In 2023, a major change awaits spectators: the probable increase in the price of concert tickets will be around 10%.
“
The market is dynamic, but the margins are shrinking with inflation at all levels and artistic fees that can represent up to 50% of the cost of the ticket.
Many producers are just in balance
, ”underlines Malika Seguineau, general manager of Prodiss, a union which represents private cinemas and producers.
For young people, or rather their parents, who agree to pay “
three-digit
” tickets for the concert of young Korean girls from Blackpink, this represents the single outing of the year.
But their elders do not have the culture of " expensive
" tickets
, unlike the Anglo-Saxons.
Seeing Depeche Mode in April at Madison Square Garden in New York will cost between $368 and $1,609.
A ticket for Muse in March will cost $709.
In the United States, there are no concerts for 20 dollars.
The halls do not have public money which allows them to offer tickets at a reasonable price.
However, the law of supply and demand imposed by the American platform Ticketmaster has become uncontrollable.
For upcoming concerts by Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and BTS, algorithms have hiked the prices up to $50,000, infuriating fans.
Despite this, the $10,000 tickets for Bruce Springsteen found a taker.
“
The disappointed preferred to come and see him in Paris.
Even with the plane and the hotel, it's worth it
”, remarks Matthieu Drouot.
In
The New York Times
s, spectators tell how they felt cheated at Paul McCartney's last concert.
In the Ticketmaster queue, they see the last tickets at the floor price of $300 and rush to buy them.
Soon after, the platform lowered fares for the same seats by 30-70%.
SEE ALSO
- Inflation: is the worst yet to come?
Cost explosion
“
In France, that won't happen, it's not our culture
,” believe Matthieu Drouot, producer, and Pierre-Alexandre Vertadier, tour organizer, sure of their facts.
Better be careful, because before the Covid, the stars had imported several tactics to drive up the price of the ticket, without any regard for the fans.
To meet and greet the Rolling Stones, you had to pay 21,000 euros per person.
Booba was asking for 400 euros.
Others create new VIP areas just in front of the stage, putting other spectators even further away.
Will these trials be continued in 2023?
Added to this is the explosion in the cost of tour bus rental and energy, in the salaries of security guards.
According to a Prodiss study, conducted at the end of 2022, too many concert halls are energy sieves.
The increase in electricity amounts to an average of 173%, and 147% for gas.
At the Olympia, the cult red pediment is no longer lit 24 hours a day, but only three hours before the artist takes the stage.
Quite a symbol.
