Yes, I think it’s well over due.
Even back in the 80s, Ticketmaster, along with scalpers, were constant problems for us concert goers.
It seems nothing changes, and these agencies seem to have monopolies on ticket sales. It is too much power, and control, for very few companies, which I believe is illegal.
Bands should have a way to sell tickets directly to their fans through their websites. Cut out the middleman, lower the fees, give everyone a fair chance to obtain good seats, and hopefully end the corruption.
But sadly, since this has yet to happen, and it is 2026, my feeling is, it is will not be remedied, any time soon.
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Its not METAL, but even the pop stars my kids love is so expensive, and they target the younger crowd. I caved in and got Billie Eilish tix for my 16 year old daughter, spent close to $200 a ticket, which i swore i would never do, but it was a christmas gift and Billie is her absolute fav of all time (and yes, seeing her go nuts and cry and sing and just have the time of her life may have been worth it). but it is something that will only happen once in a blue moon, i aint spending that $$ again. How are kids supposed to experience this stuff if tix are so damn high???
My son, on the other hand, loves death metal and he goes to shows that have live 4 or 5 bands and pays like between $30 – $50…and is close to the stage and he has a blast.
I wanted to see Weird Al this year (dont laugh), but even HIS tix are crazy high, plus the fees…just cant do it.
Michael, I saw Weird Al at MSG last year. His band is incredible. What a show. Had a GREAT time. Just skip the opener, he stinks. Boring.
In regards to RR1 comment, I have your back as well Dana!! I am newer to this forum and enjoy it immensely!!
Although we live in a world that everyone is entitled to their opinion, agree with it or not, I believe we should be thankful for this platform that she spearheads to give all of us for a chance to speak on a topic that we all truly love and care for! Without the “insults”, per say…
Scott,
Thank you so much!!
I am not above board to criticism, and being corrected for making mistakes, but I just don’t appreciate when it is delivered in a snarky, juvenile, puerile, and even worse, racist tone.
At the end of the day, while I do have a low brow sense of humor, I am still a human being with feelings. I prefer to be “spoken” to with some modicum of respect.
Anyone remember Ticketron from the 80’s? I got many a great deal on tickets from them over the phone usually. Rarely did I ever go to Safeway or other ticket outlets. Monopolies are illegal, yet they thrive in our 21st Century democracy…..”…What is Democracy? Well it’s never bright clear on myself. Like any other kind government it’s got something to do with young men killing each other I believe…..”-Johnny Got His Gun
I vaguely remember Ticketron or maybe hearing of it?
I am not certain we had it in New York? Maybe, we we did when I was very young and pre my concert ticket buying age?
What I do recall we had, and still have, is TKTS, which is located in Times Square, but that is for Broadway productions (plays and musicals). I do not recall ever hearing they sold tickets for concerts.
Occasionally, I would go directly to the box office of the venue, to get tickets the day they went on sale, or it was sold out, a few hours before the show, to see if tickets were turned in.
My girlfriend and I cut school to buy Bon Jovi tickets for his Slippery When Wet tour, at Madison Square Garden. We had fun, and met people, even though it felt as if we were on that line FOREVER-LOL!
The 80’s were the best.
Tasker, yes, I remember Ticketron! I used their service a lot to get tickets for the Los Angeles club shows that me and my friends would attend. Saw lots of cool bands at the clubs….Raven, Loudness, Metallica, Steeler, Keel, Sin, Witch, Stryper, Y&T, Odin, Quiet Riot, etc….
Ticketron was all over Ohio. The one closet to my house was in a Sears at a local mall. My buddy’s wife worked there while attending college.
If she was working at the time the tickets went on sale she would go over and get them vs. us standing in line for an hour. Had great times waiting in line,
met alot of people that way. But her working there was a definite advantage. Hence how I got 6th row center for the Judas Priest Turbo tour in 1986 🙂
Wow, LUCKY YOU.
At the time, Pearl Jam was on top of the world and they headed a lawsuit against them and it was ruled that Ticketmaster could do what they want. Why? Because it’s tax dollars being made. How would it happen now? It’s a great question, but I like future question and here it’s, “How”. Somebody has to sell tickets but how do we not get ripped off?
Donald,
If you read my response within the post, I mentioned perhaps the band’s would have to sell them directly to their fans and cut out the middleman.
They would have to do so either directly through their own websites, if they have the bandwidth to withstand it. Or they would possibly have to create an alternative site, where they only sell merch and tickets to their live performances.
I am not sure about the legalities, or trust issues, as I am not a lawyer, but that is certainly one possibility?