What Ticketmaster Doesn't Want You To Know: Concerts Were Cheap For Decades

[triplets_93]

Ticketmaster and Live Nation have destroyed the concert experience. But it didn't use to be this way. Today, Oasis and Taylor Swift tickets might go for thousands of dollars, but back in 1955, you could see Elvis Presley in concert for less than the modern-day equivalent of $20.

We investigated further and found ticket stubs from the biggest acts between 1970-1989, and they all cost around $45. Now you’re paying exorbitant service fees and indie venues are getting squeezed, all because two corporations gobbled up the industry.

So how did they do it? Watch our full deep dive into the history of concerts over the last 70 years and how corporate greed turned one of the most populist forms of entertainment into a luxury good.

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Ticketmaster and Live Nation have destroyed the concert experience. But it didn't use to be this way. Today, Oasis and Taylor Swift tickets might go for thousands of dollars, but back in 1955, you could see Elvis Presley in concert for less than the modern-day equivalent of $20.

We investigated further and found ticket stubs from the biggest acts between 1970-1989, and they all cost around $45. Now you’re paying exorbitant service fees and indie venues are getting squeezed, all because two corporations gobbled up the industry.

So how did they do it? Watch our full deep dive into the history of concerts over the last 70 years and how corporate greed turned one of the most populist forms of entertainment into a luxury good.

This might get more attention in the off topic zone. I cannot stand Ticketmaster/Live Nation. Isn't what Ticketmaster is doing essentially the same as scalping, which is illegal? In 1979-1980 i saw Van Halen for 6.50, KISS for 8.00 and Rush for 10.00.

 

[triplets_93]

This might get more attention in the off topic zone. I cannot stand Ticketmaster/Live Nation. Isn't what Ticketmaster is doing essentially the same as scalping, which is illegal? In 1979-1980 i saw Van Halen for 6.50, KISS for 8.00 and Rush for 10.00.

Feel free to re-post it there. I have no issues with that!

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Maybe a mod can move if they deem it necessary

 

[John813]

Which is why I don't go to concerts anymore. Don't like not supporting musicians, but I'm not paying a lot for an "experience".
Just like sports, there's a cut off where the couch is more enjoyable than going to a game. NFL and NHL.

 

[triplets_93]

Concert promoters, hotels and lodging sites soon will have to disclose extra fees up front

https://apnews.com/article/ftc-junk-fees-rule-hotels-tickets-085606d99f137040e9a86e5b1ac04068

 

[lukin2006]

Saw The Who in 80/81 something like that for $13.50. I just paid $127 to see AC/DC in Detroit. And I get whacked because we have the northern peso…but AC/DC is great live.