Ed gave an interview to Süddeutsche Zeitung, one of the most respected newspapers in Germany. Great interview, he was pressed about ticket prices (translated via google)
Concerts by stars like Taylor Swift are increasingly becoming an exclusive treat. When you announced the upcoming Pearl Jam tour, there was an outcry about ticket prices. For their loyal fans, Pearl Jam have always been a slightly different band. People seem to feel betrayed, can you understand that?
I really hate to say it, but we're talking about a limited resource here. Especially since the problems in the event sector have doubled since the corona pandemic. After the pandemic, everyone wanted to play concerts again as quickly as possible, which makes it an incredible challenge to even plan a tour like this.
The problem is known. However, not everyone can afford admission prices well beyond the hundred euro mark.
The production costs are really completely out of control. All trades, from the technical equipment to buses to the rents for the venues, cost prices well above the normal market value. People say, “Hey, if you don’t pay my price, no problem, someone else will.” That’s true even for service providers we’ve worked with for over 30 years. To answer your question: If we can save money, we pass it on to the fans. However, it is essential for us to at least cover our costs. If we had to pay extra and couldn't make any money at all, we wouldn't go on tour anymore.
This debate is not just about the already high regular prices, but also about so-called dynamic pricing. At New York's Madison Square Garden, remaining tickets for a Pearl Jam show cost up to $2,000 at the time of this interview. Who should pay for that?
The secondary market plays a large part in this development, and that is the real problem. In my opinion, this price development has very little to do with Ticketmaster or the artists; it is mainly due to the complete proliferation on these secondary markets.
Because people have become accustomed to inflated prices through intermediaries like Viagogo, did dynamic pricing even become conceivable?
Yes it is.
Shouldn't culture still remain a space for everyone - and not an exclusive pleasure for the wealthy from which more and more people are excluded?
I agree, you are right.
https://www.sueddeutsche.de/projekte/ar ... w-e105743/ (Paywall and in German)
