Gig Tickets, don't price fans out.

Concert ticket prices seem to be on the rise again. In all honesty I guess they always are. It does seem more pronounced now though, with the top tier acts now routinely demanding three figure prices from fans. My ire really is pointed at those at the top of the food chain, be it the artists or the promoters, most likely both. You can still watch emerging bands for around a tenner, but get onto the second album and you’re often looking closer to £30 depending on the venue and if it’s an established act, you’re easily looking north of fifty quid. Add a bit of VAT on, plus the booking fee (usually charged on each ticket), overpriced postage and even the purchase of the new album if you want to get access to that all important presale... don’t get me started on presales.

Why? Where is this money going? Who is it for? Sure enough some of these high priced shows have high priced stage production, but it’s not nearly enough always the case. Someone somewhere is taking the piss and it’s the punters paying the price. Add that your average arena gig will then fleece you further for food and drink once you’re stuck in the cavernous hell hole and you’d better be a brave soul to go anywhere near the merch stand.

These inflated prices are only the minimum requirement though. That fifty quid might get you a nosebleed seat, but if you want to be near the front, dare I dream the front row, for some shows you can stick and extra zero on that to get the VIP package. These are often a tiered set up, different packages named quirkily after the act or their songs, with different options depending how deep your pockets are. Wanna meet the band after the show? No problem, that’ll be a grand. Everything’s for sale.

Now I know that the music industry has changed. Those who feared the iPod on it’s release were right to, technology has killed the purchasing of albums and singles. Fine, I know there’s a burgeoning vinyl market, but it’s lip service. No band can make a living selling records. The only chance you have is gigging and selling merch. My annoyance isn’t with smaller acts though, all power to you. It’s the big boys I’m getting pissed off with (it’s mostly boys) ripping off music fans. You’re killing music and you should be ashamed.

What do we do? Stop attending gigs? I’ll attest that’s very hard (seemingly impossible in my case), but I think maybe it’s time to make a stand before attending big events is only for the well off in society. Music is powerful, life affirming, it should be accessible for everyone.

Artist and promoters, please take note. We know you love music as much as we do. Don’t price us out.