Is Anyone Upset About Ticket Prices?

[Todem]

On 1/18/2026 at 9:18 AM, Fridge said:

Only because idiots will pay the inflated prices.....if more people voted with their feet then they wouldn't be able to shaft the market as much as they do.

Good luck with that.....reality is a completely different story my friend. 

 

This is the new normal and it's unfortunate. And I am talking all live entertainment. Music, sports, theater...all of it. 

 

Rush is the only band I spent stupid money on....period. I did not care. It's the last time they will tour. Geddy and Alex pushing 74....they are done after this. 

 

People can make whatever decision they want and be unapologetic about it. I choose to spend on what I value. I do not spend on pretty much the rest of it. It's over the top. 

 

I pick and choose carefully what live entertainment I spend on since post covid....the whole world has gone mad with all this. 

 

I saw Steven Wilson in a beautiful 100 year old theater in Durham NC  and it may have been the greatest progressive rock show I ever saw in my life. I paid $100 a ticket. 

 

There are plenty of great live acts out there that are far better on the wallet....you just gotta dig deeper. 

 

But for me Rush....Rush is the king and the soundtrack of my entire life. You bet yer ass I laid out cash to see my heros 4 more times before they go off into the sunset. 

 

I don't give a shit. I am very excited. I think anyone who poo poo’s people for doing what they want with their own wallet need to get a life.  It's a ridiculous angle. If you can't afford it....well...that's how it goes...if you can but don't want to spend the cash...well ok your choice. I pass on plenty of "big name acts" because it's not worth it to me and I don't value it like I value Rush. 

 

Freewill. 

Edited January 20 by Todem

[Fridge]

1 hour ago, Todem said:

Good luck with that.....reality is a completely different story my friend. 

 

This is the new normal and it's unfortunate. And I am talking all live entertainment. Music, sports, theater...all of it. 

 

Rush is the only band I spent stupid money on....period. I did not care. It's the last time they will tour. Geddy and Alex pushing 74....they are done after this. 

 

People can make whatever decision they want and be unapologetic about it. I choose to spend on what I value. I do not spend on pretty much the rest of it. It's over the top. 

 

I pick and choose carefully what live entertainment I spend on since post covid....the whole world has gone mad with all this. 

 

I saw Steven Wilson in a beautiful 100 year old theater in Durham NC  and it may have been the greatest progressive rock show I ever saw in my life. I paid $100 a ticket. 

 

There are plenty of great live acts out there that are far better on the wallet....you just gotta dig deeper. 

 

But for me Rush....Rush is the king and the soundtrack of my entire life. You bet yer ass I laid out cash to see my heros 4 more times before they go off into the sunset. 

 

I don't give a shit. I am very excited. I think anyone who poo poo’s people for doing what they want with their own wallet need to get a life.  It's a ridiculous angle. If you can't afford it....well...that's how it goes...if you can but don't want to spend the cash...well ok your choice. I pass on plenty of "big name acts" because it's not worth it to me and I don't value it like I value Rush. 

 

Freewill. 

Settle, petal.

[Todem]

23 minutes ago, Fridge said:

Settle, petal.

Quite settled 

Edited January 20 by Todem

[gotbass1228]

On 1/3/2026 at 10:11 AM, Pound of Obscure said:

A tour after this one?  Then the nosebleeds will be 800 dollars.   I paid 400 for front row on R40. That, I thought was insane, but suspected last tour and they just fell in my lap one day on TM. I'll not pay 400 for back of the arena. I can see that on my big screen when the 300 dollar DVD, in HD no less,  with Hugh's book of crap comes out.

 

so true

[Man of Willowdale]

Yes, bought 2 tickets to the Detroit show in the upper level for over $170/ea. Then went out to get a ticket in the same section to take our granddaughter (14) and the prices are $115. WOW - Never again going to buy Artist Presale... 

[PAFHumbucker]

7 hours ago, Todem said:

Good luck with that.....reality is a completely different story my friend. 

 

This is the new normal and it's unfortunate. And I am talking all live entertainment. Music, sports, theater...all of it. 

 

Rush is the only band I spent stupid money on....period. I did not care. It's the last time they will tour. Geddy and Alex pushing 74....they are done after this. 

 

People can make whatever decision they want and be unapologetic about it. I choose to spend on what I value. I do not spend on pretty much the rest of it. It's over the top. 

 

I pick and choose carefully what live entertainment I spend on since post covid....the whole world has gone mad with all this. 

 

I saw Steven Wilson in a beautiful 100 year old theater in Durham NC  and it may have been the greatest progressive rock show I ever saw in my life. I paid $100 a ticket. 

 

There are plenty of great live acts out there that are far better on the wallet....you just gotta dig deeper. 

 

But for me Rush....Rush is the king and the soundtrack of my entire life. You bet yer ass I laid out cash to see my heros 4 more times before they go off into the sunset. 

 

I don't give a shit. I am very excited. I think anyone who poo poo’s people for doing what they want with their own wallet need to get a life.  It's a ridiculous angle. If you can't afford it....well...that's how it goes...if you can but don't want to spend the cash...well ok your choice. I pass on plenty of "big name acts" because it's not worth it to me and I don't value it like I value Rush. 

 

Freewill. 

 

Yup.  This.  The concert industry and the world has changed.  I became a huge fan right around the time of Neil’s tragedies and I never thought I would see them live.  They have been the soundtrack to so many moments in my life and stages of my life, and even back then I said I would make every opportunity to see them as many times as possible.  

 

The R40 tour was just so short and I didn’t feel like I got to say my goodbye to the band, and I never thought I would see them again, and now I have a chance, and I’m going to 5 shows (provided something tragic doesn’t happen in my life, or we’re not all vaporized by that point, tomorrow ain’t guaranteed) and I’ve spent a good amount of money on these shows, with zero regrets at all.

[Fridge]

19 hours ago, PAFHumbucker said:

 

Yup.  This.  The concert industry and the world has changed.  I became a huge fan right around the time of Neil’s tragedies and I never thought I would see them live.  They have been the soundtrack to so many moments in my life and stages of my life, and even back then I said I would make every opportunity to see them as many times as possible.  

 

The R40 tour was just so short and I didn’t feel like I got to say my goodbye to the band, and I never thought I would see them again, and now I have a chance, and I’m going to 5 shows (provided something tragic doesn’t happen in my life, or we’re not all vaporized by that point, tomorrow ain’t guaranteed) and I’ve spent a good amount of money on these shows, with zero regrets at all.

No one gives a f**k how you spend your money....you earned it, you can do what you like with it....I was merely pointing out a simple fact......if people refused to pay the prices, they would come down....I'm well aware that will never happen. 

[PAFHumbucker]

Believe it or not prices have come down for shows with plentiful tickets.  They just haven’t come down to pre-covid prices.

[capoetc]

On 1/21/2026 at 4:00 PM, PAFHumbucker said:

Believe it or not prices have come down for shows with plentiful tickets.  They just haven’t come down to pre-covid prices.

 

I really wish Fort Worth had not been announced in the first batch of shows.  I would have much rather bought tickets to travel to a show with the understanding that those shows were "it" and then bought good tickets at a reasonable price for Fort Worth and sold the original tickets.  For this tour, I will be in the worst seats I have had since the Hold Your Fire tour, and I paid more than I ever have.  

 

I could afford to pay more to be closer or to go to more shows, I just choose not to.  

[Todem]

3 hours ago, capoetc said:

 

I really wish Fort Worth had not been announced in the first batch of shows.  I would have much rather bought tickets to travel to a show with the understanding that those shows were "it" and then bought good tickets at a reasonable price for Fort Worth and sold the original tickets.  For this tour, I will be in the worst seats I have had since the Hold Your Fire tour, and I paid more than I ever have.  

 

I could afford to pay more to be closer or to go to more shows, I just choose not to.  

I feel you.

 

I jumped on Fort Worth as my city of choice and got incredible seats for both shows (Second Row dead center for the very first one and 16th Row Alex side for the Friday Night show). Then of course they announced Hollywood and Tampa Florida......my home state. I grabbed very good seats for both Hollywood shows (not nearly as nuts as Fort Worth but super high quality and a lot less than what I laid out for Fort Worth).

 

As of now I am skipping Tampa.....all depends on how the tour evolves. If it's just lights out f***ing amazing....I will buy tickets for a Tampa show the day of. There will be plenty available. If not...4 shows on what I think is it for them touring wise....I am at peace. 

 

My son is in college during the Hollywood shows so this worked out the way it was meant to be for me personally. I am giving him a 21st birthday to remember in Fort Worth this summer. He is as giddy if not more than I am. It will be the closet he has ever seen them. And now he is 11 years older since R40 in Tampa (his last show). 

 

Good times. 

Edited January 23 by Todem

[PAFHumbucker]

Yeah.  I jumped on MSG since that was the closest and I paid too much for two “VIP” seats.  My wife and I are going to make the most of it and go to some baseball games up there, but if DC and Philly were in the first round, I wouldn’t have bothered.

 

I told a co-worker about the tour and his wife is a big fan.  He ended up buying tickets for Cleveland because that was all he could find, and then shortly after they announced shows much closer.  He wasn’t upset about it but I still feel bad.

[James Bond]

It worked out well enough for me since Toronto is indeed my spot, regardless of when/how the shows were announced. Nevertheless, the price drops will make Montreal more and more tempting for a second night.

[exiled yorkie]

I have only the first night philly show at the moment. I'll wait to close to dos for the other shows I want to attend

[Lurkst]

Just bought tickets for my kids to see Harry Styles at Wembley Stadium. It looks like North American prices are making their way across the Atlantic 

No dynamic pricing at least though.

 

[lerxt1990]

On 1/27/2026 at 6:17 PM, Lurkst said:

Just bought tickets for my kids to see Harry Styles at Wembley Stadium. It looks like North American prices are making their way across the Atlantic 

No dynamic pricing at least though.

 

Brutal I just went through the Harry disaster with someone else.  I notice a new policy we'll see - another artist coming (Noah someone) has ticket sales on TM, they cannot be transferred and resales for face value only are allowed only on TM.  How does this get enforced, an ID check at the gate or some electronic way to not transfer them?

[ytserush]

On 2/11/2026 at 11:02 AM, lerxt1990 said:

Brutal I just went through the Harry disaster with someone else.  I notice a new policy we'll see - another artist coming (Noah someone) has ticket sales on TM, they cannot be transferred and resales for face value only are allowed only on TM.  How does this get enforced, an ID check at the gate or some electronic way to not transfer them?

Kahan. A friend of mine wanted tickets for this show saw a $300 sticker price for nosebleeds and the idea quickly got shelved. Saw that message too. Have no idea how that would work.

[lerxt1990]

15 hours ago, ytserush said:

Kahan. A friend of mine wanted tickets for this show saw a $300 sticker price for nosebleeds and the idea quickly got shelved. Saw that message too. Have no idea how that would work.

Yes - so they sold out very fast, and now, given the messages, it seems like a huge risk to buy aftermarket... (except tm).

[GabesCavesOfIce]

On 2/11/2026 at 11:02 AM, lerxt1990 said:

Brutal I just went through the Harry disaster with someone else.  I notice a new policy we'll see - another artist coming (Noah someone) has ticket sales on TM, they cannot be transferred and resales for face value only are allowed only on TM.  How does this get enforced, an ID check at the gate or some electronic way to not transfer them?

 

 

TM uses an encrypted barcode that refreshes every 15 seconds and the tickets are bound to the app. The transfer function is greyed out, except for a "face value exchange" if  utilized by the artist.

 

The most common way to defeat this is have the tickets purchased in a throw away account, and the login and password are provided to use the transfered tix. Then the venue would need to check IDs at the door to prevent, which is labor intensive. 

[lerxt1990]

On 2/16/2026 at 10:49 AM, GabesCavesOfIce said:

 

 

TM uses an encrypted barcode that refreshes every 15 seconds and the tickets are bound to the app. The transfer function is greyed out, except for a "face value exchange" if  utilized by the artist.

 

The most common way to defeat this is have the tickets purchased in a throw away account, and the login and password are provided to use the transfered tix. Then the venue would need to check IDs at the door to prevent, which is labor intensive. 

Interesting!  Thanks.

[Birmingham Odeon 3/06/77]

The problem is Ticket master. Dynamic pricing is a ripoff. I am surprised and disappointed that RUSH allow it. Here in the UK we had the same issues with other bands and dynamic pricing. It should be banned.

[Alexmai]

Second row, Geddy side.

My last hurrah on a venue, I think (music is over)... so why not?

[losingit2k]

It was the Fees, hat were insane! Ticketmaster Sucks! 

[theSplund]

On 10/18/2025 at 4:32 AM, ytserush said:

 

Other than Roger Waters and Dream Theater  a bunch of times and King Crimson , I don't have much of a reason to go to arena and stadium shows. Done with the ticketbastard games. If I can get something I consider reasonable I'm going. If not, I won't.

(A bit late but) I've actively avoided stadium gigs since mid 90s, and then stuck to 'small' 2-4000 seater venues for the next 20 years - still managed to see Bjork, Devin Townsend, Radiohead, and a few others, right up close (ie 1-3 row of standing). These days I only do <1000 capacity gigs (and a few really tiny gigs too) - happy with my choice TBH, and I can buy the tickets from the venue direct. I'd rather buy the BluRay for the lack of intimacy that a stadium gig gives you (though there's no bragging rights to that ;-). 

[Todem]

I still love arena shows for great bands. 

 

Stadium shows blow....my last one was Metallica back in 2018. They suck. The sound sucks balls.

 

I love theater shows the most.....4K people or less venues are terrific. 

 

I am also done with GA club shows....those days are over as well.  

 

I have been to probably 500 live shows in my life.....have done it all. 

[ytserush]

On 3/31/2026 at 11:02 AM, Todem said:

I still love arena shows for great bands. 

 

Stadium shows blow....my last one was Metallica back in 2018. They suck. The sound sucks balls.

 

I love theater shows the most.....4K people or less venues are terrific. 

 

I am also done with GA club shows....those days are over as well.  

 

I have been to probably 500 live shows in my life.....have done it all. 

Theaters are probably my favorite. Clubs are a tough slog for me at this point. Except  for Rush, I've been pretty much done with ticketmaster for years.