Capitalism Sucks.

He can charge whatever he wants.  The price is not out of line when compared to other artists. The shows will instantly sell out ultimately proving the price isn't too high. 

BUT

You can't charge $250 and not be a HYPOCRITE ------ when:

You demanded Letterman go commercial free to get you to perform.  You made venues cover up advertising at your shows.  You have several songs and lyrics about greed and money.  You've had countless rants at your concerts about greed and money. You said Third Eye Blind couldn't cover Baba O'Riley because they were a corporate rock band.  You repeatedly said you'd keep ticket prices low and judged bands for not doing the same.  You threw shade at the industry for not backing you in your battle against Ticketmaster over fees making tickets too expensive.  You kicked out a band member allegedly in part due to his love of fame and money.  You said you had to buy PT's guitar at auction so it didn't go to some rich asshole banker. ETC ETC ETC 

It is also OK for fans to take the stance that you know Ed has changed (much like many of "us" have) but you still love him, enjoy his music and shows. That is where I'm at. 

But please do not tell other fans that they can't call him a hypocrite and that they can't feel betrayed. 

smile6680 said:

tino_11 said:

apirk72 said:

You can totally blame fans.  All this talk about Ed selling out and shit is just childish.  The moment fans stole/streamed music they sold out and have no reason to bitch about how an artist makes money.   I am sorry $250 really isnt that much to see a very popular in a smaller venue, and like has been said may times these are just the best seats there are other price levels just not offered through the Ten club.  
Also, for all the ripping into Eddie for being greedy it is insanely greedy for fans to expect an artist to cater to their every whims.  Could he play bigger venues, sure but maybe he doesn't want to, maybe he prefers to play theaters and playing outside of  Pearl Jam is his only opportunity to do so.  I think fanbases put all these expectations on musicians who they don't know and then get mad when they don't live up to them.  I mean who gives a shit if he took a private plane or played a private show

I would guess almost all fans of PJ/Ed have bought physical releases (multiple times for many) of the albums. So I’m not buying this streaming argument.

All I’ll say is, if you’re gonna talk the talk you better walk the walk. Otherwise you’re open to criticism, much like Bono and the rest. I do actually care if Ed takes a private plane to do a corporate show. Particularly when he makes politics a big part of shows and the band’s identity. 

Exactly. The political/social rants in between songs are a joke. If He wants to discuss how he believes the world should work and what we should think than maybe he should come on the forum and debate it. Ticket prices and his lifestyle suggest he says one thing and his actions are the opposite.  To be clear, I don't have a problem with how he lives his life (ticket prices included). The rants are tired and repetitive

That’s like someone giving a climate activist crap for taking a plane to give a speech on climate to raise awareness and to reach more people. No one says people can’t live functional lives and that they have to ride a bike 3000 miles to get somewhere like it’s some all or nothing proposition. It’s a false narrative set up to make people out to be hypocrites if they don’t fit a narrow definition of what they are supposed to be

EV can be rich and still have principles.  We don’t know if he pays all his taxes, donates to worthy causes, or if he lives an excessively obscene materialistic  lifestyle.  We just don’t know. He can be an activist for whatever he wants and having money isn’t a disqualifier 

the world doesn’t operate in black and white 

One can still have principles and not practice what they preach. The stupidity is something is else.

DP13 said:

He can charge whatever he wants.  The price is not out of line when compared to other artists. The shows will instantly sell out ultimately proving the price isn't too high. 

BUT

You can't charge $250 and not be a HYPOCRITE ------ when:

You demanded Letterman go commercial free to get you to perform.  You made venues cover up advertising at your shows.  You have several songs and lyrics about greed and money.  You've had countless rants at your concerts about greed and money. You said Third Eye Blind couldn't cover Baba O'Riley because they were a corporate rock band.  You repeatedly said you'd keep ticket prices low and judged bands for not doing the same.  You threw shade at the industry for not backing you in your battle against Ticketmaster over fees making tickets too expensive.  You kicked out a band member allegedly in part due to his love of fame and money.  You said you had to buy PT's guitar at auction so it didn't go to some rich asshole banker. ETC ETC ETC 

It is also OK for fans to take the stance that you know Ed has changed (much like many of "us" have) but you still love him, enjoy his music and shows. That is where I'm at. 

But please do not tell other fans that they can't call him a hypocrite and that they can't feel betrayed. 

You're in love with an old version of someone. 

Ledbetterman10 said:

The minute you put someone up on a pedestal, the countdown begins until they do something to disappoint you and make you regret putting them up there. 

Cropduster-80 said:

“I’d rather be a hypocrite than the same person forever” -Ad Rock

Not a very good comparison. Ad Rock's talking here about how their beliefs/stances in the 90's contradicted their misogyny of the 80's. So they changed, but for the better.  

Cropduster-80 said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

Cropduster-80 said:

“I’d rather be a hypocrite than the same person forever” -Ad Rock

Not a very good comparison. Ad Rock's talking here about how their beliefs/stances in the 90's contradicted their misogyny of the 80's. So they changed, but for the better.  

Change for better or worse depends on your point of view. I’m aware of the context.  Point is you can’t hold someone to what they use to say or believe if they no longer believe it.  You don’t give them room to evolve in whatever way they choose

Sure but you can call them a hypocrite if you want to.

Take Donald Trump for instance. He is very against illegal immigration, except he isn't, because prior to running for president, he was an illegal immigration enabler, hiring hundreds if not thousands to work at his golf courses and hotels. "But now I'm running for president, so forget about that." You could say "you can’t hold someone to what they use to say or believe if they no longer believe it." But he's still a hypocrite. 

In 1995, Eddie said, "It’s extremely important that [our shows] are available to everyone, that if they’d like to attend they’re able to. Also, when you start having $50 ($90 in today's money) tickets, all of a sudden you’re changing your audience. And that’s a frightening thought, playing only to people that can afford a $50 ticket."

So what's changed? Is he no longer "frightened" by changing his audience? Is it no longer "extremely important" that his shows are available to everyone? The answer to both questions is no. So just how Trump would say "Forget about what I said in the past, I want your vote," Eddie's saying "Forget about what I said in the past, I want more money."

Anyone know offhand how much Trey Anastasio's tickets are when he tours with the Trey Anastasio Band? That might be the perfect apples to apples comparison.