The Perspectives page of The Blue and White offers students and staff an opportunity to express their thoughts about topics that affect our school, our community, or the world at large. The views and opinions expressed in these editorials are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Apopka High School or The Blue and White.
Concerts are an exhilarating experience that most people enjoy, assuming they have ever attended one. Attending a concert can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially if the artist is on their last tour, only playing at select locations, or one of the biggest pop stars in the world. However, because of this, concert tickets can be priced extremely high, particularly in today’s era of money-hungry and idolized performers.
I’ve attended three concerts so far, each ranging in ticket prices. My first concert was a Driver Era performance in August 2023 at the Addition Financial Arena. This concert was held to celebrate UCF college students, but the public was also welcome to attend. While students enjoyed free admission, the public had to buy tickets. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a UCF student and had to pay $25 for my ticket without taxes included. This is actually an amazingly good price for a concert these days. Although tickets had to be purchased, there was no assigned seating, so we got to pick our seats if we arrived early enough. My group and I were fortunate enough to sit in the first row of the first balcony level, right in the middle. We had a clear view of the stage with nobody blocking us, and the sound was great without being deafening. We were close enough to feel immersed in the performance without having to be in a pit of sweaty people. All this for only $25. It was a great first concert experience at a very affordable price. Unfortunately, not all concerts are like this when it comes to ticket prices, which is disappointing.
In September 2023, I attended my second concert, which was a 5 Seconds of Summer concert. This concert was held shortly after the Driver Era concert, and the ticket prices were relatively expensive. It took place at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida. I purchased tickets for the back row of the venue for around $60-$100 each, which obstructed my vision due to tall people sitting in front of me. Although it was an outstanding show, I did not feel connected or fully immersed like I did during the Driver Era concert. I believe better seats could have been obtained but at a higher cost. The price to move up just one row could have easily been $20, which was unreasonable.
My third and favorite concert was none other than Olivia Rodrigo at the Kia Center in Orlando in March 2024. The lower bowl tickets I had provided a fully unobstructed view of the stage while also allowing me to fully immerse myself in the music and performance without being too close to the speakers. My row was positioned above the crowd, providing a clear and comfortable view of the entire stage.
The icing on the cake was the availability of private bathrooms for my row, something that is a rarity in the world of concert venues. I was lucky enough to have a friend selected for Ticketmaster’s sale, which allowed us to snag the tickets before they were made available to the general public. The concert generated a lot of buzz due to the artist’s immense popularity, and unsurprisingly, sold out in no time, with prices skyrocketing as a result. My tickets, which initially cost between $180-$200 each, became a luxury as tickets for the same row were being resold at an exorbitant $500 and the average price for a regular seat in the back of the arena started at around $250. While I believe the initial price for my tickets was more than reasonable, the subsequent price hike seemed unreasonable. Nevertheless, Olivia’s performance is one I will never regret paying for.
Other artists have way more preposterous starting ticket prices than Olivia’s end ticket prices. Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, an undeniably popular world tour, and for great reason, has an average ticket price of $1,088.56, according to CNBC. Swift’s tour now has a concert movie with the entire concert streaming on Disney+ with incredible video quality and sound. While I would love to pay to see Swift’s tour and be there in person, it seems more beneficial to my wallet to watch the movie from home, which is exactly why it was created. Other artists do not make concert movies yet still have ludicrous prices. The average price to see Adele is $1,243.96, according to CNBC. Tickets to see Drake in concert range from $135 to $1,600 according to SeatGeek. Tickets to see Morgan Wallen in Jacksonville started at $212, according to the New York Post.
Concert ticket prices have been on the rise over the past decade, and it has become a well-known fact. In recent news, People magazine has identified the top five reasons behind this upward trend. The first factor is the artists themselves, as they are demanding higher fees for their performances due to their increasing popularity and the high demand for their shows. Secondly, promoters are also playing a significant role in driving ticket prices up. They are investing heavily in marketing and advertising to ensure that their events are successful and reach a wider audience, which ultimately results in higher ticket prices.
Thirdly, concert venues are also contributing to the expensive ticket prices, as they have to cover their operational costs and make a profit. They have to maintain and upgrade their facilities to ensure that the concert-goers have a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Fourthly, ticketing companies responsible for selling the tickets are charging service fees which add to the cost of tickets. These fees are often not transparent, and consumers are not always aware of them. Lastly, ticket resellers are also playing a significant role in the high cost of concert tickets. They buy tickets in bulk and then resell them at a much higher price, taking advantage of the high demand for tickets. All these factors contribute to the high cost of concert tickets today, making it difficult for fans to keep up with the increasing prices.
There is no doubt that concert tickets are becoming increasingly expensive nowadays, and it is no wonder that many people are hesitant to attend a show. While the high cost of tickets may be a hindrance, I believe that with proper financial arrangements, everyone should have the opportunity to attend concerts of their favorite artists. There are numerous ways to obtain tickets, such as pre-sales, loyalty programs, and ticket marketplaces that make it possible for many people to attend concerts. Although the price may be steep, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see your favorite artist perform live is priceless, and the memories made are worth it. Whether a bucket-list item or just a night out with friends, experiencing live music is a unique and unforgettable experience that should not be missed.
