Live music all but disappeared during the pandemic, for obvious reasons. It quickly bounced back once restrictions were lifted. It seemed people were excited to get out and enjoy music once again. Pop artists dominated ticket sales with tours like Taylor Swift’s Eras tour and Beyonce with Renaissance. Making going to a concert an event, dressing up and exchanging bracelets with fellow concert goers. But recently many artists have had to cancel their tours due to low ticket sales. So what happened? Many factors can be attributed to this new trend. First, not every artist needs to have huge arena tours, with costs like venue, lights, stage displays and pyrotechnics causing ticket prices to raise high above what normal prices. Also, Ticket Master has been in hot water with their monopoly over ticket prices, and hidden fees.
I would like to see a new trend of bands going back to the smaller more intimate concerts that create a special atmosphere. When I was a teenager, seeing the rock band Incubus that was on the top of the charts cost $55 with all fees. Even then it was a little high for my $7.25 an hour job paychecks, but still manageable. Tickets can cost easily hundreds of dollars for virtually unknown artists, and thousands for big names. No wonder people aren’t paying these prices. So please, artists, scale down the tours, keep it simple and affordable and people will come. I promise.
