Blink 182 has been one of the most popular pop punk bands since the 1990s. They have released several hit albums over the years including Enema of the State, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, and their untitled album. Even after going on hiatus between 2005-2009, Blink 182 remains extremely popular today. However, fans have noticed that getting tickets to see Blink 182 live in concert has become increasingly expensive over the years.
High Demand
One of the main reasons Blink 182 tickets are so expensive is that demand to see them live is very high. Blink 182 has millions of loyal fans all over the world who are eager to see them perform live. Their worldwide popularity means shows sell out very quickly, which drives up resale ticket prices. Blink 182’s reunion in 2009 and subsequent tours have been in very high demand. Their 2016 tour with All Time Low was one of the hottest summer tours. Their 2019 and 2022 tours also sold out arenas and amphitheaters very rapidly. The scarcity of tickets available drives prices up.
Limited Touring
Another factor is that Blink 182 does not tour as extensively as many other bands. They tend to tour in short bursts rather than having lengthy world tours year after year. The limited touring makes the tickets that are available even more scarce and valuable to fans who want to see them. Between their breaks and hiatuses, Blink 182 has toured somewhat infrequently compared to some other rock bands. This means fans are eager to catch one of their shows whenever they hit the road. The pent up demand causes prices to skyrocket.
Production Value
Blink 182 also brings a high production value to their live shows in recent years. Their stage sets and light shows have become more and more elaborate. Things like pyrotechnics, moving stages, and massive video walls all cost a lot of money to take on the road. The band wants to give fans an amazing visual experience in addition to performing their hits. These production costs get passed on to fans in the form of higher ticket prices. They have to charge more to help cover their expenses.
Venue Sizes
Most Blink 182 tour dates are at large arenas and amphitheaters. These types of venues hold anywhere from 10,000-30,000 people. They are also more expensive for the band to rent out compared to smaller clubs and theaters. Booking arena shows is very costly due to venue fees, staff, and production requirements. As a result, the tickets have to be priced higher since the overhead costs are much greater at these large venues. If they played smaller venues, tickets could potentially be cheaper.
Band Members’ Salaries
As one of the biggest rock bands in the world, the band members of Blink 182 earn large salaries. The revenue generated from touring and ticket sales has to be enough to cover their sizable performance fees. Records show that for recent tours, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker each earned around $1 million per show. Frontman Matt Skiba likely also commands a seven-figure salary as well. These huge payouts to the band members also factor into the expensive ticket prices for concerts.
Booking Fees
There are also unavoidable fees associated with purchasing concert tickets nowadays. Ticketing companies like Ticketmaster add on supplementary service fees and order processing fees to the base ticket price. These extra fees can add 20-30% onto the overall cost fans pay after fees. So the base price is elevated even higher after factoring in all the fees. Blink 182 tickets would be slightly cheaper if they could be sold fee-free.
Dynamic and Surge Pricing
In recent years, Ticketmaster and other ticketing companies have implemented dynamic and surge pricing for concerts. This means ticket prices can fluctuate higher based on demand. For extremely popular concerts like Blink 182, dynamic pricing leads to astronomical last minute ticket costs. Fans searching for tickets close to show dates often have to pay 400-500% higher prices. Dynamic pricing algorithms charge the maximum amounts fans are willing to pay.
VIP Packages
Blink 182 also offers premium VIP packages that increase revenue. Things like meet and greets, early venue access, limited merchandise, and front row tickets are sold in costly packages. An average Blink 182 VIP package goes for $500-$1000 per ticket. Only the most devoted fans buy the VIP treatment, but it is another way the band brings in more money from each show. The regular tickets have to be priced higher to account for fans opting for VIP instead.
Resale Market Prices
The incredibly high resale market value for Blink 182 tickets also causes prices to increase. Speculators and scalpers scoop up as many seats as possible knowing they can resell them for a massive profit. Blink 182 tickets often resell for double, triple, or even 10 times their original price. Secondary marketplaces like StubHub allow sellers to name their price. The band has to price tickets higher initially to discourage rampant resale markups. It is an ongoing battle that inflates costs.
Growth in Disposable Income
Although tickets seem expensive, average disposable incomes have also grown considerably over the decades. There is a much higher ceiling on what devoted fans are willing and able to pay compared to 20 or 30 years ago. Blink 182 is aware of fans’ greater means and is able to get away with charging premium prices in 2022. While no one wants to overpay, demand allows pricing at a level unimaginable during their early years. They charge what the market will bear.
Costs of Touring Have Increased
It is also important to note that touring costs significantly more for rock bands today across the board. Transportation, lodging, insurance, and equipment expenses have all ballooned over the years. Tour budgets are insanely high just to be able to hit the road. These basic costs of touring underpin the baseline pricing level needed to turn a profit. Bands have to cover far greater overhead costs than decades past.
Promoter Agreements
The deals between artists and concert promoters also impact ticket prices. Promoters front a lot of the upfront tour costs in exchange for a percentage of the ticket revenue. The terms between the band and promoters incentivize higher ticket prices. The promoters want to recoup their costs and make a profit, so they aim to maximize ticket sales. The band also wants to make as much money as possible from touring.
Changes in the Music Industry
The rise of streaming and decline of album sales also plays a factor. Bands used to rely on record sales as their primary income source. Now the vast majority of their earnings come from touring instead. Blink 182 has to price tickets high enough to account for fewer album sales dollars. Concert tickets have become the music industry’s most vital revenue stream in the low-sales streaming era.
They Are Worth the Price for Fans
At the end of the day, concerts are a scarce commodity. There are only so many tickets available for in-demand bands. Blink 182 has an extremely loyal fanbase who grew up listening to them. For many fans, the ticket prices are completely justified to see their favorite band of all time live. No other act can take Blink’s place in their hearts. Regardless of cost, diehard fans with means will pay high amounts because Blink 182’s music is so important to them.
Conclusion
Blink 182 rose to become one of the most influential pop punk bands of all time. They have countless devoted fans worldwide who view seeing them live as a must-do experience. The incredible demand, along with many other economic factors, cause Blink 182 concert tickets to be expensive compared to shows in decades past. It is simply a sign of their immense popularity and legendary status in the music world. The costs are high, but for their loyal fans, Blink 182 tickets remain worthwhile no matter the price.