Spring and Summer are the two biggest seasons which musicians go out and tour. With concerts, come tickets which can be costly; not to mention the tacked on fees. Scoring tickets to see your favorite artist feels like a dream come true. But is metaphorically selling your soul to the devil just to afford going to a concert worth it ?
In 2011, the average ticket price was around $78. That figure increased to $85 in 2017, according to statista.com.Sometimes companies have sales promoting special events such as Live Nation promoting National Concert Week, from April 30 to May 8. During that week, ticket buyers were able to purchase tickets for only $20, with no added fees. There are ways to avoid the debt-infused demons known as expensive concert tickets.
1. Buy from real people. Scalpers will try to sell you tickets right outside the arena. Though a times they may be nosebleed seats, at least it's a way to get in without spending a luxury. Online people are often selling tickets, like Craig's List, or maybe even Facebook. A friend could be selling tickets relatively inexpensive without you even knowing it.
2. Keep an eye out for presales-especially from credit card companies. Some companies, such as Chase and American Express have "perks" for cardholders whether it's a chance to buy presale tickets or gain VIP access. Prudential Center in Newark, NJ had this sale for American Express cardholders in 2017 when Paul McCartney was playing there. Because of this, my grandmother was able to get me tickets to see Sir Paul.
3. Buy immediately or right before the show. When tickets go on sale right away, the prices are typically cheap to get the buyers attention. Sometimes venues over estimate the number of tickets will be bought which is why the prices are slashed right before the show, if they're desperate to sell them. For example, a Kenny Chesney concert in July 2006 in Massachusetts had fixed ticket prices at $223.11. That was more than two weeks before the show. Then just days before the show, the prices dropped to $155.57, according to ticketeconomist.com A more recent example was again at the Prudential Center when Bon Jovi was playing there in April 2018. The day of the show, tickets were being sold at $40-and that was for decent seats.
4. Enter contests. If you take a chance and try your luck, you may win yourself free tickets without spending a dime. I entered a contest in August 2016 to win tickets for Culture Club. I didn't win, but because I entered, I was given a promotional code for when I buy the tickets and saved around $90 per ticket.
5. Sign up for newsletters. You will almost always be informed first of who is coming to your area. Depending on what venue the newsletter is coming from, they will post dates of sales for members, and the general public. Presale? Buy right away or before the show! Tickets will be cheaper!
