Buying concert tickets can be an exciting but also stressful experience. With high demand and limited supplies for the most popular shows, tickets often sell out incredibly fast. This leaves many fans wondering if it’s really worth it to buy concert tickets, especially when prices can be very expensive on the secondary market.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the key factors to consider when deciding whether or not to buy tickets to see your favorite musician or band in concert. We’ll analyze if the experience is worth the cost and provide tips on getting the best deals.
The thrill and energy of live music
One of the biggest draws of seeing live music is the unparalleled energy and excitement of the concert environment. Being in the same room with incredibly talented musicians as they perform is an electrifying experience. The live show brings the recorded music to life in a vivid, engaging way.
Fans get to witness spectacular staging, lighting, and production values at major concerts from top artists. The scale of a live performance with thousands of cheering fans is something recordings can’t capture. There’s an adrenaline rush of sharing the experience with a massive crowd.
Notable concerts also provide the opportunity to be part of memorable, historic cultural events. Concerts like Woodstock, Michael Jackson’s tours, and major festival performances become significant artistic and generational touchstones. Just being able to say “I was there” holds major significance for hardcore music lovers.
Enjoying top hits and album tracks
Concerts allow you to hear live versions of your favorite songs. Hits you’ve listened to countless times on streaming take on new life on stage. Long-beloved album cuts and deep cuts also get aired out in concert setlists.
Often there are fun covers, mashups, medleys, and remixes tailored for the live shows. Surprise guest appearances with other artists are common too. All of these special performances make concert versions feel fresh and different.
Seeing the show up close
While recordings let you listen to the music, concerts let you actually see the musicians at work up close. Being able to visually witness drummers, guitarists, and vocalists showing off their talent in a live setting amplifies the impact.
The huge video screens and production at arena shows offer close-ups with intense detail. But even at smaller venues, you can get right up near the stage. There’s an excitement of being just feet away from stars at an intimate club or theater.
Must-see bucket list acts
Certain concerts offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see mythical, hugely famous performers or bands before it’s too late. Iconic artists like The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Bruno Mars may not be touring forever.
Younger mainstream acts like Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Harry Styles also reach untouchable popularity levels where their concerts become epic spectacles. Fans rush for tickets to say they’ve experienced the magic.
Reunions or final tours from acts like Led Zeppelin, My Chemical Romance, and various boy bands also represent now-or-never chances. Tickets to these shows understandably sell out fast and have high demand.
Special effects and production
Today’s major concert tours offer outstanding sound, displays, and pyrotechnics that heighten the thrill. Top artists like Pink, Katy Perry, and Justin Timberlake take the stage amid dazzling light shows, fireworks, and impressive aerial acrobatics.
Hip hop megastars like Drake and Kanye use omnipresent video to create cinematic concert experiences. Pop divas like Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga have wardrobe changes and choreographed dance numbers.
Rock bands like Metallica and Slipknot surround the audience with speaker stacks and LED screens. The sheer spectacle just can’t be matched watching shows at home on TV.
Trying new music and artists
Concerts allow you to discover new music and artists you enjoy. Even if you only know the headlining act well, opening sets give exposure to rising talent and lesser-known bands.
festivals offer particularly great opportunities to sample many different musicians across genres like rock, hip hop, EDM, country, and more. The cross-pollination can expand your musical horizons.
You might discover an unknown indie group that gives an impressive performance. This motivates you to start listening to their albums and become a new fan. Concerts turn you onto music you wouldn’t have listened to otherwise.
Following a tour
Following a full tour lets you experience a concert multiple times. Even on the same tour, no two shows are exactly the same. Setlists vary night to night, and the performers interact differently with each crowd.
You get to catch the show at different venues from arenas to theaters to amphitheaters. Plus traveling to multiple cities gives a built-in vacation. Bonding with fellow hardcore fans who also follow tours is a major perk too.
Local support acts
Local opening acts at concerts provide exposure for up-and-coming talent from your hometown. Big-name artists often hand-pick these supporting groups personally. Even if these openers are unknowns now, they could break out in the future.
It’s exciting and rewarding to discover new bands on the rise in your local music scene. You might become an early adopter fan before their popularity explodes. Checking out these support act sets expands your music horizons.
Is it worth the cost?
The biggest downside to buying concert tickets is the cost, especially for top artists. After high initial ticket prices, fees often ratchet up the totals even more. Additional expenses like parking, transportation, food, and merchandise also add up.
Travel and lodging become costly if you attend multiple shows on a tour. Certain experiences like VIP packages and meet-and-greets come with astronomical price tags. You have to determine your budget ceiling.
Ultimately, live music has a high intrinsic value depending on your fandom. Experiencing your favorite artist or band in the flesh just once may justify the expense. Superfans who travel to numerous concerts view it as a worthwhile investment.
Ticket resale market
High ticket demand fuels a thriving resale market for sold out shows. Sites like StubHub let buyers pay well above face value to get into popular concerts that have already sold out the primary ticketing allotments.
These inflated resale prices—sometimes exponentially higher—add major costs. Certain platinum tickets are priced higher straight from the get-go. Premium offerings like VIP packages also escalate the starting costs.
Dynamic pricing models adjust ticket prices upward in real time based on demand. While resale tickets guarantee entry, you have to determine if peace of mind is worth the inflated prices.
Additional expenses
Beyond just the tickets themselves, you have to account for all the costs associated with attending concerts. Transportation like gas or ride shares plus parking fees add up, especially for big arena shows. Food and drinks at the venue jack up the total expense too.
Buying souvenir merchandise like t-shirts and posters gives you keepsakes but also hits your wallet. If traveling for shows, lodging and airfare costs stack on as well. The ancillary expenses can pile on hundreds more beyond tickets.
Tips for getting the best deals
While concert costs can be steep, certain strategies can help you save money. With planning and resourcefulness, you can reduce the hit to your budget. Here are some tips for getting the best deals on concert experiences:
- Buy early – Tickets are cheapest when they first go on sale months ahead.
- Join fan clubs – Presales give members first crack at limited ticket allotments.
- Consider less popular days/times – Weeknight and daytime shows often are discounted.
- Buy upper level or single seats – These are typically the cheapest ticket options.
- Compare across ticket sites – Prices fluctuate so check all the major sellers.
- Enter radio contests – Stations often give away free tickets and experiences.
- Follow social media – Promos and discounts get announced on band accounts.
- Use ticket auction sites – You can often bid lower than face value.
- Travel mid-week – Flights and hotels cost less Tues-Thurs versus weekends.
- Split costs with friends – Coordinating travel and lodging saves everyone money.
Avoiding the resale market is the best way to maximize savings on concert tickets when possible. Sales and special offers can also cut down on the many associated costs of live shows.
Conclusion
Seeing your favorite music acts perform live in concert creates an unforgettable experience and memories. The energy and excitement is unmatched. However, the significant expenses and costs require major consideration to determine real value.
Ultimately, every fan needs to decide how much concerts are worth based on their own budget and dedication to particular artists. There’s no universal formula. But using smart strategies can help mitigate the costs and get the most for your dollar.
For superfans, the ability to witness once-in-a-lifetime shows or follow tours is often priceless. Others may only splurge on concerts sparingly for special events. With strategic planning, you can make live music accessible and balanced within your means.