An interesting article on the finances of touring. (Bon Jovi content)

The article brings up a good point that I simply don't understand about most big name touring acts: Why do artists/bands who could easily sell out multiple performances in the same venue insist on racing across the country doing one night stands? I'm not a big Bon Jovi fan, but his attempts to do consecutive nights whenever possible just makes sense -- good for the fans, good for the bottom line, and good for the performer who needs a break from bus trips and airports.
 
agreed.
I'm not a huge fan either, but all that stuff makes sense.
especially the bit about entourage.

for us, I like to go for, say, 3 weeks at a shot.
out of those 21 days, we'd get maybe three off.
the longer the tour, the more days off, of course.

but that's a money thing too.
we don't get quite as much as Mr Bon Jovi, so downtime costs money.
 
good article
I know he made a ton of money here in Japan, not sure if his band is still tops, but I'd like to see his band, but not at ￥８５００　a seat, plus train, plus hotel for one night. Total cost for 2 would be about $400
 
It's interesting how many band sell tickets at different price points now. Back in the day, I'd go see Saxon or Judas Priest or Maiden and you'd pay one price..nowadays even Opeth offer "meet and greet" kind of packages where you get to see the soundcheck, have front of house seats, lots of goodies and IIRC they were charging £140 for that at their Albert Hall show. Those tickets sold out, couldn't get one :(. Paid £30 for a regular ticket.
 
It's hard to believe how fast ticket prices shot through the roof.

I distinctly remember seeing Van Halen on the Balance tour in 1995 and paying $30 for a seat in an arena, and $20 for a lawn seat in an amphitheater.

Those prices were doubled for the next tour in 1998. On the last tour, I think the cheapest seats were something like $75.
 
Prages said:
It's hard to believe how fast ticket prices shot through the roof.

I distinctly remember seeing Van Halen on the Balance tour in 1995 and paying $30 for a seat in an arena, and $20 for a lawn seat in an amphitheater.

Those prices were doubled for the next tour in 1998. On the last tour, I think the cheapest seats were something like $75.
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They really have gone up. I think the average price I've paid lately have been north of $50. I paid $175 to see VH on the last tour. Oh yeah, plus $35 for parking.:annoyed:
 
Prages said:
It's hard to believe how fast ticket prices shot through the roof.

I distinctly remember seeing Van Halen on the Balance tour in 1995 and paying $30 for a seat in an arena, and $20 for a lawn seat in an amphitheater.

Those prices were doubled for the next tour in 1998. On the last tour, I think the cheapest seats were something like $75.
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fuck the fucking Eagles, man.
 
Help!I'maRock! said:
thanks for making it shitty for the rest of us.
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Sorry man. The first time was the original reunion tour. The second time was this year. I took my Dad, they are his favorite band and he had never seen them live.

You think The Eagles are bad check U2 ticket prices out. :eek:
 
reverend1 said:
Sorry man. The first time was the original reunion tour. The second time was this year. I took my Dad, they are his favorite band and he had never seen them live.

You think The Eagles are bad check U2 ticket prices out. :eek:
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and they wonder why rock n roll is dead. :tongue:
 
How do you guys think the smaller bands make any money on tour?

For example:

I saw Symphony X a few weeks ago, at Blondies in Detroit.

Blondies is not a big place at all, and there were maybe 100 people there, give or take (at $30 a ticket)


Given that Symphony X has to pay for the venue, security, a couple of roadies, sound guys, drivers, and had two other opening acts, I can't figure out how a band like that makes any money on the road :confused:


And they are fairly well known on the metal scene, though not hugely popular by any means (their 2nd-to-last album, 'The Odyssey' sold 50,000 copies in the U.S. and their last album 'Paradise Lost' did a bit better)
 
Jbird said:
How do you guys think the smaller bands make any money on tour?

For example:

I saw Symphony X a few weeks ago, at Blondies in Detroit.

Blondies is not a big place at all, and there were maybe 100 people there, give or take (at $30 a ticket)


Given that Symphony X has to pay for the venue, security, a couple of roadies, sound guys, drivers, and had two other opening acts, I can't figure out how a band like that makes any money on the road :confused:


And they are fairly well known on the metal scene, though not hugely popular by any means (their 2nd-to-last album, 'The Odyssey' sold 50,000 copies in the U.S. and their last album 'Paradise Lost' did a bit better)
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Merch.

Plus you need to think about the fact a lot of these roadies, sound guys and in house crew are making pennies.

$30 a ticket is still $3,000 for a nights work gross which is a lot better than most.

Even takign transport, hotels, crew etc... on board, they're probably still making at least $2k before they sell a t shirt.
 
He is definitely a smart businessman. What amazes me is that he still has the drawing power to fill the venues he has. All the live clips I have seen over the past few years look like the band is dialing it in. He has driven his right hand man (Sambora) into rehab for alcoholism and exhaustion and he refuses to take any time off for him to recover.

Concert ticket wise, I refuse to pay over $100 a ticket to see anyone. Anything over $75.00 would be a very rare event. No one is worth that kind of money.....
 
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