Take Note Other Artists...

https://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2023/03/10/the-cure-ticket-resale-transfer/

Robert Smith has been going to great lengths to let fans know he’s trying to keep tickets for The Cure’s just-unveiled North American tour affordable, first announcing the band would not use dynamic pricing, which can spike ticket prices amid surging demand.

On Friday, Smith shared a long, typically all-caps statement on social media detailing The Cure’s plan to make the tour “affordable for all fans” and to “stop scalpers from getting in the way.”

Smith writes that The Cure has “a very wide (and we think very fair) range of pricing at every show.” And that appears to be true, with fan site Chain of Flowers noting that the band’s concerts in Tampa and Vancouver are showing ticket prices starting at $21.25 and $25, respectively (higher prices for those stops aren’t yet known). And the venue in Columbia, Maryland, lists tickets as $40 to $150.

Furthermore, Smith continues, the band’s ticketing partners have agreed to not allow fans to transfer their tickets electronically, which will hamper the ability to resell them. But if fans do need to sell their tickets, they’ll be able to do so only at face value through the sellers’ ticket exchanges.

However, laws in the states of New York, Illinois and Colorado apparently prevent this from working — “They actually have laws in place that protect scalpers!” — so Smith urges fans “to buy or sell tickets to one another on face value exchanges like twickets.live and cashortrade.org.”

Later in the day, Smith noted that no tickets are yet on sale for the North American tour, so any seats listed for sale on secondary ticket sites “are very likely to be fake.” He added that if any of those tickets are found to be real, “we will work with Ticketmaster to cancel them.”

Tickets for The Cure’s North American tour will be available through a Ticketmaster Verified Fan Sale beginning Wednesday, March 15, and it will require pre-registration to access. Fans will be able to register for a maximum of five different shows, and registration closes at 10 a.m. Pacific Monday, March 13.

Head over here for details and to register to buy tickets.

Below, read Smiths’ full statement on ticketing — and check out the tour dates.

Yeah this is great to see. It proves the likes of u2 and Springsteen don’t HAVE to behave like money hungry assholes.

Good on them. I'm not a fan but I respect the fact they are doing everything possible to keep prices down and let the fans have best access to the tickets.

I don't think artists need to keep ticket prices at $25 - $40. It isn't 1990 anymore and a lot of these fan bases have bigger wallets now then they did when they were teenagers or in college. But also show some respect to your fans and don't make it almost impossible for them to get tickets for under the cost of their mortgage.

If U2 or the Boss wanna charge $200 for top seats, that's fair, then as the seats get worse they get cheaper. Do what the Cure are doing though, no ability to resell tickets unless its for cost. That will wipe the scalpers out and give the fans the best access. The way concerts are now, the fans have almost no ability to purchase tickets directly for a big show. The scalpers scoop up the tickets and resell for huge amounts.

The Cure usually struggle to sellout arena sized venues in the United States, and often charge an average of around $50 dollars a ticket. They charge that price not because they think its "FAIR", but because that is the highest price they can charge and still have a decent chance of filling an arena sized venue.

Good on them. I'm not a fan but I respect the fact they are doing everything possible to keep prices down and let the fans have best access to the tickets.

I don't think artists need to keep ticket prices at $25 - $40. It isn't 1990 anymore and a lot of these fan bases have bigger wallets now then they did when they were teenagers or in college. But also show some respect to your fans and don't make it almost impossible for them to get tickets for under the cost of their mortgage.

Its not about "bigger wallets" but basic supply and demand which determines the price. The Cure charge and average of 50 dollars a ticket in most markets because that is the most they can charge and still have a decent chance of filling an arena sized venue. Many Cure concerts never sellout even though their only charging an average of 50 dollars usually, except in the largest cities like New York and Los Angeles. In those cities, where the demand is higher, prices sometimes average 80 dollars for Cure shows.

A new low when a band who are doing a lot to keep prices affordable, stop touts and stop fans being ripped off, putting in place stuff to make sure fans help each other etc are getting sneered at/accused of being unable to fill venues.

Bloody hell.

A new low when a band who are doing a lot to keep prices affordable, stop touts and stop fans being ripped off, putting in place stuff to make sure fans help each other etc are getting sneered at/accused of being unable to fill venues.

Bloody hell.

Their not doing anything except perhaps making it more difficult for their fans to resell their tickets. When a low priced artist is failing to sellout concerts, its not a strong attraction for scalpers.

Scalpers are attracted to HIGH DEMAND events, events that sellout in record time. No one needs to go to a scalper when the boxoffice still has the tickets you want at face value.

If anything, this is more of a gimmick to advertise the band as being allegedly fan friendly in order to sell more tickets.

Quote from: So Cruel on March 11, 2023, 07:37:45 PM

Good on them. I'm not a fan but I respect the fact they are doing everything possible to keep prices down and let the fans have best access to the tickets.

I don't think artists need to keep ticket prices at $25 - $40. It isn't 1990 anymore and a lot of these fan bases have bigger wallets now then they did when they were teenagers or in college. But also show some respect to your fans and don't make it almost impossible for them to get tickets for under the cost of their mortgage.

Its not about "bigger wallets" but basic supply and demand which determines the price. The Cure charge and average of 50 dollars a ticket in most markets because that is the most they can charge and still have a decent chance of filling an arena sized venue. Many Cure concerts never sellout even though their only charging an average of 50 dollars usually, except in the largest cities like New York and Los Angeles. In those cities, where the demand is higher, prices sometimes average 80 dollars for Cure shows.

Pretty weak Wons. I just googled it and the Cure haven't toured North America since 2016. I would imagine demand has built up over the last 7 years, and we all know that legacy bands have done very well since they started touring again after Covid. Even if they don't sell out they deserve big props for looking out for their fans.

Quote from: wons on March 11, 2023, 07:55:05 PM

Quote from: So Cruel on March 11, 2023, 07:37:45 PM

Good on them. I'm not a fan but I respect the fact they are doing everything possible to keep prices down and let the fans have best access to the tickets.

I don't think artists need to keep ticket prices at $25 - $40. It isn't 1990 anymore and a lot of these fan bases have bigger wallets now then they did when they were teenagers or in college. But also show some respect to your fans and don't make it almost impossible for them to get tickets for under the cost of their mortgage.

Its not about "bigger wallets" but basic supply and demand which determines the price. The Cure charge and average of 50 dollars a ticket in most markets because that is the most they can charge and still have a decent chance of filling an arena sized venue. Many Cure concerts never sellout even though their only charging an average of 50 dollars usually, except in the largest cities like New York and Los Angeles. In those cities, where the demand is higher, prices sometimes average 80 dollars for Cure shows.

Pretty weak Wons. I just googled it and the Cure haven't toured North America since 2016. I would imagine demand has built up over the last 7 years, and we all know that legacy bands have done very well since they started touring again after Covid. Even if they don't sell out they deserve big props for looking out for their fans.

Not weak, just the objective facts from their boxscore results from the tour in 2016. The Cure's last hit was in 1992, and their last studio album was in 2008. I'm sure what is left of the fanbase will return, like they have been for a couple of decades now. But this is the type of business they do, and they are not really a target for scalpers except possibly in Los Angeles and New York City.

I was excited enough to take a peek at possible venues, and Foxborough is on the list. That’s a stadium, not an arena.

3 dates booked at Madison Square Garden. They seem popular enough.

Quote from: So Cruel on March 11, 2023, 08:42:40 PM

Quote from: wons on March 11, 2023, 07:55:05 PM

Quote from: So Cruel on March 11, 2023, 07:37:45 PM

Good on them. I'm not a fan but I respect the fact they are doing everything possible to keep prices down and let the fans have best access to the tickets.

I don't think artists need to keep ticket prices at $25 - $40. It isn't 1990 anymore and a lot of these fan bases have bigger wallets now then they did when they were teenagers or in college. But also show some respect to your fans and don't make it almost impossible for them to get tickets for under the cost of their mortgage.

Its not about "bigger wallets" but basic supply and demand which determines the price. The Cure charge and average of 50 dollars a ticket in most markets because that is the most they can charge and still have a decent chance of filling an arena sized venue. Many Cure concerts never sellout even though their only charging an average of 50 dollars usually, except in the largest cities like New York and Los Angeles. In those cities, where the demand is higher, prices sometimes average 80 dollars for Cure shows.

Pretty weak Wons. I just googled it and the Cure haven't toured North America since 2016. I would imagine demand has built up over the last 7 years, and we all know that legacy bands have done very well since they started touring again after Covid. Even if they don't sell out they deserve big props for looking out for their fans.

Not weak, just the objective facts from their boxscore results from the tour in 2016. The Cure's last hit was in 1992, and their last studio album was in 2008. I'm sure what is left of the fanbase will return, like they have been for a couple of decades now. But this is the type of business they do, and they are not really a target for scalpers except possibly in Los Angeles and New York City.

What’s weak is you coming in to knock them for sales when the whole point of the thread is that they are looking out for their fans. And every other band can charge a lot more then they did 7 years ago, the Cure obviously could also. I’m sure they have hard core fans who would pay dynamic pricing and drive prices up for everyone who wants decent seats.

It’s refreshing to see a major act take the approach they have.

Quote from: wons on March 11, 2023, 09:34:00 PM

Quote from: So Cruel on March 11, 2023, 08:42:40 PM

Quote from: wons on March 11, 2023, 07:55:05 PM

Quote from: So Cruel on March 11, 2023, 07:37:45 PM

Good on them. I'm not a fan but I respect the fact they are doing everything possible to keep prices down and let the fans have best access to the tickets.

I don't think artists need to keep ticket prices at $25 - $40. It isn't 1990 anymore and a lot of these fan bases have bigger wallets now then they did when they were teenagers or in college. But also show some respect to your fans and don't make it almost impossible for them to get tickets for under the cost of their mortgage.

Its not about "bigger wallets" but basic supply and demand which determines the price. The Cure charge and average of 50 dollars a ticket in most markets because that is the most they can charge and still have a decent chance of filling an arena sized venue. Many Cure concerts never sellout even though their only charging an average of 50 dollars usually, except in the largest cities like New York and Los Angeles. In those cities, where the demand is higher, prices sometimes average 80 dollars for Cure shows.

Pretty weak Wons. I just googled it and the Cure haven't toured North America since 2016. I would imagine demand has built up over the last 7 years, and we all know that legacy bands have done very well since they started touring again after Covid. Even if they don't sell out they deserve big props for looking out for their fans.

Not weak, just the objective facts from their boxscore results from the tour in 2016. The Cure's last hit was in 1992, and their last studio album was in 2008. I'm sure what is left of the fanbase will return, like they have been for a couple of decades now. But this is the type of business they do, and they are not really a target for scalpers except possibly in Los Angeles and New York City.

What’s weak is you coming in to knock them for sales when the whole point of the thread is that they are looking out for their fans. And every other band can charge a lot more then they did 7 years ago, the Cure obviously could also. I’m sure they have hard core fans who would pay dynamic pricing and drive prices up for everyone who wants decent seats.

It’s refreshing to see a major act take the approach they have.

Exactly.

Here is another article specifically about the european tour that also talks about how important the pricing and doing best for fans is to the band:

https://www.iq-mag.net/2022/12/the-cure-european-tour/

Some highlights - after all you see it is all "just a gimmick" to "appear fan friendly".......

Having entertained millions of people on their 2019 festivals tour, a headline outing the following year was very much on the cards for The Cure, before the pandemic halted every act with such ambitions. But determined to reconnect with fans following the enforced lay-off, the band are currently in the midst of their biggest-ever European tour.

With most dates already sold out weeks in advance, bar some last-minute production holds and restricted-view tickets, the tour is an unmitigated success.


Spanish promoter Mercader comments, “They care deeply about the ticket prices – the only other act I can think of who care to the same extent is AC/DC. Robert wants sensible prices to make it as affordable as possible for all fans.”

It’s something that Hopewell knows well. “Promoters will put forward a ticket price they think is achievable and a lot of the time Robert will come back and say thank you very much, but I think the prices should be lower,” he says. “He’s also very keen to see ticket scales that are neatly structured rather than appearing to be haphazard from the fans’ point of view.”

Production manager Broad notes the positives, “Robert is like management. He wants to know the sales numbers, how everything looks, where everything is – he is very hands on. It actually has its advantages: if anyone asks ‘Why do you do X?’ we can answer, ‘Because Robert wants to!’ And that’s the end of the conversation.”

Full article:


https://www.iq-mag.net/2022/12/the-cure-european-tour/

3 dates booked at Madison Square Garden. They seem popular enough.

In 2016, they played 3 times at Madison Square Garden in a reduced configuration, where a little less than 13,000 tickets were sold per night. Madison Square Garden can hold 19,000 people for concerts. The 3 shows sold 38,000 tickets, but the full capacity of 3 shows at Madison Square Garden is 57,000. That is nearly 20,000 empty seats in the largest music concert market on the planet!