The Police Tickets

[silverburst]

The Police onsale for the Staples Center was this morning. I was all ready to go with my credit card in hand. And then...$260 per ticket, + $21.35 for a convenience charge?

I decided I didn't like them THAT much...

 

[PocketGroove82]

Hiring guys like vinnie colaiuta ain't cheap!
Also he knows his fan base in america is mostly upper class baby-boomers so...
(I apologize, but it's true..not trying to open a can of worms)

...I would bet that he sells out the concert, even at that price.

 

[fogman]

Wow that's a lot of dough for a concert!
So what's that like a $1000CDN?

So who do they think they are? Michael Jackson?

Van Halen ripped us off good in 2004 but that's steep!

 

[silverburst]

My Clapton tix for Wednesday at the same venue are $125 each. The Who a couple weeks ago was $80. Doesn't seem quite right.

 

[Big Poppa]

I just dont enjoy big indoor shows anyway. The prices are a necessary evil but a "convenience fee" I would only pay a uroligist a convenience fee.

having said that Brian and I went to see Clapton last night in Phoenix. He is playing with a lot of fire and Derek Trucks is really awesome. Steve Jordan (drums) was outstanding.

 

[sloshep]

The Police onsale for the Staples Center was this morning. I was all ready to go with my credit card in hand. And then...$260 per ticket, + $21.35 for a convenience charge?

I decided I didn't like them THAT much...

I had a bad feeling they were going to be through the roof. The wife was a big fan of them, but not that big. Can you imagine how much the t shirts will cost...

I'll wait and buy her the DVD when it comes out.

 

[bovinehost]

And then...$260 per ticket, + $21.35 for a convenience charge

That is just obscene.

Obscene.

Jack

 

[Dr Stankface]

You can buy all of their CDs and a few DVDs for that price.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'd gladly pay that much to see them (or any other great band) play in a small club, but not in a big arena. If the carpet doesn't have a permanent beer aroma it's not a venue as far as I'm concerned.

 

[fogman]

I guess Sting needs to buy another castle!?

 

[SteveB]

I guess Sting needs to buy another castle!?

The worst part of that price gouging is that the band will probably only see a small portion of the fee. It's everyone else in the industry trying to milk a reunion gig for all its worth, while it lasts.

 

[fogman]

You're so right about that Steve!

I'm sure that's probably why it hadn't happened until now.
The rest of the band I'm sure realized that if they're going to get any money before retirement they'd better do it now.

 

[bassmonkeee]

My Clapton tix for Wednesday at the same venue are $125 each. The Who a couple weeks ago was $80. Doesn't seem quite right.

Clapton tours every couple of years, and is basically a solo artist. The "Who" have a new farewell tour every couple of years, and only two principal members are getting most of the proceeds. The Eagles have a new farewell tour every couple of years. The Police haven't toured since 1984. I think Cream tickets were pretty damn pricey, too, and the Police were more popular more recently.

My only problem is that the tour is sponsored by Best Buy. Which means one long Best Buy commercial and signage everywhere. Without the tour sponsorship (and the millions that came with it), I really wouldn't have a problem with the price of tickets considering the rarity of the tour.

I wouldn't blame any of the price on nebulous industry people, either. I mean, they aren't under any record contract, they aren't promoting a new album (there could be a new greatest hits package for the 30th Anniversary of Roxanne--I don't know), etc....


To be clear--I didn't say I LIKED that they were charging $250+ for a ticket, but I would have been shocked--SHOCKED, I tell you, at anything under $200.

 

[Big Poppa]

Everybody is doing it for money. Period if the lads missed each other and were doing it for art they would be jamming nightly at Rymers beach bar in Tortola.....

At some point the public needs to understand that if there is no outlet for your recorded music anymore and if there is it is mostly stolen you are going to have to pay more for tickets and t shirts.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Everybody is doing it for money. Period if the lads missed each other and were doing it for art they would be jamming nightly at Rymers beach bar in Tortola.....

At some point the public needs to understand that if there is no outlet for your recorded music anymore and if there is it is mostly stolen you are going to have to pay more for tickets and t shirts.

Andy Summers plays Jazz now. He NEEDS the money.

Seriously, his albums of Mingus and Monk tunes are awesome.

 

[Baird]

Toronto sold out in a few minutes and the prices were just as high. Almost $300 to see a band that hasn't recorded any new music in 20+ years!

I love that Sting said "We obviously don't need the money. We are doing this for the fans".

What an idiot. Charge $18 if you are doing it for fan appreciation.

 

[bovinehost]

I love that Sting said "We obviously don't need the money. We are doing this for the fans".

He must be buying a new lute or something.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Toronto sold out in a few minutes and the prices were just as high. Almost $300 to see a band that hasn't recorded any new music in 20+ years!

I love that Sting said "We obviously don't need the money. We are doing this for the fans".

What an idiot. Charge $18 if you are doing it for fan appreciation.

Heh. I knew you were older than me the second I saw "$18 tickets." Those days are loooooong gone.

What Sting should have said was, "As principle songwriter for The Police, and as the only one who continued on as a touring, recording musician, I don't need the money. Copeland and Summers? Not so much. Like Roger Daltry, they need the money."

 

[Psycho Ward]

Sounds cheap to me, the last the police and tickets were involved around here cost me a hell of a lot more that that!

Did you know driving naked with a SR5 in your lap is illegal in North Carolina?

 

[Jim_F]

I agree with BP on this one - I am not a fan of arena gigs ... watching some dots on stage in the distance with (usually) a poor PA sound is not my idea of a good time ... much prefer the hot, sweaty intimate gigs were you get more a feeling of the artist being involved with the audience.

Good gig night before last - Eagles of Death Metal playing the London Astoria.

I was (semi) tempted by the Police reunion tour though - but no way am I paying those prices.