Spinner: Bob Dylan ticketless show

gecko

When Bob Dylan says his just-announced, surprise show at the Warfield in San Francisco next Wednesday, August 25 costs $60, he means it costs $60 -- no service charges. No scalpers. No secondary market. In fact, perhaps as an effort to combat all complaints about the ticketing industry at large, there simply won't be any advance tickets to the show. Fans will pay $60 -- cash only -- on their way inside the venue, and that's that. Think of it as a very expensive cover charge... but a bargain price to see Bob Dylan, these days.

The line will officially be allowed to form beginning at noon on the day of the show, with the doors opening at 5:30PM and the show beginning at 8:00PM. It's going to be a long day for Bay Area Dylan fans but the wait will be worth it for the 2,250 lucky attendees -- it's been 15 years since the iconic folk singer has performed at the legendary theater.

A statement by promoter Goldenvoice's David Lefkowitz, on the company's website, reads, "Given the state of touring and how fees have escalated, it was a real breath of fresh air to do something very consumer oriented by eliminating all ticketing charges. It's almost a throwback to another time." Almost. The last time Bob Dylan played the Warfield, for a two-night stand in May of 1995, tickets were half that price -- including all fees. Guess the times really have been a-changing.

http://www.spinner.com/2010/08/20/bob-dylan-beats-scalpers-with-ticketless-show-in-san-francisco/

matabele

It is about time that bands started doing this, Springsteen posts an open letter to ticketmaster, well done Bruce but guess what, I had to use them to see him. I worked for them years ago and their treatment of customers was appalling, so I resigned, have they got better, no, have the directors got richer, yes.

Flagg

I like this! But that would mean huge lines every time you wanted to see someone.

Of The Aggie

In theory this sounds like a great idea, but who has time or for that matter the will to get in line 5-6 hours before a show starts just to ATTEMPT to get tickets. If you're towards the back you might not even get a ticket. I'm all for finding ways to get rid of fees and stop scalping but this probably isn't it. How would you even do this for a large 15-20k seat venue. Where is that line going to form and how long is it going to get?

helplessdancer

$60 with no fees to see dylan in a club is a hellofa deal.

the good thing is that you pay and then you go in, so there is zero chance of ticket transfers from buyer to end user. which is also why i am a fan of ticketbastard's paperless ticket system.

matabele

shiningstar wrote:

$60 with no fees to see dylan in a club is a hellofa deal.

the good thing is that you pay and then you go in, so there is zero chance of ticket transfers from buyer to end user. which is also why i am a fan of ticketbastard's paperless ticket system.

There is something very wrong with the present system, I log on to their site the morning they start selling only to find out there are no tickets left but if you go down to the show there are scalpers selling hundreds of tickets!