TPATH Ticket Prices Throughout the Years

[AndreaRH]

Here's something interesting: I was just looking at some of my TPATH memorabilia and came across some random ticket stubs. Look at the prices from these shows! I'll have to find my other tickets and fill in the blanks.

I think these numbers pretty much reflect the economy at the time and where the band was in their career.

Andrea


1985 floor seat: $13.50

1989 floor seat: $19.00

1990 loge seat: $19.50

1991 floor seat: $23.00

1999 floor seat: $55.00 ($100 per ticket for the shows at The Joint in Las Vegas)

2001 floor seat: $54.25

2002 floor seat: $49.00 in NH and $73.50 at Madison Square Garden/NYC

[Marion]

I can add to that.


2003 Floor Seat $53.50

2005 Floor Seat $55.00

2006 Floor Seat $75.00

2008 Floor Seat $95.00

[Nel]

Interesting. In just 3 years the ticket prices have risen $40.00. That's about a 73% price increase.

[guitarstudent]

My guess is that the band's profit hasn't gone up 73%... I wonder where all the $ are going? Figure an average venue seats 20,000 and the band gets $1M per show (wasn't that the figure mentioned somewhere last year?), that works out to about $50 per ticket to the band. Of course, then they've gotta cover their tour expenses since TPATH tours don't have a corporate sponsor.. Ah, I'd still take their job over mine... I'm sure it pays better.. plus, I don't make much selling "Guitarstudent" T-shirts...

[Danny Mac]

I'm sure tour expenses have increased at the same rate of the Tickets.
I'm in business and we don't charge the same amount for a burger that we did 10 years ago. The scary thing is when is it gonna stop?
Rents go Up, Gas Mark ups on Goods, Companies paying High Salaries to employees. When is it gonna stop! Not in our lifetime probably.
Just seems like everything is costing more and more. It is scary
for the future!! Think about it!!!

[Echosoftom]

Danny, that is so true. I don't think we fans think about those cost. Just something as simple as the tour buses. Can you imagine what it cost to gas those babies up now as opposed to say five years ago? Unfortunately, concert ticket prices like everything else we pay for has to increase in cost.

[Miami Steve]

Sure costs go up, but not that much. As much as everyone complains about the price of gas, adjusted for inflation, it costs about the same today as it did in 1981. A concert ticket that cost $10-$11 in 1981 would cost $24-$26 today, adjusted for inflation. Even the Rolling Stones, who charged a whopping $15.50 on their '81 tour, would be around $37 today (outrageous I know but it was their last tour ever).

I think it's more a case of supply and demand. Assuming these $95 tickets are selling well or maybe even sold out, just think how much greater the potential profit for scalpers would be if they were priced at $55. More brokers would buy more tickets and there would be less available for the fans, who would end up paying $95 or more for tickets from the scalpers. If that's what the market will bear, why not just sell the tickets for that price and cut out the opportunity for scalping. Tom can control the price of his tickets, but he can't control what they're worth. So if they're worth $95 or more, they will end up selling for that much one way or another as long as there is the ability to re-sell them. Selling them for less just feeds the after-market.

The other thing is there just isn't that much direct competition for your concert dollars anymore. When tickets were $10 there was an arena show almost every week, plus shows at small halls and clubs. TP hoped you would buy a ticket to his concert instead of Springsteen who's coming to town next week, that is if you didn't blow all of your allowance on the Cheap Trick concert the week before. Now you get a couple high-priced blockbuster arena tours a year and the clubs are full of tribute bands so they can charge more for what is an increasingly rare opportunity to see a great concert.

[AndreaRH]

And a few more TPATH ticket prices...

1986 GA (with Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan): $20.00

1986 floor seat (with Bob Dylan): $21.00

1987 floor seat: $18.50 ($20.00 at Madison Square Garden)

I can't find my Irving Plaza/NYC ticket stubs, but I recall that those tickets were pretty expensive at the time.

Despite the fact that the media and government don't talk much about it, inflation has really gotten out of control. The price of oil is probably the major factor in this tour being so much more expensive. Imagine hauling all of that equipment across the country and transporting the band and crew? It must be so expensive.

I'm just glad the band is touring, but I'll definitely need to do a few extra freelance assignments to pay off my credit card bill!

Andrea

[Flower]

1985 $13.50
1987 $15.50
1999 $45.00
2001 $45.50
2002 $ 55.00
2002 $ 57.50
2002 $ 50.00
2006 $ 74.50 All main floor seats

[Mudcrutch]

I can deal with the prices. But the problem is I like to go to more than 2 shows a tour, so that's when it seems a little crazy. (Especially when buying TWO tickets per show!)

[surfnburn]

Steve, I think you summed it up nicely. It's supply and demand. I read somewhere that pricing is based on the fact that their audience are older and are higher up on the income scale. If people can pay the price, they will. Unfortunately, I don't fit that profile...lol. All my money is in equity...lol So I'm only seeing two shows this tour.

[The Wild One, Forever]

The prices really suck for me seeing I don't have time to get a job, and my parents won't help pay for concerts. Oh well, at least I have enough money for one this tour.

[AndreaRH]

So I'm suffering a cold and am just hanging out at home this weekend. I did some Internet searches and found some interesting economic comparisons...

In 1985, minimum wage was $3.35/hour, or $134/week.

In 1985, a $13.50 concert ticket was 10% of your weekly salary.

In 1985, gas was $1.20 per gallon.

In 1985, a gallon of milk cost $2.26.



In 2008, minimum wage is $6.55/hour or $262/week.

In 2008, a $95.00 concert ticket is 36% of your weekly salary.

In 2008, a gallon of milk costs $3.19.

In 2008, a gallon of gas costs about $3.00.


It looks like the minimum wage isn't keeping pace with inflation. Big surprise!

Andrea

[Echosoftom]

Wow! Back then I remember bitching about gas being over $1.00 a gallon. What I wouldn't give to be paying that today.
Very enlightening, thanks Andrea.

[surfnburn]

^Gas prices make me cry....lol

Anyone want to make that inverse correlation between record sale revenue and concert revenue (over time)? lol I think they're compensating for lost income, too....

[Flower]

I remember when I was 16 . I could fill the tank up and buy a carton of smokes all for $20.00! now smokes are $40.00

[tplover2]

When I was 16 a carton of smokes cost $3.00. Geez, I'm glad I'm not making minimum wage! No wonder so many people opt for welfare rather than bust their butts for minimum wage.

[peacesmile]

My thing with ticket prices for a classic band is this: I'll pay more to see an amazing band like this. The quality of their show is incredible, the set list is packed with hits, or songs I like anyway...and the music biz is crap. Bands just don't sell music much anymore. Unless you're Hannah Montana, a more 'seasoned' artist needs to hit the road to make money these days. And the fans can rejoice!

[Marion]

Wow, very interesting numbers, Andrea.

Are smokes really $40 a carton? Jeez, you could get a dream ticket a month for that kind of money!

[Lazlow]

When I was 16 a carton of smokes cost $3.00. Geez, I'm glad I'm not making minimum wage! No wonder so many people opt for welfare rather than bust their butts for minimum wage.True. But most people who work for minimum wage still qualify for welfare. Even if they don't have kids.

They have a rough life because inflation hits them the hardest.