The Price of Entertainment

Ticketbroker.com has been in the entertainment business for over 20 years, and one thing we understand is that not every ticket to every event has the same value. There are a lot of different situations that can cause prices to change, but the three main reasons are the economy, supply and demand, and the weather. The weather is an obvious one: outdoor concerts and sporting events simply aren’t as much fun in the rain, wind, and cold.

When the economy is bad and people are losing jobs, concert tours and sporting events tend to suffer. Because it’s something people do only when they can afford to do it, the economic conditions of a country or community can drastically affect where ticket prices are set.

In the late 90s, Motley Crüe went on a major Generation Swine tour and only charged $15 for tickets at most venues. Their sold-out shows across the country started a short-lived trend of lower ticket prices. Times were tight, and the gimmick worked for a lot of bands, who were able to get people to part with their money a lot easier by giving them a break on the price. As the economy began to improve, however, prices for all types of sporting and entertainment events skyrocketed. Because people were making more money and the stock market was booming, the tickets kept selling.

In 2010, with unemployment higher than ever and a still-uncertain economy, tickets prices haven’t dropped yet, but concerts and tours are being cancelled. Christina Aguilera cancelled her tour when tickets weren’t selling. Sporting teams are finding it more difficult to fill their stadiums, and many teams have started offering discounted tickets for certain seating areas to improve the draw.

Sometimes, even in a tight economy, the act coming to town is so hot that people will pay any amount to see them and the tickets can be priced far above average. When there are only a limited number of tickets at a venue, it sells out quickly and ticket prices will go up. Performers who win at the Grammys can almost always be guaranteed better sales at their next tour. Miley Cyrus had every parent ready to crack the limit on the credit card in order to put a smile on their daughters’ faces a few years ago; this summer Justin Beiber caused the same kind of excitement.

Sporting teams have the same supply-demand pricing fluctuations. In fact, even if you typically can get tickets to a team’s games for a relatively good price, you might see the price of those tickets go up when they’re playing someone really popular. Before LeBron James left the Cavaliers, for example, the prices for tickets to see the Bulls would always be higher for those two games a year when the Cavs came to play than when they were playing other teams. It’s the same with baseball: if the Yankees or Red Sox are coming to play, the tickets are more expensive than when Kansas City is coming to town.

Ticket prices go up and down with demand, with the popularity of the act, and even with the weather. But one thing’s for sure: whenever you’re looking for tickets to your favorite sold-out act, Ticketbroker.com is the place to start!

Top Ten Acts to See Before You Can't

If you have any regrets over missing some of the greats, like the Grateful Dead, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, or The Beatles, Ticketbroker.com would like to help make sure you get a chance to keep those regrets to a minimum.

Making the top ten:

10. KISS. Yep, it’s true. They are still the hottest band in the world. Even though they effectively reduced their average age by adding Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer to the lineup, Gene Simmons isn’t getting any younger. And with $1 from every ticket going to the Wounded Warrior fund, you can feel good about this one. While Paul Stanley’s hip replacement may keep him going another ten years, and the band is planning a follow up to their successful Sonic Boom album, this is one act you won’t want to miss.

9. Rush. These guys have been in the limelight for a long time, and they still rock on stage. It won’t last forever, though (and definitely not until 2112).

8. Ringo and Paul. Ok, you can’t see The Beatles. And you can’t even see these two together. But both of these guys are out on tour, and it’s as close as any of us will get to seeing the Fab Four (unless we settle for one of the cover bands). Ringo just turned 70, folks.

7. Roger Waters. Yes, it would be better if Pink Floyd would just reunite, but Roger Waters is touring with The Wall…and that is a must-see no matter which generation of fan you might be.

6. Phil Collins. We’re not even sure this guy is going to go on tour. He says he’s not, but he’s said that before, and he is in the studio doing one last album. If we’re lucky, that one last album will be followed by one last tour…one you won’t want to miss.

5. Jimmy Buffet. Parrotheads, how long is it going to be before Jimmy just sails off into the sunset and leaves us all crying in our Margaritas? Grab a cheeseburger from paradise and don’t delay; this is one act that you will remember forever.

4. Aerosmith. Steven Tyler made it through another round of rehab and is ready to rock, but this band has always had a little trouble keeping it together. We predict this will be the last major tour for these guys – and you won’t want to miss a thing!

3. Ozzy Osbourne. He’s defied the odds (thanks, Sharon) and survived a lot longer than most people predicted. Seeing Ozzy is one of those grand moments of rock, so take a ride on the crazy train before it’s too late.

2. U2. Ok, so Bono might not appreciate being on this list, and the group may have another 10 albums left in them. But whoever thought that they’d be more popular now than they were with Joshua Tree?! They are still selling out stadiums around the world, and this is one of those acts you want to see while they’re still in their prime.

And our #1 choice for your last chance act…

1. Rolling Stones. In July, the Rolling Stones announced that they will be launching a worldwide tour in 2011 to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The fact that they are even still able to get up on the stage after 50 years, multiple stints in rehab, and a few years of not getting along is amazing. It’s also going to be their very last tour. This is it folks: the last chance you will ever have to see the Rolling Stones in concert.

Welcome to Ticketbroker.com's Blog!

Welcome to the Ticketbroker.com blog, Ticket Stubs, our newest way of sharing our love of all things entertainment-oriented with our clients. This blog is a place to share stories about your favorite shows and teams, your most memorable entertainment moments, and those missed opportunities you never want to miss again. We hope you’ll take the time to get in touch and tell us what you think, tell us a story we can share, and let us know who you’re adding to your must-see list.

Have you ever wanted to see a concert or go to a sporting event or Broadway play only to postpone making a decision about buying the tickets and losing the chance? Tickets sell out, musicians retire or head back to rehab, plays eventually close, sports stars become free agents and choose to leave town…

Sure, there is always somebody ready to sell you their ticket for a price, but Ticketbroker.com, also known as Who Needs Two Ticket Service, is committed to providing personalized service that focuses on maximizing your entertainment experience without forgetting your budget. We pride ourselves on having integrity, keeping promises, and having a 100% fulfillment rate with our tickets.

We have been in business for 15 years – longer than some bands last – and have built a reputation of trust.

Right now, we live in a pretty amazing time. The concert acts that were touring when we were kids are still touring and still drawing a crowd, giving all of us the chance to relive some of our favorite experiences with our own kids. It’s something we’ve always liked to do with sports – get our kids cheering for the right team from a young age – but whoever thought it would be possible to do with music? But from Aerosmith to ZZ Top, the bands are still out there doing what they love to do – and that’s pretty great inspiration.

One of our customers recently shared a story with us about how she wanted to go see REO Speedwagon when she was a teenager but her parents wouldn’t let her. She bought the ticket anyway and was ready to go. At the last minute, she got scared about getting in trouble and bailed on the concert. (She still has the ticket, by the way). Who knew that she would not only get to see them four times as an adult, but that she’d be able to share an REO concert with her kids?

That’s the kind of experience Ticketbroker.com loves to help make happen for you. From seeing the last game before a stadium closes to catching the last act of your favorite performer before they retire and all of your other entertainment desires in between, Ticketbroker.com is here to help you make it happen. There is nothing more important to us than getting that after-the-performance call and hearing about how great the show or game really was.

Whether you are looking for season tickets to your favorite sporting events, a great deal on a sold-out Broadway show, or that what-happens-in-Vegas-stays-in-Vegas moment, Ticketbroker.com works hard to get your better seats, better deals, and memorable experiences with personalized service and promises kept.

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