Let’s hear it for the bands holding the line on ticket prices this summer, because you can count them on one hand.
Blink-182, a three-piece punk band that had never headlined shows larger than theater level, has sold out its concert June 10 at the New World Music Theatre in Tinley Park with a $15 ticket, which includes a facility fee and parking. “That is an incredible bargain for a name-act concert ticket,” says Gary Bongiovanni, editor of concert-industry bible Pollstar.
Andy Cirzan, of Chicago-based Jam Productions, also cites the tour by country trio the Dixie Chicks, which plays July 13 at the United Center, as an example of band “drawing the line in the sand” on ticket prices. The Chicks, he says, set a $39.25 ceiling even though they could have charged considerably more.
And even though Pearl Jam stunned industry observers by booking its entire tour with giant concert promoter SFX, widely blamed for escalating ticket prices nationwide with huge guarantees, the Seattle quintet is charging a relatively modest $30 for its Oct. 8 show at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wis., and $28 for its Oct. 9 date at the Allstate Arena.
“Without a doubt they could charge more,” Bongiovanni says. “Especially in this day and age, they’re an exception.”
Also worth noting is the $25 ticket for the Vans Warped Tour (July 12, New World), headlined by punk stalwarts Green Day and NOFX, plus Sublime spinoff band the Long Beach Dub All-Stars.
Otherwise, the upcoming season is living up to its reputation as the time when bands and the concert industry hope to clean up. Last year, tickets for the top-50 touring bands cost an average of nearly $44, up a stunning 30 percent from the previous year. Overall, according to Pollstar, tour business hit an all-time high of $1.5 billion in ’99, the bulk of it during the summer months, even though fewer fans bought tickets.
Yet Bongiovanni says there has been little backlash against the escalating prices. “The public is still buying concert tickets and the market is pretty strong,” he says. “There is a healthy variety of acts out working this summer, and the under-teen demographic has become an important part of the concert business in the last two years.”
Not since the New Kids on the Block era a decade ago has the pre-junior high school generation had such an impact on concert business, with ‘N Sync (June 25, Route 66 Speedway, Joliet) , Britney Spears (July 7, New World), Christina Aguilera (Aug. 19, United Center) and Ricky Martin (July 1, United Center) all scheduled as major headliners this summer.
They are joined by a healthy percentage of veteran acts, all aiming to lighten wallets in the name of rock ‘n’ roll, with Who tickets topping out at $153 (June 25, New World), Don Henley at $86 (June 17, Arie Crown), Steely Dan at $75 (June 24, Allstate Arena). Ringo Starr at $70 (June 8, House of Blues) and Sting at $85 (July 21, United Center).
Those looking for a middle ground between teen pop and Baby Boomer nostalgia are gravitating toward three tours: the Dave Matthews Band, cementing its status as one of the world’s biggest rock bands with four major concerts (June 28-29 at Soldier Field, Aug. 19-20 at Alpine Valley), Dr. Dre and fellow rappers Ice Cube, Eminem and Snoop Dogg (July 8, Allstate Arena in Rosemont) (the location as published has been corrected here and in subsequent references in this text) and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots and Fishbone (Aug 2, New World).
Of course, what would the summer be without at least one high-priced dud? This year’s candidate is the over-hyped, over-priced ($250!!!) Diana Ross and the Supremes tour (July 1, Allstate Arena), with the diva joining two imposters (instead of original Supreme Mary Wilson) in suiting up the Motown finery.
Best Bets
1. Brian Wilson at the Chicago Theatre, July 22: The Beach Boys’ auteur will perform his classic song cycle “Pet Sounds” for the first time, accompanied by a 55-piece orchestra.
2. American Music Festival at FitzGerald’s, June 30-July 3: The Berwyn roadhouse’s annual bash is emblazoned with a “T” for Texas, thanks to headliners Joe Ely and Marcia Ball, plus the great Alejandro Escovedo and Dave Alvin.
3. Rage Against the Machine/Beastie Boys: Expect this twin-pack of dynamite to play Soldier Field in late summer.
4. D’Angelo: After a pair of fabulous spring concerts the R&B star is expected to make a return visit in late July, at the Chicago Theatre.
5. Celia Cruz/Albita at Ravinia, Aug. 9: Two generations of Cuban music, with Cruz representing classic salsa and Albita a rawer “country” blend.
6. Dr. Dre at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, July 8: The sonic architect of gangsta rap leads one of the most star-studded hip-hop tours ever, with ex-NWA sidekick Ice Cube and two proteges, past and present: Snoop Dogg and Eminem.
7. Patti Smith, Richard Thompson and Thomas Mapfumo at Chicago Folk & Roots Festival, July 15-16: Punk priestess, folk-rock legend and African musical giant headline Old Town School of Folk Music event in Welles Park, on the 4400 block of North Lincoln Avenue.
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers at New World Music Theatre, Aug. 2: The Peppers, newly energized with John Frusciante back on guitar, play their first area date since releasing their best album, “Californication.”
9. Ozzfest 2000: It’s not about pure metal anymore, but the brainchild of namesake Ozzy Osbourne (and wife and manager Sharon Osbourne) still kicks harder than anything south of Milwaukee’s annual Metal Fest. Highlights are sure to include sets by Queens of the Stone Age, Pantera and Ministry.
10. Mary J. Blige at Rosemont Theatre, June 23: She doesn’t always hit all the right notes, but the queen of hip-hop soul sings with so much emotion it rarely matters.
