Concert tickets - how much is too much?

That does seem a lot Katy. I'd be tempted though!

Years and years ago we bought tickets to see the Stones and my father was heard to mutter 'Those tickets cost more than my mortgage'. They weren't worth it and, to add insult to injury, someone was sick all over my shoes!

That is too much.

I've been disappointed on more than one occasion with the "ageing pop star" or "rock star" bunch - my husband paid a fortune for us to go to David Crosby (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) and Graham Nash. When DC repeated a joke after interval that he had told earlier, the penny dropped for that they're past it.

Dropped for me!

I wish that I had seen frank Sinatra before he retired for the last time. he was at The Albert Hall I think with Liza Minelli and we couldn't possibly have afforded it I think its was about £200 but now I wish we had. I probably wouldn't pay more than £50 for anything; by the time you have added in train fares and hotel as we would have to go to a city. We did now I think of it pay about £45 each to go the Karl Jenkins Armed Man concert at the Bridgewater Hall (drove there and stayed in a Premier Inn) that was fantastic.

PS I wouldn't cross the road to see Paul Macartney

The most I've paid was £53 each to see Eric Clapton at the O2 Arena in Newcastle, a birthday present for MrA, and a similar sum to see Bryan Ferry <double swoon>

Although I saw the Beatles in 1965, you would have to pay me to go and watch Paul McCartney now.

In fact I 'Liked' this Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Paul-McCartney-and-Elton-John-performing-at-any-more-national-events/210060052453738

The last concert I went to was Diana Ross at Wembley about 6 yrs ago this was the third time I'd seen her, sadly she is now past her sell by date.
I've been to see comedians since then and have tickets to see Michael McIntyre in October I'm treating DD for her birthday. Tickets were £50ish each. That's as much as I would pay to see anything.

You'd have to pay me to go and see Paul McCartney but then I know Micky Mac isn't everyone's taste.

I'm with Janea re Bryan Ferry. We saw him years ago when he was on tour during his white tuxedo tour (obviously not what it was really called!!) And, I saw him in Durham Cathedral - right up close!!

Actually, I heard him interviewed on Radio 2 and was disappointed in how lightweight he sounded. Just have to stick to looking at him, I suppose!!

Kitty
Having met Brian Johnson (AC/DC) in a close encounter on the Grand Union Canal in 2007 I would pay money to see him perform too

Well when I saw the Beatles in the '60s I paid ten shillings for one of the concerts The last time we saw him it was a great show. It was a real 'show' if you see what I mean. There were acrobats and jugglers in the auditorium before the show and a great atmosphere. I'm not mean and DH said 'get them if you like' but isn't a fan and I would have taken my daughter. I just think it's slightly over the top price wise and would have felt a bit bad shelling out that amount. Perhaps I would have been tempted if we hadn't seen him before. Some of them are past there sell by date. A couple of years ago we went to see Don McLean as we loved all his songs. He was truly awful. We left at the interval.

Just to add, I think it's unfair to have a campaign to stop people performing. Why? Their concerts are sell outs. The site I went on to look for the McCartney tickets is a pre sale site (they don't go on general
sale until Monday) and some blocks in the huge arena were already sold out.

Teetime- I am so glad you said it before I did, lol! Never liked Maca- I was a Lenon fan, and a rock chick ;) And after his abyssmal and embarrassing performance at the Olympics- I wouldn't either.

But ... not sure how much I'd pay for top tickets- 285 seems an awful lot- but if once in a lifetime for your favourite ever- why not.

That is an awful lot of money and being Scottish, I certainly would not dream of paying even half of it. As somebody said that is only the start of what you will be paying out for- be it hotel or petrol and/or food/snacks. It all mounts up. I never was a fan of Paul- give me Queen any day.

KatyK I think it's a joke.

The old groups that are probably still worth going to see are the ones that are still treading the boards after many years eg [the Searchers perhaps]. Sometimes only have a couple of original band members left but put on a good, solid professional show. Must point out I am guessing by saying this as I haven't been to see anything like that. Folk groups seem to go on for longer and maintain their excellence [Fairport for example].

My mum has dialysis in the next bed to one of Brain Johnson's oldest friends janeainsworth and when he's in the country he often pops into the hospital to see him. Apparently he's a really nice guy. He told my dad a really funny story about his late father getting up at the crack of dawn and driving his rented mobility scooter down the Freeway (looking for a newsagent that sold British newspapers) and being brought back by the cops.

Not my cup of tea music wise though.

I did pay £50 to see Michael Jackson in the 80's (it was a lot of money then) and almost £90 to see The Eagles at Wembley.

Oh is it jane? One of my DD's friends has it on her Facebook page with some sort of comment that 'old people should be banned from performing'. She is perfectly serious!

gillybob and others (and sorry if this sounds like boasting!) - every New Year's Eve Eric Clapton and a band which includes Andy Fairweather-Low, the keyboard player from Procul Harem (name escapes me now), Ringo Starr and I can't remember who else ... play an intimate "underground" concert as a fundraiser for their an anonymous addictions support group in Guildford. A couple of years ago we got tickets through a friend of a friend (tickets are always sold out well in advance, never advertised and available via word-of-mouth and grapevine only, we tried and couldn't get tickets again the next year). No cameras are allowed - and no booze either! It's a teetotal night, but what a night. Anyway on this occasion Eric Clapton announced that a "friend from across the pond" would be joining and on strolled Joe Walsh (Eagles). We were right up against the stage! I think the tickets were about £50 each. No mention is made on the night of the reason for the concert. It's all really quite special.

Wow Grannyknot

Have just paid over £100 to see Bette Midler in B'ham in July, plus extra for train fare and hotel for night. First concert I have been able to go to for over 10 years so she had better be good. I thought it was a lot but my friend who got the tickets didn't agree.

Katy I just assumed it was a joke! I've certainly nothing against 'old' performers. One of the best concerts I've been to in the last few years was BB King, who will be 90 this year. He sat on a chair throughout the concert, and was stunning.
Just before Christmas we went to see Chris Barber, still magic in his 80's.

Yes Gilly Brian seemed really nice.

Grannyknot

jane - yes some stand the test of time better than others! I'm not sure whether the campaign is a joke or not. Someone has actually started an epetition on HM Gov petition site to get these acts stopped 'as they are embarrassing the nation'. Last time I looked it had one signature

£50 is probably about as high as I wouid go. By the time you double it for both of us, transport and sometimes a hotel in Glasgow/Edinburgh it becomes quite an expensive treat. Having said that we have tickets for Michael McIntyre, Seasick Steve, Kevin Bridges and the Aussie Pink Floyd this year. You have to buy them early or they just sell out-tickets for various performers for 2016 are already onsale!

Crazy price!! No way would I spend that!