All you need is love...and a thousand dollars

[Walter Milner]

I love Paul. I love the Beatles. I have since I can remember. Now my kids love Paul and the Beatles. They are 4 and 7 and their room is decorated with Beatles  stuff. Their clothing too.

I know Paul is a top-tier artist, the toppermost of the poppermost. But does it have to be this way? Where only rich people can go see him live?

My wife and I are teachers; i.e. - we don't make a lot of money. We've been waiting for Paul to go on tour so our children will have a chance to see a Beatle in concert while there is still a chance. The tickets for our local show (Hollywood, Florida) start in the hundreds of dollars, for the lowest-cost tickets. We can drive four hours to see him in Orlando, and be blessed to only pay over a hundred dollars (add the ticketmaster fees) to sit in the toppermost of a giant stadium (yes, there were a few rows at the very back that cost just under $100 with the fees). For a family of four, on a low budget, that is not worth it, with travelling and hotel.

Again, I know Paul is the greatest. But...can't he make a little less money? Wouldn't it be cool, and Beatle-like, to have a show where every ticket is under $100 and every seat costs the same - on a first-come-first-served basis?

So the rich can go see Paul. Those with American Express cards can buy tickets early. And the richer can sit near the front. And they can rattle their jewelry instead of clapping. And I can tell my kids that they could've seen a Beatle live at one time, but it cost too much.

Just sharing my sadness.

[Yankeefan2]

Walter Milner wrote:

I love Paul. I love the Beatles. I have since I can remember. Now my kids love Paul and the Beatles. They are 4 and 7 and their room is decorated with Beatles  stuff. Their clothing too.

I know Paul is a top-tier artist, the toppermost of the poppermost. But does it have to be this way? Where only rich people can go see him live?

My wife and I are teachers; i.e. - we don't make a lot of money. We've been waiting for Paul to go on tour so our children will have a chance to see a Beatle in concert while there is still a chance. The tickets for our local show (Hollywood, Florida) start in the hundreds of dollars, for the lowest-cost tickets. We can drive four hours to see him in Orlando, and be blessed to only pay over a hundred dollars (add the ticketmaster fees) to sit in the toppermost of a giant stadium (yes, there were a few rows at the very back that cost just under $100 with the fees). For a family of four, on a low budget, that is not worth it, with travelling and hotel.

Again, I know Paul is the greatest. But...can't he make a little less money? Wouldn't it be cool, and Beatle-like, to have a show where every ticket is under $100 and every seat costs the same - on a first-come-first-served basis?

So the rich can go see Paul. Those with American Express cards can buy tickets early. And the richer can sit near the front. And they can rattle their jewelry instead of clapping. And I can tell my kids that they could've seen a Beatle live at one time, but it cost too much.

Just sharing my sadness.

It is the way of the world today regarding entertainment. Sporting events have luxury boxes for the rich and famous and the average price of a ticket to the 2022 Super Bowl was over $7,000. Recording artists will tell you that it is expensive to put on a show today (lights, sound, band,roadies etc) and the ticket prices reflect that cost. In addition, artists don't make much on recordings today so concerts are where there make the most money. That is why all these 70 year old recording artists go on  a "final" tour -lol. Paul is a billionaire but that does not stop him for doing soundcheck package for $1,500-$2,000 in addition to concert. In other words, even with his wealth he still seems to want to make as much money as possible.

I don't know if you know about Broadway theater but they do something that it would be great to see some recording artist do.  While they have their hugely expensive front row seats, these shows have a lottery/rush tickets that are available every show for $25-$50.  People enter the lottery and a select few get the chance to purchase these tickets. Woudn't it be great if Paul did something like that at every venue. Of course, these seats would be the "nosebleed" seats but people would be thrilled to just get into the arena without going broke -lol.

Finally, the sad thing is when you cater to "rich" people way too many of them are really not into the show like yourself. There are there because it is the "cool" thing to do and they can show everyone on FB that they are seeing Paul.  It is not going to change and that is why I look back fondly at my younger days when for example  I saw Led Zepplin at Madison Square Garden (1973) for $8.50. Back then you mailed in request for tickets and I got two great seats near the stage and one level up from floor seats.  I was thrilled in 2010 to share seeing Paul with my daughters who were in there 20's at the time, we did not have great seats but it was affordable. Sorry you will not be able to have the same experience.

[NJR]

^ Yeah, the first time I saw Paul in 1976, the tickets were about $10 each. Even in 1990 and 1993 they were less than $30! Pretty sure all the tickets for the entire arena were the same price. By 2002 they cost around $275 including fees.

I thought it was insane when I paid $100 for Eagles tickets in 1994! The most I've paid for Paul is $1600 (flat rate - no extra fees) in 2017 for the Hot Sound Package (4th row dead center, meal, merchandise and soundcheck)  Never again.

[oobu24]

1976 ticket. Not mine. I didn't save my ticket but I do have the original T shirt.

[edujyeh]

now the ticketmaster convenience fee is 50 x that price.  And their profit on platinum is 200X that price !

[edujyeh]

$47 today, adjusted for inflation

[lemchast]

I remember paying $250 for a ticket to the Concert for New York City in 2001. I remember at the time thinking it was an astronomical price, but I decided to splurge for this once in a lifetime event. Nowadays you're lucky if you can get in the door at an average concert for that much. It's crazy!

[Maccaroni1974]

As mentioned in another thread, this is most likely the final go around.  This "he will rock 'til he drops" is pure nonsense.  At some point the touring has to end,  He is 80.   To think he will be doing 15-20 shows 5 years from now is complete insanity.

Go see him now of you can.  This is the final cash grab, which is why tickets are even higher this time around.  We will still get a surpise show here and there, and maybe a couple of "special" shows once in a while, but the regular tours are over after this year.  We predicted this

[Yankeefan2]

NJR wrote:

^ Yeah, the first time I saw Paul in 1976, the tickets were about $10 each. Even in 1990 and 1993 they were less than $30! Pretty sure all the tickets for the entire arena were the same price. By 2002 they cost around $275 including fees.

I thought it was insane when I paid $100 for Eagles tickets in 1994! The most I've paid for Paul is $1600 (flat rate - no extra fees) in 2017 for the Hot Sound Package (4th row dead center, meal, merchandise and soundcheck)  Never again.

In 2018, my wife and I saw Bon Jovi in Charlotte because she always wanted to see them. Got tickets late and sat high up but not too far from the stage and ticket was only $34.50 before fees. Granted Bon Jovi is not Pau McCartney but they are still a big name rock act and they can have some seats at very affordable price.

[A Lover and A Friend]

Sometimes I feel so sad! Its just another day

[Kestrel]

Yankeefan2 wrote:

In 2018, my wife and I saw Bon Jovi in Charlotte because she always wanted to see them. Got tickets late and sat high up but not too far from the stage and ticket was only $34.50 before fees. Granted Bon Jovi is not Pau McCartney but they are still a big name rock act and they can have some seats at very affordable price.

I accept that its hardly a fair comparison with Paul putting on a show, but in January I went to see Let's Eat Grandma play in a basement nightclub gig  in London,and it was standing only. So I got in early and stood by the stage,in fact before they came on I just sat on the edge of the stage. And it was a great show, I really enjoyed the intimacy of being a couple of feet away from the performers, and to be honest I enjoyed it far more than the Paul concert I attended at the O2 back in 2011. I can't remember what the price of that ticket was now,maybe about £80 or something like that?

But for that recent Let's Eat Grandma gig I paid just £15 ($20) so its proves to me that artists can put on great performances in small venues in big cities at reasonable prices.

Some of the ticket prices I've seen mentioned in this thread are simply outrageous and there's absolutely no justification for them. I'll be keeping a close eye on ticket prices for Paul's gigs in the UK and although I accept that they'll be a lot higher than £15,there's no way I'm going to pay silly money to watch a performer (whoever they are) who's a good forty years passed his peak.

[Ospreylady]

I share the sentiments above. The last two times I saw paul I paid $275 and $300. Face value tickets....I am an old Beatle fan, yes I saw them in person in 1965. I so wanted to see paul in Oakland. I live in Minnesota so would have to travel to attend with my cousin. But I lost  my job during the pandemic.....and none the less I saved up so I could get a seat....but the tickets were scalped, Ticketmaster turned all the good seats into platinum, now the venue is populated with  verified resale and most tickets are over $1000, with a few over $800. Resellers have thousands of tickets at ridiculous prices. I tried at the presales and the public sale and every time I found a ticket that was less than $1000 it said another fan got the tickets. I tried and tried and tried. Got nothing. Now there are plenty of seats available at platinum or resale prices......NOT ONE FACE VALUE TICKET!  It makes me so sad that Paul allowed this. Stars like Springsteen and Adele have gone to great lengths to try to prevent this so real fans could attend. Now Paul is an elitist performer....allowing greed to rule. I too wish for a tour with lower priced seats and NO platinum seats, no reselling. 
I am so disappointed. I simply can't spend $1000 to see Paul again. And I really needed the lift that only a Beatle can provide. Sigh. I hope there is another tour, managed better, let SONGKICK manage it.....Ticketmaster is disgusting.
But Paul and his team have to decide that we are worth it....

[Yankeefan2]

Kestrel wrote:

Yankeefan2 wrote:

In 2018, my wife and I saw Bon Jovi in Charlotte because she always wanted to see them. Got tickets late and sat high up but not too far from the stage and ticket was only $34.50 before fees. Granted Bon Jovi is not Pau McCartney but they are still a big name rock act and they can have some seats at very affordable price.

I accept that its hardly a fair comparison with Paul putting on a show, but in January I went to see Let's Eat Grandma play in a basement nightclub gig  in London,and it was standing only. So I got in early and stood by the stage,in fact before they came on I just sat on the edge of the stage. And it was a great show, I really enjoyed the intimacy of being a couple of feet away from the performers, and to be honest I enjoyed it far more than the Paul concert I attended at the O2 back in 2011. I can't remember what the price of that ticket was now,maybe about £80 or something like that?

But for that recent Let's Eat Grandma gig I paid just £15 ($20) so its proves to me that artists can put on great performances in small venues in big cities at reasonable prices.

Some of the ticket prices I've seen mentioned in this thread are simply outrageous and there's absolutely no justification for them. I'll be keeping a close eye on ticket prices for Paul's gigs in the UK and although I accept that they'll be a lot higher than £15,there's no way I'm going to pay silly money to watch a performer (whoever they are) who's a good forty years passed his peak.

If you have been fortunate enough to see Paul several times like many of us, I don't know why you want want to pay these insane prices  to see him with diminished voice.  I get the first timers since it probably is your last opportunity to see him so you will spend the money for one time show. I have seen a few people (Lindsay Buckingam, Bruce Springsteen etc) in smaller venues in Charlotte NC and like you said the intimacy makes the show so much better. While I paid more than you did to see "Let's Eat Grandma", it still was well under $100 a ticket before fees.

[Kestrel]

Yankeefan2 wrote:

If you have been fortunate enough to see Paul several times like many of us, I don't know why you want want to pay these insane prices  to see him with diminished voice.

Me neither. But I suspect you're right that anyone who hasn't seen Paul before might need to pay the going rate as it could possibly be their last chance. But if it was to be the first and last time they saw Paul, it would be a great shame that their lasting memory was of an artist who had peaked vocally forty odd years earlier.

Still, there is always the fireworks, flashing lights and big screens acting as a distraction.

[Yankeefan2]

Kestrel wrote:

Yankeefan2 wrote:

If you have been fortunate enough to see Paul several times like many of us, I don't know why you want want to pay these insane prices  to see him with diminished voice.

Me neither. But I suspect you're right that anyone who hasn't seen Paul before might need to pay the going rate as it could possibly be their last chance. But if it was to be the first and last time they saw Paul, it would be a great shame that their lasting memory was of an artist who had peaked vocally forty odd years earlier.

Still, there is always the fireworks, flashing lights and big screens acting as a distraction.

I don't think the first timers will care that much about his voice unless he is truly horrible. They are there to sing along to old Beatle songs they love and say they saw Beatle Paul.  Most of us remember when he was at his peak and we are very lucky, plus we did not spend crazy amount of money doing it.

[NJR]

Yankeefan2 wrote:

Kestrel wrote:

Yankeefan2 wrote:

If you have been fortunate enough to see Paul several times like many of us, I don't know why you want want to pay these insane prices  to see him with diminished voice.

Me neither. But I suspect you're right that anyone who hasn't seen Paul before might need to pay the going rate as it could possibly be their last chance. But if it was to be the first and last time they saw Paul, it would be a great shame that their lasting memory was of an artist who had peaked vocally forty odd years earlier.

Still, there is always the fireworks, flashing lights and big screens acting as a distraction.

I don't think the first timers will care that much about his voice unless he is truly horrible. They are there to sing along to old Beatle songs they love and say they saw Beatle Paul.  Most of us remember when he was at his peak and we are very lucky, plus we did not spend crazy amount of money doing it.

^ What he said!

[John Mackintosh]

edujyeh wrote:

$47 today, adjusted for inflation

This says it .  Granted, the 1976 tour was devoid of modern video screens and staging but that can't  justify what has happened to ticket prices.  Ticketmaster needs to just go ahead and at least be upfront about they have become.  Corporate name change from Ticketmaster to Ticketscalper to reflect 2022

[Annika]

I'm sorry, but I don't see how making disparaging comments about Paul's "fading voice" or that he's a "good 40 years past his peak" is constructive in any way.

Yes, ticket prices are expensive. Yes, many cannot afford to go. And yes, it totally sucks. I get it.

But to make hurtful remarks about Paul because of it seems a little petty.

[Yankeefan2]

Annika wrote:

I'm sorry, but I don't see how making disparaging comments about Paul's "fading voice" or that he's a "good 40 years past his peak" is constructive in any way.

Yes, ticket prices are expensive. Yes, many cannot afford to go. And yes, it totally sucks. I get it.

But to make hurtful remarks about Paul because of it seems a little petty.

Comments about his voice are not petty, they are just the truth. Yes, the quality of his voice matters when you are paying  lots of money to hear him perform.  If you are paying top dollar to hear somebody sing you should expect quality vocals.  Sorry, while this is a McCartney fan board not every comment is going to say how wonderful he is as a performer or songwriter.

[kitty55d]

Ospreylady wrote:

I share the sentiments above. The last two times I saw paul I paid $275 and $300. Face value tickets....I am an old Beatle fan, yes I saw them in person in 1965. I so wanted to see paul in Oakland. I live in Minnesota so would have to travel to attend with my cousin. But I lost  my job during the pandemic.....and none the less I saved up so I could get a seat....but the tickets were scalped, Ticketmaster turned all the good seats into platinum, now the venue is populated with  verified resale and most tickets are over $1000, with a few over $800. Resellers have thousands of tickets at ridiculous prices. I tried at the presales and the public sale and every time I found a ticket that was less than $1000 it said another fan got the tickets. I tried and tried and tried. Got nothing. Now there are plenty of seats available at platinum or resale prices......NOT ONE FACE VALUE TICKET!  It makes me so sad that Paul allowed this. Stars like Springsteen and Adele have gone to great lengths to try to prevent this so real fans could attend. Now Paul is an elitist performer....allowing greed to rule. I too wish for a tour with lower priced seats and NO platinum seats, no reselling. 
I am so disappointed. I simply can't spend $1000 to see Paul again. And I really needed the lift that only a Beatle can provide. Sigh. I hope there is another tour, managed better, let SONGKICK manage it.....Ticketmaster is disgusting.
But Paul and his team have to decide that we are worth it....

Lots of availability for the newly added second show. Give it a shot!