A rather dismal year in concert ticket sales is moving many concert promoters to promise more affordable gigs in the coming new year. This is a likely relief to music fans tight on cash as well as artists and venues who had to cope with half empty seats during the typically booming summer months which were hit with many cancellations this year.
Promoters are hoping that the money concert goers save on their ticket prices will be spent purchasing band merchandise as well as food and drink at the venues’ vendors.
Rolling Stone reports that fans content with seats in the back of the venue will find some really good deals. ZZ Top for example will be selling some seats for as low as $10 before service fees. Other artists who are having a hard time selling out large venues are expected to offer similar discounts as well. You’ll still have to dig deep for those coveted front rows though.
Don’t expect to find any super deals on top selling artists such as Lady Gaga , Justin Bieber, or Taylor Swift who easily sell out stadiums within hours of the tickets going on sale — you’ll continue paying top dollars for them and many others.
Promoters are learning the ABC’s of ticket pricing the hard way. In 2009 they dropped the average ticket price by a dollar which resulted in sales going up by 12 percent. In an over optimistic move the prices were raised again in 2010 and sales crashed. The music industry will have to be content with smaller profit margins just like everyone else in this harsh economy- happier fans will help maintain a healthy market.