Rising costs and fees are making it challenging for music fans to attend concerts, leading to a growing sense of disappointment and prompting some to look for different ways to enjoy live music.
Escalating Concert Prices Deter Frequent Attendees
“I’m deeply passionate about live music, but the ticket prices have skyrocketed in recent years,” shares Amy Law, a 35-year-old New Zealander residing in London. “There was a time I attended concerts every week, but I haven’t been to one since last June.”
Amy, who enjoys EDM, recalls a time when attending a DJ set at Electric Brixton would cost her between £15 and £20 before the pandemic. “Just this week, I passed up the chance to see Lost Frequencies because the tickets were over £50. It’s disappointing because he’s my current favorite DJ. Concerts offer a unique community vibe and a release from everyday stress, and we’re losing that.”
The High Cost of Live Music in the UK
The increasing expense of seeing live music in the UK is partly due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, the proliferation of ticket resale websites, and the use of dynamic pricing by some artists and promoters. These factors are causing many fans to reconsider how often they attend gigs.
“I find myself going to concerts much less often now,” Amy states. “It feels like we’re particularly being overcharged in London. I wanted to see Lorde at the O2 in November, but I just couldn’t justify the expense.”
In an innovative move, Amy chose to see Lorde in Luxembourg instead, where tickets were more affordable at €50 (£43.62). “The flight cost £18 each way. Even with the added expense of accommodation, it’s still worth it to visit a new country,” she explains.
Additional Fees and Expenses Turn Fans Away
Mark Rushton, a 65-year-old from Bury, finds the extra costs associated with larger concerts prohibitive. “The exorbitant ticket prices, plus booking fees and parking costs at venues in Manchester, have deterred me. The larger venues offer limited ticket availability, making it unaffordable to take my daughter to a concert, as it could cost us hundreds for just one evening.”
Rushton blames Ticketmaster for facilitating high fees, although the company has promised changes following complaints from fans about its handling of ticket sales for the Oasis 2025 tour. As directed by the Competition and Markets Authority, Ticketmaster will now notify fans of multiple price tiers for the same tickets and provide more pricing information during online sales. “As ticket prices have risen and Ticketmaster has grown dominant, I’ve significantly cut back on concert attendance,” says Rushton. He recalls buying a discounted ticket on Twickets for a Bruce Springsteen concert, which still involved transaction fees, a far cry from the £6.50 he paid back in 1981.
Changing Strategies for Concert Attendance
Nathan Maddison, a 57-year-old finance technician from Newcastle and a fan of rock and metal, is also reducing his attendance at big gigs due to financial constraints. “I had to skip seeing Iron Maiden recently because I couldn’t afford it,” he admits. Maddison points out that travel and accommodation costs associated with concerts have also increased, noting that rail fares have risen faster than wages since the 2010s.
Elaine, a 48-year-old from London, describes herself as a “one and done” concert-goer due to the prohibitive cost of tickets. “I can’t justify seeing artists like Lady Gaga again because of the outrageous prices.” She also criticizes the high cost of food and beverages at large venues, which diminishes the overall enjoyment of live music events.
Elaine has shifted her focus to smaller venues, recently enjoying a Brandi Carlile concert at Heaven in London for just £24 a ticket. “It was an affordable and fantastic night out,” she says.
Similarly, Mark Woollard, a 51-year-old facilities manager from London, has started supporting emerging artists at smaller venues. “The tickets cost around £16 or £17, and the intimate atmosphere often allows you to meet the artists personally.” Woollard’s recent favorites include Prima Queen, Honeyglaze, and Coming Up Roses. He appreciates the opportunity to discover new talent at these smaller, grassroots venues.
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