Live Music Has Become a Luxury Good

The turn of the 21st century brought about profound changes to the music industry, from the rise of music streaming platforms to the decline in revenue from recorded music. Hungry for a new cash cow, the industry opted to invest in the one thing

almost nobody gives up, even when money’s tight: live music.

In 1956, a front-row ticket to see Elvis Presley perform would set you back around $1.50, or $17 if you’re adjusting for inflation. In 1975, just $8, $44 adjusting for inflation, would grant one entry to Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run tour. The median ticket price to attend Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in 2024? $1,550.

That’s not inflation; that’s extortion with pyrotechnics.

Why the price? It’s become shockingly clear that in recent years, live music has shifted from a communal art into a luxury good. Once a catalyst of and for the ordinary person, today the majority of music lovers find themselves priced out of the experience.

Dynamic pricing methods practiced by ticket-reselling platforms like SeatGeek or Ticketmaster gauge real-time interest in an event, thus creating surges in price that leave many staring back at a three- or four-digit price tag. And since these agencies control an overwhelming 70% of ticket sales, many have no choice but to cave.

In an age where music venues accommodate up to tens of thousands, why has live music become increasingly inaccessible? It certainly can’t be for that flimsy plastic LED wristband.

While they may be few and far between, musicians are speaking out against the money-hungry motivations taking over the industry, one of the most notable being country singer Zach Bryan. And if his views on the topic weren’t already clear, the name of his record, All My Homies Hate Ticketmastermight offer some insight. If that doesn’t make Bryan’s stance clear enough, “I believe working-class people should still be able to afford tickets to shows,” Bryan told TicketNews, “I am so tired of people saying things can’t be done about this massive issue while huge monopolies sit there stealing money from working-class people.”

And he isn’t wrong.

Music, particularly live music, has always been defined as being for and by the people.

Today, an evening in the nosebleeds and a brand-new MacBook Pro cost the same.

While my desire to see my favorite artists live remains as strong as ever, reality has set in. For now, I might be better off investing in a really great pair of headphones.