It's not just JLo: Why big musical acts can't sell out concerts anymore

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the challenges some artists are facing in selling concert tickets, including factors like oversaturation of the live music market, high ticket prices, and the difficulty of translating online popularity into ticket sales. It also touches on the issues with the Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly and the negative impact it has on the customer experience.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Challenges in Selling Concert Tickets

1. What are some of the key factors contributing to the difficulty some artists are facing in selling concert tickets?

• Oversaturation of the live music market, with many artists touring at the same time trying to recoup losses from the pandemic
• High ticket prices that are putting a strain on consumers' budgets
• Difficulty translating online popularity and hit songs into actual ticket sales, as fans may not be as committed to attending live shows
• The Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly, which is seen as stifling innovation and contributing to a poor customer experience

2. How are some artists and promoters trying to address the ticket sales challenges?

• Combining forces and bringing in special guests to freshen up the live experience for fans
• Utilizing marketing tactics like offering discounted tickets to boost sales
• In some cases, postponing tours to a less crowded time period

3. What is the impact of the Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly on the concert industry?

• The lack of competition is seen as allowing for unfair markups and contributing to an overall negative experience for fans trying to purchase tickets
• Bots and resellers are able to snatch up tickets and resell them at exorbitant prices due to the lack of innovation in the ticketing process

[02] Impact on Specific Artists

1. How have some high-profile artists been affected by the ticket sales challenges?

• Jennifer Lopez had to cancel her tour due to weak ticket sales, despite being a major star
• The Black Keys had to scale back their planned arena tour and move to smaller venues
• Other artists like Troye Sivan, Charli XCX, and Wallows have also faced reports of undersold shows

2. How have some artists been able to buck the trend and maintain strong ticket sales?

• Taylor Swift and Beyoncé continue to be unstoppable live draws
• Newer artists like Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, and Olivia Rodrigo are also selling a lot of tickets
• Established acts like Dead & Company are adding more dates to meet demand