June 21st 2024.
Taylor Swift is getting ready to kick off her UK leg of the Eras Tour, and fans are eagerly anticipating the show. However, not everyone has been lucky enough to snag tickets to see their favorite artist live. It reminds me of my first ever gig, when I was 12 years old and went to see Busted at Wembley Arena with my sister and her friends. I was in awe as I took in the massive crowd and the band finally appeared on stage, the same guys that were on the poster hanging in my bedroom. I left the show with no voice and ringing ears, but it was worth it to witness my favorite artists perform live.
It's unfortunate that ticket prices have become so astronomical in recent years, making it nearly impossible for many fans to attend concerts. Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is a prime example of this, as her tickets are not only expensive but also extremely difficult to get a hold of. I was lucky enough to secure tickets for one of her shows, but it wasn't an easy task. I had to join an online queue during the middle of a workday, and my colleague even brought me a cup of tea knowing I would be occupied for a while.
Eventually, I was able to secure tickets at the second cheapest price bracket of £75 each, but this is still a hefty fee for many. Parents who have to pay for multiple tickets for their children and chaperones may struggle to afford the cost. It's disheartening to see the stark differences between wealthier and poorer households when it comes to attending concerts.
It's not just the high prices that are causing issues for fans, but also the limited availability of tickets. Many people have been priced out and forced to stretch their finances just to attend a show, while others have missed out altogether. Some fans have even resorted to camping outside stadiums just to hear the faint noise of the concert going on inside. It's a sad reality for passionate fans like Madison Backband, who went viral after being caught on camera crying while listening to the distant sounds of Taylor's concert.
It's frustrating to see that some fans have bought tickets to multiple shows, leaving many others with no chance of attending. This selfish behavior goes against the idea of being a true fan. It's disheartening to see people buying up to 15 tickets for themselves, while others miss out on the opportunity completely. Even those who want to attend but are deterred by the lottery system and expensive prices may feel judged for not knowing every lyric.
While Taylor did release the film version of her tour on Disney+ to give more fans a chance to experience the magic, it's not the same as seeing a live performance in person. And yet, even this release is seen as another way for artists to make money. The shift from smaller music venues and affordable prices to mega shows and high prices is a clear display of privilege and often means that certain types of fans and children will continuously miss out.
It's understandable that touring is the main source of income for artists, but there should be a limit on ticket prices and the number of tickets one person can purchase. Until then, we will continue to see certain people monopolizing tickets and depriving others of the opportunity to see their favorite artists live. It's time for a change in the music industry to ensure that all fans have a fair chance to attend concerts.
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