Rolling Stones shrug at exorbitant ticket prices

From Buzzfeed.com

Rolling Stone, the magazine, says Mick and the boys have issued a big "it's no big deal" about the price of tickets to one of the four upcoming 50th anniversary shows. They start at $115 and go as high as nearly $2,400. Mick Jagger to Billboard: "Yes, it's expensive. But most of the tickets go for a higher price than we've sold them for, so you can see the market is there."  Read more here. 

Comments

[joeboo]

If people are willing to pay it, I'd rather see it go to the artist than a scalper/ticket broker.

The only risk being that you might end up with a lot of unsold tickets that you could have at least got a couple hundred bucks for, something is better than nothing.

[Endtro]

no surprise here...these guys have clearly been in it for just the money for at least the last 20 years.

[Sid Much Rock]

Read "Ticket Masters: The Rise of the Concert Industry and How the Public Got Scalped" and you'll see how it was the Stone's Steel Wheels tour that changed the model sending ticket prices up higher and higher.

[Nick Spacek]

I agree with Sid. "Ticket Masters" demonstrates pretty much unequivocally that the true-blue classic rock acts are what started pushing prices into the stratosphere. Any one chapter of of Budnick and Baron’s book would be essential for understanding the modern concert-going experience, and provide much-needed perspective on how a service meant to help the fans get seats more easily has morphed into an industry.

[Geordan]

At $115.00 for the cheapest seats, Da Stones will have to gather moss without me, I guess. I saw them only once, back in '89 at Arrowhead with Living Colour opening. I was so far back in the upper section away from the stage, that every time Charlie Watts hit a cymbal, I heard it five seconds later. But at least Bill Wyman (or a statue of him, as he barely moved on stage, as is his M.O.) was still in the band and thanks to the big screens on the sides of the stage, I could see every wrinkle in Keith Richard's leathery mug. It was a good show as I recall and that will have to do it for me Stones-wise for this lifetime.

[Geordan]

....oh, and I recall people complaining about the $35.00 tickets for THAT Stones show, so this band has almost always priced their shows a bit higher than most. I saw REM at Kemper that same year on the "Green" tour for $18.00. Were the Stones THAT much better live than REM in 1989?? I didn't think so......

[Kurt]

I've seen ticket packages for Bon Jovi's latest tour in 2013 and they are just sky high. They have six ticket packages from silver to diamond and they exceed a $1000.00 for top tickets. What comes with these ticket packages and certainly a meet and greet?

[Not down with Jovi]

"What comes with these ticket packages and certainly a meet and greet?"

When it comes to Bon Jovi, hopefully a LOBOTOMY, to erase the existence of a Bon Jovi show from one's memory.

[CH]

I'll stick with my metal gigs at little clubs where $15 will get you in and usually close enough to the stage to get sweated on. Nothing like an up close and personal experience.

[Bubba Brown]

Wow! And a lot us thought (including me) that MADONNA was highway robbery. Bubba said it.

[KC Jones]

I remember making fun of that stones show at arrowhead (which I went to), calling it the "Steel Wheelchairs" tour. Who'd-a-thunk that tour is now classic stones. Not to mention that show was over 23 years ago. Ouch. I'm old. Oh, and in case anyone wondered, Living Colour kicked ass, Vernon Reid is a HIGHLY underrated guitarist.

[Robert Log]

Living Colour did KICK ASS... was 6th row center for that show... I quickly realized that the Stones were in it for the $$ and really didn't have much enthusiasm anymore... and yes - that was 23 years ago so we are old :)

[pellboy]

I have great memories of that Steel Wheels show. I remember not even wanting to go until a friend talked me into it and we got some last minute tix that opened up on the side of the stage really close to the action except for Watts being obscured. I recall it being on a Sunday and us going out there early to tailgate and setting up a TV in my buddy's VW Bus and watching the Chiefs beat the Seahawks in Seattle for the first time in a long while behind the Nigerian Nightmare. Enjoyed Living Colour as well although their show at the Lone Star about a year earlier was one of the best I ever saw at that venue.

[KC Jones]

That was a show I wish I saw at Lone Star. Both Living Colour and Jane's Addiction were at Lone Star (at separate times, of course) just before I moved to KC.

[LiveMusicFan]

"the Nigerian Nightmare"

Man, were those good days to be a Chiefs fan! I LOVED me some Christian Okoye! Whenever I think of him I laugh and think of those pot pie commercials that he did (for Price Chopper, maybe?).

[Geordan]

"Hungry Man Dinners and Pot Pies!" I loved how Okoye pronounced "pot" with the long O sound in that accent of his. Dude was a killer running back!

[Joe]

"Hungry Man Poat Pies... They're real guuud.

Loved Christian and those teams. What a great time to be a fan of the Chiefs. Seems like an eternity ago now...

[corky]

From Letterman's Top 10 list back then:

'Geritol presents Rolling Stones'

'Steel Wheelchairs'

'Five old geezers in a van'

'Grumpy Old Men'

and my favorite?

'The Rolling Stones LIVE, plus Keith Richards!'

[Troy]

Seriously should have seen Sir Paul McCartney last night in St. Louis. I paid $200 for two upper level seats and it was worth every penny! Guy was on for three hours, three encores, sounded incredible. After seeing the Stones on TV I think they should go to one of Sir Paul's shows.

[fogdog]

McCartney did kick ass! I was 6th row center and it was amazing. Can't believe the energy he still has.

[Geordan]

McCartney's show at the Sprint Center a couple of years ago was an amazing example that no matter your age, you should still try and give fans a show worthy of their time and money. He was awesome. Now to digress. As I have the week off with not a lot planned (saw SKYFALL, the new bond film yesterday, and although I'm not entirely sold on Daniel Craig as 007, it was much better than his last two Bond films), I have decided to take my friend up on his offer of a cheap ticket to go and see Aerosmith, with the always fun Cheap Trick tonight. Aerosmith, of course, was touted as "The American Rolling Stones" back in their prime. I know, they are almost laughable and schmaltzy at this point and some people 'round here really hate them, but as I had nothing else going on tonight (I will DVR "Modern Family" and it's underrated follow-up, "Suburgatory" which I probably would have stayed home and watched while scarfing down Chinese takeout), I figured I'd go downtown for a laugh or two of another kind.

The pros and cons of tonight's show? The Pro's first, as I try to be a glass half-full kinda guy.....Cheap Trick!! The little band that could. Not including local bands, I've seen Cheap Trick more than anyone with the exception of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and REM.......Joe Perry. I have to give respect to someone who could come up with the killer riffs to both "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion" in one lifetime.......The hopes of hearing anything from Aerosmith's prime, which I feel starts at their debut record and ends with 1977's drug-addled, yet killer "Draw The Line." Back before they met sugary-sweet songwriters like Dianne Warren......The solid rhythm section of Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer......the nostalgia of having a few of Aerosmith's older fans lighting up in the Sprint Center. Oh, it can happen. A guy and his girlfriend in the row in front of me on the Lower Level, toked away all through Ozzy's set last year at the Sprint Center, and although we were only rows away from Security personnel, shockingly, nobody intervened.

Now, the Cons....Where do I start? Oh, yeah, Steven Tyler. 'Nuff said......The very fact that if Aerosmith doesn't kick a little ass tonight, they will merely look foolish trying in their advanced age.......Rick Nielson speeding through his vocal portion of "Dream Police." It gets worse ever time I see them live, but at least he'll throw about 200+ guitar picks to the crowd during their opening set. That never gets old.......Harder Rock bands rarely sound good in the Sprint Center. Better bring some ear protection.......The fact that this show is taking place in 2012 and not 1977......The chance that the older fan(s) lighting up will again, be literally sitting right in front of me.....and did I mention Rock's crypt-keeper, Steven Tyler?? Anyway, I will give my thoughts on this show, which will either be pretty good or pretty bad, tomorrow. Now, I have to find my copy of "Toys In The Attic" and crank it up. You didn't think I was going to listen to their NEW album, did you??

[Geordan]

As mentioned, I went to the Aerosmith/Cheap Trick hullabaloo last night at the Sprint Center. I was sitting way back in the Upper Level and didn't get upgraded, which is fine, but thankfully I brought ear plugs, as the sound bounces off the walls in the back of the place. Smart move, as the mix was loud and although better for Aerosmith, Cheap Trick's sound was not great. Anyway, instead of closing off the back part of the Upper Level due to poor sales, they closed both sides of the Upper Level and moved those people downstairs in the many empty Lower Level seats. There was also a slew of tickets given away by radio stations and Sprint Center sponsors. We can beat this to death, but artists can't expect fans to pay such ridiculous prices. I actually wonder how many people actually PAID to see this show. Anyway, the verdict? I'm happy to say that the show was definitely better than I had hoped. It started at exactly 7:30 with a 65 minute set from Cheap Trick.

Robin Zander came on stage wearing his Dream Police uniform, but as far back as I was sitting, he could also have been a Milkman, the Local Dog Catcher, or a Naval Officer. It was too close to call. Again, the sound could have been better (and WAS with earplugs in), but Cheap Trick always does a consistent job. They played over a dozen songs. Highlights? Two favorite Cheap Trick rockers, "California Man" and "Baby Loves To Rock" sounded real good. Brad Whitford joined the band for a rousing "Ain't That a Shame" and Robin Zander showed us why he is one of Classic Rock's premier vocalists on their power-ballad, "The Flame." Also, Rick Neilsen's son, Daxx, held down the drum chores quite impressively. Bun E. Carlos was missed, but Daxx was just fine. Tom Petersson rocked his sparkly 12-string Bass and the band ended their set with "Dream Police" and "Surrender" in which Nielsen brought out the five-neck guitar, which was oddly missing the lower neck. I could see the pickups for the fifth guitar, but the neck was AWOL. Weird. Anyway, a pretty good set by a band that will probably tour until they drop.

Aeorsmith began their one hour and 50 minute show (including encores) with "Mama Kin" and from the first song, the band played like they had something to prove. Even Steven Tyler was on his best behavior, except maybe for during "Jaded" when an audience member at the end of the long catwalk that led out onto the floor (where Tyler spent much of the night) got ahold of one of Steven's mike scarves and wouldn't let go, Steven threw not one, but two mean-spirited kicks at them, which would have done damage if he had connected. I mean, you NEVER touch Steven Tyler's microphone scarves! That's like, Rock Rule # 927........Scarves notwithstanding, Tyler was on point vocally and at 64, he can still move around on stage with more spirit than many half his age, although the big screens on stage never let you forget how old these guys are with a few frightening close ups!

Highlights? "Last Child" was as funky and raw as ever. Joe Perry got to play some fine lap-steel guitar during "Rag Doll." "Love In An Elevator"-a song I'm not that crazy about-was actually quite good live. The encore of "Dream On" and "Sweet Emotion" were as good as anything during the regular set and even a new song or two sounded good. But the real hero on stage for Aerosmith? Sure, Tyler surprisingly exceeded my expectations. Was it Joe Perry? Well, I found Brad Whitford, sporting a cool-ass Black Cowboy Hat, to be equally impressive. Nope, the award goes to drummer Joey Kramer. He played with a fire that kicked the band (which included a keyboard player and a percussionist perched way in the back) up a notch. Even his drum solo (which I hate 95% of the time) was interesting. It included an assist from Steven Tyler, who started his musical career as a drummer, and ended with Joey beating the drums with his fists like they owed him money. Overall, it was a fine dose of Classic Rock downtown last night. Not overwhelming, but much better than I thought it would be.

[Rolo]

Great review Geordan, you good man... you do good.

[Geordan]

Thanks, Rolo! Oh, and as I expected, early in Aerosmith's set, I did detect the sickeningly-sweet smell of Baja Bacchanalia, Singapore Succotash, Parguay Paraquat, or whatever Andromeda Strain of weed the folks several rows below me were burning. These days with such stringent ordinances against smoking in public places (oppressive even to me, and I don't smoke), lighting up in an arena just seems like a supremely stupid thing to do. The revelers weren't pounced on by DEA agents or anything, but someone must have said something, as a few minutes later I was back to smelling the strong perfume the two apparent former groupies in front of me were doused in.

[Bubba Brown]

I was at AEROSMITH last night and for some reason(s), I happen to overhear several patrons mention that they'd really like to catch the ROLLING STONES - when they hit Kansas City. Correct me if I'm wrong - but I believe these eager fans just might be a bit confused. I saw a flyer where a radio station (is it?) is running a contest to 'win' a trip to travel to New Jersey to catch MICK JAGGER and company. Good luck on winning the trip.

[Tom]

Georden, Great Review, I was there in Section 118 and you are spot on. I was boycotting Aerosmith because of Tyler's association with the Karoke Show but then an offer for $43 lower bowl seats came across my desk and I got reeled in. Lifelong fan until the AI incident and last night was the best I have heard the whole crew in a number of years. Maybe they woke up and decided these non-sellouts were no co-incidence. Maybe they had an epiphany that they want to keep doing this. Whatever, the boys from Beantown were all in great form and I really enjoyed the show. Setlist included some tunes we have not heard in years as well. Major complaint(if any) was the very poor sound for the Cheap Trick Set.

[pellboy]

Bubba, not sure what those around you were talking about in regards to the Stones, but Keith was quoted recently as saying the band isn't going thru all this hoopla and preparation for just the handful of shows in Jersey and London. I'm quite sure a mega-tour is imminent so those folks (and me, yes, I'll go to see them one last time) should still get their chance to see the Glimmer Twins w/o winning a contest.

[Tom]

PS I don't know about Kansas City, but the Stones are not putting this tour set, recording new tunes and lots of effort. Far too much for them to stop at 4 shows. They are testing the waters to see what the price point they can get away with. Then they will schedule an American and European Tour schedule. So, I fully expect them to hit the road in 2013, their real 50th Anniversary date. I have not missed a Stones tour since 1964, so I guess I will pay for this one too. Last one for me and the boys no doubt. P.S. I disagree about the Steel Wheels tour being the back breaker for Fans. The Eagles got away with $75 tickets for their Hell Freezes Over tour and that opened the flood gates. I swore I would not pay it, right up until the time I found myself in line at Ticketmaster the day they went on sale. We have met the enemy and it is us.

[STONES RULE]

Will goofballs EVER learn?

People have been talking stupid "last time" shiznit about the Stones for years. Here is all you need to know.... "You all will be dead and gone and the Stones will still be touring."

Quit trying to be so fkg smart,
quit trying to tell the future, we have been hearing your naysayer. "last time crap" BS for 30 years.

Last Time? HA!!

Now.... who the fk is going to see Dropkick Murphys tonight? or are you all waiting for mellow fest on Saturday at the SC?

DKM priced to ROCK!!!
25 bucks FKYEAH!
Be at the Uptown tonight! or be a puss.

PS
ya skipped Slash, ya prolly skip this too, soi anyway, have fun whining and crying with bwucey Saturday. wah wah wha that boring posing doucher.

[All that is decent]

....well, THAT was uncalled for.

[STONES RULE]

And by the way geniuses...
It is FIVE STONES SHOWS on this warm up... please try to keep up if you are going to try to sound so smart spouting crap, seeing into the future.

December 8th at Barclays Center Brooklyn.

Last time?... MY BALLS!
maybe the last time for YOU.

[STONES RULE]

and yeah I skipped Aerosmith last night... fk that Burger King sellout, American Idol, worthless posing fk Steven Tyler. I would not have gone for free.

Done an dusted with Tyler.

Nothing against anyone who went, glas you has fun.... but I am sick of Ozzy, Tyler, Gene Simmons and the rest of those posing idiots who are supposed rockstara, fk their reality TV sellout nonsense.

Someone has to say fk you to them, and I am that one. FK YOU STEVEN TYLER, YOU SELLOUT, BURGER KING? AMERCIAN IDOL? AND YOU EXPECT ME TO COME BACK!!! HA!! FK YOU YOU SELLOUT DOUCHEBAG!

[All that is decent]

Meds, brother....take 'em!

[Tom]

Must be a sad life when you are drunk as a dog by 9 O'clock in the morning, and have nothing left to look forward in your day. Some of us can afford whatever we want to do, regardless of how wrong that is. People like you are why I don't go to Bars to hear Music anymore.

[pellboy]

Before you went on your rant, SR, that's all I was saying, that it will most definitely be MY last time seeing them as I'm actually with you that you can't believe anything these bands say. I saw The Who's FINAL TOUR in freaking 1982 and have now seen them several times (including next year in Tulsa) since. Even with The Stones supposed last tour, I'll most likely only go if they come to KC (probably take my kids, it'll be like a museum trip) as that's why I've missed their last couple of tours, for whatever reason, just not willing to travel to one of their shows since Boulder way back in 1980.

[Endtro]

The Stones are just as big of sellouts as Aerosmith, Kiss or Ozzy. They are the original sellouts from that era. They started by licensing their music to Microsoft...sold an album exclusively through Best Buy and now the exorbitant ticket prices. They are way worse than Aerosmith...

[pellboy]

They might be bigger sellouts, but The Stones are 1,000x better than both KISS and Aerosmith and probably about 625x better than Ozzy.

[Endtro]

haha, that is true. although I personally listen to more Black Sabbath these days than the Stones.

[STONES RULE]

YEAH!!! what Pellboy said! HE RULEZ TOO

As far as the other comments... LOL!

There is not much more embarrassing in RnR history than what Tyler did with AI and BK. period.

SEE YA, or not, at DKM tonight!

[STONES RULE]

"just not willing to travel to one of their shows since Boulder way back in 1980."

I was at that show with you...
Boulder 81 was the first (and 2nd time, saw both days) of my 30 Stones shows lifetime... and it has not been easy, they seem to hate KC, I have had to travel MOST of the times I saw them... those fkrs!

I aint going to NYC or Brooklyn or London... I may even skip the PPV, I am just fed up.

25 bucks is the right price for a show
like for DKM TONIGHT!

[pellboy]

Yeah, my bad, 1981 and that was my first (and second) time as well. Saw one of the Kemper shows and Steel Wheels and that's it. I could be wrong but aren't those the only KC appearances in the last 30 years? Should have been able to catch them in town another time or two over that period, but it seems as though it was always Oklahoma or fcking Iowa getting the gig.

[onthemark]

I was at the concert at Kemper in 1981. That was their 'Tattoo You' tour. That was also the show with a guest appearance by Mick Taylor.

[STONES RULE]

Yup that is a famous Mick Taylor gig otm, I missed the first night ...went the sceond night...

PB, They also played Kemper in 1999 on The "No Security tour".

Yeah I have had to go to Oklafknhoma and Omafknha and littlefknrock and fkn Nashville...and blah blah... and it is waaaaay beyond me as to why in the hell they skipped KC in 2006 BUT they went to fkn wichita!!!! FKG WICHITA?!! AND NO KC!?!?! That was my 30th and most recent show, and on the way home I said "next time if they cant be bothered to come to KC then I cant be bothered to see them...fkrs... and mind you this is on tours whne they plays ed NYC, LA AND Chicago several DIFFERENT TIMES!! months apart!!

Of course I love them and have loved every show/tour... but the traveling sht gets O L D.... or maybe I have.

[pellboy]

Oh yeah, knew I must have been missing one somewhere, I sort of remember that Kemper show now although I'm not sure why I missed it. Probably because I had a couple of little ones in the house around that time which cut down on my live music outings for a stretch. Do hope they hit KC again this time though.

[Geordan]

"the Stones are 1,000x better than both KISS and Aerosmith...."

Love ya, pellboy, but 1,000 times better than Aerosmith and Kiss?? Better, sure, no argument there. But 1,000 times better? Even 100 times better? For you, yeah, probably. But let's not state such nonsense as if it were a fact. I could easily fill a few albums with all of the Stones misfires and I love the hell outta the Stones. But what do I know? Per DT/Stones Rules, I'm just a "puss" that is going to pass up that testosterone rally at the Dropkick Murphy's show to see The Wallflowers tonight instead. After all of his ranting today, if STONES RULES is gonna be at the Uptown tonight, I'm gonna steer WAY clear......with all due respect.

[pellboy]

Sorry, Geordan, just a number I threw out there but yeah, for me, it could have just as easily been stated INFINITELY better as I despise Aerosmith and KISS. Their post-sobriety output is so incredibly bad that they've been dead to me ever since. And Classic Rock radio even ruined the songs and albums that I once thought were okay. Just have never been much of a fan of what is to me basically a crappy bar band that somehow parlayed their Stones Lite act into super stardom. Almost sinful to me that they and KISS achieved that kind of mega success while much, much better rock bands from a similar era like the J.Geils Band, Free, Humble Pie and the James Gang to name just a few barely register with most folks. I'm glad you and the other 9,000 had fun, but seriously, Aerosmith registers about as much with me right now as does Taylor fcking Swift.

Shifting gears, I'm also in for The Wallflowers so I might see you down there. Wish they would have picked a better opening act though as my initial internet reaction to My Jerusalum is extremely tepid.

[Nivek9]

The Stones played Arrowhead in '89. Living Color opened for them. I think that was the Steel Wheels tour. As for who is better than who, that's obviously a subjective thing. So whatevah... But KISS shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as the other bands being bandied about, they simply suck and always have. See subjective... Oh, and I saw Aerosmith and Cheap Trick last night. I expected Cheap Trick to be solid as they always are but I wasn't expecting much from Aerosmith. I was most pleasantly surprised. Nice review Geordan.

[Meow Meow]

oh poor sensitive people around here.... boo hoo boo hoo...
aaaaahhhh.... suck it up girls!

I will say this, one time I was in LA, at Dodger stadium, at the open end of the horseshoe, by the box office, trying to buy some less expensive / great seats to see the Stones that night, and the opening band was the Wallflowers, and as we waited and allowed prices to drop, The Wallflowers came on and played the opening set, and the sound behind the satge, flowing through the open end of the horseshoe was awesome, it was perfect.... and I recall thinking, "holy crap these guys have a ton of great songs".... it was the best time I ever heard while waiting to buy tickets for a show that night.

[Geordan]

"Aerosmith registers about as much with me right now as does Taylor fcking Swift."

More's the pity, my friend. If we are throwing out personal 'truths' here, I'll make the assessment that even many Stones fans agree with, in that for me, Jagger & Richards haven't put out a classic album since "Some Girls." All the way back in 1978. Sure, you can throw "Tattoo You" and "A Bigger Bang" at me and I'll just swat them away as average. That band has wasted too much time with their petty arguments and crap work ethic...and again, this is a band I love. I also dislike much of Aerosmith's post-70's work, but although there is also a lot of in-fighting in their camp, at least they have continued to tour and make records. All we get from the Stones is an umpteenth BEST OF set with a couple of new songs.

But in the grand scheme of things, it's not all that big a deal. God bless them all, though. With all of the drugs both bands have ingested, the very fact that both are still around is amazing. Agree or disagree, you're the man, Pellboy. Hope to see you there tonight, but as it's General Admission on the floor only (I was told when I bought my ticket that the balcony would be closed for this show), I'm not going to get there way early to glue myself to the front of the stage. I'll probably be hanging back in the seats umpteenth rows back, as I want to just chill and catch some good music. After the Pomp and bombast of an arena event, tonight's show at the Midland will likely be much more laid back and hopefully, all of The Wallflowers sh*t will work, so I don't have a Snow Patrol flashback.......

[LiveMusicFan]

"haven't put out a classic album since ... 1978"

Do any bands ever put out good albums after their first few years? In my opinion, the only worthwhile music that bands create is at their beginning. Yeah, there are a few exceptions, but it holds true more often than not.