The Just Thought I'd Share Thread

[Macfanforever]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

You'd have to see a Madonna show to understand the ticket prices - I think they're high, but not outlandish or unreasonable. Let's not forget that she doesn't set her prices - Live Nation does in conjuction with the venue. Her stage is very elaborate, with thousands of little LCD screens attached to a flexible netting type of device that can twist, turn and transform - from a video monitor to a cylinder of light surrounding her. The video monitors alone are 25-35 feet high (made up of those LCD screens) - and there are three of them usually. There is a stage cast (musicians & dancers) of aproximately 50 people. Transforming stages that move up and down - last tour a car was even driven onto the stage! It's expensive to transport, assemble, operate and disassemble all of this stuff for every show. It takes three or four days of work for each show - that ticket price covers all of that work, food for the workers, hotels for the entire stage crew.

There are very few artists I'd pay $375 to see - Fleetwood Mac is not one of them, no matter what. I know from prior experience that they could never provide an appropriate value for that kind of fee, neither could the Eagles. Maybe U2...maybe. Considering the high caliber of a Madonna show, I think the cost is appropriate. It's worth it, to me anyway.

I'm not saying everyone should pay that much to see her, and I'm sure there will be cheaper seats at every show. The thing with concerts is you're getting an experience for your money, nothing tangible - just a feeling, a memory that will last forever. Each of us has to put a value on that experience that we are wiling to pay. The last Madonna show I saw was $99 dollars - we were literally in the second-to-last row. Looking back, I'd easily have paid $299 for that experience. It was that good, but then I've loved her music most of my life and it was the first time I'd been able to see her live.

Edit: I guess what I'm trying to say is that when the Eagles are charging 375 for a show, you're paying for ego. When you pay 375 to see Madonna, it's because the show is high tech, lavish and expensive to put on. You get what you pay for.

Here's an example of those LCD-mesh-netting-monitor thingies. The tech at a Madonna show is incredible - no one else uses this kind of stuff.. (the vocal in this video is an overdub from the album version - not the live vocal)

I agree on this.That explains why the tickets for the Rod/ Stevie tour were steep last year.
Rod had the high tech stage plus his big band to pay for.I do like light shows and the vid screens .but I like to focus on the performer and their band.I wish I get a chance to see madonna in the early 1980 when I like her tunes.I would of enjoy ed her show.At that time I was going to country concerts.