put you about back about $170. But in a nod to the tough economic times, the country superstar has also priced some tickets as low as $20 per seat, so fans won't stay home because they can't afford to go.
"They may be to the side, but they still have a good view of the stage," Urban said recently of the discount tickets. "It's a way for us to allow those people that are a little hard up for cash to come and see the show."
"It's a balance for me," Urban added, "because we want to put on a good show. I'd make every ticket $10, but we'd be up there with a megaphone and a flashlight with some colored paper over it."
The concert industry has been impervious to the recession and high ticket prices over the years. Last year in North America, the average box-office gross was up 18% and the average attendance up 6.3%, according to Billboard magazine.
But with the economic news getting worse by the day, artists and concert promoters are trying to make sure fans come out to the stadiums, arenas and concert halls this year by offering ticket deals and other incentives.
No Doubt is giving away a digital download of their entire catalog in exchange for the purchase of a premium ticket ($42.50 before taxes and fees). Coldplay plans to give concertgoers a free live album, while U2 is pricing at least 10,000 tickets to every show in the $30 range (though the top price will still cost a hefty $250 a ticket). And alt-country star Lucinda Williams, also worried about the economy and miffed about fees tacked on to her concert tickets, is offering a credit on concert merchandise, about $7 on clothing and $5 on CDs, and on merchandise on her online store, lucindawilliams.com. The offer is through July 31 to accommodate people who attended her shows before the announcement.
"I understand that this may only be a small gesture and in no way solves the problem long-term, but I feel that it is important to try and do something to make it a little easier during this time," she said in a statement.
Promoters are also offering deals. The Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, Calif., (Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and more) cut the cost of two-day passes to $99 from $167 two years ago. Two other popular summer festivals, Bonnaroo and Coachella, are offering tickets on layaway.
Summer is a busy time for the concert business. Live Nation, the world's largest promoter, estimates that more than 50% of its annual profit comes in the summer months.
But with this year's economic uncertainty, promoters could have a tougher time filling seats.
"In a crowded marketplace in difficult economic times, you want your show or event to stand out as something people recognize as a deal," said Gary Bongiovanni, editor-in-chief of the concert industry publication Pollstar.
Rocker Stevie Nicks, who's currently on a reunion tour with Fleetwood Mac, said times are so bad, the band doesn't know if it can afford to go overseas: "It's so expensive to do that that you put people out of business to go play for them. It's affecting everybody."
Live Nation offers a $10 Tuesday promotion for some shows and is expanding its four-pack plan, where fans can buy four tickets for the price of three. Last year, Live Nation offered the four-pack deal at 66% of concerts in the venues it owns. This year, Live Nation plans to expand it to at least 75%.
"Through this we're saying, 'If you reward us by bringing your friends, we'll reward you by bringing you a cheaper ticket,'" said Jason Garner, Live Nation's CEO for global music.
1. Has/will the tough economic times stopped you from purchasing a $75 concert ticket to a show you really want to see?
2. Do you think artists should reduce the price of their shows when so many people are struggling to pay their bills?
3. Has your family given up seeing a show they really wanted to see because of these tough economic times?
4. Do you think concerts and shows are priced reasonable?
46 comments:
1.No
2.Yes,at least a little bit so people can afford to go.
3.Yes, the TSO
4.I think some concerts and shows are reasonable depending on who the artist is, where the show is, and who is selling the tickets.
1. No the tough times will not stop be from buying that ticket
2. I dont think so because then they would be losing money and would be struggling to pay there own bills.
3. No we have not given up any shows or anything cause of the tough times
4. I think shows are priced resonable because it is all a business and you want to make money from it
1.no, i think $75 dollars is fine if its for a concert i really want to go to.
2. no, they have to make money to and they know if they are that good people will pay that to see them.
3. no, but if something is obviously not worth that much money we wont go.
4. yes, because the more money for the ticket just means that its going to be a better concert or has better performers.
1) on a show that someone really wants to see they will find a way to save the money to get the tickets they want.
2)They should make the price of their shows reasonable for all who attend so not to discriminate against lower income families.
3)My family has not given up the luxury because we did not have it in the first place. the only time my family goes to see shows are when the tickets are given to us by work or through a raffle of some sort.
4)Some concerts are priced ridiculously high and in this case the ticket prices should be lowered.
1.No the tough times will make me reconsider but I would still go to the show.
2.I think they should reduce the prices a little bit but not much. If people are struggling so much they would make the decision to just not go.
3.No, we always find a way to go if we really want to.
4.Somewhat, it costs a lot to run a big show like that so the prices should be around what they currently are.
1. No because if you really wna tto see it then youll come up with teh money to go see it. Also its not that much money and its about a mid range seat in the stadium so it could be less or more expensive.
2. no because the tickets is how the artist gets paid and its how he makes money. people have enough money to come out and see the show even if they buy the cheapest tickets they still have money.
3. Yes, once or twice. But even during these tough economic times we have still gone to see a show because we really wanted to and my paretns still had cash or money in the bank taht they could spend to do something they really wanted to do.
4. I think it depends on the artist that is performing. Based on who is performing is how i judge how much money im willing to spend on them. If its someone i really like then i would spend more money rather then someone i didnt like as much. Overall, i think the concerts are priced fairly reasonable.
1. Probably, because if the price is too high I most likely won't be willing to pay the big bucks to go.
2. Yes, because they should want to help the people go to se their shows. But they shouldnt be rediculusly cheap because they do have to pay the bills on the shows.
3. No we dont go to concerts.
4. Yes, they are priced reasonably aslong as they can pay the bills for lighting and such, but can also insure the people get a good show for their money.
1.No, because i dont see many conertts or shows, so one every once in a while is ok to me.
2.Yes, so more people can afford to go.
3. Yes, a comdedy show.
4.I think the concert and shows are priced reasonable depending on what artist is performing and where they're performing.
1. There is a lot more thought and decison making that goes into the purchase of a ticket that is so expansive. You have to decide if its worth the money and how badly you want to see the show. I haven't bought as many tickets a years past simply because money is tight and concerts are a luxury.
2. I think that artists should and need to do everything possible to reduce their prices. Reducing the prices will make their fans happier and if they don't they risk going broke because they can't sell the tickets.
3. My family and I arn't big on concerts of showes so it hasn't really effected us.
4. For the few concerts that I have been to I think that the pricing is reasonable if you buy a lawn ticket or a ticket that is not right in the middle or up front because then it gets way to expensive.
1. Has/will the tough economic times stopped you from purchasing a $75 concert ticket to a show you really want to see?
-Yes,because seeing a concert is a want and before I can see it people must take care of their needs first
2. Do you think artists should reduce the price of their shows when so many people are struggling to pay their bills?
-No, because I think that these artists are in a tough economic time as well and can't afford to be cut down music tickets.
3.Has your family given up seeing a show they really wanted to see because of these tough economic times?
-No, because the way my family manages our money we have extra money a month to go see and do the things we want.
4. Do you think concerts and shows are priced reasonable?
- I think shows and concerts are priced reasonable based on the type of music that is being played. Having cheap tickets for a band that is unknown is reasonable but paying more high dollar tickets for bands such as Metallica or Def Leopard would be reasonable as well.
1. No a $75 ticket to a show would not stop me from seeing a show i would really like to see. I dont go to many shows and it would be kind of a treat.
2.I think they shuld reduce their prices, either way via CD's and downloads they are going to make a lot of money, and if they make 10k less at a concert it really wont affect them that much, yet it will open up alot to the public.
3.No we have not given up a show that we really wanted to see due to the economy, we dont go to many shows so if one comes around we will treat ourselves to it even if the price is a bit higher than it should be.
4.I think that they are reasonably priced for the most part, some can be a little to expensive i think but the majority of the time i think its reasonable.
1. It hasn't yet it depends on how bad I want to go.
2. If they aren't getting enough people at their shows.
3. Not really
4. Yes
1. I have never been to a concert for any band but i would like to go to one but if a ticket was 75 dollars then i would never go.
2. I think that artist should lower their prices for shows because people cant pay bills that is absolutely true.
3. My family has never really gone to any shows but that might be because the tickets were so expensive so yes i think it has.
4. Concerts and shows are priced close to reasonable but they are still a little to high for the economy that we have right now.
1.)Yes
2.)Yes, people want to get there mind off of the rough times and some people will pay the high ticket prices anything. Lowering prices will help the less forutunate to relieve some much needed stress.
3.)Yes, every year during Christmas my family attends the TSO concert at RBC but this year due to money problems we were unable to attend.
4.)I think they are priced by how famous the artist is, so no, sometimes the tickets are extremely unreasonable.
1) The recession has not kept me from going to a concert. Although tickets to baseball games are getting expensive (for the good ones) and I'd like to be able to go see more of those.
2) Artists don't have an obligation to lower ticket prices, it's their show, they don't have to. But if they want to accomodate their fans and improve their reputation, then yes, they should lower prices.
3) I will never in my life pay money to go watch a band play, I find the idea a little ridiculous. Sporting events, I understand, and the economic downturn has kept me from going to as many as I'd like.
4) I think concert and show prices are terribly overpriced, personally. Some of the less prime seating has more reasonable prices, but it's still a little high.
1. The economic times have limited my ability to see all of the concerts I want to but I am still able to atend one show every now and then.
2.I think that the artists should lower some of the prices for the show(like for the nose-bleed seats) but keep the prices for the better seats the same.
3.If it is for a show we really wanted to see then we have attended, but if it was for a show that we didn'y want to see all that bad then we would skip it.
4.I think that the merchandise for the show is unreasonably priced. Same with the food and beverages. The ticket prices are okay but some could be lowerd to a better level.
1. No, but then at the same time, I, myself, wouldn't be paying for the ticket.
2. Yes, I think that it shows the people that are wanting to go and see their shows that they actually do care a little bit about what people are going through and may make more people want to go and see their show.
3. My family doesn't go to a lot of shows, but they have gone to see less hockey games, because of ticket prices and poor economic times.
4. The front row seats where everyone wants to be are very expensive. You get to the seats that are affordable for everyone and they are harder to hear from or do not have as good of a view as some of the more expensive "better" seats.
1. The economic times has affected people's ability to buy concert tickets because concerts are most definitely a want rather than a need, and with all the layoffs and pay cuts people with fixed incomes just aren't going to spend that extra money even if its only 75 dollars.
2. In my opinion, artists should change their ticket prices based on the ability for people to pay for these tickets, because after all most of the artists are making more money then they could ever spend, so a pay cut for them wouldn't impact them a great deal.
3. My family never really has gone to any concerts or shows, I do go to alot, but i get tickets for free so prices haven't affected me.
4. Some concerts are reasonablly priced because if the show is selling out, then they must be affordable to customers.
1) the tough economic times will not stop me form buying concert ticket, they will make me choose which concert i really want to go to.
2) yes, becuase it shows that the artist relize that the people are strugling and it makes the people feel like the artist care.
3)no, because we don't go to shows.
4) yes, because they are pretty cheap, but the artist still need to make enough money to pay there securtiy and jobs in the show.
1.) I dont really think that paying a one time fee of $75 for a ticket to something that you would really enjoy is going to be stopped by the economy. You have to be able to have fun in your life, and $75 is not going to put such a dent in your bank accounts that you can't put food on the table.
2.) I think that it is a great idea for preformers to put tickets on sale. Even though they might not be getting as much per ticket, it is better than the alternative of not having as many people at your show. The more people ther, the more that they are giong to buy at the concessions stands, and on parking. Getting people in the door is a very good option.
3.) Our family has not given up going to see shows like this because of the economy, but we also never really went to them in the first place. We have cut back on other things, like eating out and driving to places instead of flying.
4.)I think that concerts are reasonably priced, because even the expensive tickets, you get what you pay for. If you are able to pay for a $200 ticket, you are going to get a great vantige point and have some really cool experiences. Though all might not be able to afford these items, you get what you pay for.
1. A $75 ticket will not stop me from going to see a concert that i really want to see even if i have to work really hard for it i will do it
2. I think artist should lower the price of the tickets but its not like everyone is poor there are people who can afford it so it is fair.
3. Yes but its only because we really didnt have the time rather than the money
4. i think concerts most of the time are priced good because the artist should have to just break even they should make a profit to because they have to pay for all of the equipment
1. The tough economic times has really made me question how huge a fan I am of an artist. But I don't think a $75 ticket to a concert will stop me.
2. Yes and no, First of all what are people doing going to a concert if they don't have any money to pay the bills. And yes we should cut people some slack in these hard economic times.
3. No, my family has not given up seeing a show, although we have not been to any concerts lately. But if we really wanted to go we would save and make it possible.
4. Yes, fame and fortune is expensive, but hard work deserves good pay. Tickets depending on where you will be seated are at a reasonable price.
1. In tough economic times if there was a concert I really wanted to see and it cost $75 I would find a way to get the money.
2. I think artist should reduce the price of their shows by a small amount so that it still has close to the same amount of viewers.
3. My family has not given up on seeing a show because of the tough economic times but we buy tickets that cost less than the tickets we would have bought in good economic times.
4. I think that concerts and shows are a little bit overpriced, but there are many factors that go into the price such as renting the arena or stadium.
1. Yes, the tough economic times have stopped me from doing a lot of fun things like going to a concert or going to an ammusement park. $75 is just a lot to spend on an experience like that these days.
2. Yes, i think this will help get people out of their houses and out doing things and if you have to reduce the price of concert tickets i think it is worth it.
3. Not recently, has my family not gone to a concert or show because of our financial situations.
4. Yes, i think that concert tickets are at a vry reasonable price these days and a good concert ticket is within a lot of peoples budgets.
1. I think if its something that you really would like to see then you will have to manage your money well enough to go.
2.I think that in some cases they should like with Kieth Urban where he lowered the price for seats that were towards the back or side.
3. My family has not looked to any shows lately so im not sure.
4. I think it really depends on the concert. It looks like more and more that shows are being lowered. You do still have to price the ticket so you atleast get a profit.
1. If I really wanted to see the show I would pay the 75 dollars
2.I think they should, eventually they'll get their money and more people can see the show
3. Family really doesnt go to concerts
4. I think its affordable price for a concert.
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No
4. No
1. No. If I realyl want ot see a concret that I will probally only see once or twice in the area, im going to see it. It will be worth the money.
2. Yes. Artists aren't hurting for money. A true artist enjoys preforming then they shouldn't mind making a little less money, when they already make a lot of money.
3.No we just don't go to as many concerts as we used to, and more selctive about the ones we do go to.
4. Some are cheap but you really dont get to see the show very well, but in the case of a concret you really dont have to see it your can hear it so i think that theyb are rasonablly priced.
1. Yes because the cost of living has increased but the amount in my paycheck hasn't.
2. Absolutely if they want to keep making good money they need to lower the cost of the tickets so more people can afford them
3. Yes
4. No
1. No, it will not stop me from buying a ticket becuase if I really am wanting to go to the show, then I will spend the money on it.
2. No, the only way artists are making there money is buy selling these tickets.
3. Yes, but this is only becuase we would have had to buy 6 tickets.
4. Yes, for what the artists are doing it is a good price.
1. No is hasent stoped me cause i dont have to pay for it my parents do.
2. Yes so more fans come and support them and if they lower the price of tickets more people will buy them
3. No we still paid the full price.
4. No because some of them are just way to expensive, for example if you want to to get a front row seat at a taylor swift concert than you have to pay $2000.
1. no because the concert doesnt cost that much and the economic times arent that bad where you have like no money at all
2. they could lower the price just a little bit but they dont have to because there is people out there who want to see his show but can afford it
3. we dont really go see shows in my family that often so that hasnt been a problem since we just watch it on tv
4. yeah because the artist has to make some money the place has to make some money the producers have to make some money so when it is all spread out there isnt much money to give to everybody
1. no not if i really want to see it
2. yes. because they can live a casual life style off of what they make in a year so theres no need to cahrge that much fo a show.
3. no we dont go to shows often anyways but if we really want to see something then we go.
4. no they could be lower, but i understand why they are so high.
1.No because thats soemthing i like to do then i will pay money to go to the concert
2.Yes, if they want to make any money on ther shows if they dont reduce the price they wont get as much money and fans might get mad. They can offer special deals to coustomers
3. No my family has not given up anything
4. Yes i do think that concers and shows should be priced reasoanbly if they want any fans , and if they want to keep earing money
1.)no, if it is a show you really want to see $75 dollars isnt that much of a stretch.
2.) Yes because they will get more people in the stands and more people would be able to afford them.
3.) No, my family doesnt have time to go watch shows and do stuff like this because my family revolves around my sister and my sports.
4.)No, tickets for concerts and shows are way to much. not a lot of people can afford them. and they are still outragiously priced.
1. Most likely depends, if I wasn't working for many hours at job and didn't have enough money, I wouldn't go. If the situation was in my favor, then yes.
2. Yes; however, I think they should price it on the generalization of how many people would attend (ex; high number of people, low priced tickets & vice versa.)
3. Honestly, I don't know. If so, then they haven't said anything about it. There's a lot my family & I can't do due to the economy.
4. 50/50. They could be better, but most entertainers are on the "Are you kidding me?" side of pricing.
1. Right at this moment it probaly would not stop be from buying a ticket for a concert that I really wanted to see. But it would probaly keep me from going to a buch of concerts.
2. I think that should do what they can, if it is and option to lower the prices then they should do so. But I think by giving people perks for going to shows would be better. Because I know alot of people who could pay the higher price if it was worth it.
3. My family and I do not really go to that many shows but we have been forunate enough in these hard times that if we wanted to then we usally can.
4.I think most concerts are priced reasonably for the seats that you buy. But there is always that one concert that is way outpriced. But most i think are priced reasonably.
1. no if its a good show i will pay the regular price.
2.no because they need to pay things to like manager and other people that work for them.
3.no
4.yes because they have to pay pople that work for the show.
1.) Yes, i think that i should save my money for something else more important
2.) yes, I think that the artists should reduce the price of their shows because some people just cant afford that much money.
3.) Yes, i have a big family so that is a lot of money my parents have to spend, which sometimes can be a big problem.
4.) No, i think that concerts and shows are too expensive sometimes. Some people love to go to concerts and shows but cannot because they dont have enough money.
1. I don't really go to concerts so no.
2. Yes, because they have to understand not everyone has a lot of extra money to spend like they do. Also they can still price the good seats at a higher price.
3. No my Mom, Dad, and sister go to concerts all the time.
4. I think they are at a reasonable price because they have the higher priced seats and lower priced ones and it just depends on how much you like the artist.
1. No if I really want to see something I will forfeit other things to save up the money.
2. Yes, I feel artists that have a stable amount of money should reduce the cost of their shows.
3. Yes my parents feel paying bills and getting food is more important than going to see a show.
4. Yes, although some tickets are high priced they also provide hours of intertainment that you could not get anywhere else.
1.Yes because sometimes you dont get paid enough to go to the concert.You might not have enough money and you cant go.
2.Yes because since a lot of people see the person they like so much,they should at least do them a favor since they are spending time and money at the concert than paying bills.
3.No because i never been
4.Yes because the people are famous and they also need the money.
1.No because i don't go to concerts very much, and going to one concert every one in a while won't hurt you, even with the ticket being $75.
2.I would think they would do something on the lines of that, knowing that they won't get the attendence they were wanting because of the economy.
3.No because we don't go to any concerts.
4.Yes because it really depends on what you are seeing, if its a small group at a small location, the ticket prices won't be expensive.
1. No if i really wanted to see the show id pay a reasonable price. $75 is a reasonable price.
2.Yes but not by alot because if people are struggling to pay their bills then they shouldnt be spending money on a concert.
3.No we never go to concerts.
4.yes it is very expinsive to put on a show and they have to make some money.
1. It depends on how badly i want to see the show. If i wanted to see it really bad i would probably find the money somewhere but if not then i would find something else to spend my money on.
2. Yes because they are making millions anyways and this would give more people the chance to see their shows. It could also increase ticket sales.
3. No my family doesnt see concerts anyways.
4. Some concerts are and some are way overpriced it just depends on who the artist is and who he is touring with.
1. It depends on how badly i want to see the show. If i wanted to see it really bad i would probably find the money somewhere but if not then i would find something else to spend my money on.
2. Yes because they are making millions anyways and this would give more people the chance to see their shows. It could also increase ticket sales.
3. No my family doesnt see concerts anyways.
4. Some concerts are and some are way overpriced it just depends on who the artist is and who he is touring with.
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