Comments on: Your Take: Corporate Control of Concert Prices

By: Lanibug

Lanibug — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:32:33 +0000

I enjoy the fact that living in Columbus, Ohio we get plenty of shows, both being the big names, which I am not at this time willing to pay big bucks for and in January, I got to see Jamey Johnson for $25 and we have a lot of small venues that get acts for that price range and will get to see Jamey again at the Ohio State Fair with LBT for $30…

By: Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:31:41 +0000

I wish I could go and see every concert at a club or a theatre, but if the act I want to see is playing the arena, I’ll go the arena. And I don’t care about the prices – I wish they were lower, but if I really want to see someone, I’ll pay whatever the price is – I paid $400 to see Eric Clapton, $30 to see Corb Lund – both excellent shows, the former being ridiculously overpriced, but I don’t regret spending the money.

By: J.R. Journey

J.R. Journey — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:51:41 +0000

Nearly 60 bucks each for last night’s Opry tickets. Was it worth it? Definitely.

I don’t mind shelling out some cash if I know I’m going to see a great show. And I much prefer a great package show to just one headliner with some never-heard-of openers. I loved it when Reba and Brooks & Dunn toured together in 1998 (my very first concert). They had David Kersh (meh) and Terri Clark opening the show too. So it was definitely a great package.

So if the show’s worth it, then I don’t mind paying for it. But I am very selective about who I spend my money on because I’ve been let down many times.

By: Vicki

Vicki — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 17:34:19 +0000

I saw Carrie and Keith at Rupp Arena (Lexington, KY) last April. That was before my stocks and future fell through the basement. Now? I can drive to Nashville, see her at the Grand Ole Opry plus other great talent at the first show, and drive back that night.

By: Pierce

Pierce — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:54:33 +0000

One of the things I like about Nashville is that there is usually a good number of free or “benefit” concerts. I usually don’t mind ponying up $20 if it goes to some kind of charity.

When I lived in Raleigh, I always bought the Mega Ticket at the corporate venue (about $120 for 6 shows during the summer and lawn seating). Then again, in high school, going to those big shows wasn’t really about the music…it was more of just a social gathering and something that all my friends did.

By: Paul W Dennis

Paul W Dennis — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:14:27 +0000

I watch most of my music at three venues: The Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale Florida (which at 75 miles is a little far for me to travel regularly), the Florida Sunshine Opry in Eustis Florida aand at Cassia Florida. Cassia is a twice monthly jam session but the two Oprys bring in quality entertainment at $25 per ticket or less (usually $15-$20 per ticket). Among the acts that have played (or will play) this year are Doug Stone, Daryle Singletary, Narvel Felts, Ray Price, Roy Clark, Bill Anderson, Asleep At The Wheel, Bobby Bare, Jason D Williams and Roni Stoneman

By: Rick

Rick — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:28:45 +0000

I assiduously avoid “big venue” concerts due to poor sound quality and visibility even apart from the high prices. Well that and the fact I have no interest in 95% of the artists that perform at big venues. The lone exception is the Stagecoach Festival in Indio due to its additional tents/stages dedicated to Americana, Bluegrass, and Cowboy Music artists where I can listen to great live music and ignore the Top 40 artists on the huge main stage. This year Stagecoach conflicts with the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, so I’ll miss out on the great Sunday artist schedule at Stagecoach. Oh well….

Fortunately Los Angeles has two honest to goodness intimate “listening venues” (ie no alcohol) in The Coffee Gallery Backstage (in Altadena) and McCabe’s Guitar Shop (in Santa Monica) with ticket prices averaging $ 20 or less. Most of my evening concert attendance is split between these two venues and I’m really glad they exist here in LaLa land.

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:13:59 +0000

I agree with the rest of you about the smaller venues. In my area (100 miles from any city larger than 30,000) most shows are county fairs and similar where most cost less than $20 per person. It is however nice to go to a stadium show once in a while as some of the special effects and what not arent possible. What I dont like is all the additional fees that come with the ticket purchase. A $65 ticket to see Kenny Chesney’s stadium show ended up costing close to $95 with all the add ons. $5 fee for this and $10 here for that add up really quickly. I understand that the event center and ticket agents have expenses and whatnot but some fees are a little excessive.

By: Matt B.

Matt B. — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:51:08 +0000

Having seen Jamey Johnson in a smaller venue, I can’t imagine seeing him in a large one. His music just fits an intimate crowd where he can connect with the Audience more. That being said I don’t mind artists who go to big venues but you won’t see me paying over $40 for a ticket.

By: Baron Lane

Baron Lane — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:37:21 +0000

Like Stormy it’s an easy all for me, the artists that I like are play smaller venues. Wwhen I do decide to pony up for bigger show, Haggard and Kristofferon next month, it’s not so bad because it’s a rare treat and the quality is undeniable.