You could say that concert-ticket prices are like the weather, in that everybody complains without doing anything about 'em -- except to go right on paying sky-high prices. Prices have only gotten higher on the "secondary" ticket-selling sites, where people buy and sell tickets with little regard for what the original face price was. And when it comes to where those tickets originally came from, more often than not the fix is in.
So even though, say, Taylor Swift's upcoming Raleigh show has been "officially" sold-out for months, plenty of tickets are still available, just as long as you're willing to shell out big bucks. Confused at to how and why that happens? See this story from Sunday's paper.
ADDENDUM (5/23/10): More on V.I.P. tickets.
Comments
It won't change
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 15:24 — aburtchAs much as I hate the current system - true fans are last on the priority list - I don't see how it will change since everyone is making boatloads of money off the current setup, including the bands. The consumers are the ones getting shafted. But we live in a capitalist society and the value of a concert tickets is controlled by supply and demand. I don't like it at all, but with bands, promoters, ticket outlets, ticket re-sellers, and scalpers making money there is no incentive to change.
The only solution I can possibly see is switching to the system mentioned in the article using paperless non-transferrable tickets or requiring identification at the gate.
now i get it
Sun, 03/07/2010 - 11:06 — greeni had the same deal in victoria, was online instantly for wilco and got not so hot seats & spent the night at the concert wondering how everyone managed front row area where i usually sit. i guess it will get worse as this article alludes to, but i long for the days where you lined up early & got what you deserved, front rows. This click of a button thing eliminates the real fans from the real seats sometimes.