Stepping up or pricing out: Are gig tickets becoming too inaccessible for the average person?

Introduction

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of gig ticket prices becoming increasingly expensive. This has led to concerns that live music is becoming increasingly inaccessible for the average person. In this article, we will explore the factors that have contributed to this trend and discuss its impact on the live music industry.

Factors contributing to the rising cost of gig tickets

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the rising cost of gig tickets in recent years.

These include:

• Increased demand for live music: In recent years, there has been a growing demand for live music. This is due in part to the popularity of streaming services, which have made it easier for people to discover new music.
• The increasing cost of putting on a gig: The cost of putting on a live show has also increased in recent years. This is due to a number of factors, including the rising cost of venue hire, equipment, and insurance.
• The consolidation of the live music industry: The live music industry has become increasingly concentrated in recent years, with a small number of large companies controlling a large share of the market. This has given these companies the power to set prices and impose fees.

Impact of the rising cost of gig tickets

The rising cost of gig tickets has had a significant impact on the live music industry.

This includes:

Decreased accessibility for fans: The rising cost of gig tickets has made live music increasingly inaccessible for the average person. This is particularly true for young people and those on low incomes.

A decline in the diversity of live music: The rising cost of gig tickets has also led to a decline in the diversity of live music. This is because small and independent venues are increasingly unable to afford to put on shows, which has led to a decrease in the number of opportunities for new and emerging artists to perform.

A threat to the live music industry: The rising cost of gig tickets is also a threat to the live music industry itself. If live music becomes too expensive for the average person, it will lead to a decline in attendance at live shows, which will in turn lead to a decline in revenue for the industry.

Conclusion

The rising cost of gig tickets is a serious problem that is having a significant impact on the live music industry.

While it is unlikely that ticket prices will ever return t their previous lows it is important to take steps to make live music more accessible for the average person. This could include measures such as subsidizing ticket prices, increasing the number of free or low-cost shows, and supporting the development of new and emerging artists.