Since the end of COVID-19 lockdowns, the demand for live shows has skyrocketed, but going out should not cost a month’s rent or a week’s paycheck.
On average, concertgoers paid upwards of $134.23 to see the top 100 touring artists in North America — singers like Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar and Oasis last year, according to Pollstar.
These numbers are similar globally at $132.62; $3.30 less than in 2024. However, these averages dismiss pricing in the immediate area and which company one buys from.
Tickets sell for thousands of dollars for many reasons, but dynamic pricing is one of the most evident.
Dynamic pricing is the practice of adjusting prices based on real time circumstances. It is often the culprit for those artists who wish to opt in on this predatory pricing practice.
Ticket scalpers will buy tickets from popular musicians to sell at an inflated price, often hundreds more than the original selling price, especially right before a show.
Power metal band Helloween from Hamburg, Germany, will perform at the Warfield in San Francisco in April for its anniversary tour. At the time of writing, resold tickets on Ticketmaster for the local show cost around $122.83 a piece for general floor admission. This is a higher price than usual for a metal concert — somewhere in the $40 ballpark — especially for the venue.
Lastly, hip-hop artist Pitbull will be performing with Lil Jon in June at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View. The venue layout does not leave a standing area in front of the stage; however, it’s common to stand in your seat.
At the time of writing, a single ticket four seats away from the stage will cost a wallet-melting $1,227.30.
For perspective, the average Mountain View studio apartment costs $2,472 on Zillow at the time of writing.
That ticket’s resale value is just shy of half a month’s rent.
Local bands and smaller artists usually don’t have these issues of inflated pricing if they don’t go with bigger vendors; however, the tickets can be just the start of the night.
As an example, speed metal band Trencher from Oakland will be playing at DNA Lounge in San Francisco on March 25 along with bands British thrash metal Onslaught, Los Angeles power metal band Warlord and Los Angeles black metal band Haunter.
DNA Lounge sells tickets on its website for $41 dollars after service fees and $46 at the door. The lounge has no issues with scalpers because it sells tickets online, with a strict ticket policy: first come, first serve, all sales final, no refunds, no exchanges.
The policy is ideal to those who will arrive at the event for sure, but may hinder anyone on the fence.
While there is no clear solution to ticket pricing, supporting local bands and music events looks more appealing to those who wish to save money while still having a good time. But with costs at the venue such as merchandise and dining, tickets just scratch the surface of a larger problem with going all out for the weekend.
