As expected, the Sept. 18 Ben Folds Five reunion show sold out at breathtaking speed when it went on sale Monday morning. The thousand or so tickets available to the public disappeared within minutes, while the 630 student tickets were gone by early afternoon. And now, craigslist is full of pleas from people all over the country searching for tickets -- I've heard a report of someone even offering sexual favors for tickets, although that disappeared before I could find it.
As to offers still pending, one fan from Virginia is offering an ultra-rare tape of Folds' first band, Majosha, in exchange for tickets. Another from Cleveland offers $500 for two tickets (which were originally priced at $50). Another vents frustration at scalpers charging up to $999 for tickets. And over on eBay, someone has listed a pair of lower-level tickets for the buy-it-now price of $1,299.99.
Wow. Shop wisely, folks. And for the folks doing the selling -- let your conscience be your guide.
(Thanks, Valerie.)
Comments
Tix in the mix
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:49 — Vern (not verified)I find it rather amazing that so many people seem to start an eBay business just by selling concert tickets at outrageous prices. The only time a friend of mine tried that, he took a huge loss on these really good tickets he bought. It was a big show too, so I still can't figure out if there's a safe and consistent way to make money brokering seats online.
Ben Folds!!!!
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 21:05 — Anonymous (not verified)I love ben folds! Have you ever seen him in concert? Absolutely incredible. I saw him at Langerado http://womenartmoney.blogspot.com/2008/09/langerado-dude-you-won-throw-that-piano.html
amazing!
Majosha...
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 16:51 — Jason (not verified)Yeah, I'll go you one better.. when I was a DJ back at WASU in, ugh 1992, we had one Majosha song (I think it was called Clueless?) and we played it on 8 track. Yep, that is not a typo. We came back from summer break and our new PD had gotten rid of the 8 track players. Unfortunately, he also decided to take all the old vinyl (20 years worth) to Goodwill. I've heard a live recording of this reunion gig will be available at some point. Hopefully I'll get a copy, preferably not on 8 track. David- any background on why they split up to begin with?
Majosha...
Thu, 09/11/2008 - 11:46 — dmenconi (author)David- any background on why they split up to begin with?
Yes -- but you'll have to keep watching this space!
Ha! I have a dub of that
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 23:56 — richardfocHa! I have a dub of that Majosha tape somewhere in my mess of a house. The other side of the tape is the never released Veldt album "Marigolds" produced by Robin Guthrie. If I remember correctly they had to make the album with a drum machine after their drummer Marvin couldn't/didn't get a visa to travel to England.
I have 2
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 23:49 — dmenconi (author)Technically, yes, you can get in trouble -- there are laws against scalping in NC (and most other states, too). In practice, however, they're almost never enforced. So the chances of running afoul of the authorites are pretty slim.
But I'm not giving you advice here, so it's still up to you.
I have 2
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 13:44 — Anonymous (not verified)I have 2 tics...can I get in trouble for selling them for more than face value? It sure does seem out in the open about selling them for more. I'd sell them for a profit, but don't want to get busted. How does that work on craigslist?
I saw Majosha at the Brewery
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 12:17 — Chris (not verified)I saw Majosha at the Brewery back sometime in the late '80's. Also saw Ben Folds Five there sometime in the '90's. I don't have any tapes of either performance, but I'd like to offer to your readers that for just $100 they can take their picture with me and I'll shake their hand.