In the Vox article by Whizy Kim, the soaring costs of attending concerts are examined through the lens of the current ticketing landscape, primarily dominated by Ticketmaster and the challenges posed by resellers. As demand for live music has grown significantly, with 145 million attendees reported by Live Nation in 2023, ticket prices have similarly skyrocketed—averaging over $150 for the top tours. Factors contributing to this increase include high ticket fees, restricted availability due to presales, and the relentless pursuit by scalpers who leverage technology to snatch up tickets for resale at exorbitant prices. The article highlights a profound imbalance between supply and demand, with suggested solutions ranging from increasing ticket prices on the primary market to mitigate scalper profitability, to implementing more equitable ticket distribution systems, although such measures face significant hurdles due to market dynamics and potential backlash from fans.

Key Points:

• Concert ticket prices have risen drastically, with the average being $122.84 in 2023, up from $91.86 in 2019.
• High ticket fees (averaging 27% of the total cost) and limited availability due to presales contribute to the overall expense.
• Resellers dominate the ticket market, creating a significant barrier for regular fans trying to obtain tickets.
• Strategies to combat scalpers include using advanced ticket-buying systems and implementing personal identification measures, though these are difficult to enforce.
• Some economists suggest raising primary ticket prices to reduce scalpers' profit margins and stabilize resale prices.
• There is debate about what constitutes merit in ticket sales, with considerations of fan loyalty versus financial capability.
  Link to Article