Are concert tickets too expensive now?
And a few more questions I need help answering.
When Splendour in the Grass was cancelled just five days after tickets went on sale, I had a few theories about why.
Among them were: kids don’t like festivals anymore, market over-saturation giving punters too much choice, and headliners choosing to do their own shows.
One reader, Emily, had a different theory:
“I don’t know if it’s always been this way or it’s the cost of living crisis but damn concert tickets feel sooo expensive. My son is desperate to see Tenacious D but it’s $400+ for the three of us to go! I am sure I remember seeing them for $40. Really feels out of reach…”
I’ve been thinking about her comment ever since. So, today, I thought I’d try something different.
I’ve got a bunch of thoughts about a bunch of random topics about the music industry, including concert ticket prices.
Some topics are big. Some are small. Some are ridiculous, like the new Twenty One Pilots song, which sounds suspiciously like The Mint Chicks.
So here are some questions, and my attempts to answer them. But this newsletter works best when other people express themselves and it’s not just me banging on for far too long. So please, I’d love you all to chime in with your thoughts.
Let’s get into it…
Are concert tickets too expensive now?
Great question. This week alone, I’ve purchased three tickets to Twenty One Pilots (to take the kids), two tickets to David Correos (definitely not for the kids), and am probably going to get myself a Mos-Def-does-MF-Doom ticket this weekend. Just yesterday, Idles announced a show for January 16 at the Town Hall. We are definitely spoiled for choice. But answering this depends on how much spare cash you have, and how much importance you place on seeing live events. Still, coughing up $250 for a single SZA ticket definitely made me sit back and think: What are we doing here?
Have we reached peak concert saturation?
Despite selling out two Spark Arena shows in minutes, there are still plenty of tickets in all sections available for SZA’s third show on April 13. Same goes for Ali Wong’s second show at The Civic on July 9. Various Twenty One Pilots pre-sales have been happening all week (tickets are on general release today) but there are still plenty available, including floor tickets. So, is this it? Have we finally found the ceiling, the place where concert-goers finally scream: “Stop this! We’re maxed out!” Hmm.
Does this song sound like The Mint Chicks?
Speaking of Twenty One Pilots, their new song ‘Next Semester’ is a jangly, 60s pop-infused anthem about making amends. Close your eyes for the opening minute, before it gets louder and rowdier, and you can imagine Cody and Ruben Neilson have finally reunited their beloved pop-punk misfits one last time. That’s good enough for me.
Should Brandon Boyd still be taking his shirt off?
Apparently, yes! Here’s Chris Philpott’s excellent review from last night’s 90s throwback show from Incubus and Live in Auckland. Sample quote: “It’s at this point that Boyd removes his shirt. He always takes off his shirt.”
What was summer’s most-scalped show?
When I failed to get Fred Again tickets in the chocka Ticketmaster queue, I thought the dream was over. In the week before his two Auckland shows, I was offered no less than four tickets from various sources. Facebook ticket resellers, Tixel and TradeMe seemed full of tickets at inflated prices. So I thought Fred Again would take out the title as the most-scalped show of the summer. But, when I asked TradeMe who had the most listings, it wasn’t quite as clear cut. Fred Again was only third in the rankings, with Post Malone second and Foo Fighters first. Whether those tickets were being scalped is another question, but that’s the best intel I can find.
Why didn’t anyone review Souled Out festival?
On the last work day before Easter Weekend, a who’s who of the current R&B scene performed in West Auckland at Souled Out, a new music festival and the last one of our stacked summer. I know this because I got stuck in the traffic clogging roads around Trusts Arena. What was the festival like? Dunno! Once again, no one seemed to cover it. Did you go? Did anyone? If a festival goes ahead but no one’s around to hear it, did it even happen?
Finally, Lorde says this is the year’s best album…
‘Stay With Me Through the Night’ is from a UK artist called Fabiana Palladino, who releases her self-titled debut, full of throwback 80s pop tunes, today. The Guardian gave it five stars, and Lorde says: “I implore you to listen to this album, to my ear the year’s best.” Is she right?
Please, post your own thoughts about any or all of this below. While you’re here, let me say thank you for contributing to Boiler Room. If you like what I’m doing, please consider upgrading your subscription so I can keep this thing going…
Tickets are absolutely too expensive. It’s like musicians, especially those on nostalgia tours (no shade, I love a bit of nostalgia) have realised that touring is the way to make money in the age of Spotify so are pushing ticket prices as high as they can. I already have Pearl Jam and Iron Maiden tickets and am considering Idles since they’re playing the Town Hall this time, I didn’t see them at Spark because a) money and b) I’d rather see them in a smaller venue with some soul. What really gets me though is my favourite small to mid level popularity bands that don’t make it past Australia - they’re the more affordable shows but it costs them too much to come here. Thanks for your writing Chris, it’s always enjoyable, interesting and enlightening.
I still have more I can complain about 😅 I really wanted to see Blink 182 for nostalgia reasons but felt deeply offended that they would charge so much money. Especially combined with flying to Auckland for it! I thought Foo Fighters was really expensive for our nose bleed seated tickets. But tbf they did play for so long (it felt like eight hours - I don't need that much time with a band TBH).