With sky-rocketing prices and tickets selling out in a flash, concerts are becoming harder for fans to enjoy.
In 1996, on average concerts costed about $25.81 to $52, according to Pollstar. Today the average ticket price for artists like Taylor Swift ranges from $400 to $3,500 for floor seats, according to thepricer.org. To put this cost into perspective, the average rent in the U.S. for January 2025 was $1,594, according to rent.com. This means the costs of some concert tickets are more than housing, making these prices not only unrealistic, but unsustainable for most fans.
Most people cannot attend concerts anymore due to financial barriers. Many high school students rely on allowances or part-time jobs for their income. With such high-ticket prices, it makes it hard for students to go. If ticket prices went down, it would bring a wider audience to participate in attending concerts. More affordable tickets would encourage diversity and make concerts accessible to all classes.
For example, most families and young adults often face budget restraints, especially when purchasing for multiple people. Lowering prices would result in more sales overall, as more people would attend and enjoy those experiences together. It would be unfortunate to miss out on favorite artists due to cost.
Buying tickets for a decent price is nearly impossible without signing up for ticket pre-sales, attending weekday shows or even volunteering at music festivals and venues. There are a lot of lengths people go to just to attend a concert for a couple hours.
The fear of missing out also fuels panic buying and the willingness to overpay for concert tickets. If prices were lowered it would eliminate that panic and bring back the enjoyment of buying a ticket without thinking of financial stability.
There is also an inconsistent quality of experience in concerts now. Overcrowded rows and the amount of money people pay for tickets makes concerts undesirable. Instead of artists and businesses trying to get the most money they possibly can, they should focus on the overall experience of the show, so more people will want to come.
The reality is that fans are priced out of attending concerts. These high prices exclude most from the concert experience. It’s time for the music industry to reconsider its approach and make concerts something that everyone can enjoy, no matter the financial situation.
