When it comes to live music performances, ticket prices can vary widely depending on the artist. Some musicians charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars per ticket, while others aim to keep shows affordable for fans. This raises the question – whose concert tickets are the most expensive?
There are a few ways we can determine the musicians who charge the highest ticket prices. Looking at average ticket prices on resale websites like StubHub provides a snapshot of what fans are willing to pay to see certain artists. Pollstar’s yearly rankings take into account average set prices directly from the artists’ camps as well as secondary market sales. And of course, fans sharing their experiences with ticket buying can shed light on who consistently charges a premium.
Examining these resources shows that legacy rock bands, pop superstars, and classic acts dominate the highest ticket prices, while other genres like country and hip-hop usually have more affordable shows. Artists with decades-long careers and millions of albums sold possess the name recognition to drive up demand, allowing them to charge top dollar. Let’s take a deeper look at which musicians are putting the biggest dent in fans’ wallets.
The Rolling Stones
When examining the touring artists who frequently have the highest ticket prices, The Rolling Stones stand apart. In 2022, the British rock band celebrated their 60th anniversary with their “SIXTY” tour in Europe. According to data from StubHub, the average secondary market price for Rolling Stones tickets was $757.
The band’s 2022 stadium shows in the United Kingdom had an average face value price of £170 (about $200 USD). However, most tickets were resold for over £500. Hyde Park concerts were reselling for an average of £661 ($782), while the highest sales exceeded £5,000 ($5,967).
The Rolling Stones hold the record for the highest grossing concert tour of all time, taking in $1.5 billion from 2005-2007 on the “A Bigger Bang” tour. Decades into their career, fans still shell out huge sums to see Mick Jagger and Keith Richards live in action. The appeal of their catalog and legendary status allows them to consistently charge top-tier prices.
Paul McCartney
As part of the legendary band The Beatles and through his decades-long solo career, Paul McCartney is one of the most influential artists in history. He’s also become known for his expensive concert tickets, with an average secondary ticket price of $571 in 2022.
His current “Got Back” tour features stadium shows with average face value prices around $200. But most tickets are resold for much higher. Forbes reported single tickets being resold for as high as $3,500 during a June 2022 show at MetLife Stadium. Unique VIP packages with soundcheck access and early merchandise shopping have also been sold for up to $5,499 each.
While the “Got Back” tour has lower average prices than McCartney’s prior outings, he still commands huge sums from fans clamoring to see a living Beatles legend. His catalog of timeless hits and limitless demand allows Sir Paul to charge what the market will bear.
Bruce Springsteen
Classic rock icon Bruce Springsteen is also no stranger to expensive concert tickets. According to StubHub data, his average secondary ticket price in 2022 was $489. The face value prices for tickets on his 2023 international tour will range from $60-$400 USD.
However, most Bruce Springsteen tickets end up selling on resale sites for much more. The Boss maintains a busy touring schedule, often playing over 120 shows per tour. He mixes stadium dates with intimate theater shows fueling intense demand. Fans flock to hear classics like “Born to Run” and “Glory Days” played live, allowing Springsteen to charge premium prices.
While Springsteen tries to keep some tickets affordable for working-class fans, the lure of huge profits leads many buyers to resell them for astronomical amounts. For die-hard Boss fans, the opportunity to attend multiple shows per tour makes paying top dollar worthwhile. After 50 years touring, Springsteen’s legendary reputation keeps pushing ticket prices higher.
Taylor Swift
Among contemporary artists, Taylor Swift consistently has some of the highest-priced concert tickets. Her 2022 “Eras” tour had an average resale price of $533 according to Ticketmaster data. Tickets originally sold for between $49 and $449, but dynamic pricing led the upper end as high as $1,500.
Swift’s enormous popularity among her Swiftie fanbase fuels demand for her shows. Concert attendees often plan extravagant group outings, with some spending thousands for VIP treatment like meet-and-greets. The fact Swift hasn’t toured since 2018, combined with the hype around her recent albums, drove prices sky-high.
While her 2023 international tour plans haven’t been announced yet, expectations are high for similar price points. Swift has the loyal following and cultural cachet to charge just about whatever she wants. Fans know that seeing one of her elaborate productions is a bucket-list experience worthy of huge expenditures.
Dead & Company
When examining the highest average ticket prices on tour in 2022, the rock group Dead & Company tops the list. This outfit featuring Grateful Dead members and John Mayer saw an average secondary price of $575.
Nostalgia for the original Grateful Dead along with the popularity of John Mayer blended together to make Dead & Company a hot touring act. While most shows are general admission on the lawn, reserved pavilion seats frequently resell for over $1,000. Their upcoming 2023 tour should see similarly high prices.
Dead & Company have surged past other legacy acts in pricing, showing that fans will pay almost anything for the live Grateful Dead experience. While hippie culture may have valued affordability, current demand for a trip down memory lane makes these tickets a big-money purchase.
Elton John
After over 50 years touring the world, music icon Elton John is currently on his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour, slated to be his final trek around the globe. Scarcity fuels demand, so tickets to his goodbye shows have been prime targets for resellers.
In 2022, Elton John concerts had an average resale price of $433 according to Ticketmaster. Face values ranged from $59 to $1,779, but the upper end has reached as high as $5,000 thanks to dynamic pricing. Expensive VIP packages are also popular, some including backstage tours and signed lithographs.
The chance to see Rocket Man perform hits like “Bennie and the Jets” and “Candle in the Wind” one last time drives the astronomical aftermarket. Nostalgic fans are willing to splurge big, knowing this is their final opportunity. Sir Elton John’s legendary status allows him to charge huge sums, even at the end of his touring career.
Most Expensive Concert Tickets by Genre
While rock bands dominate the upper echelons of ticket prices, other genres have standouts that frequently charge more than the average. Here’s a breakdown of who has the most expensive tickets in various music categories:
Pop
Artist | Average 2022 Ticket Price |
Taylor Swift | $533 |
Adele | $433 |
Harry Styles | $318 |
Taylor Swift, Adele, and Harry Styles are on top as the pop stars with the highest ticket prices. Their youth appeal combines with critical acclaim to create massive demand.
Hip-Hop
Artist | Average 2022 Ticket Price |
Drake & Lil Wayne | $643 |
The Weeknd | $375 |
Kendrick Lamar | $257 |
Partners Drake and Lil Wayne topped hip-hop for premium pricing, followed by The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar. Demand remains high despite the genre typically having affordable shows.
Country
Artist | Average 2022 Ticket Price |
Luke Bryan | $245 |
Chris Stapleton | $194 |
Kenny Chesney | $159 |
Luke Bryan led country music for premium ticket pricing, followed by Chris Stapleton and Kenny Chesney. Mass appeal allows them to charge more than other Nashville stars.
EDM
Artist | Average 2022 Ticket Price |
Swedish House Mafia | $338 |
ILLENIUM | $263 |
Porter Robinson | $194 |
Veteran DJs like Swedish House Mafia can sell out arenas and charge EDM’s top prices. Younger acts like ILLENIUM and Porter Robinson also made the list.
Legacy Acts
Artist | Average 2022 Ticket Price |
The Rolling Stones | $757 |
Dead & Company | $575 |
Paul McCartney | $571 |
The Rolling Stones took the crown for the highest average price, trailed by Dead & Company and Paul McCartney. Nostalgia fuels demand for heritage acts.
Factors Driving High Ticket Prices
Why do some artists consistently charge so much more for concerts than others? There are a few key factors that enable top-grossing musicians to charge premium ticket prices:
Established Long-Term Success
Artists like The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and Elton John have been filling arenas for decades. Their vast catalogs, name recognition, and musical legacies give them enduring, multigenerational appeal. Fans are willing to pay top dollar to check bucket-list acts off their concert histories.
Scarcity and Final Tours
When acts like Elton John and The Rolling Stones announce “final tours,” it propels demand. Fans will pay almost any price to catch one last glimpse, knowing supply is scarce. Even non-retiring artists like Taylor Swift who tour infrequently create temporary scarcity that spikes prices.
Production Spectacle
Today’s superstar pop and rock acts invest hugely in lighting, pyrotechnics, and other effects to put on visual spectacles. Fans eat up the flashy production, which carries huge overhead that enables artists to justify premium pricing. Acts like Swift and Beyonce are known for tours being awe-inspiring productions.
Cultish Fanbases
Devoted, cultish fanbases are key drivers for the highest earners. “Swifties” and “Deadheads” loyalists will pay about anything to assembles for their community’s big events. Their sheer willingness to overpay makes limited supplies disappear fast.
Dynamic and VIP Pricing
In the modern concert business, ticketing involves algorithms monitoring demand and adjusting prices dynamically. Additionally, VIP packages that bundle merchandise, food, and experiences enable artists to extract top dollar from their biggest spenders. Both tactics maximize revenues for the top artists.
Resale Market Profiteers
While StubHub, Ticketmaster and other resellers take their cut, speculators buying up scarce, cheap seats to flip for profit are key enablers. Diehard fans end up forking over the massively marked-up prices. Attempts to curb scalpers haven’t slowed the practice’s impact.
Conclusion
In evaluating today’s touring artists, legacy rock acts consistently charge the industry’s highest ticket prices, with The Rolling Stones, Dead & Company, and Paul McCartney topping 2022’s averages. Among contemporary artists, Taylor Swift leads for commanding top-tier pricing power. Factors like enduring fame, production scale, and fan loyalty enable top earners to charge hundreds or thousands per seat.
While some fans grumble about constantly rising concert costs, most accept premium pricing as the price of an unforgettable experience. As long as people keep buying, the reigning champions can seemingly charge whatever they want. The live music ecosystem has warped to the point where tickets being unattainable to average fans is accepted. Until audiences stop tolerating surging prices, the most in-demand artists will keep testing the limits.