I don't think scalpers are killing live music.
Maybe big name artists charging $200 (nosebleed) and up for ticket has more to do with it.
I basically have given up on seing big name acts, U2, Roger Waters, Billy Joel, Dead and Co. and a number of others have been through these parts in the past couple of years, and after "fees" I don't think you could get into any of those shows for under $200 per person. Decent seats? Forget it.
Quite happy to accompany my daughter to small club gigs to see bands I have mostly never heard of (if it weren't for her) for $15/$20 a ticket. They are more exciting, and I can afford a beer for Christ sake.
Quoting myself to add more, and maybe rant a bit, about these big name acts and prices. I know there is a supply and demand element here - if they can sell the tickets, OK then, let the market determine the appropriate price.
But concerts have now become something only for the reasonably well to do, and I think that's a shame. And by the way, I would think that way even if I were "reasonably well to do", which I am not.
I am 52, my kids (14 & 18) are music fans, particularly my 18YO, and have grown up listening to all sorts of stuff, and hearing me talk of various albums, concerts etc. that I have been to.
When U2 and Roger Waters came through recently, I desperately wanted to take my kids. I saw U2 twice on the Joshua Tree tour in 87, and had told my kids of these shows & they know and like the music. This summer they were doing the whole album since it was a 30th anniversary thing.
And Waters was doing what looked to be quite an amazing show (based on YT videos). They, again mostly my daughter, are fascinated by albums like The Wall, etc. and we have had lengthy conversations about the themes that run through PF's music. I have told them about seeing both Floyd and Waters in 88 (I think) and about his Radio KAOS show in particular.
Anyway - both of these shows would have been incredible experiences for them, something I think they would remember for a lifetime. I am sad that I could not afford to give them that experience, although I'm not sure I would have, even if I had the means. I mean, think about it, just one of these shows would have cost me over $600 for the three of us. Then parking & merch on top of that and it'd be a $700+ night. That is simply absurd!!!
And unfortunately I don't know what the answer is. As long as there are people willing to pay these prices (scalpers aside, these were face value prices), I don't see it changing. I have a friend who has done quite well for himself, and yes, he took his wife and son to Dead and Co a couple of weeks ago - I bet he spent nearly a grand.
Good for him, but who are the artists catering to? Are they taking advantage of the aging population, knowing that their primary fan base is between the ages of maybe 40-65, and many are likely to have that sort of disposable income?
I dunno. I know the economics of it all has changed, but still, it just seems nuts.
EDIT - Want to clarify "taking advantage of an aging population"
I don't mean people are being taken advantage of in the traditional sense. I'm a free market kinda guy. So what I mean by "taking advantage" is that the artists see an opportunity in an aging fan base with disposable income, and possibly even see the potential for many of them to be taking their kids like I would do, and simply set prices at what the market will tolerate.
On some level it's understandable.
