Blink-182 was one of the most popular pop punk bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Formed in 1992, the band consisted of Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker. They were known for hit songs like “What’s My Age Again?” and “All the Small Things.” At the height of their popularity, Blink-182 tickets were highly coveted items for their die-hard fans. In this article, we will take a look at how much Blink-182 tickets cost during the band’s heyday.
The Pop Punk Explosion
Blink-182 came to prominence during the pop punk explosion of the late 1990s. Along with bands like Green Day, The Offspring, and NOFX, Blink-182 brought punk rock into the mainstream. Their 1999 album Enema of the State went triple platinum, featuring their well-known hits “All the Small Things” and “What’s My Age Again?”. Their ability to combine catchy melodies with fast punk tempos resonated with rock fans looking for an alternative to the dominant trends in radio rock and hip hop.
As their fanbase grew exponentially, concert tickets became hot commodities. Playing larger venues and festival shows, Blink-182 began commanding high ticket prices and selling out shows within minutes. This was the height of their popularity before tensions between band members led to a hiatus from 2005-2009. During this breakup period, fans clung to memories of seeing Blink-182 live during their quintessential era in the early 2000s.
Notable Tours and Ticket Prices
Some of Blink-182’s most famous tours, with average ticket prices, included:
Enema of the State Tour
– 1999-2000
– Average Ticket Price: $20
This tour supported their smash hit Enema of the State album. Playing amphitheaters and arenas, it was their first major headlining tour. Moving up from small punk clubs to larger venues, Blink-182 began playing for bigger crowds. Fans could still get tickets for around $20 to see them during this breakthrough period.
The Mark, Tom and Travis Show Tour
– 2000-2001
– Average Ticket Price: $28
Capitalizing on their rising fame, Blink-182 launched this national arena tour. By this point, their tickets were getting pricier for fans, going for $25-$30 for arena general admission. The tour was captured on their popular live album The Mark, Tom and Travis Show.
Pop Disaster Tour
– 2002
– Average Ticket Price: $36
Teaming up with Green Day, Blink-182 co-headlined this major amphitheater and arena tour. As two of the biggest pop punk bands, they could charge over $30 for their joint tour. Good seats ranged from $35-$50 for big venues holding 15,000-20,000 people.
Blink-182 Tour
– 2003
– Average Ticket Price: $40
Returning to their own headlining tour, Blink-182 played arenas and amphitheaters again. By this point, their stature had risen to premium prices. Fans now had to shell out $35-$45 for decent seats, while the best lower level seats could run $60 and up.
Factors Affecting Ticket Prices
Some key factors that contributed to the rising price of Blink-182 tickets during their initial run:
– Their growing fame and album sales – Enema of the State went 5x platinum and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket went 2x platinum. Their fanbase ballooned fast.
– Moving to larger venues – As they got bigger, Blink-182 began playing major arenas and amphitheaters instead of clubs. With more seats and higher demand, prices rose.
– Co-headlining with top bands – Pairing up with Green Day and other big acts let them charge higher premiums.
– Dynamic live reputation – Energetic sets with hits songs fans loved created a demand to see them live.
So while early fans could see them for $20 in clubs, major tours soon carried $40 average ticket prices. For the best lower bowl seats, prices often exceeded $100 when adding fees. Their popularity allowed them to charge far more during their peak, before internal issues led to their hiatus.
Changes After Reunion
Blink-182 reunited in 2009 and began touring together again. But there were some key differences in their ticketing:
– Playing smaller venues – Instead of arenas, most shows were at mid-size amphitheaters, theatres and festivals.
– More modest pricing – Average tickets were around $30-50, a bit lower than their 2000s prices.
– Nostalgia factor – Their loyal Generation Y fans turned out, driven by nostalgia to relive their younger days.
While still a huge draw, their tours became more reasonably priced after reuniting. However, special events like their 2011 10th Anniversary of Take Off Your Pants and Jacket show could still fetch over $100 per ticket.
Typical Venues and Capacities
During their peak touring years, Blink-182 generally played venues in these size ranges:
Clubs
– Early tours in small clubs
– 1,000 capacity or less
– General admission pit tickets
Theaters
– Mid-level stops at theaters
– 2,000-4,000 capacities
– Reserved seating tickets
Amphitheaters
– Sheds and outdoor venues
– 10,000-20,000 capacities
– General admission lawn, reserved pavilion
Arenas
– Indoor arenas for major markets
– 15,000-20,000 capacities
– Reserved floor and lower bowl, general admission upper levels
Playing larger venues allowed them to sell more tickets and charge higher prices. Arenas offered the most seats and revenue potential.
Comparisons to Other Tours
How did Blink-182’s ticket prices compare to other major punk and rock tours of the era?
Artist | Year | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|---|
Blink-182 | 2003 | $40 |
Green Day | 2005 | $43 |
Red Hot Chili Peppers | 2002 | $52.75 |
Dave Matthews Band | 2000 | $42.89 |
Pearl Jam | 2003 | $36 |
The above shows average ticket prices for arena/amphitheater tours. Popular rock bands like Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, and Red Hot Chili Peppers charged similar prices to Blink-182. Other punk groups like Green Day were in the same ballpark. This table illustrates where Blink-182 fit in the live music landscape among their rock peers during the early 2000s.
Ticket Resale Prices
When factoring in the secondary ticket market, prices for Blink-182 could run even higher. Online ticket resale sites like Stubhub, Vivid Seats and eBay created more avenues for reselling.
For prime shows on hot tours, platinum tickets were routinely listed for double or triple face value. These inflated prices illustrate how demand outpaced supply for the most in-demand shows.
Some sample resale prices for Blink-182 compared to face value:
Event | Face Value Price | Resale Price |
---|---|---|
Boston, MA – 2003 Tour | $39.50 | $150 |
Chicago, IL – Pop Disaster Tour | $45 | $125 |
Los Angeles, CA – 2011 Reunion Show | $53 | $212 |
These inflated resale prices demonstrate the effects of supply and demand. Given the limited tickets, the most coveted shows like reunions or special events could drive prices 3-5x higher. Die-hard fans were willing to pay the premium despite high markups over face value costs.
Average Tour Revenues
Based on their tour capacities and pricing, we can estimate the gross ticket revenues Blink-182 generated:
– Average Amphitheater Size: 15,000 seats
– Average Amphitheater Ticket Price: $40
– Average Per Show Gross: 15,000 * $40 = $600,000
For a tour with 25 dates, the estimated gross ticket revenue would be:
– 25 shows x $600,000 per show = $15 Million
That aligns with reports that their 2003 tour grossed nearly $20 million total across all dates. Given the costs of production, marketing, and of course band member pay, net revenues would be lower. But in their prime, Blink-182 tours could still generate tens of millions in revenue.
Impact on the Punk Genre
Blink-182’s commercial success ushered in a new era for punk music and culture. They popularized pop punk among a wider young mainstream audience. Along with Green Day, The Offspring and others, they expanded punk’s popularity beyond its underground roots.
Yet steep prices also drew a divide between hardcore punk fans and new pop punk crowds. Some criticized Blink-182 and their peers for “selling out” as ticket prices rose far above punk’s working class origins. This friction would impact the punk landscape going forward.
Regardless, Blink-182’s tours showed that a punk-inspired act could become a commercial juggernaut. Their generation-defining songs scored over $20 million on the road. For their established fans, those memories of singing along live made the tickets well worth their cost.
Conclusion
During their meteoric rise, Blink-182 evolved from scrappy indie bands playing clubs to big-time rock stars selling out arenas. As their tours and ticketing illustrate, Blink-182 were no longer only a punk band – they were a live entertainment empire. For Generation Y fans, their shows were beloved teen rituals, making the prices a mandatory cost of adolescence. Though punk purists bristled, Blink-182’s business model thrived by having it both ways – keeping their punk edge while charging premium ticket rates. By balancing rocketing demand with limited supply, Blink-182 built a live act as massive in scale as their pop punk persona.