April 9, 2007

In a time when the music industry is not what it once was there are some questions that need to be raised. What is the fate of the way in which people obtain their music? I think the age of the CD might officially be over. How many people honestly go to their local record store on a regular basis to pick up the latest cd from their favorite band? People download music, legally or illegaly it is something that happens and won't go away. So clearly there is less music to be made from record sales. However performances are where artists make their money. A few years back Bruce Springsteen played numerous consecutive sold out shows at Giants Stadium and made more money from those shows than he ever did due to record sales. Now here is my question: clearly people are doing pretty well with ticket sales if this is happening, but how much should someone charge for a concert ticket?
When I go to a show I have a very difficult time paying over $30. There are some cases in which I make an exception (Festivals, a reunion, Radiohead, a living Beatle), but it has to be pretty great for me to pay a lot of money. I recently broke my own rule when I shelled out about $45 to see Arcade Fire headline David Bowie's festival in New York (I'm hoping Bowie will make an appearance as he loves these guys). I've reasoned the fact that I didn't pay for their albums and the last time I saw them I didn't pay, so I can handle paying that much for these guys. Now after that, I'm having a difficult time finding shows that I am willing to pay the asked ticket price. Tonight I passed up an oppurtunity to see Iggy and the Stooges because I refused to pay $70. Isn't rock and roll supposed to be about the music and sticking it to the man not paying a shit load of money to see a fucking punk band in a venue way the hell uptown where I'd be confined to a seat? Where are the $10 shows where the bands actually need to have a sold out show to make money to keep the tour going? In a few weeks I'm going to see Piebald and MC Chris play the Knitting Factory for $10. This I can handle. Two great acts actually playing the same show and pouring their hearts into the performance because they love their music. They actually get along and aren't playing songs they wrote 30 years and charging $400+ for seats, coughthepolicecough.
Basically when will the point come when I need to raise my price so I can actually go see shows?

Hot Tracks:
  1. Bloc Party - "I Still Remember". The next single off their sophomore album which hasn't gotten the praise the first album recieved. This song sounds like a reworked Cure b-side. The album isn't as aggresive as the first, but definately a solid album.
  2. The Fratellis - "Flat Head". You've probably heard this song without realizing it. It's on the ipod commercial and and should be on your ipod in general.
  3. Peter Bjorn & John - "Amsterdam". Steady song from a steady band that might be the epitome of a head bobber.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

omg the fratellis! the first time i saw that ipod commercial i kind of freaked out and was like, wow what IS this? ...and then i downloaded it. good stuff.

love, emily