Why does U2 charge several hundred $$$$'s for concert tickets????

[devilgrrl]

If they're are such humanitarians - you'd think that they would try to keep the price down for average folks. Coachella tickets are about the same but that includes BOTH days of the festival and waaaaaaaay more bands!!!!

Not trying to start a flame fest but concert ticket prices and Clear channel need to be discussed. Why those prices U2? Why David Bowie? etc... How did it get like this?

[BeatleBoot]

1. People Willing to Pay That Price

'Tis Economics...

[TomClash]

2. The Clash used to

force promoters and record companies to charge less. Not the Rolling Stones - Mick Jagger calculates VAT in his head - the little scrawny pig.

[shadowknows69]

3. Pearl Jam doesn't allow their tix to be sold for more than 35

if im not mistaken

[RazzleCat]

45. wrong about pearl jam

paid $52.50 per ticket to see them in October. maybe it was that price because it was part of rock the vote? in any event, way more than $35.00, but worth it, excellent show, tiny theater and good cause, so no real complaints.

[shadowknows69]

48. I'll bet it was a rock the vote thing

there were other acts there?

[kerrygoddess]

4. Several Hundred $$$$ - What are talking about?

U2 tickets start at an average of $49.50 across the country!

Yes prices are a lot higher than they used to be for concerts, but they are not hundreds of dollars for U2!

[mdhunter]

5. How do you think Bono affords all his humanitarian work? (nt)

[gater]

6. Blame the Eagles (the band not the team) when "Hell froze over".

I was a morning personality in N.Y. when that tour was announced, and tix started at $125!!! I said on the air that for that price, Henley, Walsh etc... needed to climb off stage and teach the audience every song they know. After they sold out the tour, the game was over!
I can remember seeing Zep for $5, The Doobies for $6. With todays corporate sponsors, there is no need for huge tix prices...other than greed.
The answer to this problem is simple. Go see a local band at a local bar!

[high_carb_hot_dog]

7. true dat

gotsta love the local music scene. although rap and country choke out all the rock down here(I'm in Tampa Bay)

[hollowdweller]

8. There are many bands as good as U2 that you can see much cheaper and

in much smaller venues.

[MrPrax]

31. The Final Word on the Subject n/t

thx

[Kali]

9. I know this isn't the whole answer

but with the ease of copying recorded music these days, could part of it be they actually need to make money on concerts? Used to be concerts were money losers that were actually put on to PROMOTE records (haha remember those?) Just a thought - yes I know clearchannel is greed personified and I hate them as much as anybody.

[JerseygirlCT]

10. I thought the tour was postponed?

[bullimiami]

11. devilgrrl maybe you should look before you type

i wouldnt pay these prices to see them but I probably wouldnt go if I got free tickets.
it is NOT several hundreds though.

this was for the first date of the tour.



TERRACE LEVEL SEATING
US $52.50 - US $163.00

LOWER LEVEL SEATING
US $163.00

LOGE LEVEL SEATING
US $52.50 - US $163.00

GA FLOOR, NO SEATING
US $52.50

[devilgrrl]

14. Theyr'e still a rip off. Besides, I was going to type 8 million dollars!

they may as well cost that much. Concert tickets are a rip off plain and simple - 30 years ago they cost $6, explain the increase?

[enigmatic]

15. Then Don't Go

Pretty simple.

[devilgrrl]

18. Who's talking to you?

pratt

[Maestro]

22. You asked a question.

He gave a good answer.

[Maestro]

24. It's supply and demand

simple economics. And if you think that U2 gets all that, you guys are sorely mistaken. They have one of the biggest shows ever. You don't just don't get this type of show from many bands, perhaps Metallica, Stones, Paul McCartney. Hell I paid $45.00 to see Paul McCartney in 92 I think in San Antonio.

Many people are getting a part of that ticket money.

[devilgrrl]

29. Thank you.

[devilgrrl]

28. I asked the previous poster to explain the drastic increase in prices...

over the years, he didn't answer it but felt the need to be an asshole about it. Which you seemed to have felt the need to do as well. So sparky, got an answer to the question?

[enigmatic]

34. I don't care what the answer is..

Concert prices have gone up across the board in the past 30 years; U2 is not the only one to charge prices that you consider excessive. But you chose to single them out in your rant, so I responded. If you can't stand to be challanged on your posts without expressing yourself w/ expletives, then it's your problem, not mine.

[devilgrrl]

35. I chose them because they were a topic discussion in another thread!!!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3061475&mesg_id=3061475

The Stones, Bowie, Bruce all charge high prices - the other thread was talking about BONO and the possibility that he may be a rightie :crazy:. You'll notice that I posted that I doubt that he was but was disturbed that U2 did business with Clear Channel and the high cost of their concert tickets.

OKAY???? YOU HAPPY NOW???

[JerseygirlCT]

12. I think it may also have something to do with the show

itself. These things are getting to be huge extravaganzas -- from the set, to the lights, to the special effects... it probably costs a pretty penny, and another to move it all around.

Not that I'm thrilled with paying big bucks. And I don't usually. There are only a few acts that get this old lady off her duff -- I'll always jump at Springsteen tix, ditto Jackson Browne, and I'd go for U2, as well -- if I could convince the spouse to go with me!

[devilgrrl]

16. Back in 1976 KISS charged $6 - fire, fake blood, dinosaur farts and all!

Production costs.... Bullocks!

[Maestro]

42. A dollar doesn't buy the same that it did in '76.

Really, that is a bad comparison.

[devilgrrl]

55. Mastro, tickets costs increased only 40-50% from 1976...

until Michael Jackson came along '84/'85. I payed $18.50 to see the Dead in 1989, $32 to see Steely Dan in '93 and now the average cost is $50+? Come on, tell me that there isn't more to it that isn't sinister.

[ComerPerro]

63. Even in 2005 dollars, $6 to see KISS is a ripoff

:evilgrin:

[enigmatic]

13. Fabulous!

So is U2/Bono the subject of today's DU idealogically pure witch hunt?

[devilgrrl]

17. Concert ticket prices!!!! U2 isn't the only band with high prices...

:freak:

[enigmatic]

19. Then why did you single them out?

I'm sick of this garbage. Focus your energy on something that means a little more then smearing one of those who actually walks the walk when it comes to humanitarian deeds.

Please.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[enigmatic]

26. Get the pitchforks!

Unbelieveable...

[devilgrrl]

32. you started the fire honey.

[Maestro]

27. Take a sedative

Go get worked up about something that is actually important.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[devilgrrl]

37. Why the snarky response if this isn't an "actually important"...

topic of discussion?

[Maestro]

43. I'm a U2 fan since '81.

I've seen what these guys are about. Bono being a rightie is proposterous. And blowing up over concert prices that you seem to think he charges or at least the band charges is outrageous. This is a band that carries an army with their shows. They need massive sponsorship. U2 can not help that they have become one of the most popular bands in the world. I'm sorry but the reason for the high prices is basically supply and demand as I have said plus all the overhead associated with the show. It's that simple. Take off the tin-foil hat. Bono and the band will still promote social justice around the world. And at the concert there will be many good organizations represented like Greenpeace and Amnesty International.

[devilgrrl]

56. I'm not judging their sincerity, I do think they care about humanity...

they've been that way all along, ever since I first heard 'I will follow' in '81. They played for free the following summer at a music fest, now it costs $50+? Come on! It's nuts! I'll just spend $16 for the CD.

[amazona]

21. because people will pay?

I sure wouldn't. I think it's stupid.

A couple years ago my friend paid $300 to see Paul McCartney. I'm like, dude, what's the point? He missed seeing him when he was 4 years old and they came to New Orleans for the first time. Dude, you are never going to get back missing the Beatles on their first appearance in America. The Beatles are dead and McCartney is 60. It is not the same, and chunking over hundreds of dollars won't make it the same.

People with too much $$$ think they can buy back what they missed while young.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[illflem]

23. I give Bono far more credit than most entertainers.

He has a belief that the world could be a better place and spends HIS OWN money trying to make it so. Holds concerts and charges admission, but gives 100% of the proceeds to his cause. And did it before it was "fashionable".

Further, he has been doing this since the bands inception. It didn't just start in the last 3 or 4 years. So he is using what fame he has in a positive manner, lobbying for peace. And you have a problem with that? He's far from a saint, but does have the courage of his convictions.

[orpupilofnature57]

25. Because Bono , bowie and the Beatles generate incidental costs

[neebob]

33. Because they can. nt

[WindRavenX]

36. WTF are you talking about?

Ticket prices are relatively inexpensive- 50 bucks for general admission. That's something that I, a wicked poor college student, can actually afford.
Several hundred dollars for tickets are NOT what U2 aims for- they've stated that on their site and are one of the few bands that keep some tickets affordable- the SCALPERS are the ones that jack prices up.
Perhaps you saw the auctions on eBay- those are the result of scalpers and U2 personally has no control over those scalpers.
Peace.

[devilgrrl]

39. That same ticket went for $12 tops in 1985...

then came Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Tour - he charged $40, which at the time was an outrage. There on after they've steadily increased, that is WTF I'm talking about.

[WindRavenX]

40. I'm sorry...

...but 50 dollars to see a top band is perfectly acceptable to me. Especially when that is actually a pretty cheap ticket compared to most sporting events and other popular bands.
You have a choice to buy a ticket, or not to. It really isn't an outrage of Biblical proportions. As a fan of U2, and a pretty strapped for cash fan at that, it is in my opinion that 50 dollars is a reasonable price to pray.

[begin_within]

38. Not only will people pay it, but their concerts sell out in 30 minutes.

[Corgigal]

41. Bruce cost me 75 dollars a seat

several years ago. I just purchased 4 tickets to the Broadway show, Wicked which cost me 100 dollars each. If I purchased them from the travel agency they would have charged me 175 dollars each.

I think its live entertainment in general.

[AngryAmish]

44. Many reasons

If they charge more for their tickets, they get more money. With said money, one can buy more things, such as cars, prostitutes or real estate. I don't know what they like to do with their money, but when has more money one has more options on how to spend one's time and the entertainments one gets to experience.

For example, some members of the band may have an intractible drug habit. If one has more money one may do more drugs. Another member of the band may like collective first editions of books. If one has more money one can buy more of said books, creating personal satisfaction in the owner of the books.

[mdmc]

46. "value"

[mdmc]

47. people seem to think that 50 buck tix are values

Why doesn't U2 set up a base of operations where they can play for a month straight, or forever? They would never travel - their fans would come to them.

Then we would be saying, "In 1985 a show would cost ten bucks, AND the band would play in your own town."

[InspiredinNJ]

49. U2 Ticket Prices

Devilgrrl, just to clarify, Bruce Springsteen, on his last tour, kept the top seats at his shows in the $75-77 range, which is quite a bit less than some of these other top acts. Bruce, if he wanted to , could charge much more and folks would still go. On the other hand, he also had fewer "cheap seats", in the $55 dollar range (all prices sans ticketmaster fees, of course). And Bruce does a good bit of charitable work of his own, much of which (at his choosing) goes unreported. I did a doubletake when I saw the $167.50 price for the top ticket for U2--I know these tours have a lot of expenses to cover, but it seems to me that the rate of inflation for concerts has exceeded that for our paychecks.

[anarchy1999]

52. Dear Bono, we love you and your music. Your hook up with Clear Channel

and the price of your tickets to go to a concert put you in a not nice placce for us. We can afford to go, we refuse. FU and the boat you are floating on. You are nothing anymore. You crossed a line.

[anarchy1999]

53. I can only hope that he and his band listen.

Not holding out much hope.

[RPM]

50. wealth redistribution

from wealthy, dumb americans to others...

it's like a progressive tax on stupidity.

and yes, I am a U2 fan...

[anarchy1999]

54. Africa, Right?

n/t

[misanthrope]

51. Don't know about you...

...but the best shows I've ever seen have been in bars. And I've seen many hundreds of shows (maybe close to a thousand) in bars.

There are good bands out there (a good number who are a might better than U2, in my opinion) that kick ass and won't charge you an arm and a leg to sit a football field's length away.

Of course, one of the beautiful things about loving jazz is that a high percentage of what you see is absolutely incredible stuff in intimate venues at reasonable prices.

[devilgrrl]

57. I couldn't agree more.

In fact, just last week I went and see the "Queen of Rockabilly" Wanda Jackson for a measly $15.00 and she rocked the house!



I even got her to sign my CD after the show. :-)

[Divine Discontent]

58. simple want/need mentality

they know people will pay, but I agree with the lady on this mostly, although everyone needs to just quit getting hyper over entertainment costs, just stay home and watch a movie if the tix are too much, everything's been SOLD OUT if ya know what I mean!

so, I will not be going to see them with my money.

my friend took it upon himself to take me to the barry manilow concert for $125 a ticket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

we were about 12 rows back in the bottom section, but still, come on!

I told him, man, the gift was incredible, Barry was awesome, but those tix shouldn't have been more than $75, so if you multiply that times 1500 bottom section seats that's an extra 75 grand in someone's pocket. amazing.

[Divine Discontent]

59. and to that guy in love with Bono....

she didn't single them out, she said, "U2, Davie Bowie, etc"

it was a simple question, chill!! :)

U2 rocks! we know!!!! lol

[jayfish]

62. In Defense Of U2.

I'm not a huge U2 fan, maybe not even a fan at all, but i just watched Rattle N Hum for the first time and I gotta say, THEY ARE FUCKING GOOD, live. I've seen alot of live shows myself and have yet to see anything as good as that. BB King seemed to like playing with them an awful lot and that was 1989. If you don't like U2, thats great but diving into the minutia of whether they are better then some live Jazz band is apples and oranges at best. If I had $100.00 to go see them, I would gladly pay.

Jay

[misanthrope]

65. I've seen...

...U2 in person. It was a few years ago in New Orleans and I was bored stiff the entire time. Little bitty ants at the other end of the Superdome floor don't enthrall me, and, no, we weren't in the nosebleed section. Granted, they had a HUGE video screen set up, but that just further clarified what I disliked about the experience.

FYI--I also saw EssenceFest (Kool & the Gang, Al Green, Barry White, Stevie Wonder) in that same venue and the experience was completely the opposite.

I saw the movie you referenced way back when it premiered, as well. To say that you have any sense of what it's like to see a band in concert from watching a film is off mark, in my opinion.

The hundreds of shows I referenced cover a panoply of genres, not just rock or jazz or whatever.

And the comment about jazz was an allusion to idiosyncracies of my favorite genre, not a direct comparison to the Dublin divas. You're just not going to see jazz artists playing to venues above a certain size. It's not popular enough.

[sonicx]

60. the cost of everything has gone up

College and Health Care especially.

You might wanna change the title of the post to something less hyperbolic.

[LSdemocrat]

61. Because they can

[bklyncowgirl]

64. Ticket prices suck/scalpers suck even more. People are willing to pay.

U2s ticket prices sound about the norm these days. We coughed up $60+ to see Bruce Springsteen in Giants Stadium and were clearly in nosebleed territory.

Another Springsteen story. I live in NJ and Bruce usually likes to kick off his concert tours with a local small venue charity show. Needless to say these sell out in minutes. Official ticket price was pretty low, around $50. The night of the concert we went down to the Count Basie Theater just in the off chance that maybe there were some tickets available--ha ha. Well there were tickets available. Scalpers were asking and getting an average of $400 per ticket. Well I wouldn't pay $400 to see the second coming of Jesus Christ even if it was a small venue event.

This was a case of an artist trying to keep a show affordable for his fans and raise funds for local charities at the same time. Thanks to the scalpers, he ended up doing neither as effectively as he could.

[mitchum]

66. Because they didn't want to be like all of the pompous, greedy...

dinosaur bands that they set out to replace a long time ago. Ooops!