For The Turnstiles Yet Again
Back in 2008, there was some rather heated arguing over ticket prices for Neil Young in concert that prompted an open letter from a fan.
Last time this happened, we thought everything on the subject of for the turnstiles had been exhausted. There were passionate debates and discussion of when art and commerce worlds collide.
And it was all rather sad in a way.
So -- once again -- deja vu and an absolutely giant bitch session over tickets prices for Neil Young's Twisted Road tour.
Looking backwards in order to look forward, here's where we came down on the subject. It was this comment from Shakey in Canada:
Wow! Neil has stirred up hornet's nest in the past because of his political point of view, but never over ticket prices. Who knows, maybe he's paying off the medical bills from his brain surgery, I'm sure they didn't give him a discount to save his life. Or just maybe they had him sign a few autographs and that should suffice.
How about we celebrate the fact that we can bitch about the price of admission instead of the price of Neil's commemorative release because his surgery wasn't successful.
This will be only the second chance in my life to be able to see Neil in concert, and I've been a fan of his since the age of 10 and I'm 46 now. This will also be the last chance I get to see my musical hero, the man who's music gave me the will to learn to play guitar, and show my 10 nieces and nephews what real music was during thier formative teenage years, or playing Niel tunes through headphones placed on my wife's pregnant belly for our two kids.
I'm being taken to this concert by two of my nieces, a 3 hr drive from Saskatoon to Regina, because I'm legally blind and crippled up from a rare decease called Devics Syndrome, not because they feel sorry for me, but because they know how important this concert means to me.
Next time he comes around I won't be able to go see my hero.
If his music means as much to you, as it does to me, you'll find the money and you know the concert will be worth every penny. If his music doesn't mean that much to you, don't go, it's that simple. I don't want you there anyway, I want to be there with all the other Neil fans who are there who love the man's music and are going for a good time.
Very little in today's world that's worth anything isn't free.
I heard back from "Shakey in Canada" after seeing Neil in concert and he let me know what he thought of that evening. It was something to the effect he wanted to replay those memories when he goes down for the count.
I'm not sure how "Shakey in Canada" is doing these days. Hopefully, he's not reading this yet again.
I know it would break his heart.
Some know the price of everything and the value of nothing...
by thrasher@PermaLink: 3/26/2010 08:18:00 AM
59 comments
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59 Comments:
You are trying to break my heart.
And you did.
Bless you Mr Shakey up north. Up you're doing OK.
Once again, Thrash, proving yourself to be a top-shelf Neil suck-up!
It's sad you can't look at things objectively; instead reinforcing your well-earned image of a Neil SMOOCH!
Yea, the ticket prices are outrageous and fans have a right to complain or rejoice.
They also have a choice to attend or sit on the sidelines.
I know i won't be padding Neil's - or Archives Guy's - wallet any longer.
Smooch!
Usability
thnx Usability.
You've got a heart of stone.
peace
thrash,
is it not OK to complain about the cost of concert ticket prices?
How can you defend this crap?
The industry has run amok with price gouging, and it's well known by now, and almost accepted.
Well, i won't accept it - too bad you do, though.
I bet you complain about the prices of concert tixs, with the exception of your God.....neil.
sad.
a "giant bitch session"?? that's rather immature, thrasher. i love your site but sometimes with issues like this you need to stand and be counted rather than sucking up to the man.
-izzy
some of us have real bills to pay, and there's nothing wrong with taking an objective look at concert pricing.
Thrash, what's the issue with that?
Yet it's OK for you to constantly complain about the cost of Bandwidth? We've been listening to that discussion for a few years now.
Can i label it a 'giant bitch session'?
Hmmmmmm?
Smooch!
I was talking to a pal about how much we would spend for 2 sets of acoustic Neil... We were walking out of a theatre in Cambridge MA after seeing Trunk Show... agreeing that the acoustic stuff was the highlight of the movie. $1000 a ticket? I said ok, as long as my wife didn't want to go too. We spent $1000 (roughly) on the Chrome Dreams theatre tour in 2007 for 2 tix and a limo, so we could go in true relaxation mode. But this is the deal... I love Neil, and 2 sets of acoustic is all I want, thenI can die a happy man, whenever that day comes
You don't want to miss him playing all those rare gems from Archives Vol. 2 that he's going to dust off on this tour, do you?
NO I DO NOT WANT TO MISS ALL THE GEMS HE WILL BE PLAYING.... AND I WONT. $ NO OBJECT WHEN IT COMES TO SHAKEY
Not to be rude, but why not contact NY's management about making this an offical site? It's not as if any criticism is tolerated anyway, and it would solve the bandwidth/money issues.
I do not find the term "bitch session" offensive in the least....When it comes to the "debate" of ticket pricing will (and has) go on forever. There is no right or wrong answer, period. I'm sure when musicians first started out you could go see them for free...then someone had a great idea to actually earn money from performing. Some venues could be free, some intimate venues could be expensive. I would expect that the price of admission for an intmate setting with Neil would be quite high. The last time I saw Neil, way, way, back in 2009, Madison Square Garden, NYC, the most expensive seat was about $250.00 ish. The only person standing infront of me was Neil! The front half of the floor was $70.00 a tick. Wow...I got to see neil for $70.00! (front row) What an outrage! Sometimes its "reasonable", sometimes its free and sometimes its "expensive"...go figure.
Am I the only one that finds the ticket prices perfectly reasonable?
Neil is a legend, and there are many people that would like to see him play. As an artist, he would rather present this material in a more intimate, smaller theater setting. Therefore, there are not many tickets available. These shows are going to sell out instantly. He has golden circle tickets (the first few rows) at 245 or whatever they are because he feels that people will pay that and they probably wont be scalpers.
He has very reasonably priced $80 tickets for these theater shows too. I dont know how many people have been in these types of venues, but Ive found there isnt a bad seat in the house. If you pay 80 bucks and end up in the last row, there will still be great sound and you will still be within 150 ft or so of neil. Not bad at all.
He probably could sell out these theaters if every seat was 245. If he priced every seat at 80, they would sell out instantly from all of the people trying to profit off of them, and they would be on stub hub and craigslist for 500 bucks. I think he is being very smart about this. If you just want to be there and enjoy it, pay 80. If you want to be in the first few rows, pay 245. Seems fair to me.
Its called economics, look into it. It is tough times for people in this economy. Some can't afford concerts anymore. Neil cant help that. But he cannot do anything about an open market. If he made the tickets 20 bucks, they would just sell out instantly by profiteers, and then the tickets would be REALLY expensive. This exact scenario has happened to a smaller degree with the recent wilco tour. All the shows sould out almost instantly, and now the only tickets available are very expensive and on 3rd party sites. Tiered pricing helps to stop this somewhat, and puts more of the money in the artist's pocket. I like sending money to Neil. He sure has given me a lot in return.
If Neil sold concert tickets for $20, legalized scalpers would buy up the lot at each venue and sell them for $500 each and people would buy them. I think it's better that the money go to Neil and his crew than to sleazy scalpers.
If one thinks the ticket prices are too high, make your vote heard by not buying a ticket. No need to bitch about it.
Mike
Expecting To Fly
uh, so if neil sells his tickets for 250, guess what, scalpers will buy them and then be able to demand, say, 750 or 1000 bucks for them. higher initial price, higher markup.
Come to Germany, Neil!
Your price ist ours!
All the best
Michael
I have said this else where but I feel it needs to be said here too. This tickets are for more than I, a college student, can afford. These prices are fine for older people who have full time jobs. They are ridiculous for someone like me to which $250 is almost one month rent.
Your right if they are too expensive for you, don't go. I won't.
It's true..... the higher the original price, the higher the scalper price. It will always be like that. If tix are $ 20-30 , scalpers will sell $ 100.If they are$ 200-300, scalpers will sell upwards of $ 1000 !
It's soooooo tiring hearing the excuses and justifications for Neils crazy ticket prices over and over and over.... it's realy pathetic. It certainly is a cultish mentality.
Neil knows what he's doing.He knows there's his cult-like following that will pay to hear him recite his ABC's,will pay to breath the air he breathes and all the other patheitic stuff people here say. He knows very well.AG tells him it all and Neil and Elliot go in for the kill.........
If Neil charges $ 2500 for the first row, there will be people here applauding the value........
if he shows up at a concert drunk off his ass and babbles for 2 hours and never completes a song,people will say it was great,a cool experience....... if he shows up and sings childrens nursery rhymes, people here will justify it and say it was special ( new song we never heard him do !).
Neil is a great songwriter,but some of you people think he is God and he is screwing you over becasue of it.If the fan base was more in touch with reality, prices would be $ 30-75.
Thrasher -
first,
thanks for reposting Shakey/Cananda letter. I don't remmebr reading it last time through, probably just missed it.
second,
thanks for keeping up with all the Neil that's fit to print.
third,
to all who are affended by ticket prices, etc, etc, ... EAT IT
ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......boring
Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out. "Southern Man" (Neil or Thrash) don't need you around anyhow.
affended ? Can't find that word in my dictionary. Well, i always said you gotta be stupid to rationalize that these prices are ok.
Cheapest ticket in nashville is $ 104.90 ! Get real, Neil !
Any comment AG ?
previous quote : third,
to all who are affended by ticket prices, etc, etc, ... EAT IT
Wow, that's an intelligent argument.Ever get past the 2nd grade, I wonder ?
Neil reads stuff like that and probably laughs his ass off and calls Elliot and says " hey next time we can top out at $ 350 ! "
who said anything about rationalizing that they are ok? I just don't care. It's not up to me what the ticket prices are. I ain't gonna cry. I just decide if I'm gonna go or not. Very simple. and being called stupid? I am affended (yes with an A)HA! I didn't realize this was a debate site.
and yes, I passed the second grade.
My heart goes out to Shakey and his loved ones. I know what it feels like. My wife is very ill. No words can describe Her suffering. When I think there is nothing left of my heart to break, Her illness proves me wrong. When I met my wife 19 years ago She had a couple of Neil's albums. Her favorite song was"Long May You Run". The first time She saw him was on the eve of my 38th birthday 6/29/1992 at Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center. We drove there with our dog "Zuma" in a 1964 Chevelle 2 door station wagon. It was about 350 miles one way. It was the first time I saw Neil perform solo and the first time I ever heard "Harvest Moon". My wife likes Neil's music but She isn't the faithful fan that I am. It's my hope to get a ticket for Louisville Ky. It will be 568 miles one way from Western N.Y. We don't spend money unless we are in agreement. I asked my wife if She was Ok with me spending the money to go to louisville. She said it would be worth every penny to see a smile on my face. As for those that feel the need to bad mouth Neil, grind your axe on someone else.
tuned4life.
I too was at that Saratoga show in 92 and remember each of the 300+ miles it took to get there from Rochester. I hope you make it to Louisville. Maybe he schedules somthing closer. Hang in there
Staring and reading in disbelief....
America, the free ? The New World ? Jesus, what are you guys up to ?
I don't see the problem. If you do not want to buy a ticket costing $245, buy one of $80.
If that one is to expensive too, make up your mind and do not go.
If someone is willing to pay $245, why start yelling and shouting rude names ?
Is it so hard to keep polite, and respect everybody's opinion ?
There are times I'm really glad to live in Europe. I saw Neil 5 times in 2008, paid prices from 45 euro over 75 to 156 euro. Do you really think it is Neil who decides what the ticket prices will be ?
"Oh, Germany, hmmm, let's say 80 euro. Now next, France ? Well, they get me for 50, where will we go next ..."
Come on people, wake up.
But above that all: is it too much to ask to be polite, and respect another's opnion ? As good as the right to think and say ticketprices are too high, is the right to accept it, and go to the show.
i Live in Louisville..I'e never
seen NY..However,Dylan,Willie and
Johnny Cougar tix's were 70...245
for a Solo tour....out of line!
i'm sure hear he'll play Ambluance
Blues!..geez that'll take half
the show!!!
Used to be a folksinger
Keeping managers alive
When you saw me on the street corner You told me I was Jive
Neil Rocks regardless of da cost
Shakey Shady in Shelburne Ont, Canada
tuned4life,
You really put everything in perspective
Now they're the comments I luv to hear and will dearly miss when thrash "Migrates" to Cyberland for a month...eventually! lol
Incidentally, Thrash, when you do have the "ressurection" can you please get rid of my "Trash can" symbol at the bottom of every comment I make..it soughta makes me seem different to everybody else..and we wouldn't want that would we! lol
luv doc
I am way more concerned about geting a ticket than how much it cost. If I could be gauranteeda a seat at an acoustic night I would be more than willing to spit out 5 hundie.
You can not put a price on an experience of a life time. 3 things are for certain in life... the IRS, my mortality, and more importantly, Neil's
Lame! Lame! Lame!
Whole discussion is lame!
Neil, come to Germany!
Your price ist (German) - means "is" - ours!
Best
Michael
Thanks Thrash, you really Do care I appreciate it1
luv doc
Direkt auf Micheal stimme ich mit Ihnen überein! Kein Preis ist für Neil Young weil er zu hoch, Felsen die Scheiße wie ein verrückter Mann-Mutter-Ficker bumsend!
Felsen auf Neil!
Thrasher sind Sie das Beste. Vielen Dank dafür, solch eine große Website für uns zur Verfügung zu stellen, breitet sich echter Neil aus. Bumsen Sie die Ruhe dieser Dusche-Taschen. Neil Young SCHAUKELT Weibchen
Baisez Vraiment des Roches de Neil Young!
Neil come to Connecticut!
Rock on NEIL!
Recently, my 28 yr. old daughter has really begun to show a huge appreciation for Neil and his music but what has impressed me the most is her recognition of Neil's integrety and the longevity of his career. Sure, she has been exposed to Neil through out her entire lifetime, however, aside from the constant playing of his music in our home and in our vehicles on trips without ceasing,I never consiously tried to influence her or her siblings into anywhere near the level of admiration that I have.I have many fond memories of having Neil 'singalongs' in the Suburban as a family. I recall my youngest daughter who would had been about 5 yrs. at that time saying "dad, play 'Old King'",to which I would gladly do as we would all sing along. I remember the 1992 solo accoustic show at the Fox Theater in Detroit to be amongst one of the finest, most intimate shows of Neil's that I have ever seen, and I'm certain when the 'Twisted Road' show hits Detroit, that is going to be the venue of choice for Neil. Only this time, for the first time in approximatly 30 or more concerts of Neil's that I have attended, this time my daughter Emily is going to be my date. It is going to be so special for me and hopefully for her as well. I remember my wife and I taking her to a 'New Kids On The Block' concert when she was 8 or 9 and attempting to explain to her without being disrespectful to her choice of 'idols' at that time, about 'artistic integrity' and how although many performers will come and go with super commercial success for but a season,there are but a few, such as The Beatles, Dylan, and Neil-especially Neil,who would be the real deal and survive all of the different trends and styles and be just as vital many years from now when these other acts fade into a mere blip on the radar of musical history. While at that time it seemed to be an exorcise in futility, I'm so proud to say that my little girl actually has discovered what all that means all on her own.As far as the cost of tickets are concerned,I already told her that we are going to be at that show regardless of the cost. How can you put a price on such a monumental occasion such as this, to share a moment with someone who is so special in your life. This is going to be an event somewhere between our first 'Daddy-Daughter Dance' at age 8, and our dance at her wedding reception where Neil will no doubt be playing in 'heavy rotation'
Right on Big Chief! That's what its all about! Hope you and your Daughter enjoy the show- no doubt you will.
How much money does a tour like this have to generate to make it possible? How much should the artist net after expenses? Does the artist get to decide things like price without taking on the status quo, e.g. Ticketmaster(?) and Pearl Jam? Relative to scalping and the internet, is there any way the artist can win, or control things? Can anyone buy a Snickers bar now for what it cost in 1970? Does anyone besides Neil, Peggy and Elliott Roberts really understand the exact reasoning behind any decision Neil makes? Does Neil? These are just a few questions.
The first question a guru or a lawyer asks is: what are the facts? Only then is an informed opinion possible. I don't think anyone knows all the facts pertaining to this conversation, there are only beliefs and mostly uninformed opinions. Everything really is relative. One fans rip off is another fans chance to see Neil even if it involves a sacrifice. Is it unfortunate that not everyone can see Neil perform, or afford the tickets? Yes. I was sorely disappointed to be out of work, and unable to even think of going to the 2008 concert at The Fox in Detroit, the first time in my life I had to think twice about it. But, I counted myself lucky that like Big Chief, I was blessed to see all the other previous Fox shows, and more than 35 others besides. At the time, I thought, “oh well, that's life, it must be someone else's turn now.” I'm sorry it costs so much, but I'm not bitter about it. What I am is reassured because Neil is still performing, no matter what. I also remember being shocked when a ticket was $40, but swallowing it and paying up because it was Neil, and you didn't second guess things when it came to the chance to see him.
It's not for me to dismiss out of hand some of the opinions here, people can think what they want. But, I have to say, I’m partial to the comments along the lines of “Awesome, Neil isn’t retiring, just retreading”, or “Wow, I think we’re in for some new songs”, or “Great, one more chance to see him”, or, you know, anything resembling simple appreciation. And just for the record, my own uninformed opinion, albeit an opinion based on years and years of rich rewards when it comes to Neil, is this: Neil the profiteer? No freaking way. Try again. I think countless others, not the least among them Shakey In Canada, know what I’m talking about.
Greg M (A Friend Of Yours)
Ummm, get your head out of the sand: Neil has said it himself, he's a capitalist pig.
Look it up.
Neil is beholden to his bank account, just like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and the rest of the skull-fuckers who see green(dale).
To me, 245 dollars (in Europe that'll probably be euros) is too much for front row tickets. When I went to see Neil at the RAI in feb. 2008 I didn't but first tier tickets either, even if they were 'only' 140. I went for the 122 euro 2nd tier tickets for me and my girlfriend and spent the difference on a T-shirt. But there will be people to think it IS worth that much to sit on the front row.
Then again, I have a slight hearing problem, when I saw Ryan Adams at the RAI in November 2007 I was sitting further back but the music was louder, which at times caused a ringing in my right ear, which was uncomfortable. Sitting front row would only aggravate this, making front row tickets worth less to me, even if I could see Neil 'up close'. And even if they were priced at 145.
You have to take into account though that the number of regular posters on this blog is relatively small... and most of them are die-hard Neil Young fans who think it's worth it to spent 245 dollars on front row tickets. These are probably the same people that bought the Archives on Blu-ray (hell, I even bought a PS3, 120 Euro Monster HDMI cable and a brand new Full HD TV for it). These are not your average fans that only own a copy of the highest charting albums and bought the CD archives. They ARE kind of nuts, but you have these people for every pop/rock-group. Hell, I even know of a guy that bought a new 10,000 euro pre-amp just so he could enjoy his latest remaster of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon better. Another example is the LedZep reunion concert at the O2 arena, tickets were up to 750 dollars (or pounds) er even more than that, and although I like LedZep (at age 25) I don't think they are worth it. But still there were millions of people who applied for it. I'm assuming that the reason why CSN and The Boss have cheaper tickets is because they either play larger arenas or have less die-hard fans.
I'm not saying here that you're not big enough of a fan if you don't want to spend this much on tickets. You have every right to thick it's too expensive for your palette. There are tons of artists I enjoy, for example Ryan Adams, Gillian Welch, Dave Rawlings and Alison Krauss, but unless they come to the Netherlands to tour, I am not going to see them, as to me it's not worth it to buy a plane-ticket to the US. If Neil had never come to the Netherlands, I would likely not have seen him live, but there are people who do see him on many occasions during his European tour, inside the Netherlands and out or even travel to the US to see him. And then there are artists whom I do like but still don't see if they do come to the Netherlands, such as CSN or Bob Dylan even if they are a lot cheaper than Neil.
Oh by the way, if y'all would get so worked up over stuff that actually matters, maybe your NHS would suck so much. The fact that insurance companies own hospitals and drug manufacturers, hire people who's only job is to find a way to deny you your claim and make obscene amounts of money in the process, THAT's something to get worked up about. That new law of Obama will not change that at all.
I didn't know you are German SH? ; )
Rock on with the translator!
BSM
NEil doesn't owe anyone anything. If he can charge a buck fiddy for tickets and pack the house he'd be a fool to sell them for less. If you can't afford it, that is unfortunate but it's not Neil's problem. I hope he expands the tour closer to my home so I can see him again...I'll pony up the coin just like last time and the time before that.......
hey yall - we got ryman tics this morning yeeeee hawwwwww
This argument is dumb, and Usability, you're an @#$#hole.
Sorry, I had to say it.
But people like Usability need to get a life and stop going around complaining like babies and casting accusations at other people.
Maybe they need to look in a mirror, and learn to love themselves, because projecting all that hate outward is just childish and bullyish.
It's certainly not how grownups act.
Matt, I think ya spelled 'Arsehole'
Wrong?
"Dem Apples"..I Don't think they're 'Granny Smiths'..
more like 'Johnathon' rockets...
They've got a real sour taste in the middle,,and their ticket price is REDICULOUS!!
Hey"what's worse than a grub in "dem apples?"...
Half a grub, in half an apple!!!!
Don't bite so quickly! lol
doc
let's go back to second grade where everybody got along
why is this blog getting so negative and bashing? If you can afford the ticket prices, buy them, and if you cant, dont! I would like to buy a cadillac, but I cant afford one. But I am not bashing GM for that! 2 tics at the Ryman cost me 285 buckaroos but I have never seen him and my hubby is a devout fan. This will be our vacation this year! btw, I drive a Honda!!! :)
The prices are very high just for few seats.For the others, I think not cheap, but even not terribly expensive. The true problem are the scalpers and the groups reselling the tickets. I'd pay much more for having a good seat assured without the competition of these jerks.
Andrea."So Tired"
because y'all are fukkin buttheads...
brainwashed dipshit wannabe-intellectuals...
that plate of shit guy was absolutely right last year, especially bout the thrash (can someone thrash the thrash back into reality?)
we're in a huge recession, people all round the globe got less n less money...and y'all keep on chewing the crap they feed you with like it's chocolate....yeah yeah I'm so happy to see the old spider web head, thank god he's still here, I don't care bout prices, I'm a lucky rich s.o.b. I can afford it, screw the others that can't!
now go take some drugs n save the world! bet y'all gonna cry at the shows cause it's so moving...
fukkin hippies!
fuck peace!
fuck you!
y'all never knew what rocknroll is all about anyway.
Thrasher,
You're basically a saint for putting up with some of these jokers ... its one thing to be disappointed about not being able to afford a front row ticket for $245 or even a seat for $80, and anyone who is willing to be honest will admit any seat at the Ryman or any of these theatres, is a great seat, but its another to start making personal attacks on you and/or Neil. The guy who accused you of bitchin about bandwidth is about the most ungracious person I've ever seen ... If there was a security guard on this site he'd kick that guy out the door on his ass ... I must say your commitment to free speech or an open site or whatever is amazing some of these clowns need to find a better place to hang out ...
Thrasher, thanks for doing what you do and doing it so amazingly well ... I'm going to make a donation to your site to express my gratitude.
Best,
Dan
Dan
"At 3/28/2010 09:37:00 AM, Anonymous said..."
y'all better now?
Styx and Stones bro..........
come up for air soon huh? we'll save ya a $245 seat.
- Not Rotten Johnny
...... money is a weird thing.
it's important, or it doesn't mean a thing
you've got enough...., or not
it's enabling....... and it's disabling.
you love it ...... or you can leave it.
It IS a measure of value.
Neil is god {no caps}.
I've seen him w/the Stray Gators as well as many others and his live show can take me somewhere i can't get to on my own.
But i haven't seen the last few tours, probably won't hit the 'Twisted Road' either.
I AM gonna catch the 'Trunk Show' & will eventually aquire 'Archives' .... and appreciate the NY vibe on MY terms, in MY time.
Some day i'll head back up to Red Rocks or Shoreline & take in the vibe w/all of you again. And it won't be the $$ telling me when.
Neil's WORTH more than money, however much it might be.
If the $ is an issue right now, and for many it REALLY is, fire up the walkman (or iPod) and take a walk on the Shakey Side. Get that vibe into your head, into your life, however ya can.
Let the money go.
Don't be denied.
....and Thanks, Thrasher, for continuing to do what'cha do !
Money doesn't talk...it swears
- Bob Dylan
as evidenced in this blog
In 1992 , I waited on line overnight to get tix for Neils solo tour.I paid $ 30 for the best seats in the house.Now if you go to an online dollar/inflation calculator , you will discover that $ 30 in 1992 is equal to about $ 46 today ! $ 46 !!!!! And Neils asking $ 175-250 for the best seats ????!!!!!! What kind of inflation is that Neil ? Shit, he's got the oil companies beat...... the credit card companies and the health insurance companies ! In fact if everything jumped that kind of percentage in relation to inflation, 90% of us would be homeless ! Way to go Neil !
Sorry guys, I feel there is just too much profanity associated with the postings here.
Neil's prices are definitely in the market range; especially when he plays small venues.
Find a way to the Bridge School Benefit show, and by the time you've aded up your gasoline or plane ticket cost; it will probably cost a lot more than a front-20 row ticket at a venue near you.
A fellow "Shakey Fan" tried to sell two tickets to the District of Columbia show he had for the upcoming tour, on this site, and was prohited from doing so because we don't do that here. I agree with the policy, but his heart was in the right place.
He wanted 'real fans' to have the first shot at two tickets he couldn't use, at the price he'd already paid. I appreciate his attempt. But, he should try other alternatives.
I had six extra tickets to the Redrocks Living With War shows in
'06, and bought a $10 dollar ad in the Denver Post that morning (two weeks ahead of time). I'd been in Winniepeg to see the show the week before. When my plane landed in Denver, there were already three phone messages with interested parties.
I was able to interview them, and gave the tickets to to folks who had beautiful stories about why the people who'd be using those tickets had super reasons for wanting to be there (a wedding anniversay, a vet home from Iraq, a surprise present for inlaws). Of course I turned away a dude who wanted to resell them.
Bottom line, let's try to help each other. There have been many times I've ben to poor to see live shows that I wanted to. BUT, I paid $150 a ticket to see the Stones in 2005, $105 a ticket to see Aerosmith/ZZ Top last summer, and $100 a ticket to see Clapton/Winwood, a month before that.
Please don't blame Neil for prices that are set by ***holes that buy up legitamate tickets the minute they go on sale, and retail them through ticket brokers who inflate the prices ridiculously. As America exists, today, he can't influence that.
Hey! doe anybody know if Neil MIGHY choose to anywhere near Omaha, Nebraska, on this tour? That is where I live. I'm crying that he won't be close enough to attend. My princiapls job picks up a full head of steam in August and getting away on weekdays is like nichforschtenze. JERRY
Jerry,
Regarding "prohibiting ticket sales on this blog".
I'm not sure what you're referring to here. There's no specific prohibition on fan to fan sales.
Submitted eBay, Craigslist, StubHib URLs are usually deleted because only a URL is posted and I have no idea what it's for. I can't go & check them all out and if the person leaves no info on it, I delete it because it could be for god knows what.
Sometimes folks will post something about tickets on a post on some random topic which has no bearing whatsoever.
But the tour link page is cool.
My complaint isn't about the price. Like Shakey, I will likely empty my piggy bank for the price of a ticket to see Neil Young whenever the opportunity arises. Two tickets at Hollywood Hardrock in FL ran us over $400.00 with "fees". This is the highest ticket price. American Express had and continues to have exclusive seat rights. Not only was there a presale exclusive, they continue to have the only access to seats in the first section from the stage. Purchasing from Ticketmaster, I can see that the seats are available, but I can't buy them because I do not have an American Express card. This exclusive remains in place until July 15th. Although I purchased my tickets as soon as they were available to me(june 25), I still will not have the up close experience that I have seriously (pathetic, I know!) dreamed about for over 30 years. Ticket prices and presales are a reality that I have reluctantly learned to accept. Having zero access to a prime seat despite paying primo price hurts! I try to temper this with the knowledge that the show will be great... and not all that long ago, I was able to see the Greendale tour for $15!!!! That was '70's prices! BOOO to Am Ex and Ticketmaster for taking "exclusive" to a new low.
I just attended the show in Winnipeg, and it was great.
More to the point, all of you complaining need to grow up.
It's called supply and demand. If Neil didn't charge these, the scalpers would, and then you would complain more about a corrupt system. With a small supply and large demand, prices will be high.
It's not like this is artificially inflated like one poster said, it is simple economics. Whatever the market will bear, so cough up or go home.
I was not able to attend due to the cost of tickets.
Touring is very expensive, and he was doing very small venues. If he was doing 10,000 seat arenas, prices could be different.
I just hope he puts out a Live Album of the tour!
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