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I'm not sure music listening (via concerts) is a commodity like oil or prescription drugs. Paying to see a concert at whatever price is very optional and the value is in the eye of the beholder. There are fewer options to get to work or to get well for many of us. Thus the difference between expensive tickets versus gouging. I think they'll continue to raise prices until they reach the magic ceiling price. For example, how much will movie tickets have to cost to dissuade us from watching first run films?
My daughter enlightened me (as well as several articles on the subject) that due to widespread downloading and/or the fact the record labels and the middle men take home most of the profit, artists are making less today, or continue to make less. Thus, they tour to make up the difference.
The take home from a live concert can be 50% of the house. That's significant when you're an established act and tour many weeks out of the year. Even bands who have dissolved due to personality conflicts; they hate each other (e.g. S&G, Eagles, etc.) co-exist on stage because they realize the potential payoff can be lucrative for all parties involved. I don't think that's liberal nor conservative. That's real capitalism at work.
Sherwood
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