My word it’s expensive to be a GenXer looking for concert tickets.

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rstokes18187@reddit

I live near Bethel Woods, the site of Woodstock '69. They sell a lawn season pass in the winter for $650. My wife and I bought them for each other for Xmas. This summer we've seen DMB, Luke Bryant, Weird Al, the Offspring, Live and Collective Soul, The Black Keys, Blink 182, Bonnie Raitt, Cyndi Lauper, Sebastian Maniscalco, Heart, Neil Young, Avril Lavigne,Barenaked Ladies, and Def Leppard. And it includes lawn seats.

Well worth it, and if you live in the area, highly recommend Bethel Woods for seeing a show.

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flagal31@reddit

how was sebastian? His more current material doesn't seem to hit like the old stuff, but it could just be me.

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rstokes18187@reddit

While I can't really remember his bits, he was a solid arena stand up show. It definitely wasn't all family bits.

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flagal31@reddit

good to hear

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sssf6@reddit

People still go to concerts?

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ImRudyL@reddit

At least one, usually 2 every month.

Very rarely big arena shows though. We have a couple of opera houses and a performing arts center that bring in great music.

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sssf6@reddit

Yikes

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awmaleg@reddit

Live Music is awesome and good for you

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sssf6@reddit

Yes it would be lovely if I didn't have to surround myself with schmos

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liketheweathr@reddit

More now than I did then, frankly

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

Went to one last night! And 2 weeks ago.

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DubbulG@reddit

I would suggest finding some bands that aren't as old as you are and doing their "Almost Maybe Last Time Tour Until We Need To Fleece You Suckers Again Tour."

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ZweitenMal@reddit

I always call it the “kids I had with second wife need money for college” tour.

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Dangerous_Prize_4545@reddit

"I didn't get a prenup but she did let me keep my guitars" tour.

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flagal31@reddit

these comments are more entertaining than the concerts

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Dangerous_Prize_4545@reddit

I love most of these bands and have seen them multiple times. That said: 1. The Who, Aerosmith, Pearl Jam 2. The Black Crowes 3. GnR (Slash) and Oasis

The Stones are the "Wtf else are we gonna do? Sit on a cloud?" Tour

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flagal31@reddit

i like the cover bands...younger, more enthusiastic and often sound just as good or close to it for a fraction of the price.

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

I paid $800 to see BTS in Vegas and I figured that would be the most I would ever pay for a show.

Apparently not.

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Strangely-addictive@reddit

I paid €92 to see BTS in Paris in 2019. Even with strong European laws against dynamic pricing, it's probably going to be much more now.

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

Wow! I’ll bet I could fly to Europe and spend less than I did with flight, hotel, and ticket.

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Strangely-addictive@reddit

Absolutely. If you’re into K-pop, tickets for major acts are usually around €150, while lesser-known groups can be as low as €50 — excluding reseller prices, of course.

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

My seat wasn’t even that good. I was at the back of the stadium. I went alone and my husband says he wants to go see them next time, but not if they’re in a stadium. He would prefer a smaller venue. He’s crazy if he thinks they’re gonna play anything smaller than a stadium here.

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Strangely-addictive@reddit

I completely understand. I’ve stopped going to stadium concerts too — for the same price, you can usually get great seats at smaller venues, whereas in stadiums you’re stuck up in the nosebleeds. The sound quality isn’t great either, and you can’t even enjoy the lightstick effects because most shows start while it’s still daylight.

Seeing BTS in a smaller venue would be amazing, but that’s just not going to happen.

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StylishDavid@reddit

I have to assume y’all aren’t talking about Built to Spill. I catch them whenever they come through town, and their tickets usually go for <$50.

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

gif

These guys

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Nuclear-poweredTaxi@reddit

December 27th still has nosebleeds for $540… but these are all resale prices marked up for tourists.

Dolly is expensive because she hasn’t toured in a very long time.

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ImRudyL@reddit

She toured right before COVID

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SugarSpunPsycho@reddit

Did you see BTS at the Sphere? The ticket prices at the Sphere are because they're at the Sphere. Not because of who the artist is. Even Phish had $1k tickets there and you could see them for $10 at a regular venue

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

No, saw them at Allegiant Stadium.

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MaximumJones@reddit

I am not interested in ever paying even $25 just to see this

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flagal31@reddit

can't like this post enough.

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

Bruno Mars has the yondr pouches. He’s looking good at cheap seats for $700.

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itzjuztm3@reddit

It's funny because when BSB were first announced at the Sphere most people were like WTF? And ticket prices started at just over $130.

Then people absolutely fell in love with the show and it was the BSB that pushed the Sphere into profitability and ticket prices now start at $500 even direct from Ticketbastard.

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JoeSicko@reddit

BSB pushed the sphere to profitability? Don't they have to run it 24-7 to be profitable?

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itzjuztm3@reddit

Yeah, they and Kenny Chesney actually did.

And yeah the Sphere actually does run 24x7. Tell me you have never driven past it at 3 AM on a Wednesday morning without telling me.

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eman_on_1@reddit

If you mean that’s price per ticket - that’s nuts! I bought NKOTB tix and paid $300 a piece to be in the section closest to the stage that’s not on the actual floor or in vip sections. I thought that was high. Then I think about how I paid $100 for Madonna in 2010 and thought that was obnoxious back then - especially after she did her normal 2 hour late start that I wasn’t aware she had a habit of doing. Big stars that know they can charge it and fill seats charge what they want, I guess!

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kayparkersbiggestfan@reddit

That can't be right. Are you looking at front row meet & great tickets??

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skbugco@reddit

So much of this is due to Ticketmaster and Live Nation. That, combined with a majority of the states not having laws regulating re-sale (scalper) tickets, and prices are outta hand. Kendrick Lamar tickets in Seattle were reselling for up to $5-6,000 for good seats earlier this summer.

Some states, like Florida (of all places), have a law that prevents you from reselling your ticket for more than $1 over face value.

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groverlaw@reddit

I decided to buy VIP tickets, fly to Finland and take the ferry to Estonia to see Depeche Mode play in Tallinn because of how much the tickets cost here - since I had to go somewhere to see them anyway, it was not that much more to leave the country and make a vacation out of it.

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Chemical_Butterfly40@reddit

I had a friend who flew to Paris for the Beyonce show. A week in Paris with flights, hotel, food, and a ticket was about the same price as seeing her in the US.

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skbugco@reddit

One of my friends/ co-workers is a GenZ, and rabid Swifty. When Taylor was on tour last year, tickets for her show(s) in the PNW were insane. So my friend and one of her BFF’s flew to Paris, hung out for a week, had amazing seats to the Swift show. Apparently all for around what resale tickets were going to cost here.

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liketheweathr@reddit

Omg that’s brilliant

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MapleBaconPeanuts@reddit

Best friend and her husband did much the same: Adele in Munich.

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star0forion@reddit

I did this but on a less grander scale. Death Cab For Cutie were playing in my city. Tix were $150 each. Wife and I decided to buy tix for their show the next night in a city a couple of hours away. Tix there were only $52 each. We decided to make it a mini vacation. Ended up spending more than we would have if we just watched them in our city but we were able to do other things for almost the same price.

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blackcain@reddit

That's some sad shit that you can do that and it's still price competitive.

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

That sounds amazing!

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groverlaw@reddit

It was so awesome. The Depeche Mode Baar is in Tallinn and it was so much fun to hang out there with everyone going to the concert and after.

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Ornery_File_3031@reddit

I have been to that bar, fun time. Tallinn is a great city

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JoshNipples@reddit

Had to pull of an elaborate pay day advance scheme to see DMB at the gorge. Worth it, now to fake my death.

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therelybare5@reddit

I haven’t seen a concert since the mid 2010’s.

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Top-Raspberry139@reddit

Waiting in line overnight outside a head shop called Infinite Mushroom for REM tickets. The price? 16 bucks.

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Octavale@reddit

Took the wife to see Rick Springfield about $600 all said and done - still didn’t get laid so done with that shit.

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liketheweathr@reddit

Wh - what

We saw Rick two years ago with the Hooters, and while I don’t know for sure what my husband paid, I know him well enough to promise you it wasn’t anywhere near $600. Probably more like $50-70 apiece. It was a tiny venue and not even sold out. Amazing, high energy show, one of the best I’ve seen (and I’m not even a Rick Springfield fan). But not expensive.

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Octavale@reddit

Looking right now at his sept 21st show in Summerville - cheap seats are $201 each before BS junk fees.

Was a fun show even though not a huge Jessie’s Girl kinda of guy.

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liketheweathr@reddit

Unbelievable

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sixwax@reddit

Hol up… you thought a Rick Springfield concert in 2025 would get you laid?

I call shitpost

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Octavale@reddit

Lol, wife feel asleep on the drive home

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liketheweathr@reddit

Lame

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Verbal_Sniper@reddit

Music or the wife?

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ghrtsd@reddit

$600 and Rick Springfield just scrambled my brain. I’m going to lay down now

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Ferrindel@reddit

Ah, the glories of being a metalhead. Tickets are still $25-40 a pop for most shows (obviously excluding Metallica/Maiden/etc).

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YogurtclosetFair5742@reddit

18th birthday, AC/DC, spent $15 for floor seats and another $15 on a 3/4 sleeve shirt.

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DaisyJane1@reddit

In 1988, my cousin and I saw Chicago at a local festival for $6 each! The festival lasted a week, and to get in you had to buy a pin. The pins were good for the week, so you could catch some really good shows for almost nothing!

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Mondashawan@reddit

Oh really? Cuz it was like $800 to see System of a Down/Korn recently in New Jersey. I waited until the day of and it dropped to a little over $200 per seat.

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Ferrindel@reddit

Hence only “other than” comment. Pantera, Korn, Gojira, Sleep Token, Nine Inch Nails, etc are always going to be expensive. I’m not talking about 15,000 capacity arena shows for S-tier popularity bands like that.

I’m talking about bands like Be’lakor, Suffocation, Aether Realm, Crypta, Decapitated, Ensiferum, Visions of Atlantis, even Obituary and Cryptopsy. Bands that play at <1,000 capacity venues. In Seattle, places like El Corazon or The ShowBox.

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KCcoffeegeek@reddit

I’m in to doom like Pallbearer, Rezn, etc and sludge like Melvins, Whores, etc. still paying under $30 for tix on the regular. Most are Around $20.

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idio242@reddit

Rezn is awesome. Saw them at a brewery earlier in the year. Great show. $15.

But yeah, OP, you are in LAS VEGAS trying to see shows at THE SPHERE, the most advanced concert venue in the world. You think you’re getting a deal?

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KCcoffeegeek@reddit

I got to see Rezn 4 times last year, they were fantastic every time. They came through Lawrence, KS about 30 mins away, with Pallbearer, then Kansas City on their own a couple months later, then I took a weekend trip to Chicago to see their two-night set at the Empty Bottle. All their opening bands were great, too. Epic year! LOL

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idio242@reddit

They opened for elder in Boston. Possibly with king buffalo? Might be misremembering that since king buffalo might have been a separate show around the same time at the same venue - either way - did not know I needed horns in my stoner metal, but I was all in!

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KCcoffeegeek@reddit

Is a PS controller! Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol opened for King Buffalo for us and they were awesome

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Ferrindel@reddit

Pallbearer is performing here next week! I’m already going to too many shows though, no way I’ll get another pass.

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KCcoffeegeek@reddit

Just looked at your Seattle post and saw Baroness on the list. Saw them not too long ago for the blue and red tour and HOLY SMOKES… what was an incredible show

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Ferrindel@reddit

So on that list I’m going to: Baroness, Symphony X, Be’lakor, Coheed and Cambria, Crypta, Powerwolf, plus The Who on the 25th and Offspring next week.

I REALLY want to grab tickets for Castle Rat and Alestorm. Probably will and deal with fallout later.

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idio242@reddit

Seeing Castle rat on Friday!

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froggymail@reddit

Shit Alestorms coming? Missed that gotta check tickets now...

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Ferrindel@reddit

FYI

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froggymail@reddit

Thank you!

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KCcoffeegeek@reddit

I wouldn’t miss them if you can swing it. I have Faetooth and Slow Crush coming up, Castle Rat, driving about 3 hours to see Conan, all in September. Weedeater is here next week, not sure about going. I don’t like that “I gargled hydrochloric acid a minute ago” vocal style.

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Ferrindel@reddit

I’m going to that show for Baroness. Don’t care much about Weedeater.

Castle Rat is in about two weeks here.

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DrumsKing@reddit

Cannibal Corpse - $23 Dragged Into Sunlight - $17

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rrrrrrez@reddit

For $50, you get a VIP ticket and get to go to Target with Corpsegrinder to shop for clearance LEGO sets.

Corpsegrinder at Target

“He does like ten emotes and then he farts… ‘rawr, rawr… ffffflpptttt’”

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BoogerCookie@reddit

Y'all beat me to this! I don't think all my dozens of metal shows this year even add up to $1000.

Sorry Dolly, working 9 to 5 ain't even enough to pay for a ticket to your show!

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Ferrindel@reddit

NGL, I might fork over for Dolly Parton. Never seen her before and recently I’ve realized how much great music is out there I turned my nose up at. But we also just went to Dollywood for vacation.

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JamesPage1968@reddit

If you’re paying $2000 for Dolly, you are getting skinned like a mule.

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ThemeDependent2073@reddit

if she was doing the skinning, I'd be down for that

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whydya-dodat@reddit

Gigity.

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FakenFrugenFrokkels@reddit

$2,000 in today’s money for peak Dolly I might do…and as much as I respect Dolly…I couldn’t do it today b

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ImRudyL@reddit

I paid about $45 for Dolly tickets right before COVID. This isn't about Dolly, it's about LV.

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acecoffeeco@reddit

I’ve seen hundred of shows in all genres and dolly is easily top 3.

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starsblink@reddit

Tickets in L.A. for Maiden were like $800, so I flew to Spokane and saw them for under $250. Luckily, I have family there.

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c_r_a_s_i_a_n@reddit

Just support your local scene.

At one time even Metallica was playing dive bars for free.

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Smeltanddealtit@reddit

Punk is the same. Paid $50 to see Nofx on their final tour last year.

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marshallkrich@reddit

Yeah, Metallica, Maiden, Misfits Reunion, nope. Lol saw them in their primes, at least.

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SexMachine666@reddit

Mercyful Fate was $1000 for front row VIP. I was annoyed, and skipped that tour. I'm too old to be in G.A. with all the poors 🤣

/s, obviously lol, before someone gets butthurt and starts whipping up the class hatred.

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Ferrindel@reddit

Speaking of, I will forever be pissed at King Diamond. Canceled the show here a week prior, so I missed out on not just him but Overkill and Night Demon.

Not like actually pissed of course, I get that shit happens. Just bummed out. Even worse I found out months later that Overkill played here anyway at a different venue.

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SexMachine666@reddit

Yeah, I was pretty annoyed with the mismanagement by his tour people on the last US Tour. Were you one of the Canada dates or West Coast? That was a mess for sure. I think he got sick and didn't want to come right out and say it. He's been having heart trouble again and the winter storm didn't help. They really should plan to tour the US during the Summer/Fall instead of Fall/Winter like they always seem to do the last few years. End the tour on Halloween with a big show in Dallas where he lives.

I liked the way Olé ran the tours. No bullshit and everything ran on time. These guys don't seem to know wtf they're doing and it shows in how they run the photo sessions and VIP fulfillment.

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TheStoicSlab@reddit

No doubt! I saw Erra and Architects this month for like $55 and I was like 10 feet from them. It was a great show.

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htmaxpower@reddit

Paid like $55 to see Mr. Bungle. Fuck yeah.

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1BannedAgain@reddit

Typical Ticket is roughly $100 for me.

2025 AC/DC, Phish, System of a Down. Cavalera and Necrot as well as George Thorogood were the exceptions at $50ish

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LoggingLorax@reddit

Melvins are still a great value!

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Ferrindel@reddit

They opened for Napalm Death here in the summer! Great show, although it was awkward when Buzz couldn’t get the cords to work, lol

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LoggingLorax@reddit

Same here but I missed them 😔

Buzz was having an off night when you went?

There's a recent video on Youtube of them playing at an outdoor festival in Switzerland. Definitely woth checking out, although the sound quality of the recording could be better.

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Ferrindel@reddit

Oh no he was fantastic as always. It was just funny, start of the set during Bloated Pope. He had fun with it.

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Sea-Membership-9643@reddit

Not just Metalheads... but I agree. I still see my favorite "oldies" bands for under $50... most under $40. Melvins... dino jr... Mr. Bungle... Flaming Lips... DEVO... and many others. Smaller, newer bands, for $10-20. NO band is worth more than $100... ever. $1000-$2000 is absolutely ludicrous. But, that's just my opinion, man. If someone feels like dumping that kind of cash and can afford it, for a blip in time, all the power to them. I'd personally rather go to 20 concerts for $1000 than one. Plus... it's Vegas. It's not like there aren't other, better ways to blow $1000.

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Puzzleheaded_Rub858@reddit

I came here to say something similar. I am a goth and except for some of the bigger bands, like The Cure, concert tickets are still fairly affordable. Just got to see Information Society the other day and it was awesome.

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Ferrindel@reddit

That’s because Robert Smith is a badass and went to war with Ticketmaster over their insane pricing. Love that man. And last year’s show was great, he hasn’t skipped a beat!

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ZweitenMal@reddit

When I saw Echo et al a couple of years ago, Ian stayed seated the whole gig and had a small table next to him with a glass of milk, a bottle of Pepto, and a fifth of whiskey.

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Puzzleheaded_Rub858@reddit

Exactly. His fight with Ticketmaster made me love him even more. When we saw him here in Philadelphia, it was amazing. I would’ve sworn I was listening to him in the 80s.

Didn’t make Echo and the Bunnymen and I think I’m glad I didn’t.

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inky-doo@reddit

idk my wife and I saw the pixies last month for like 40 bucks each. In Boston.

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DaisyJane1@reddit

Wow, the last band I went to see with any regularity was Duran Duran. My last show before I became physically unable to go anymore was in 2011, and VIP packages were $600 with a chance to win a meet and greet! Floor seats near the stage were around $200. That's only been what ... 14 years ago?

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FrannyFray@reddit

We use DICE & Evenrbrite and just check out local bands and some Gen X bands for under $25 each or they are free. If they using Ticketmaster the prices are usually too high for us.

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WilliePullout@reddit

Yep I no longer go. I’m not paying $250 for nosebleeds and bad performances

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Traditional_Ant_2662@reddit

I wait for artists that I like to play at a local casino. I can get two tickets for less than a hundred bucks. There are a lot of acts I would love to see, but they are stupid expensive.

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moccasinsfan@reddit

Gen Xer here. I haven't been to a major concert in 30 years. Ticket prices exploded in the 90s and priced me out.

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Smokezz@reddit

Ticket prices truly exploded in the last 5-6 years. They've been rising all along, but the astronomical jump has been pretty recent.

2014 Ozzy was $70 for good seats in Toronto. GnR was only $120 in 2018 in Toronto. 2022 it was $225 for the same show, same venue, exact same section of seats. 2025 concerts are out of this world expensive.

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sensitivelydifficult@reddit

Tell me about it. Last time Tool came through, my wife and I wanted to go I checked quickly and saw $450 for singles and noped out. Then came WuTang on their final tour and same prices. It sucks.

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Fit-Olive-4680@reddit

Skip Vegas and go see the parks.

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ecochixie@reddit

I recently read Backstreet Boys are grossing $4 million a night! WTAF

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raydators@reddit

Dolly and the Backstreet boys , Damn what yr is it 1990? Las Vegas? You couldn't have found a more expensive city to pay massive amounts for "nostalgia shows" ! Hell are you sure these aren't look alike tribute shows . I thought Dolly was dead . And isn't dementia a problem for the Backstreet Boys. As long as concert goers are willing to pay ripoff prices , promoters will continue to rip you off. Simple as that.

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StylishDavid@reddit

Are these the actual face-value prices, or are you getting fleeced on the resale market?

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pinktwigz@reddit

Paid 500+ each for tix to see the Eagles at The Sphere in Vegas.

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robin-incognito@reddit

Go see your local bands! The oldsters have taken our money for decades, they're alright. But there are young bands out there grinding away in bars and small clubs who know they will never have the big hit experience, but keep playing no matter. Their peers don't always have the $ to support even a $20 cover charge. If you can afford $100 for another reunion tour, consider spreading the wealth.

Give your $20 to the next generation. Keep live music alive!

[-]

BigAndTall1968@reddit

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StillC5sdad@reddit

Need to pick shows based on venue.

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PsychologicalBat1425@reddit

Concerts have gotten crazy expensive now that people stream music. Musicians used to make their money from album sales, and they still do an extent, but not like the old days when we could go to a concert for $30.

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romulusnr@reddit

You know what's crazy, I saw tickets for Weird Al this summer for $2K.

Granted, those were front section tix. But shit, the idea that someone is paying that to see Al? That's simultaneously outrageous and awesome.

Like, I don't want to be priced out of Weird Al, but fuck, people will pay that much to see Weird Al up close? That's kinda awesome.

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No_Secret_4560@reddit

Well, I live in Alaska where not a whole lot of concerts happen. My daughter and I have flown to Seattle, San Diego and Vegas to see concerts using airline miles, or maybe cash if I don't have enough miles. I prefer Seattle due to it only being one flight. We have both stayed for a few days and we've seen the concert and headed back to the airport. We really have to want to see a concert to go through all that. For us, it's the ridiculous cost of the concert ticket, AND getting to the venue.

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

I live in St. Louis and fewer and fewer bands are coming here. I understand the pain of traveling to see a show.

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No_Secret_4560@reddit

When I replied to your post, I was in Ridgedale, MO to see Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, and Return to Dust at the Thunder Ridge Nature Arena.

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speedwagonrocks@reddit

Yeah Wichita doesn’t seem to get a lot of the well known good acts like they did in the 70-80’s. I guess we have to face that a) a lot of those bands no longer tour or sadly even exist and b) as Stevie sings “I’m getting older too”. It truly sucks having our reality as Gen X’ers. We will carry on tho. We always do!

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GrouchyVacation6871@reddit

Dont

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Fan_of_Clio@reddit

Economic model for music has flipped. Used to be concerts were ads for album sales. Now albums are ads for tickets to concerts

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Capital-Cheesecake67@reddit

Go to some tribute/cover bands instead if you really have to attend a live performance of their music. These top performers don’t care if they price out middle/lower income people from attendance their concerts, they are looking to make money only.

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liketheweathr@reddit

I mean if we’re being honest, the old bands are mostly practically cover bands of themselves at this point.

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Ok-Description-4640@reddit

Buy when the tickets are released and not from scalpers. This might be tough if you are planning a trip and the tickets already went on sale but it is what it is, especially in Vegas. We were thinking about a weekend trip and this Wizard of Oz thing at the Sphere, which looks amazing, is at least $200 per seat. And the closer you sit, seats are $500 or more, which I don’t even know if being in the front section is actually better than the back row.

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Fit-Dark-4062@reddit

How does one actually accomplish that? Around here scalpers use bots, all the tickets are gone within seconds of them being released

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liketheweathr@reddit

Register as a verified fan for pre-sale access

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Teh_Unit_91@reddit

I get tickets to stuff all the time when it’s released. In all fairness I do take advance of presale events either by the artist, or Citi or whatever.

Got Dolly Parton tickets at fave value.

You really need to follow the bands you want to see and be ready to buy at the on sale.

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idio242@reddit

I do all that combined with a network of friends who buy each other tickets. But this is all way beyond most people - either time constraints or not wanting to deal with it.

[-]

TJH99x@reddit

Follow the band online before the on sale date so you can get the presale code. So far this has worked for me.

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Chemical_Butterfly40@reddit

being on the artist's email list might help, they often offer pre-sale with a code. Might or might not have to pay be in their "fan club"

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Xer-angst@reddit

Tickets are $129 on a Thursday. And 300s or 400s are ideal

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SMBamberger@reddit

I have a friend who lives in Vegas. She doesn’t go to concerts there because the prices are twice what they are everywhere else.

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liketheweathr@reddit

Yeah, I only ever go to see younger bands lat small venues anymore. Too expensive and the fans are a drag. Saw Paul Simon at the Hollywood Bowl a few years ago and he was great (of course) but the crowd was insufferable. A loud argument broke out near us a hour or so in, when a younger couple tried to dance to one of the upbeat tunes and the old farts harassed them. I myself had some old hag jabbing me with her talon because I dared to get up and dance to You Can Call Me Al, near the end of the show. If I wanted to sit quietly and listen, I would stay home where the seats are more comfortable and the sound quality is better. When I go to see, say, Orla Gartland or Walk the Moon, it’s an energetic crowd dancing and singing and trading Instagram handles for 3 hours - at a tenth the price, counting parking. Can’t beat it!

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SergeantBeavis@reddit

I was able to get early access to Paul McCartney tix. I got some decent seats for $700 each. I’m betting they’re a lot higher now.

After Ozzy passed, I resolved myself to try and see as many of the great older performers that I can before they retire or are gone forever.

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SpeciosaLife@reddit

I saw him at RFK around ‘89-90 for like 40 bucks. I get inflation, but at 3%/yr that’s still less than 100. Saw Aerosmith the same year, and friends recently tried to get me to lay out a grand for a ticket at the Garden. Such a shame we can’t go into retirement seeing a major act spontaneously on a weekend.

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Ellisdeed@reddit

I tried to get McCartney tickets for this tour to take my 78 year old mother to. She’s always been a fan and has had some health issues lately, so I thought it’d be such a wonderful thing for us to do. When it was my turn, all that was left was $1500 tickets. I almost did it, and maybe should have for her, but it’s just such an insane amount. We could fly somewhere for a week for $3000, you know? For those of you talking about buying resale, where would I look? I’m in CA and was going to drive out to the San Bernardino show

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carlivar@reddit

Jeez I took a couple of my kids to McCartney for like $150/ticket. I mostly buy at the last minute though.

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

I buy last minute resale at home, but if we’re paying for airfare and a room, I’d sort of like a guarantee that I’m gonna get in to see who I want to see.

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ghrtsd@reddit

I’ve had pretty good luck with last minute resale. The parking cost more than my ticket when I bought same day for Run The Jewels last year.

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

I got a great seat to see the Jonas Bros. I literally could have touched Nick Jonas if I were a weirdo. $55 a couple hours before the show started. I’m not afraid to go alone, so single seat deals can be found.

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CircusFreakonLSD@reddit

Sounds like your real issue is your music taste. The bands I love are reasonably priced.

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phillymjs@reddit

I spent a total of $3550 for a single ticket to 23 different shows this year-- averages out to $154. Rod Stewart/Cheap Trick was the most expensive concert, at just shy of $400.

Late last year I lost a friend suddenly, and the stark reminder that our number can come up at any time gave me (among other things) a willingness to broaden my horizons as far as the variety of shows I go to, and to cough up for a good seat.

That $3550 doesn't include my most expensive ticket this year: almost $800 to see Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter do Waiting for Godot on Broadway next month, from the 5th row. #YOLO.

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HolyHandGrenade_92@reddit

not a damn thing. during the digital revolution days (napster) the record co's sat on their hands and lost millions and took years before they started licensing mp3's for pay download. from this they said (fact) "we'll get our money back with live shows" and they certainly have. more than $50 a ticket? don't buy. absolute insanity. grew up in the pre napster age of $20-30 concert tickets. the record companies since have won until u stop paying. stop it. don't go.

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kunk75@reddit

Just paid $1400 for two Oasis tickets ::

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Arvid38@reddit

What???? I know I’m out of touch with reality but no fucking way I would ever pay that for a damn ticket to ppl who are as rich as they are. Yikes. Go see that wizard of Oz thingy instead lol

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ST0IC_@reddit

Go somewhere else to see them if you can. Everything here is ridiculously overpriced. And the worst part is that as tourism continues to decline here in vegas, the prices continue to go up to make up for it. It's a shoot yourself in the foot situation, and it's going to collapse soon if you're don't switch to a different strategy.

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straylight_2022@reddit

The average price for ticket to see the current Who tour is 500 bucks.

So, unless you're going alone it is over 1000 to watch a couple 80 year olds shuffle around a stage while an actual band and backing tracks are behind them playing Who songs.

I can't believe people pay for that, in particular since every like show is at least partially on youtube the next day now. ...and The Who live in 2025 is really, really bad.

Glad I was able to talk my Mom into taking me to see them on the first farewell tour, 43 years ago. That was a great show and tickets were 12 bucks.

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grateful_john@reddit

I paid a ticket agency $35 for a ticket to see the Who’s very first last tour ever and that was a crazy price back then. Justified it to my high school self because I’d never get to see the Who live if I didn’t pay that much.

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grateful_john@reddit

Going to see George Porter Jr. of the Meters tonight - $35. Saw Stanley Jordan last month, $50. Depends on the act and the venue.

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awmaleg@reddit

How was Stanley Jordan?

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grateful_john@reddit

He was great. My college roommate plays bass for his Stanley Plays the Dead project, I’ve seen them a few times. Nobody plays guitar like Stanley Jordan.

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YouDontKnowMe4949@reddit

That's some bullshit. I wouldn't pay $1000 to see Jesus Christ himself much less see a concert

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Rurumo666@reddit

I miss paying $5 to see a Fugazi show in the 90s.

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notmyrealnamefromusa@reddit

I did that!

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paintingdusk13@reddit

I grew up liking "alternative" music so 99.9% of the bands I grew up listening to still only do small venues shows with tickets usually under $50.

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notmyrealnamefromusa@reddit

Stiff Little Fingers is Tuesday night in DC for 40 bucks.

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sfdsquid@reddit

Oh I would love to do that but it's kind of a haul from NH and I'm broke til Wednesday.

I saw the descendants last month in Burlington VT for about $50.

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notmyrealnamefromusa@reddit

That would be cool!

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the_answer_is_RUSH@reddit

It’s one of the perks of not liking big mainstream acts.

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Federal-Membership-1@reddit

Glory days for us.

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Thirty_Helens_Agree@reddit

Yup. Suzanne Vega recently played at a little auditorium at a private college in my town. Saw Evan Dando at a tiny theater for $25 or something.

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TacoTico1994@reddit

Or they're dead!

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ElectricMan324@reddit

Yeah I was looking at Cindi Lauper for her farewell tour. Was not a huge fan back in the day but thought it might be a nice nostalgia hit.

Yikes. Pass.

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goldenquill1@reddit

I mostly now just go see local bands that my friends play in. I used to be an avid concert goer, but my daughter is in college and there's always something to be done to the house.

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Federal-Membership-1@reddit

You like the wrong artists. In the last 4 years we saw Neil Young, The Cure, Simple Minds, New Order, Violent Femmes, Psychedelic Furs, Pet Shop Boys, English Beat...The Cure was an arena. Most were smaller amphitheaters or small concert halls. Didn't pay more than $100 @seat.

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MaineMan1234@reddit

Exactly! The most expensive seats for the Cure show in Boston in 2023 were $125. And I paid $70 for my tickets to the Cure’s Troxy show in London, but of course spent $2k getting to London, but it was worth every penny to see them in such a small venue

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Federal-Membership-1@reddit

Cure was my unicorn. Didn't go to that many shows in my youth. Neil Young was also a good break. Great show and they shut down shortly after Philly for health issues. Passed on RHCP. $300 bucks for a stadium show?

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toaddawet@reddit

Ok I am so jealous!! New Order played near us a couple months ago and I was really sad I couldn’t go. Last time I saw them was in 1993. Similar amount of time for the Cure. Awesome list!!!

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mish_munasiba@reddit

YTA for wanting to see the Backstreet Boys.

Oh wait, wrong sub. Sorry!

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happy-gofuckyourself@reddit

In 1987, a ticket to the U2 Joshua Tree tour cost $25 in Toronto, $15 in Dublin, and $5 in Tempe, Arizona. $25 in 1987 is about $72. Anyone saying $500 ain’t bad is kidding themselves.

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Legitimate_Ocelot491@reddit

I knew a guy who went to that Tempe show, and yep, paid $5. Just crazy!

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StormFinch@reddit

"My word it’s expensive to be ~~a GenXer~~ looking for concert tickets."

Fixed that for you. If Ticketmaster isn't a monopoly by now, they're darn close, and they have everyone by the base of their snarglies to prove it. I mean, the company literally acts as their own scalper.

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Federal-Membership-1@reddit

Nah. The Cure stood up and delivered very reasonable tickets using Ticketmaster. It's doable. Same seats, same venue for Depeche Mode were 3x the price that year.

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Legitimate_Ocelot491@reddit

Depeche Mode in Chicago in 2023 turned me and my wife off on seeing anyone from our youth. Dave sounded terrible, nothing like their shows years ago, or even as recently as 2017.

I've seen The Cure enough over the years that I didn't feel bad skipping the latest tour.

The one that really pissed me off was U2 at Soldier Field in 2017. $300 for a 90-minute show on a summer Saturday night in Chicago. Really? WTF? Again, so many great concerts over the years but that one was definitely a lowlight, even being "Joshua Tree at 30."

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sfdsquid@reddit

I really, really wanted to see the Dead Kennedys in Boston a few months ago but it was $175!! Not very punk rock. 😢

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LayerNo3634@reddit

Concerts are too expensive, too late, too crowded, and too loud. I'm happy to watch the recording on TV.

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Common_Poetry3018@reddit

Gosh, it would be nice if someone did something about the Ticketmaster monopoly. Oh well.

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MomsBored@reddit

It’s unrealistic. Sometimes your bank has presale tix. Go on their actual website not via mobile apps. Otherwise yikes. 😬

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1tiredmommy@reddit

I’ve been going to Tribute band concerts. They have actually been way better than expected.

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edasto42@reddit

Aren’t those Sphere shows? If so, those are particularly expensive tickets because of the venue.

I have been a person that I’ve been lucky as of late that if I have to buy a concert ticket, aftermarket apps have come in clutch. I’ll often get tickets for dirt cheap ($10 for Peter Gabriel, $17 for Charli XCX, $9 for Elle King…). You just need to be diligent about checking the sites and apps regularly. I’m currently on the hunt for both Oasis and NIN tickets. I’ve watched them drop from over $325 to $150 for Oasis, and $150 to $65 for NIN.

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JonnyLosak@reddit

If yer not rich yer nobody…

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mclazerlou@reddit

There are so many layers of speculation now that it's only worth pricing tickets a day or two before the show.

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SadPhase2589@reddit

Fuck Live Nation.

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Pernicious_Possum@reddit

Those prices aren’t age specific. Everyone pays them. Wanting to see the Backstreet Boys is entirely on you though

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MyriVerse2@reddit

Nah. I've never spent less on concerts. :D

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iamnotyounorwouldili@reddit

I havent gone to a concert in ages. I have officially, personally gotten too old to go. I sleep early, my hearing is messed up from my career, dont like crowds any longer. Yup.

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awmaleg@reddit

Invest in ear plugs - too much concerts and loud music back in the day

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zeydey@reddit

Who are you, me? Oh wait, just checked your username - carry on.

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vixenlion@reddit

Nope

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Bzzzzzzz4791@reddit

Cover bands for $20. That’s where I’m at now. It is not worth the hassle to drive, pay for parking and pay for a ticket to a venue.

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TheStoicSlab@reddit

I like relatively obscure bands, they are a lot cheaper.

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ericrz@reddit

I took my daughter to see Joan Jett in Vegas (House of Blues) this summer for about $150 each. That’s about my limit, and we saw Stevie Nicks last year and are seeing Heart later this year for about that same cost.

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ericrz@reddit

SeatGeek has plenty of BSB resale tix for $400-600. I’m not saying that’s cheap, but it’s not $1000+.

Dolly Parton, yeah. Two fucking grand. I wouldn’t pay two grand to see John Lennon take the stage with Elvis, Jesus, and Jimi Hendrix.

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shuzan7@reddit

You have to be lucky enough to beat the bots. I actually lucked into a presale code for Taylor Swift Eras Tour last year in New Orleans and got 4 decent tickets for 106 each, including fees. The artists aren’t the ones fleecing us - it’s the scalpers. Until something is done about them nothing will change.

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Cute-Calligrapher-50@reddit

Im going to see Pulp in a few weeks it was 80 after fees much better than spending a 1000 to see Oasis at a venue 15x the size.

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UnicornSlayer5000@reddit

In 1994, I saw Pink Floyd in concert for $35.

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-Economist-@reddit

Tickets to anything.

Just took my 7yr old to his first college football game. Between tickets, parking and concessions, I’m out $1k.

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Mr_Auric_Goldfinger@reddit

Stay home. It's not worth it.

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zeldasusername@reddit

Go local and support hard working bands in bars and pubs

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ImRudyL@reddit

Not go to shows in Vegas? Tickets don't cost that elsewhere. Hell, I saw Dolly Parton just before the pandemic, for about $45.

And I go to concerts all. the. time. I have front row seats to Alison Krauss this week, they cost an outrageous $165. Elvis Costello and Neko case were each $70. I just bought tickets for Rhiannon Giddens for $40. Two years ago, I opted to not go see P!nk, because tickets were the most I'd ever seen, ranging from $325 cheap seats to $900 SRO on the floor.

You're paying for Vegas, that's all.

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jesus_chen@reddit

What’s a music lover to do? There are great shows being put on by local musicians playing original music every night for $10.

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Efficient-County2382@reddit

You're obviously paying a lot for the destination and the fact it's more an event, than a normal concert.

But it's one thing I've noticed since COVID, people who aren't necessarily fans are going to a lot of these shows, it's a check-box, a way to show off on social media. So prices have generally skyrocketed for iconic acts, people are literally just going because they are a famous name, and maybe some FOMO as well.

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GarionOrb@reddit

Sphere is not cheap. It doesn't matter what artist it is.

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heathers1@reddit

you can try waiting til like 10 min before show time and see what comes up

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MazW@reddit

I never pay more than like $125 but those are not the bands I see.

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Outrageous_Plum5348@reddit

I can attest three grand later for U2 at the Sphere. You won't get out of a mid fine dinner for under $500.

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snerdie@reddit

I go to shows with non-mainstream artists in small local venues. Tickets are affordable, parking is easy, and I’m home at a reasonable time.

The only big time act I will go to great lengths to see is Depeche Mode, because they’re my favorite band of all time.

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TracyVegas@reddit

We’re going to see David Lee Roth next Saturday. I think tickets were like 55 bucks.

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minor3929@reddit

That BSB ticket situation was insane! I bought general admission tickets from a reseller for $400 each! I wish I had a seat, but I got what I could afford. It is going to be a great show though!!

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Tom_Slick_Racer@reddit

Saw Blues Traveler back in December $35.00 small venue General Admission, was next to the stage.

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bbonerz@reddit

Did the hook bring you back?

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Tom_Slick_Racer@reddit

Of Course it did

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WinnebagoViking@reddit

And when I'm feeling stuck and need a buck I don't rely on luck because

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HuckleberryDizzy2364@reddit

rants in a minor

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sixwax@reddit

I bet the 45 minute rambling harmonica solos were just as satisfying as they were 30 years ago

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Tom_Slick_Racer@reddit

Yes they performed the entire "Four" Album and some others, A rather nice version of the Devil Went Down to Georgia with Harmonica filling in for the Fiddle. It was a little strange to see several members of the band wearing New Balance sneakers.

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Ok_Driver8646@reddit

Sorry, no one is worth seeing for $1k.

What are you to do these days? Forget the nostalgia (self-created FOMO) and find new music. There are so many great artists that are not shoved in our faces like when we, GenX-ers were kids.

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rared1rt@reddit

If anyone in the group is a veteran or first responder they should check vettix or 1sttix.

They don't offer a lot in Vegas but they do come up sometimes.

I went recently to a show here for 311 and Badflower regular tickets I wanted were $40+ tax. Vet Tix were $15 I gave them 10 on top of that reminded me of being a kid and getting tix for 20 bucks a show for GA.

We love Vegas try to go yearly but in almost 20 years of going have never wanted to see a music act out there. Shows yes live music no.

I will preface that if a show doesn't have GA it takes a lot to get me there. I still love being on the floor close to the stage on my feet. I know now in my early-50s not sure how much longer that will be thseating.

I hate that you often have to pay a premium now for GA when used to be the premium was for Reserved seating.

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drhav2023@reddit

Go see Mötley Crüe instead!! 😃

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Virtual_Trouble1516@reddit

Wife and I were going to see Billy Joel and Sting last year. The cheap seats would have set us back $1000+ for two nose bleed seats. We'd have been watching the show on the big screen. We passed.

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CanineAnaconda@reddit

I’m going to see a band called Sextile, they’re younger but sound like they listened to 90s techno and the Pixies growing up (they’re great, especially live). Tix are $40, markup is nearly $15. The older legacy bands are maintaining the lifestyle record sales used to afford them. They sell out regardless, which is fine, I’m having a midlife renaissance going to see newer live bands like I did when I was younger.

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californiaye@reddit

We got BSB tickets for only ~250 each, just keep watching them

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

That’s good to know!

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Sudden_Associate7566@reddit

Yeah idk if you want to take the risk and wait, but I saw U2 at the Sphere and the morning of each show, resale prices started dropping and often ended up below face value an hour or show before showtime.

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Coppergirl1@reddit

Vegas is disgusting, I was just there in October 😒

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c1ncinasty@reddit

Yep. Seeing NIN tonight with my son and another Gen X buddy in Cleveland. 800 for three seats. Yeesh.

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dreaminginteal@reddit

Support local artists instead of nostalgic mega-groups.

I bet there's a dozen country girl crooners in your hometown. Most won't cost you more than a $20 cover charge to see. And pretty boys who sing are everywhere. Just gotta look around and stop and listen when you find them.

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blackcain@reddit

I just go see local acts. You can thank these event management companies. I remember the good ol days when you'd camp outside the record store.

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domesticatedprimate@reddit

Well, because Vegas. Every price in Vegas has an extra zero tacked on.

Life pro tip: don't go to Vegas unless you're rich. You'll get much more bang for your buck going literally anywhere else in the world.

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myrdraal2001@reddit

I haven't been to a concert in decades mostly because I don't like them but even if I wanted to see a musician or group that I like I really don't want to spend thousands of dollars for it. If anything I'll spend some cash for the CD of the studio album.

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Lthrr9@reddit

I got floor seats for Paul McCartney for $350.

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JulesyJ@reddit

I would love to see this show (BSB) but damn! Between the flight from Florida, the hotel, the tix and food.. we could take a week long all inclusive to the Virgin Islands. Concerts are just too much these days.

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CodenameZoya@reddit

We were so spoiled with cheap concerts, I think I would go to at least five or 10 a year. I can afford one a year now lol

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damageddude@reddit

I go to smaller cheaper venues now. It's not the price, I just can't deal with larger shows now and prefer the smaller, more intimate, venues.

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Oh-THAT-dude@reddit

The most recent “arena” show I went to was Weird Al. I don’t remember what I paid for the tix for me and my wife, but I doubt it was more or much more than $100 for the pair of us, and a great show.

I much prefer club shows to arena shows for a variety of reasons, but ticket prices are certainly one of them. My suggestion is to support the up-and-coming bands who don’t charge so much.

To be fair to the big artists who do need to tour arenas, it’s probably less them being greedy than the promoters and the arena itself. The logistics of a band tour are pretty pricey these days as well.

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tsays@reddit

Ok, totally agree concert tix expensive. Two of my friends just saw BSB in Vegas for $200 (tix) — are you looking on a big weekend?

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

I’m looking at any date. I’m totally flexible with dates. Just started planning the trip.

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JRBowen9@reddit

Once ticket prices for rock concerts passed $100, I was out. Look, I know this is pretty crude, but for a hundred bucks you can get a "date" with someone and have a very memorable time, and you won't have to get a $50 t-shirt to remember it. Chlamydia, yes, but not a t-shirt. Ticket prices just aren't worth it anymore.

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distract_@reddit

I find that I have a way better time seeing local bands or finding new music at smaller venues. It’s like 90’s concert ticket prices and I end up with new music to enjoy.

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Medik8td@reddit

I paid an insane amount to see Guns N Roses when Axl came back and they were in SF. Made a splurge weekend out of it and stayed on a houseboat in Sausalito. Had an absolute blast but I’m pretty sure that was my last outrageously expensive concert. Elton John is the last person on the list of people I want to see, but haven’t. And I don’t think I’d be able to justify the money. I wish the huge acts that got ultra rich on their fans, would show their gratitude for the little guys, with reasonably priced tickets.

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Smokezz@reddit

I'm looking on the Ticketmaster site (screw Ticketmaster, just for existing...) and the Backstreet Boys tickets are expensive, but they're not 1k+. They're not even 1k+ for the good seats on NY Eve. Is it maybe the date you're looking at?

The Dolly tickets are sold out. You're seeing resale prices there...

The best thing to do for concerts these days if you want to get a good deal on tickets is wait until the day of the show. If the show starts at 7PM, start looking on Stubhub, Seat Geek, etc around 2PM and watch those prices drop like a rock. I got AC/DC tickets that were around $250US for $60US this past summer in Detroit by waiting to the last minute to get them. You just have to be willing to possibly not go, or in the case of the Vegas shows - go the next day instead. You'll save a fortune though.

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Few_Newspaper_3655@reddit

GenXer here. I’m kind of done with “arena rock” and big festivals. I still listen to the popular music of my youth, but the only live music shows pay to attend now are those in more intimate venues.

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mika00004@reddit

Hi from Vegas. If you're planning on seeing BSB at the Sphere, that's why the tix are so expensive.

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Slim_Chiply@reddit

There is nobody that I want to see that badly. We went to see The Damned in May at the House of Blues. I think that was about $150 for the 2 of us. The first time I saw them in 1982 it was less than $15. I saw Elvis Costello and the Attractions (my first concert) in 1979 and it was $6.50 a ticket. After inflation that's just $35. How times have changed. It's unclear to me how people afford those kinds of shows. I make a really good salary and have no debts. $1-2k a ticket is out of reach for us.

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BecauseISaidSo888@reddit

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sajaschi@reddit

This! ☝🏼John Oliver did a great piece on Ticketmaster, it's a monopoly with no consumer oversight. They suck.

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Spiritualy-Salty@reddit

I’m seeing Modest Mouse and Flaming Lips on Friday. The tickets were $80 for GA pit.

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BodybuilderClean2480@reddit

See some real bands. Up and coming bands that need support, not superstars trading on their old fame.

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ViceroyFizzlebottom@reddit

I'm happy I keep listening to new music. Strongboi

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scornedandhangry@reddit

We spent a total of $166 on 2 tix for Toad the Wet Sprocket, so maybe just aim lower? The big, nostalgic acts are going to be insane. Go a tier or two down for affordable nostalgia.

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itzjuztm3@reddit

That's funny cuz TtWS put on a free show last weekend on Fremont St here in Vegas.

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scornedandhangry@reddit

Damn, I bet that was awesome. They play Houston frequently, but this is actually my first time seeing them.

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OPsDaddy@reddit

Why do you think I'm not seeing Oasos this week? It was in my shopping cart.

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Jolly-AF@reddit

Don't go to Vegas! It's not just the concert tickets that are expensive on Vegas, EVERYTHING IS. On the strip a bottle of water will cost you $15, a beer is $25, and a mixed drink is $30+. I live in Nevada myself and that's the best advice I can give you.

Vegas used to be the destination because everything was cheap with free parking everywhere. Those days are long gone, especially since covid. Tables games are all $25+ minimum, shows are not great and way overpriced, the service everywhere is horrible with rude or non existent servers that expect 30-50% tips. Most places are dead with almost no one walking the strip because it smells like weed everywhere you walk now.

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dravenstone@reddit

OP if you go to sphere and a few of you don’t gamble etc as you’ve mentioned- get a room at the Holiday Inn vacation club. They are like little condos with kitchens in them. You can grab groceries and save tons making most of your meals. It’s literally closer to the sphere entrance than the Venetian is (and sphere is attached to the Venetian).

Just a little life hack from someone who’s been to 16 shows there so far.

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KantanaBrigantei@reddit

You have to find new music at the smaller venues.

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JeffTS@reddit

Lesser known or small acts at small venues.

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remarkablewhitebored@reddit

My wife loves Dave Matthew’s Band. They still tour regularly about 80$ (60 US$) for lawn seats.

I search out unknown bands and get small venue finds for about 30-50$

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FairTree8818@reddit

Yep. Smaller bands at smaller venues for general admission trying to charge $175. GTFO.

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tboy160@reddit

I assume those are all second hand market prices.

You have to buy tickets when they go on sale. Secondary seller jack the rates.

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NoReally505@reddit

Yup! I was so tempted to see Sheryl Crowe when she was in town, same with Joan Jett but the tix in nose bleed were like $250. It’s not like I don’t have the money it’s just the idea of $250 for a crappy seat. I went to London this past December for a couple of concerts (Paul Heaton then the Lightning Seeds) and tix were like 50 bucks.

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toaddawet@reddit

Lightning Seeds sounds fun. Always liked them.

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diamondgreene@reddit

We swing Ringo next week. Never gonna admit what we paid for those tickets. 😱🫣🤭🫢😶🫠😬🫨

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Murder_Teddy_Bear@reddit

my compatriot in back pain and sagging body, the fuck are you doing going to Vegas these days? everyone knows it’s an expensive hell-hole, with no hope in sight of it ever becoming “affordable” ever again.

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ButterscotchNo6734@reddit

I have found it’s disappointing to see my favorite bands from the 80s when they tour. They either don’t have remotely the same lineup from their heyday or they are old and touring for a money grab and ticket prices are insane.

Best to just remember them as they were.

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aortomus@reddit

Sell the vintage concert t-shirts, put the old ticket stubs in a drawer to be discovered by your grandchildren, retire the turntable, and move on.

As a reminder:

Kickstart My Heart

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PhasmaUrbomach@reddit

We saw the Outlaw Tour for less than $100 per ticket and we did have seats, not lawn tickets.

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Own_Instance_357@reddit

It took me an age, but in 2024 for the holidays I finally bought myself an Oculus.

I both can't travel anymore and am also OK with it. I like doing lots of things with it virtually, including 3d walking tours and Disney Rides and even 3D concerts, with artists that let themselves be filmed in the format.

It's not attending in-person concerts, but I've also already done that.

My ex is a concert junkie to the point where he'll go to see some dude backed by an entirely replacement band just to get his hearing reduced further in order to keep pursuing that one high he had in the 80s.

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toaddawet@reddit

Are there any GenX bands that have recorded VR concerts like that? I would love to see some of those. Seems like all the VR concerts are modern bands I’m not interested in.

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313Wolverine@reddit

I saw Green Day for $9 in 1994.

Ticket prices are insane, nevermind the merch.

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ZweitenMal@reddit

So glad to live in a big city, where everybody plays. Recently I’ve gotten Pixies, James, Peter Hook & The Light for all well under $100 ea. and it’s a $3 subway ride to the gig.

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ghertigirl@reddit

I saw Backstreet Boys two years ago for about $100. Good seats too. Your mistake is going to see them in Vegas. Avoid Vegas at all costs unless you enjoy getting ripped off over and over again

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simikoi@reddit

I saw the backstreet boys at the sphere last week. I'm actually not much of a fan, but my friend really wanted to see anything at the sphere and they were the ones playing. We bought the tickets over a month ago and paid about $130 each. It was the reselling 3rd party that got crazy a couple days before the show. I seriously thought about selling my tickets, would have paid for our entire trip.

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hannibalsmommy@reddit

I remember going to Club Babyhead in Providence RI on Sundays for the punk shows in the early 1990s. We'd see between 3-5 bands for...$5. It would be an almost all day affair. So much fun.

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ktappe@reddit

I just got in a small argument last week with a redditor who claimed that the Genesis tickets I decided not to buy couldn’t possibly have cost $500. I tried to explain the $500 was for the upper deck and they were more expensive closer to the stage. Maybe they’ll see this thread. Maybe.

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DukeOfWestborough@reddit

'Member when scalpers would get arrested? Now they run the ticket cos & will facilitate you reselling your early-bought tickets at a profit.

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cowbutt6@reddit

Support up-and-coming acts at your local venues. They'll be more likely to notice.

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toaddawet@reddit

I was a massive concert goer in high school and beyond. I still love a good concert but bad feet make lots of standing tough. That said, I would NEVER pay $1000 to see ANY BAND EVER. Maybe $100-$150 at the most. I personally think the amount of greed on display by these artists is astounding. Miss Dolly seems to have forgotten what it’s actually LIKE to work 9 to 5?

I am also in the alternative camp for most of my music, so the bands I would go see aren’t quite as full of themselves, thankfully.

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Trolkarlen@reddit

I saw Sting in Park City in 1990. It was $20. My friend thought that was expensive.

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edgarecayce@reddit

It used to be the tickets were all $20-35 and the scalpers made all the money marking them up. I remember camping out for Pink Floyd tix in 1987 and most of the people in line were homeless people hired by the agencies who would resell them for hundreds. (We ended up front row center for $25 in Dallas TX)

I don’t like paying so much now but at least when the venue charges bank for the best seats most of it is going to the band and not Guido’s Tickets.

But I’ve resolved to go out and see newer bands at small clubs instead of older ones at stadiums and I really dig being able to get up close. Being a metal and fusion fan helps. Best value? The Baked Potato in Studio City (LA). Sit 20 feet from the band for like $40.

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Gimmesoamoah@reddit

Yeah, I never go to money scheme concerts..

I've seen too many old stars performing like shit for way too much money..

I went to Meat Loaf for his goodbye tour, it was fantastic for just $50.

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Chemical_Butterfly40@reddit

Sorry, I misread and thought you typed that Backstreet Boys tickets are $1,000 and Dolly Parton is $2,000.

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Past-Adhesiveness104@reddit

Forget about going. Your 'live' show is 98% chance of being a prerecorded sound anyway. The only thing you get is being with other lovers of the band while you watch them lip sync.

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MaineMan1234@reddit

You must not get out much because that is not true in the least

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DanielDannyc12@reddit

Yep. I am absolutely shocked at how much I'll pay for tickets these days

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thenoid42@reddit

That’s because it’s sold out you’re looking at scalped ticket prices. It’s no different than the old days when a band is going to sell their tickets for the venue. Want to see them at you have to get online and order them the second they go on sale otherwise that’s what happens no different than when we were younger.

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MorningAngel420@reddit

That’s a little extravagant when you’re spending more than your rent money/ mortgage on some concert tickets for just one night. 10 years ago I saw Mötley Crüe with Alice Cooper and the sheep ground seats were even outrageously expensive so I know what you mean.

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giraffe-zackeffron@reddit

I’m just happy that so many bands I loved as a kid have been touring in the last few years. In the last 5-10 years I’ve seen so many amazing shows. Mercyful fate, suicidal tendencies, descendants, Polaris, all the Grateful Dead spinoff bands, jethro Tull, deep purple, Robert plant, fishbone, sigur ros, anthrax, kreator, etc. I grew up in a cultural cesspool where concerts were almost not a thing. I escaped at a pretty young age and have always tried to prioritize going to concerts wherever I’ve lived. Prices have been outrageous for many of the shows. Two years ago I traveled to see Bob Weir while he was doing a week in Rye, NY. Travel costs, hotel, tickets for each night for the woman I was seeing at the time and me, I spent five figures. But what the hell…it was one of the best weeks of my entire life.

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Same_Lack_1775@reddit

I know a few people now who have gone to Europe, seen the band they wanted to see, and stayed for a week cheaper than just seeing the band here.

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Sorcha9@reddit

I just did AC/DC in three cities with a road trip between. Total spent was $10k for 3.5 weeks. I miss $20 door tickets at the Roseland back in the day.

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GloriaToo@reddit

50 year old women can pay more than 13 year old girls.

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empericisttilldeath@reddit

He comes down to legendary artists. Those insanely huge concerts by insanely famous people are extremely expensive.

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Soulshiner402@reddit

Part of that price is you’re going to the Sphere.

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Leather_Network4743@reddit

Embrace cover bands and small venues.

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FrauAmarylis@reddit

I went to Keith Urban in Vegas for my bday for pretty cheap ~100.

I have never paid more than $150 for concert tickets, because I go to events frequently, because I retired at age 38!

In part, Because I don’t waste money on expensive concert tickets.

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BecauseISaidSo888@reddit

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unclearthur68@reddit

Went to my local pub the other day. Tiny sitting area by the bar, occupied with about a dozen middle-aged men and women playing folk music on various acoustic instruments. Sat and listened with my partner whilst supping an imported German lager. Followed that with another whilst playing Scrabble. By this time the bodhran player was waaay out of time.

Cost me a tenner.

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TMQ73@reddit

Lucky that my area has a decent number of venues and free shows. Bands off the top of my head I have seen free or could have seen free in the past few years. Toad the Wet Sprocket, Gin Blossoms, Cracker, Lovely the Band, The Connells, The Wallflowers, Queensryche, Quiet Riot, Rev Run, and I’m sure there are a ton of other ones. Yeah I would love to see Pearl Jam, NIN, or Chilli Peppers but I’m not shelling out hundreds of dollars. The ones that hurt are the maybe not super popular bands where I know a few songs but not shelling out $50+ to see.

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USBluz@reddit

I am an avid concert goer and while tickets everywhere are expensive you’re looking at some tickets at the Sphere in Vegas and those are super expensive tickets. The band I have seen there were more like $500-$600 a show but either way there is nothing like a show at the sphere. I still prefer seeing bands in an amphitheater but I highly recommend seeing one show at the Sphere if you can.

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solomons-marbles@reddit

The Sphere shows are a complete money grab. During residencies, the hotels jack their rates too. There’s nothing economical about Vegas.

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Skid-Vicious@reddit

Nobody makes money selling music anymore, so ya go on the road. Tickets and merch.

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uglyugly1@reddit

That's because people pay it.

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indefiniteretrieval@reddit

Good lord

We saw the stones 13 months ago, last stop on the tour (added mid tour)

We got 10th row aisle seats, stage left for $650 each... We were exactly one section off the catwalk thing so 36 seats from that spot.

It was unreal and the admitted after it was worth every penny.

But $1000 for BsB crappy seats???😄😄😄

No

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

Saw the Stones in 2021. We had to wear masks so it was still covid time. Thought the $550 per person we paid was a lot but totally worth it. Mick is a fireball.

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0the0Entertainment0@reddit

You could see Lucius. They're touring all over the US. Saw them in Berlin and they were lovely.

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DoubleDuce44@reddit

Don’t go to Vegas. It’s not just the concert that is overpriced there. I took my family of four there for 3 days, I dont gamble, we just wanted to see the sights. Total cost of trip was over $5 grand.

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

A couple of us don’t gamble or drink anymore. A sparkling water by the pool at Hilton Resort World was $13 last time I went.

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CursiveWhisper@reddit

Don’t go to concerts at stadiums or in NYC, LA or Vegas. You can still see some groups in smaller venues and not pay more than $65/$75 a ticket.

You also have to get in on the day tickets go on sale. Resale prices drive the prices up.

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Xer-angst@reddit

Grab tickets day of show.

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OolongGeer@reddit

Find the smaller venues.

Vegas will probably be the most expensive ticket on their tour.

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The_Observatory_@reddit

These days I go see bands like Spafford and The Werks and the Jon Stickley Trio, so I can see shows without going broke.

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Bokononfoma@reddit

People bad mouthed the holograms, but if the prices are reasonable, lol.

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ComprehensiveAd8815@reddit

I don’t go to gigs anymore as it’s just full of people holding their phones in the air and recording it. Nobody lives in the moment and I don’t want to be around those people.

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californiaye@reddit

This is SO true! I was on the floor at Backstreet Boys and literally no one was dancing, it was wild

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Otherwise_Dream_888@reddit

Duran Duran General Admission tix in 1987 was US$12.50 .. I still have their concert baseball tee in storage.

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Extra_Guard_7371@reddit

My wife and son went to see back street boys at the sphere it was really good.

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lacunha@reddit

A music lover wouldn’t be going to Vegas to see middle aged Backstreet “boys”. They sucked then, they suck now.

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LookMuffy@reddit

I’m surprised someone from Gen X is seeking out the Backstreet Boys. My first year of teaching was in 1999 and my elementary school students were obsessed with them. I feel like they are something millennials loved, but Gen X just tolerated

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

I love all kinds of music, and all kinds of pop music. I’d rather see NSYNC, but I’ll take the BSBs.

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dcamnc4143@reddit

Yeah I wouldn’t/won’t pay it.

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aortomus@reddit

Attended Post Rock Festival in Indianapolis a few weeks ago. $135 for a three day pass. Roughly 30 bands on two separate stages.

Going to see Godspeed You! Black Emperor for th3 first time in a few weeks. $35/ticket.

Find and support smaller, local, or genuinely independent artists and support them however you can.

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Ferrindel@reddit

Northwest Terror Fest this year was great. About $150 for three days, 8-10 bands each day. And they had Demolition Hammer, Agalloch, and Gotguts among others. Talked to Luc for awhile, hilarious guy, nice as heck.

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MaxHavok13@reddit

I went to so many 8$ 5 band shows in my youth that I feel like it’s balanced out. Full disclosure, I tell myself this after I get done having a heart attack and freaking out over how much I just laid out for a show.

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wanderingdev@reddit

Jeez. At those prices it's cheaper to fly to Europe for a weekend to see a show.

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RKsu99@reddit

Music lover or spectacle lover? There’s a bunch of GenX bands playing free in Vegas this weekend.

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Few-Pineapple-5632@reddit

Personally, I no longer have any interest in crowds, late night, walking long distances from the parking lot, waiting in gridlock traffic to leave, music loud enough to make your ears ring, or any combination of the above.

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gener4@reddit

Why are you going to Vegas? That’s your big problem. Tourism there is in the mud so there trying to recoup at every opportunity

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

For the shows, the restaurants. Other people haven’t been so it would be something different than the typical girls trip to Florida. Looking for a place with lots of things to do in a short period of time.

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carlivar@reddit

Great choice. Don't listen to the buzzkillers. Now is a great time for Vegas actually. Just bummer about BSB. Try resale tix the night before or day of.

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carlivar@reddit

If it's Sphere though it is awesome. U2 at Sphere was amazing.

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Mobile-Boss-8566@reddit

I’ve pretty much said goodbye to concerts.

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newgalactic@reddit

Vegas tickets are always expensive.

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dodadoler@reddit

lol why even waste your money

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Putrid-Grab2470@reddit

There's very little money in creating the music for a lot of musicians these days. They charge a lot for concerts to make up for that and the promoters and venues tack on. It feels like a very broken model (I say that about so many things now), but they are still selling tickets, so I guess it isn't truly broken yet.

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concerts85701@reddit

I’ve had really good luck lurking band’s reddit pages and other fan sites.

I very rarely pay full price and haven’t paid over face is many many years. Just have to put in some time and effort and also pick shows that aren’t the top venue in vegas

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esquirlo_espianacho@reddit

Are those face value prices?

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mtoomtoo@reddit (OP)

Dolly is sold out, so it’s all resale.

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MooseBlazer@reddit

I won’t give into their price demands. YouTube is free and I don’t have to breathe someones smoke.

When they get really old and they hit the casino circuit, then it becomes a little more affordable.