Great observation of live music prices, dude. I concur, and It's outrageous! I've been seeing prices increment for years now. I refuse to go to the larger concert-stadium venues. I've found a workaround, though. Here in southern California, I've found that CASINOs owned by Native American tribes have very reasonable ticket prices at venues of less than 500 people for well under $100. They are very good shows. I saw Pat Benatar and Toto together 3 years ago for $70. I suspect the casinos have a constant revenue arrangement with the agents. Another great choice is at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA where tickets rarely exceed $35 for a smaller audience (and a small stage) but Ambrosia was great last year. Also appearing there is Chicago, Ted Nugent, Pat Travers, jazzy David Benoit and many tribute bands. WHY some concert organizers will charge way too much along with extra fees is perplexing to me also.

When I was a teen in the 70's, tickets for major acts were 8 dollars. I wasn't rich, pretty poor actually, but I was still able to go. I don't know how young people can afford big events now.

I've taken to buying Concert DVDs and BluRays. Ben Folds did visit Salt Lake City in Deer Valley (outdoor venue) and play with the Utah Symphony this summer - the front seats for that event were "only" $300. We sat in the back on the lawn for $50 each. It was at least affordable even if he was pin-sized!

For the bigger bands such as The Stones, Queen, Macca, Springsteen, Roger Waters, etc we have been buying tickets further away if we really want to see that tour. Overall though I'm going to 4-6 a year rather then 8-12 a year now that I'm retired. We also are going to the smaller venues, 800-1500, capacity to see artists like Steve Hackett, Al Dimeola, Los Lobos, Alan Parsons and Al Stewart. Ticket prices within the first 10 rows tend to be under $100.

In the USA if the tickets are a reasonable price at large venues it doesn't matter, scalpers scoop them up faster than you can. They resale them for a fortune so attending them is off the table. Unless you like getting ripped off. The Government here won't fix the problem. Its disgusting.

I don't understand why anyone would pay that much just to see someone lip sync.

Hi ,Andrew. Thanks for bringing up this concern. You’re not alone. Here’s the problem, as I see it. In a word; streaming. Streaming is thee problem. The artists are not making enough money from the services that are streaming their individual songs and albums, so there’s no other option but for concert ticket prices to skyrocket. This and the fact that everyone’s gouging and today’s audiences want ubiquitous entertainment. Flashy everything. C’mon, people. Give yourselves a break from the visual bonanza for just a little while. Honestly, you’ll survive. Back to streaming…Just stop it. It’s garbage quality, save for a select minority of audiophile-types who actually spend the tens, if not hundreds, of thousands on gear and the rental of premium services needed to truly appreciate it. To the average, Stop renting your music, folks. You’re being taken to the cleaners and the artists are suffering. Who actually thinks monthly payments for music is good for the industry? Are you daft? End of rant but, honestly…

Its a full time business; purchase 400 tickets with 100 American express cards that get front of the line access and immediately resell for huge profits. Do this for almost every event...you're rich! This MUST STOP

What vendors in Manitoba would have an axiom bryston setup to hear?

I think maybe since streaming music is dominant, band barely make any money that way. So for you it means cheaper music records but payback for the live rock show…

agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!1