During a recent interview via Pearl Jam Online, the band’s frontman Eddie Vedder appeared in the music magazine Visions. Among other things, he was asked about Pearl Jam ticket prices in Europe.
Eddie Vedder opens up on staggering ticket prices
It is needless to say there has been a lot of buzz in recent weeks about the ticket prices for the upcoming concerts. In Germany, tickets cost 175 Euros, and in some categories, they were significantly more expensive due to so-called dynamic pricing. During the interview, he was asked didn’t he always want to do it differently and make it fairer than everyone else. He replied:
“Unfortunately, that’s more complicated. After Corona, everyone wanted to go back on tour as quickly as possible, and why not? That doesn’t apply to us, but many colleagues are dependent on the income from tours for their livelihood. As a result, production costs have gotten completely out of hand. You can hardly find a crew anymore, there are problems organizing buses, stages, PA systems, venues. People say: “If you don’t pay my price, no problem, someone else will pay it” This even applies to service providers that we have been working with for over 30 years.”
Eddie Vedder was then questioned if he still understands that some fans in the forums seem to feel downright cheated. He said:
“If we can save money, we pass it on to the fans. But it’s essential for us to at least cover our costs. If we had to pay extra and couldn’t earn any money at all, we wouldn’t go on tour anymore.”
The price of 175 Euros is certainly disproportionately high. Well, the ticket prices are also “simply” a question of the artist fee. Even if Pearl Jam has an audience that is wealthy enough to pay 175 Euros every two years, that doesn’t justify the current prices.
On the subject of the new stage design. What has always characterized the band was very long concerts, with variation, and joy of playing. Pearl Jam doesn’t need the new visuals or a “show”. If this new concert production now leads to a ticket costing 40 or 50 Euros more because it all has to be paid for somehow, then fans shouldn’t be surprised that they say that the tour is taking place without them.
Recently, a long-time Pearl Jam fan also opened up on the ticket prices of their concerts. He revealed that he attended 16 shows since 2000 and that watching the band is probably one of his favorite activities. However, he revealed that he paid £160 each for tickets which according to him was “eye-wateringly expensive.”
