When U2 fix ticket prices, do they price a lot also to make the top grossing lists?

[voxson]

I know the high prices are mainly due to the way this business works, with SFX and reserved arenas but could we also suggest that U2 tolerate with high priced tickets because they know it will be easier to make the top grossing lists?

Besides let's not forget U2 always loved success, and I'm sure they love every moment of it when their albums go high up the charts or when their tours sell out. Could high ticket prices also be one of their keys for reapplying for the job?

Andy

 

[STING]

Not Really,
The band charges what ever their MARKET VALUE is. Other bands don't charge as much as U2 because their Market Value is not as high, meaning people would start to turn away at a higher ticket price. In general, U2 ticket prices go up by 50% every tour. This trend started with the October tour and has continued to this day. By charging their market value, it insures that there will not be as many scalpers making money. Scalpers have a field day when tickets are underpriced for a sold out concert. They buy up as many tickets as they can and resell them for 3 to 4 times the list price.
Bottom line, the price of tickets is not determined by U2 but by Economic demand for U2 tickets. If U2 only played in small theaters say 3,000 seats per show, the ticket prices would jump to about $300 dollars a ticket. The available supply is so low compared to the number of people that want to get into the show, and that is why the price jumps. If U2 were doing a Stadium tour, the supply of available tickets goes up and meeting demand is easier, and the price of tickets would drop. The average ticket price for a U2 stadium tour would probably be $60 dollars. The average price for the arena tour right now is $75 to $80.

 

[mikal]

U2 just does it to piss you off!