Ticket Prices - Don't Act All Surprised

scpjfanscpjfan Posts: 131
edited March 2008 in The Porch
I decided to put this in its own thread;

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/P/...9/1570408.html

For those who don't want to read the whole thing, here are the lines I was talking about (partial interview with Jeff);

"Over the years, the band has publicly put a lot of effort into donating money and time to various non-profits, and also towards keeping ticket and merchandise prices low (remember the mid-'90s TicketMaster boycott?).

Well, they're back on the TicketMaster boat, and at $60.50 a pop, a seat at the show certainly isn't cheap.

"The first nine years as a band we didn't make any money touring, so there came a point where we wanted to feel good about going out there for eight months and to be able to make a little money," said Ament. "Every once in a while I hear somebody make a comment about how we wear this punk-rock ethos on our sleeves, but we're multi-millionaires. We work our asses off and have worked our asses off for a long time, and not only does the band give away a lot of money but we all individually give a lot of money away and are very involved in (good causes). I feel good about what we do with the money we make -- not a lot of it is wasted.""

You can blame the ticket prices on inflation, oil being through the roof, venues charging more, etc. But when it comes down to it, it's really just about Ed, Mike, Stone, Jeff and Matt wanting to get paid. And I say go for it! Does it make them hippocrites(sp?)? Maybe, but I still think it's better value than 90% of the concerts out there.
Hail, hail the lucky ones, I refer to those in love.
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Comments

  • NewJPageNewJPage Posts: 3,310
    scpjfan wrote:

    You can blame the ticket prices on inflation, oil being through the roof, venues charging more, etc. But when it comes down to it, it's really just about Ed, Mike, Stone, Jeff and Matt wanting to get paid. And I say go for it! Does it make them hippocrites(sp?)? Maybe, but I still think it's better value than 90% of the concerts out there.

    thank you. thats all i've been trying to say.
    6/26/98, 8/17/00, 10/8/00, 12/8/02, 12/9/02, 4/25/03, 5/28/03, 6/1/03, 6/3/03, 6/5/03, 6/6/03, 6/12/03, 6/13/03, 6/15/03, 6/18/03, 6/21/03, 6/22/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03, 10/3/04, 10/5/04, 9/9/05, 9/11/05, 9/16/05, 5/16/06, 5/17/06, 5/19/06, 6/30/06, 7/23/06, 8/5/07, 6/30/08, 8/23/09, 8/24/09, 5/4/10, 5/7/10, 9/3/11, 9/4/11, 10/11/13, 10/17/14, 8/20/16
  • AnonAnon Posts: 11,175
    please

    between touring, record sales, bootlegs, posters and other merch, dvds, etc etc etc

    poor poor broke pearl jam
  • scpjfanscpjfan Posts: 131
    please

    between touring, record sales, bootlegs, posters and other merch, dvds, etc etc etc

    poor poor broke pearl jam

    I totally agree with you. The band probably has more money than everyone on here combined, but you have to admit, at the beginning of their career, they did make a conscious effort to keep costs down for the fans. Looks like they just want a little more money for their pockets.
    Hail, hail the lucky ones, I refer to those in love.
  • AnonAnon Posts: 11,175
    scpjfan wrote:
    I totally agree with you. The band probably has more money than everyone on here combined, but you have to admit, at the beginning of their career, they did make a conscious effort to keep costs down for the fans. Looks like they just want a little more money for their pockets.


    Hey, I have no problem with them getting paid. The cost is worth it to me. Lord knows I've stimulated the economy by supporting this band.
  • dirtyTdirtyT Posts: 3,620
    Pearl Jam is a major band. They will sell out the same size places as say U2. The difference? PJ will charge flat rates, 75 we'll say for all seats where bands like U2, we sell seats starting at 75 and working up to 150.

    75 dollars for a show seems like a lot because the last tour in 06 we paid less tha 60, but compare them to other bands at their level, still pretty reasonable.

    And you people saying about the cd sales, dvd's, merch, etc, etc....HELLO!! They are in the music industry and are damn good, they are suppose to be multi millionaires! It is the nature of the business if you are good. Are they just suppose to let every in for nothing because they make money in other ways beside touring?
    Cuyahoga Falls 98, Columbus 00, Cleveland 03, Columbus 03, Toledo 04, Grand Rapids 04, Kitchener 05, Cleveland 06, Cincinnati 06, Washington DC 08, Philadelphia IV 09, Columbus 10, Cleveland 10, Chicago 13, Pittsburgh 13, Cincinnati 14, Chicago (1) 16, Chicago (2) 16
  • Drew263Drew263 Birmingham, AL Posts: 602
    There's nothing wrong with wanting to make money if people are willing to spend it on you fairly.
  • pearljgirl2010pearljgirl2010 Shillington, PA/Tuckerton, NJ Posts: 3,428
    OK. So a band wants to get paid for their work. who doesn't? Do you think they should just play free shows all over the world?

    If concert ticket prices are too high for you-don't go. You have a choice. The band doesn't say, "hey, let's raise ticket prices so we can piss people off" they want to make a profit. this is how things work...people want to get paid for their labor, no matter what it is.


    shall we start emailing the movie stars and ask them to make movies for free?
    Need a tour Travel Agent??? Pick me :-)

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  • swardsward Posts: 586
    I doubt they are making too much off the records, dvd's etc..not like they sell 2 million of each. But they are also not paupers, and I think it would be foolish to think they are. However, I don't have a problem paying industry average to see Pearl Jam...why not? They deserve it. A lot of bands charge double that and play an hour. It's ridiculous. So they want to make some money? Who cares, it's not like the scale is 45 dollar for nosebleed and 400 for close to the stage like u2. A flat rate of 70-80 is not bad in the this day and age. Yes it is more than before, and I wish I was paying the old price, believe me, but I am ok with it.
  • thecorythecory Posts: 290
    please

    between touring, record sales, bootlegs, posters and other merch, dvds, etc etc etc

    poor poor broke pearl jam


    but if you don't want to pay then dont go if you go you prove they deserve it besides i know of no act or no anything that works for free these people have by now big families and friends to take care of
  • scpjfan wrote:
    I decided to put this in its own thread;

    http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/P/...9/1570408.html

    For those who don't want to read the whole thing, here are the lines I was talking about (partial interview with Jeff);

    "Over the years, the band has publicly put a lot of effort into donating money and time to various non-profits, and also towards keeping ticket and merchandise prices low (remember the mid-'90s TicketMaster boycott?).

    Well, they're back on the TicketMaster boat, and at $60.50 a pop, a seat at the show certainly isn't cheap.

    "The first nine years as a band we didn't make any money touring, so there came a point where we wanted to feel good about going out there for eight months and to be able to make a little money," said Ament. "Every once in a while I hear somebody make a comment about how we wear this punk-rock ethos on our sleeves, but we're multi-millionaires. We work our asses off and have worked our asses off for a long time, and not only does the band give away a lot of money but we all individually give a lot of money away and are very involved in (good causes). I feel good about what we do with the money we make -- not a lot of it is wasted.""

    You can blame the ticket prices on inflation, oil being through the roof, venues charging more, etc. But when it comes down to it, it's really just about Ed, Mike, Stone, Jeff and Matt wanting to get paid. And I say go for it! Does it make them hippocrites(sp?)? Maybe, but I still think it's better value than 90% of the concerts out there.

    I don't think it's a bad thing if the band wants to get paid. However, I really don't believe the higher prices are the result of that. such a small cut goes to the artist.
  • hopethatuchokehopethatuchoke Posts: 2,927
    I am bumping this so all the delusional people insisting on blaming gas and inflation can see this. My favorite was the person saying it had to do with them getting older and the stress of them being on the road increasing because of that. I'm sure gas and inflation both probably play a part but if they wanted lower prices, they certainly could. I have no problem with the band wanting to get paid and it's refreshing to see them admit it.
  • UKpearljammerUKpearljammer Bath, UK Posts: 910
    The majority of bands these days make their money from touring with record sales falling etc. I can't believe all the posts about how tix are so expensive, they're fair for a band of PJ's stature. As for them being hypocrits, thing's have changed and they have changed, they have moved on from 1994.
    My PJ shows:
    London 28/10/96, Las Vegas 11/7/98, London 29/5/00, Nurnburg 11/6/00, Prague 14/6/00, Salzburg 18/6/00, Verona 20/6/00, Milan 22/6/00, Zurich 23/6/00, New York 8-9/7/03, Boston 11/7/03, Reading Festival 27/8/06, Shepards Bush 11/8/09, Berlin 15/8/09, Manchester 17/8/09, London 18/8/09, Dublin 22/6/10, Belfast 23/6/10, London (HRC) 25/6/10, Alpine Valley (PJ20) 3-4/9/11, Manchester 20-21/6/12, Leeds 8/7/14, Milton Keynes 11/7/14 To be continued....
  • sward wrote:
    I doubt they are making too much off the records, dvd's etc..not like they sell 2 million of each. But they are also not paupers, and I think it would be foolish to think they are. However, I don't have a problem paying industry average to see Pearl Jam...why not? They deserve it. A lot of bands charge double that and play an hour. It's ridiculous. So they want to make some money? Who cares, it's not like the scale is 45 dollar for nosebleed and 400 for close to the stage like u2. A flat rate of 70-80 is not bad in the this day and age. Yes it is more than before, and I wish I was paying the old price, believe me, but I am ok with it.

    If you ask me, Pearl Jam needs to do the scale price because you then have a choice. Then you wouldnt have people on here bitch about ticket prices because there are options. Its one thing to charge 35 dollars for a rafter seat but $75!? If i was a casual fan i would never pay 75 bucks to sit in the rafters.
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 15,949
    If you are complaining about ticket prices you need to worry about your next meal over a PJ show.
  • toronado10toronado10 Posts: 239
    Pearl Jam is the most expensive concert ticket that i'll pay for. I've seen tons of my favorite bands for 15-20 bucks.
    Take time to see the sky,
    Find shapes in the clouds.
    Hear the murmur of the wind
    and touch the cool water.
    Walk softly,
    we are intruders,
    tolerated briefly
    In an infinite universe.
  • CitizenRickCitizenRick Posts: 1,079
    I am bumping this so all the delusional people insisting on blaming gas and inflation can see this. My favorite was the person saying it had to do with them getting older and the stress of them being on the road increasing because of that. I'm sure gas and inflation both probably play a part but if they wanted lower prices, they certainly could. I have no problem with the band wanting to get paid and it's refreshing to see them admit it.

    I'm on board with this statement!

    What is the big deal with wanting to get paid well for what you do? Especially if you are one of the best at doing it!

    Punk ethos are so very overrated! There isn't a mainstream or even quasi mainstream band alive that doesn't care about getting paid for their performance.

    Pearl Jam has been very active as far as donating money from their shows for good causes...and that is commendable. Their ticket prices are still very affordable...and they still work every bit as hard to put on a kick ass show every single night...so let's just leave it at that.
    "Had my eyes peeled both wide open, and I got a glimpse...of my innocense, got back my inner sence, baby got it...still got it"
  • FahkaFahka Posts: 3,187
    I'm on board with this statement!

    What is the big deal with wanting to get paid well for what you do? Especially if you are one of the best at doing it!

    Punk ethos are so very overrated! There isn't a mainstream or even quasi mainstream band alive that doesn't care about getting paid for their performance.

    Pearl Jam has been very active as far as donating money from their shows for good causes...and that is commendable. Their ticket prices are still very affordable...and they still work every bit as hard to put on a kick ass show every single night...so let's just leave it at that.



    Im on board with that...


    although you cant blame people for being in shock....

    remember folks..Middle income families cannot even afford houses anymore
  • LONGRDLONGRD Posts: 6,036
    Im on board with that...


    although you cant blame people for being in shock....

    remember folks..Middle income families cannot even afford houses anymore
    If they choose houses from the SUBURBS, of course not!
    Got a nice little house in a city, well tiny city of 45 thousand or so. we're "high"-low income family, if you look into some of your local property services, you can get some benefits from the officials.
    PJ- 04/29/2003.06/24,25,27,28,30/2008.10/27,28,30,31/2009
    EV- 08/09,10/2008.06/08,09/2009
  • its not cheap touring!
    Live Life Exactly How You Picture It.
  • intodeepintodeep Posts: 7,228
    Prices were a little higher then i would have liked but i'm not too worried about it.

    Iteresting article with Jeff i had not seen that before.
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  • dontejasdontejas Posts: 31
    I do give them credit for charging less than they could - and they're certainly more fair than U2, Springsteen, etc. - however, at this rate PJ's ticket prices will be over $100 in a couple tours. At some point, it's too much, and as much as I love this band, I can't justify spending that much on a show.

    It's music industry greed that led to big concerts in general costing as much as they do. And while PJ hasn't kept exactly in line with the industry's greed-based standard, they are allowing it to influence their prices.
  • audiodaveaudiodave Posts: 1,623
    What gets me is that people don't seem to account for the fact that a lot of the guys have families now. In the early 90's, they didn't need to make much money, but now they have other people to provide for, and I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to provide them a good future.
    ~AKA Dave-of-the-dead~

    I don't wanna think, I wanna feel

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  • dontejasdontejas Posts: 31
    I think at 15,000-seat venue at $50 a ticket should suffice. That's $700,000. Don't worry about the venue - they'll make millions on parking fees and beer sales.
  • swardsward Posts: 586
    dontejas wrote:
    I do give them credit for charging less than they could - and they're certainly more fair than U2, Springsteen, etc. - however, at this rate PJ's ticket prices will be over $100 in a couple tours. At some point, it's too much, and as much as I love this band, I can't justify spending that much on a show.

    It's music industry greed that led to big concerts in general costing as much as they do. And while PJ hasn't kept exactly in line with the industry's greed-based standard, they are allowing it to influence their prices.

    I will say this re: the greed aspect. We get our music free now, at least a lot of us (and I use us loosely, but you know who you are). So, we don't pay for the music that we used to, and on a large scale. So we need to expect that the people making the music, and running the business around music, are going to want to make their money somehow. That way is touring. So, it's a double edged sword that we've helped create.

    That said. Someday PJ will be charging 100+ for a ticket, and realistically, i will also have to start questioning whether I should be paying that for a concert. But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it I guess.
  • augustwestaugustwest Posts: 739
    If you ask me, Pearl Jam needs to do the scale price because you then have a choice. Then you wouldnt have people on here bitch about ticket prices because there are options. Its one thing to charge 35 dollars for a rafter seat but $75!? If i was a casual fan i would never pay 75 bucks to sit in the rafters.

    i'm against the scale price system for tickets...eventually all it does is push the poor people to the back and that is very "unrocknroll like" to me...now having lawns seats cheaper is another story, entirely!

    no matter where your seat is located you just cant go to a pearl jam show for $75 and think you got ripped off. they are that good of a band and put on that good of a show.
  • GenGen Cardiff Posts: 130
    As long as people will pay any given price to see a band, they can charge what they want to for a ticket.

    Maybe if we didn't fall over ourselves trying to buy (what I think are very reasonable) tickets, they wouldn't even consider boosting up their prices....
    PJ Virgin.. till the Astoria :)

    Am I the only Welsh person here?
    Ydych i'n siarad Cymraeg?
  • dontejasdontejas Posts: 31
    I too hate the scale price thing. Rolling Stones are particularly bad with that. In fact, most major acts do it. It penalizes the young fans; gets the execs and soccer moms up front. I've always respected PJ for keeping it a one-price-fits-all ticket.

    Still, they're charging a lot. Without going back and looking at my ticket stubs, I'd guess that I paid $20 to $25 for a ticket on the No Code tour in 1996. That would mean ticket prices have risen by nearly 300% since in 12 years.
  • scpjfanscpjfan Posts: 131
    Personally, I think it's all perspective. If you look at the fact that you (well, most of us), will only see them once every couple years, I don't think it's such a big deal to spend $75 a ticket. Think about it, if you saved $1 a day for 6 months, you'd have enough to pay for two MSG tickets and a couple beers. It's all relative.

    And personally, I'm all for capitalism. They are the best at what they do and should be compensated for it. As another poster put it, things were different 15 years ago, but times change.

    Ron and Fez - Noon to 3.
    Hail, hail the lucky ones, I refer to those in love.
  • brainofjbbrainofjb Boston Posts: 381
    please

    between touring, record sales, bootlegs, posters and other merch, dvds, etc etc etc

    poor poor broke pearl jam

    not to mention the price of gas today. The tour buses and all that equipment that needs to be transported. I am sure it gets pricey for them.

    I know you were being sarcastic. It is true, inflation hits everyone
    There's the moon asking to stay
    Long enough for the clouds to fly me away
  • kh65kh65 Posts: 946
    I used to run concerts in college. Someone is always going to bitch about the price if it isn't free. If you don't want to pay the price don't go. If you can't afford a car you don't buy it. Remember each band is a monopoly on their sound. This band could probably charge more but don't remember they have fixed expenses like the venue and the road crew. Not all this money goes to the band and in a lot of cases unless things sell out they may even lose money on a show.
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