Are Concert Ticket Prices Justifiable?

Is there any better feeling than hearing your favourite artist live? The lights dimming, a cacophony of cheers, the flashing lights, costume changes, basslines echoing through your veins. The rush of adrenaline that envelops you after hearing the opening chord of your favourite song. Hearing lyrics that resonate so deeply to you, sung live in the flesh. 1 hour and a half of bliss, and you leave the venue buzzing on an adrenaline high, merch in hand, in denial that it’s all over. 

The issue is that nowadays concerts are not as accessible as they once were. In recent years, ticket pricings have gone from a bargain, to fair, to justifiable, and now to extortionate. In the 1970s, it would cost a mere $10 to $15, to see Queen - arguably one of the most famous bands to ever exist. Nowadays, however, the average concert ticket price is $120.

Ticketmaster introduced a new feature called ‘dynamic pricing’, meaning ticket price increases depending on the demand. This sent fans of Taylor Swift into an outrage, following the release of tickets to her billion dollar ‘The Eras Tour’. Tickets were set to a dynamic pricing range of between a minimum of $49, and a jaw-dropping maximum of $499. However, even these tickets are being snatched up at the speed of lightning. In Australia, over four million ‘swifties’ were in the digital queue to acquire tickets. Swift’s seven shows 'down under' sold out instantaneously, and thousands of fans were left empty handed. The ethics of ticket reselling sites is questionable; the exorbitant prices can lead to considerable dents in people’s bank accounts for the sake of just one night, but some devoted fans see the resellers as their only option. One woman from Jersey City successfully resold her tickets for an incredulous $5000 each, instantly gaining a whopping $20,000 in exchange for four Eras tickets. 

Ticket prices have not only been an issue at Taylor Swift shows, though. Olivia Rodrigo’s current ‘GUTS World Tour’ has raised similar debate, in which tickets have ranged from $49.50, to $199.50. This is a massive increase, following her ‘Sour Tour’, where ticket prices peaked at $85. Fans have taken to online sites such as ‘X’, to discuss the morals of such matters. One user commented that ticket prices are ‘absolutely extortionate’, and stated that ‘it’s going to kill off the music industry’. One disappointed Adele fan complained, ‘Adele ticket prices must be a joke… $300 for a seat [all] the way back?’ 

These days, unfortunately the ticket prices themselves are not the only issue fans encounter. Another financial consideration would be the prices of merchandise. The GUTS merch has been subject to this debate, with $40 t-shirts, $85 pyjama sets and even a $140 denim jacket. In the excitement of the moment, it is understandable to feel a certain obligation to purchase a memento of the night. I admit that I, too, have been guilty of overspending on concert tickets and merchandise. After having one of the best nights of your life, it seems only natural to be inclined to want a permanent keepsake that you can wear with pride. Consequently however, in today's current climate, you may leave the concert venue with a smile on your face, an adrenaline high… and a considerably lighter wallet. 

Live events and concerts are incredibly popular for a reason. General consensus would agree that there is nothing quite like the invigorating and thrilling experience of your favourite tunes played right before your eyes. But with ever-increasing inflated prices, and no indication of this slowing, how much longer can we justify attending?