American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen’s concert tickets recently went on sale, and fans were horrified at how much they cost.
So much so, that they’re comparing prices to a mortgage payment!
“Finally! Outrage!” one fan commented.
Springsteen is probably best known for his album Born in the U.S.A. which was released in 1984.
He has millions of fans around the world, some of which are very angry right now…
During his last tour in 2016, the prices of floor seats were only $164.
But as the years have gone on, the price of tickets has gone up.
According to the Daily Mail, “platinum tickets” have fluctuated in price, as they are reportedly in demand…
The tickets can be located anywhere in the arena, however, the rising sales mean that resellers may get them.
Fans were quick to slam Springsteen and claimed ticket prices are “daylight robbery.”
“$4000 to $5000 to see Bruce Springsteen pfft daylight robbery. I am not that crazy for his music but this is f***** up just retire,” said one angry fan.
While another bashed Ticketmaster for the ridiculous pricing…
“Death, taxes, and fans p***** off at Ticketmaster for extortionate ticket practices.
“I’m sorry @springsteen, but for a guy who’s always championed the working man these prices are a joke,” added the infuriated fan.
It’s safe to say fans aren’t impressed.
Another has reportedly set up a GoFundMe page in an attempt to get hold of the tickets for him and his wife.
And that’s not all…
A spokesperson from Ticketmaster revealed that “88.2 percent of tickets were sold at set prices.”
“The prices for arena shows ranged from $59.50 to $399 before service fees, and the average set ticket price was $202.
The average price of all tickets sold was $262, and only 1.3% of total tickets across the shows sold for more than $1K.”
They then went on to defend their decision…
“Prices and formats are consistent with industry standards for top performers.”
They added that “56 percent were sold for under $200,” while the remaining “11 percent was sold “between $150 and $200.”
But fans’ complaints have been heard by only one member of Springsteen’s band…
Steven Van Zandt.
Band member Steven Van Zandt is the only one who has publicly responded to the complaints.
“I have nothing whatsoever to do with the prices of tickets. Nothing. Nada. Niante. Bubkis,” he tweeted.
Soon after Springsteen was slammed by a New Jersey newspaper…
“Springsteen, the artist who has defined his career by singing about working-class and disenfranchised Americans, has forgotten his fans,” they said.
The star, who was born and raised in New Jersey, released tickets for his 2023 US concert last week and they were priced at around $4,000 to $5,000.
Which is pretty shocking.
Springsteen’s manager hit out at the backlash.
He feels the tickets were priced fairly.
Jon Landau, Springsteen’s manager, has defended their choice.
He insists the tickets are a “fair price” considering what you’re buying.
“In pricing tickets for this tour, we looked carefully at what our peers have been doing,” Landau told The New York Times.
“We chose prices that are lower than some and on par with others.”
He commented on the recent backlash online at the maximum price of premium seats…
The seats that reportedly cost thousands.
“Regardless of the commentary about a modest number of tickets costing $1,000 or more…
“Our true average ticket price has been in the mid-$200 range,” the manager explained.
He added: “I believe that in today’s environment, that is a fair price to see someone universally regarded as among the very greatest artists of his generation.”
However, fans are still not ok with what’s going on.
“I remember seeing Bruce at Madison Square Garden in the ’70s for $25 a ticket. So special,” one fan reminisced.
“I refuse to pay the ridiculous prices that the elitists want! I remember when it was about music but now it’s all about money,” another added.
“Are these Bruce Springsteen ticket prices for real?! I’ll pay $100 per great song he has… In other words, I have a $200 ticket limit,” wrote another.
“Bruce Springsteen, the aging old liberal billionaire, who infamously stood on a NY stage and said ‘we need to vote for Obama so we can pay our mortgage’ is now demanding ticket prices that rival ones current mortgage payments, to see him sing songs from almost half a century ago,” a fourth pointed out.
Springsteen isn’t the only star under fire for rising ticket prices of late.
In fact, Taylor Swift’s Ticketmaster controversy even had fans suing the site!
While Beyonce fans are considering flying to Europe to avoid paying extortionate US ticket prices.
What do you think about the ticket price debate?