Why we don't go to concerts as often as we used to.

[stomachmonkey]

Billy Joel is coming to town in January. If you've never seen him live you should. Amazing showman. He can make the person in the last row of the top most level feel like they are a part of an intimate personal experience.

We were not going to pass up the opportunity and yesterday I got 4 tickets for myself, my wife and our two kids.

Ordered online.

$27.50 in service charges per ticket and they were downloadable print them yourself tickets.

Seriously WTF?

The tickets were only $89 per. That's like a 30% charge per ticket.

Exactly what "service" is being provided?

I hate Ticketbastard.

[widgeon13]

Just saw Rod Stewart in Vegas a couple weeks ago, great show and he did a "tribute to patriots" as well. Cost was just about the same as what you paid and I printed my own tickets as well. Crazy! I did enjoy the show though.

[Cajundaddy]

It is what it is. $20 to see Deep Purple or Led Zeppelin in 1970 is about the same as $120 today. I suspect face value of the ticket goes to the show while the service fee is the retail transaction markup we pay just like retail markup on a car or case of 20/50 oil. I see more concerts now than back then because I have the means and opportunity. YMMV

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Used to go to a lot, no more. They've become a ripoff like most things and most are just too damn loud and too overdone anyway. I prefer a good night out at a bar with a live band - more intimate and often better music anyway. I can't understand why people would spend a couple hundred bucks to go out and sit a million miles away from the performance so they're just watching a screen (I can do that anytime for free!) and getting a ripping headache from people blazing up joints nearby.

Maybe I'm just getting old too...

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Used to go to a lot, no more. They've become a ripoff like most things and most are just too damn loud and too overdone anyway. I prefer a good night out at a bar with a live band - more intimate and often better music anyway. I can't understand why people would spend a couple hundred bucks to go out and sit a million miles away from the performance so they're just watching a screen (I can do that anytime for free!) and getting a ripping headache from people blazing up joints nearby.

Maybe I'm just getting old too...

This^^^ I have forgotten more concerts than I remember... I also would rather see a band in a local bar, support local business and musicians. Or I have a home theater system and most of my favorite bands on DVD so the band will take a break if I need to get up to pee . Maybe I'm a child of the 70's but it is difficult for me to get into "LETS PLAY SOME CRAZY ROCK AND ROLL!!!!" While we all sit orderly in our assigned seats in a smoke free environment.
Have to admit to paying crazy money to see Journey in Vegas but it was a room/concert package and we had a great time.
(***Old guy alert***) Laughlin is actually attracting some decent acts... we may have to check that out.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Used to go to a lot, no more. They've become a ripoff like most things and most are just too damn loud and too overdone anyway. I prefer a good night out at a bar with a live band - more intimate and often better music anyway. I can't understand why people would spend a couple hundred bucks to go out and sit a million miles away from the performance so they're just watching a screen (I can do that anytime for free!) and getting a ripping headache from people blazing up joints nearby.

Maybe I'm just getting old too...

Boy you sound like fun. Not.

Concerts are actually a good deal quieter these days. Live sound has come a long way.

Keep in mind that most major artists only make money off live shows. There is no money in albums anymore.

There's only a handful of bands I'd pay good money to see. Tool, for example. I have no problem supporting the art I enjoy.

[911dean]

I still see a lot of shows, but 99% of the time in small intimate venues. I usually pay cash in advance or at the door to avoid service charges. I will pay the service charge if necessary though.
Like stated above, the talent available can be as good as it gets.

Just Thursday night I saw an incredible band in a favorite local roadhouse. I think I paid $15.

[herr_oberst]

I never go to the big shows anymore. My last was Steely Dan and that was over 10 years ago.

For me, the local 300 seat theatre is the place to be.

David Lindley, January 4, 25 bucks.
Jayhawks, January 7, 35 bucks.

Lots of upside, very little downside....

[Rapewta]

It's the cost.
We all can afford it but I got spoiled back in the day.

If I have to pay a small fortune to see Fleetwood Mac, they can play live
in my living room.

I am just too tight I guess.

I saw Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Led Zep and many many other great performing artists while I was working at Mac Donalds.

[dan88911]

+ 1 more for the small intimate venues. The main is reason because these days if it's if someone I really, really want to see I can afford front row seats. If I choose the big crowded venue it's a whole different experience, less enjoyable for me dealing with some of these individuals. From the parking to getting around in the venue. Guess I am getting old, that use to be part of the fun yrs. ago.

[yetibone]

I'll pay to see a big name show in a large venue if there's any inkling of the band never coming round anymore. That's why I drove to Charlotte to see Iron Maiden a couple of years ago. I doubt I'll be given that opportunity again.

Other than that, I've seen enough good shows in sheds, and arenas over the years that I don't have the jones to keep up with who is coming round anymore. Plus the expense, and the parking, AND the crowds, AND the traffic... yeah, forget that noise!

[cashflyer]

Last concert I enjoyed: Pink Floyd - Division Bell
Since then, I have only gone to two.
Tool. Holy f8ck that was loud. I don't care what the cheesy guy says, that was waaay louder than any concert I had been to in the past.
Eagles. I left about half-way through because the old lady behind me kept "shushing" my wife and me. Maybe they needed to play louder. lol

I doubt I'll ever go to another concert, but I do like going to bars and hearing the local acts.

[LeeH]

Honestly, there are few groups I want to see live. Only concert I've been to recently was The Indigo Girls. That was great in a small venue.

A lot of the aging rockers seem to struggle vocally. Happy to have seen Rush, YES, The Police, Peter Gabriel, Beach Boys, long ago.

[Neilk]

I would have gotten Taylor Swift tickets for my wife and daughter, but I refuse to buy ticket for Cowboys stadium. Accoustics there suck as.... Too bad she has to go for max profit instead of performing in a smaller venue...

[scottmandue]

Back to the OP, Billy Joel would be one kick a$$ concert I would like to see.
However even though I am/was a big fan of EVH, the Police, etc. no way I would pay big bucks to see them in a stadium show and fight the traffic, parking, crowds, to see some teensy tiny figures on stage.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Tool. Holy f8ck that was loud. I don't care what the cheesy guy says, that was waaay louder than any concert I had been to in the past.
.

Really? I saw them in January and it was a perfect balance of clarity and volume. Then again, I've been playing through Marshalls for years. I think it was around $80 for center floor seats. Walked down the street to the MAX, Max straight to the Rose Garden.

The loudest for me was Van Halen at the Forum. Ears ringing afterwards. The Forum was horrid for concerts. However, i saw Prince there a few years back and the sound was actually pretty good. Certainly more clear.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Really? I saw them in January and it was a perfect balance of clarity and volume. Then again, I've been playing through Marshalls for years. I think it was around $80 for center floor seats. Walked down the street to the MAX, Max straight to the Rose Garden.

The loudest for me was Van Halen at the Forum. Ears ringing afterwards. The Forum was horrid for concerts. However, i saw Prince there a few years back and the sound was actually pretty good. Certainly more clear.

My loudest concert, Pat Travers and Blue Oyster Cult at UCLA... shocking I know

[Nostril Cheese]

Boom Boom

[911dean]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

My loudest concert, Pat Travers and Blue Oyster Cult at UCLA... shocking I know

I saw Pat at the Thirsty Whale, along time ago, it was loud! Lonnie Mack was pretty loud too.

Loudest, was Molly Hatchet in a small venue/bar. They were using a sound system for stadium. It was crazy.

[herr_oberst]

Loudest?

It's a toss up between Stevie Ray Vaughan

And (wait for it) Charlie Freaking Daniels, (back in the '70's)