It’s still happening. Artists are still way out of touch with their fan base. In some cases, they’ve signed a contract and have been given a ton of money, so they have little to no control over ticket prices. It’s the new record industry. Now it’s up to the corporate suits to determine the price of a concert, not the band and certainly not the fans.
One of the reasons that fans started stealing albums online was because of price. They couldn’t afford to pay $13 - $19 per album. I’m not saying that’s right, I’m saying that’s why it happened. And now, the same thing is happening with concerts. Only, the fans aren’t stealing concert tickets, they’ve just decided to not attend the shows. Who is hurt the most in the end? The artist is going to take the blame. The fans will hold them responsible justly or not. It’s their name on the marquee, not Live Nation’s. This results in fewer sold out shows, fewer performances in each city, and an overall general distaste in the minds of the fans.
Here’s a perfect example. I am a huge Bon Jovi fan. I love the band, love their songs, love them in concert. They are currently touring (starting in February) behind a greatest hits record. That means the tour is going to be chock full of nothing but the best songs! And the greatest hits album has 4 brand new songs on it. This is a disc that should already be in my collection. But it’s not. Because when I saw the ticket prices for their local concerts ($55 - $154) I told myself there was no way I was going to attend that show. And since I wasn’t going to the concert, there was no need for me to purchase their greatest hits album. Now the band just lost two sales – all due to corporate greed.
Yes, I know there are seats available at $30. That’s the joke. There’s only a few hundred of them (if that many), and they are not good seats. If I want a halfway decent seat to a good seat, I have to pay $55 to $300. Three hundred dollars? Are you serious? I can remember when all the ticket prices were the same and everyone had an equally fair shot of getting floor seats. I also remember standing in line to get those tickets. Times have changed and the internet has really changed the way ticket business is done. But $300 for a floor seat is ridiculous. And if you are worried about the scalpers buying them and selling them at that price anyway, then only offer Will Call for the floor seats. Or offer them to fan club members only. Or do something that will deter the scalpers in the first place.
Unfortunately, that will never happen. Not as long as greedy pigs like Irving Azoff are still in the picture. Their bottom line is money. Screw the fans! To me, that’s good news for the clubs like Starland Ballroom and the Wellmont Theatre. Tickets to shows at those venues are still affordable. Here is a list of some recent tours and their ticket prices. Note ALL of these prices are prior to any fees (which can add an additional $25 - $35 per ticket).
Prince – ranges between $27 - $173 with most tickets costing $111 or higher
Bon Jovi – ranges between $29.50 - $304.50 with most seats falling between $55 - $154
U2 – ranges between $30 - $250 with very few seats available at $30
John Mellencamp - $61, $148
Carrie Underwood - $45 - $67
Furthur - $50 - $70
Phish - $70
Kings Of Leon - $71
Hinder - $30
Notice the affordability of the Hinder tickets? That’s because they are touring clubs and haven’t been swooned by the corporate promoters yet. Give it time. The more popular Hinder becomes, the more likely they are to get a million dollar contract offer. And I couldn’t blame them for taking it. That would just mean I wouldn’t be seeing them in concert anymore. That’s the sad fact of the current ticket pricing structure. Corporate greed has hurt the music fan again. I see it every time I notice OAR ticket prices creeping up. Every year, the prices are a few dollars higher than the year before. Eventually, they will be another band off my list. It’s a shame and the ticket brokers ought to be ashamed.
Comments are open. Feel free to post some.
Showing posts with label Live Nation Entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Live Nation Entertainment. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Irving Azoff Needs To Shut His Mouth
After recently joining the ranks of Twitter, Irving Azoff, the Executive Chariman of Live Nation Entertainment posted this very unintelligent comment: “If you want ticket prices to go down, stop stealing music.” What an ass! Now, I can’t speak for everyone, but I can certainly speak on my own behalf. I don’t steal music and I encourage others to buy the music they are listening to as well. With that being said, “stolen” music isn’t the reason ticket prices are so high, and Azoff and everyone else in the industry knows this. No, Irving, if we want ticket prices to go down, you shouldn’t be giving these artists guaranteed contracts worth millions of dollars. It’s the same reason that live sporting events are so expensive now, guaranteed money.
Ignorant, insensitive comments such as “stop stealing music” are the reason that CEOs like Irving Azoff are hated in the industry by real music fans. He is light years away from the reality of this situation. His comment boils down to this (in its most simplistic form) if no one illegally downloaded music, ticket prices would drop to an affordable level. So, Mr. Azoff, you’re telling me that front row seats would now be sold for $20/ticket? Sorry, I don’t believe you.
As for people “stealing” music, that is a blanket statement for you to hide behind, because you know that the end results can never be tangibly measured. So here’s a nice counter-proposal: if you want people to stop “stealing” music, then lower the price of the albums. If a CD costs $10-$13 in a store, fully packaged with linear notes and a jewel case, then it should cost half of that online. There’s no packaging to pay for, there’s no storage fee to pay, there’s no shipping cost. Yet, greedy CEOs, much like yourself, refuse to lower the price because they can’t fathom lowering the price on anything. It would hurt their pride too much and they would feel like they are going against the corporate model. Yet, simple macro economics of supply and demand states that this is the time to lower your prices. Concerts, merchandise, albums, and even concessions should be lowered to affordable levels. Instead, the corporate greed of the Irving Azoff’s of the world have forced true fans to decide which concert they will see this season, instead of deciding which group of concerts they will see this season.
Back to the opening of this post; the stealing comment made by Mr. Azoff. Where is the statistical evidence that backs that statement up? How much money are you “losing” every year by people “stealing” music, and how does that directly translate into savings at a concert? Perhaps if you would take the time to show us the math and provide us with empirical evidence that you aren’t lying instead of joining twitter and posting ignorant tweets such as “if you want ticket prices to go down, stop stealing music,” you would see some positive results. My counter to your ignorant comment is this, if you want your concerts to sell out, then lower your ticket prices.
Comments are open. Feel free to post some.
Ignorant, insensitive comments such as “stop stealing music” are the reason that CEOs like Irving Azoff are hated in the industry by real music fans. He is light years away from the reality of this situation. His comment boils down to this (in its most simplistic form) if no one illegally downloaded music, ticket prices would drop to an affordable level. So, Mr. Azoff, you’re telling me that front row seats would now be sold for $20/ticket? Sorry, I don’t believe you.
As for people “stealing” music, that is a blanket statement for you to hide behind, because you know that the end results can never be tangibly measured. So here’s a nice counter-proposal: if you want people to stop “stealing” music, then lower the price of the albums. If a CD costs $10-$13 in a store, fully packaged with linear notes and a jewel case, then it should cost half of that online. There’s no packaging to pay for, there’s no storage fee to pay, there’s no shipping cost. Yet, greedy CEOs, much like yourself, refuse to lower the price because they can’t fathom lowering the price on anything. It would hurt their pride too much and they would feel like they are going against the corporate model. Yet, simple macro economics of supply and demand states that this is the time to lower your prices. Concerts, merchandise, albums, and even concessions should be lowered to affordable levels. Instead, the corporate greed of the Irving Azoff’s of the world have forced true fans to decide which concert they will see this season, instead of deciding which group of concerts they will see this season.
Back to the opening of this post; the stealing comment made by Mr. Azoff. Where is the statistical evidence that backs that statement up? How much money are you “losing” every year by people “stealing” music, and how does that directly translate into savings at a concert? Perhaps if you would take the time to show us the math and provide us with empirical evidence that you aren’t lying instead of joining twitter and posting ignorant tweets such as “if you want ticket prices to go down, stop stealing music,” you would see some positive results. My counter to your ignorant comment is this, if you want your concerts to sell out, then lower your ticket prices.
Comments are open. Feel free to post some.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Friday's Rockin' Roundup - The Best of the Guru Edition
Happy Fourth Of July Holiday Weekend! Barbecues, softball tournaments, Yankees baseball, reading, and of course, music, are all on the docket for my long weekend. July makes it 18 months since I launched this little blog. I still enjoy writing it as much as I did the day it was released and I am still amazed at the response this blog gets. Thank you everyone who reads, comments, emails, and enjoys The Rock and Roll Guru. Without you, this blog would be nothing. It means a lot to me that you keep coming back to read more.
Since July marks the halfway point of the year, I thought it would be a good time to round up the best of The Guru – 2010 (so far). Here’s a list of what I think is my strongest work for 2010. Enjoy the 4th everyone!
The Live Nation Ticketmaster Merger
One of the worst things to happen to the music fan.
Who Sets The Price For Concert Tickets?
This is one of the posts that I am most proud of this year. A lot of work and research went into this article, but the hard work paid off. Many people have stopped to visit this post. That means a lot to me.
STILL the front-runner for best album of 2010
Doug Keith’s The Lucky Ones is one of the greatest albums I’ve ever heard. It could be album of the decade. The more I listen to it, the more I find to enjoy about it.
The time I met Clarence Clemons
It was an amazing experience and he is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I will always remember that night.
Discount Albums Online
As CDs are becoming more and more obsolete and people are ripping off the artists by stealing music online, some stores are countering. Sites like Amazon are offering full albums in MP3 format for $4.00 or less. Not too bad at all.
My trip with Stone to see Pop Evil and Charm City Devils
Stone is awesome. Charm City Devils were ok. Pop Evil was FANTASTIC! Stone left a huge fan.
The Loss of an Old Friend
Earlier in the year, I lost an old friend. Next weekend we will be having a bonfire in his honor. There are bound to be a lot of tears and shared memories and that’s all right. That’s how friends live on forever.
The Summer Tours
Wondering what tours are out there this summer? Look no further! Cousin Ryo did the work so you don’t have to.
Milli Vanilli 20 Years Later
Remembering Milli Vanilli … and a girl.
Since July marks the halfway point of the year, I thought it would be a good time to round up the best of The Guru – 2010 (so far). Here’s a list of what I think is my strongest work for 2010. Enjoy the 4th everyone!
The Live Nation Ticketmaster Merger
One of the worst things to happen to the music fan.
Who Sets The Price For Concert Tickets?
This is one of the posts that I am most proud of this year. A lot of work and research went into this article, but the hard work paid off. Many people have stopped to visit this post. That means a lot to me.
STILL the front-runner for best album of 2010
Doug Keith’s The Lucky Ones is one of the greatest albums I’ve ever heard. It could be album of the decade. The more I listen to it, the more I find to enjoy about it.
The time I met Clarence Clemons
It was an amazing experience and he is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I will always remember that night.
Discount Albums Online
As CDs are becoming more and more obsolete and people are ripping off the artists by stealing music online, some stores are countering. Sites like Amazon are offering full albums in MP3 format for $4.00 or less. Not too bad at all.
My trip with Stone to see Pop Evil and Charm City Devils
Stone is awesome. Charm City Devils were ok. Pop Evil was FANTASTIC! Stone left a huge fan.
The Loss of an Old Friend
Earlier in the year, I lost an old friend. Next weekend we will be having a bonfire in his honor. There are bound to be a lot of tears and shared memories and that’s all right. That’s how friends live on forever.
The Summer Tours
Wondering what tours are out there this summer? Look no further! Cousin Ryo did the work so you don’t have to.
Milli Vanilli 20 Years Later
Remembering Milli Vanilli … and a girl.
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Live Nation Ticketmaster Merger Is Bad News For The Fan
By now I’m sure you know the merger is official. Live Nation and Ticketmaster were given approval by the US Justice Department on January 25th to merge into the world’s largest (and basically only) ticket seller and concert promoter. The new company name is Live Nation Entertainment. You can expect to hear a lot of complaints about that company in future posts.
What does all of this mean for the fan? Well, for starters, it means goodbye to the little guy. There will never be another company that comes around to create a fair marketplace, because Ticketmaster will just buy them. I really thought that when Live Nation started selling tickets last year that there would finally be a little competition in the market place and the ridiculous ticketing fees would go away. Not so much. Instead, a year later, they are going to become the same company and the fees will live on.
In a recent Rolling Stone article (Issue 1098) Irving Azoff (lead villain of Ticketmaster and head of the entire merger) said that this merger is good for everyone as it will fix inefficiencies in the system and allow them opportunity to test ticket price ranges. For an upcoming Eagles concert tour, he wants to range the tickets from $30 - $250. Azoff actually believes that is a good rate. What?
First, $30 is a bit too high to sit in seats that are all the way at the top of the arena. And if it was ONLY $30, perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad, but on top of that initial $30, there’s going to be another $17 in fees (so now we’re at $47) and then there’s parking (add another $15). That $30 ticket just cost me $62…for one ticket.
Azoff needs to take his head out of his ass and wake up to reality. The artists that go along with this (U2, The Eagles, Bon Jovi, and more – yeah I’m talking to all of you) also need to stop drinking the Kool Aid. Fans are sick and tired of paying “convenience fees” and any other fee that that Ticketmaster can think to add on. Does ANYONE realize that if the fans decided to boycott just one tour, that artists (and their promoter) would take a huge hit? How about we price all the tickets at $30 and give the REAL fans a fighting chance to sit in a good seat without having to take out a small bank loan.
I would love to have an opportunity to interview Mr. Azoff. Does he really live in that rose colored glass house? He can’t honestly believe the crap that he’s shoveling. This merger will be better for no one but him and his (new) partner, Live Nation’s Michael Rapino. And again, we the fans are left holding the bag.
What are we going to do? Boycott seeing Dave Matthews this summer? Not on your life. So, I (along with everyone else) will have to bend (over) to the will of the evil corporation. It’s like taking care of the roadie to get backstage to see the band. I’ll feel disgusting while doing it, but once I’m with the band, all will be right with the world.
What are your thoughts? Comments are open. Feel free to post some.
What does all of this mean for the fan? Well, for starters, it means goodbye to the little guy. There will never be another company that comes around to create a fair marketplace, because Ticketmaster will just buy them. I really thought that when Live Nation started selling tickets last year that there would finally be a little competition in the market place and the ridiculous ticketing fees would go away. Not so much. Instead, a year later, they are going to become the same company and the fees will live on.
In a recent Rolling Stone article (Issue 1098) Irving Azoff (lead villain of Ticketmaster and head of the entire merger) said that this merger is good for everyone as it will fix inefficiencies in the system and allow them opportunity to test ticket price ranges. For an upcoming Eagles concert tour, he wants to range the tickets from $30 - $250. Azoff actually believes that is a good rate. What?
First, $30 is a bit too high to sit in seats that are all the way at the top of the arena. And if it was ONLY $30, perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad, but on top of that initial $30, there’s going to be another $17 in fees (so now we’re at $47) and then there’s parking (add another $15). That $30 ticket just cost me $62…for one ticket.
Azoff needs to take his head out of his ass and wake up to reality. The artists that go along with this (U2, The Eagles, Bon Jovi, and more – yeah I’m talking to all of you) also need to stop drinking the Kool Aid. Fans are sick and tired of paying “convenience fees” and any other fee that that Ticketmaster can think to add on. Does ANYONE realize that if the fans decided to boycott just one tour, that artists (and their promoter) would take a huge hit? How about we price all the tickets at $30 and give the REAL fans a fighting chance to sit in a good seat without having to take out a small bank loan.
I would love to have an opportunity to interview Mr. Azoff. Does he really live in that rose colored glass house? He can’t honestly believe the crap that he’s shoveling. This merger will be better for no one but him and his (new) partner, Live Nation’s Michael Rapino. And again, we the fans are left holding the bag.
What are we going to do? Boycott seeing Dave Matthews this summer? Not on your life. So, I (along with everyone else) will have to bend (over) to the will of the evil corporation. It’s like taking care of the roadie to get backstage to see the band. I’ll feel disgusting while doing it, but once I’m with the band, all will be right with the world.
What are your thoughts? Comments are open. Feel free to post some.
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