Concert Ticket Prices

[RobertYork]

How much are you willing to pay for a Southern Gospel Concert with two or three artist on the program?
Asking question because while booking artist for 2011 I have found that the flats or fees artist are charging are going up by 20 - 25%. I'm wondering if the fans are willing to pay more for the tickets.

[smokymtnsanta]

Bobby, most of the concerts we attend the ticket prices are between 15 and 20 dollars. Do not mind paying that for a SG concert ticket.
Of course we have paid more for some.

[DeeAnnBailey]

It would depend on 1) the artist, 2) the distance & cost, 3) the venue but I have paid over $30 for Gaither concerts and I can tell you the concert last weekend in Lincolnton was worth far more than the $20 I paid! With the right combination I would pay more. It might mean I had to be more selective abotu where and when I sent but I could deal with that.

[Seaton]

If it is two or three main acts (or groups I really want to see) I would pay $30 or more. I would be less inclined to pay $30 or more if it was just one main act (unless it was a group I really wanted to see) and one or two lesser knowns.

As with anything, the ticket price should reflect the artist(s) on the program.

[mallrat53]

It all depends on how long the concert is like a night at the NQC, how many artists are appearing and the caliber of the artists.

If is is one top tier group, probably $20.00.

[DeeAnnBailey]

If it is two or three main acts (or groups I really want to see) I would pay $30 or more. I would be less inclined to pay $30 or more if it was just one main act (unless it was a group I really wanted to see) and one or two lesser knowns.

As with anything, the ticket price should reflect the artist(s) on the program.

See you said that so much better than I did!!!

[Seaton]

It is actually quite simple.

Set flat = set ticket price*

*but only if that artist can draw the crowd to demand that kind of flat.

[cajungirl81]

I'd love for people to be able to look at it from the standpoint of a promoter. There have been many a person loose their end over a concert...

For example. It's a Saturday night and there's a local concert featuring Popular Quartet A, Popular Mixed Group B and Regional Group C. Quartet A's flat is $3500. Mixed Group B's flat is $2750 and Regional Group C's cost is $500. Think those rates are outrageous? Call a booking agency and find out. ANYWAY, That's a cost of $6,750 out of the promoters pocket. It has to be paid - regardless of circumstances. Just to break even with the ticket prices at $20 each, the promoter would need 338 paying people. And unless these three groups are REALLY going to draw a crowd, that promoter better be willing to fork over some of his/her personal funds. Take into account that the promoter may or may not have had to pay for the building and for the groups to eat, OR in some cases, a hotel room for the groups. It gets expensive.

So, I encourage y'all to take into account the whole shebang of a concert. It's not cheap, and the groups have to get paid.

[servants]

I have no problem spending $30.00 or more if it is 2 groups that I would like to see.

[Billboy]

If it is something we want to attend we will pay the asking price, unless it is too exorbitant. Excluding the Gaithers, Triumphant when they were at Miracle Theatre, and the Dollywood admission to see the Kingdom Heirs, most flat price tickets for concerts we have attended have ranged from 12 - 20 dollars per ticket. If the flat is pretty high, it will definitely limit the product table spending. Sometimes I would rather see a more complete concert from 1 really good group, or possibly 2, than an abbreviated set by several groups. I would say NQC would be an exception to that statement, although we have never been able to attend it.

[RobertYork]

I'd love for people to be able to look at it from the standpoint of a promoter. There have been many a person loose their end over a concert...

For example. It's a Saturday night and there's a local concert featuring Popular Quartet A, Popular Mixed Group B and Regional Group C. Quartet A's flat is $3500. Mixed Group B's flat is $2750 and Regional Group C's cost is $500. Think those rates are outrageous? Call a booking agency and find out. ANYWAY, That's a cost of $6,750 out of the promoters pocket. It has to be paid - regardless of circumstances. Just to break even with the ticket prices at $20 each, the promoter would need 338 paying people. And unless these three groups are REALLY going to draw a crowd, that promoter better be willing to fork over some of his/her personal funds. Take into account that the promoter may or may not have had to pay for the building and for the groups to eat, OR in some cases, a hotel room for the groups. It gets expensive.

So, I encourage y'all to take into account the whole shebang of a concert. It's not cheap, and the groups have to get paid.

You tell 'em girl!

[Seaton]

I'd love for people to be able to look at it from the standpoint of a promoter. There have been many a person loose their end over a concert...

For example. It's a Saturday night and there's a local concert featuring Popular Quartet A, Popular Mixed Group B and Regional Group C. Quartet A's flat is $3500. Mixed Group B's flat is $2750 and Regional Group C's cost is $500. Think those rates are outrageous? Call a booking agency and find out. ANYWAY, That's a cost of $6,750 out of the promoters pocket. It has to be paid - regardless of circumstances. Just to break even with the ticket prices at $20 each, the promoter would need 338 paying people. And unless these three groups are REALLY going to draw a crowd, that promoter better be willing to fork over some of his/her personal funds. Take into account that the promoter may or may not have had to pay for the building and for the groups to eat, OR in some cases, a hotel room for the groups. It gets expensive.

So, I encourage y'all to take into account the whole shebang of a concert. It's not cheap, and the groups have to get paid.

Very good points, but if I was the promoter I would back into my cost. I would find healine artist first, determine set flat and determine how many people I need in the seats to cover the cost of the headline artist. If the headline groups flat is met (of course this is taking a leap of faith that the headline artist will draw what you are estimating), then I would consider a second artist.

If my estimations didn't achieve a required end result then I wouldn't get that specific artist.

[cajungirl81]

I'd love for people to be able to look at it from the standpoint of a promoter. There have been many a person loose their end over a concert...

For example. It's a Saturday night and there's a local concert featuring Popular Quartet A, Popular Mixed Group B and Regional Group C. Quartet A's flat is $3500. Mixed Group B's flat is $2750 and Regional Group C's cost is $500. Think those rates are outrageous? Call a booking agency and find out. ANYWAY, That's a cost of $6,750 out of the promoters pocket. It has to be paid - regardless of circumstances. Just to break even with the ticket prices at $20 each, the promoter would need 338 paying people. And unless these three groups are REALLY going to draw a crowd, that promoter better be willing to fork over some of his/her personal funds. Take into account that the promoter may or may not have had to pay for the building and for the groups to eat, OR in some cases, a hotel room for the groups. It gets expensive.

So, I encourage y'all to take into account the whole shebang of a concert. It's not cheap, and the groups have to get paid.

Very good points, but if I was the promoter I would back into my cost. I would find healine artist first, determine set flat and determine how many people I need in the seats to cover the cost of the headline artist. If the headline groups flat is met (of course this is taking a leap of faith that the headline artist will draw what you are estimating), then I would consider a second artist.

If my estimations didn't achieve a required end result then I wouldn't get that specific artist.

Oh I definitely see what you are saying, but from a promoter's standpoint, you want to give the audience what they want. Audiences want a "concert" and they expect popular groups. And as a promoter, you're always taking a risk. You never know what kind of circumstance is going to throw a monkey wrench into your plans. So, do you charge less and hope you draw a few more people by lowering the cost...and risk having to come out of your own pocket, or do you charge more - HOPING - people will still come but have a sense of at least making ends meet? Tricky, tricky.

[mallrat53]

If it is something we want to attend we will pay the asking price, unless it is too exorbitant. Excluding the Gaithers, Triumphant when they were at Miracle Theatre, and the Dollywood admission to see the Kingdom Heirs, most flat price tickets for concerts we have attended have ranged from 12 - 20 dollars per ticket. If the flat is pretty high, it will definitely limit the product table spending. Sometimes I would rather see a more complete concert from 1 really good group, or possibly 2, than an abbreviated set by several groups. I would say NQC would be an exception to that statement, although we have never been able to attend it.

But I'm working on talking them into going!

[KathyVanHorn]

Bobby, and other promoters, approximately how much do you spen on things other than the artist fee? I'm thinking of things like advertising, the venue, that kind of thing.

[Seaton]

Oh I definitely see what you are saying, but from a promoter's standpoint, you want to give the audience what they want. Audiences want a "concert" and they expect popular groups. And as a promoter, you're always taking a risk. You never know what kind of circumstance is going to throw a monkey wrench into your plans. So, do you charge less and hope you draw a few more people by lowering the cost...and risk having to come out of your own pocket, or do you charge more - HOPING - people will still come but have a sense of at least making ends meet? Tricky, tricky.

Definitely a quandry. It is also important that the promoter knows their area. Artists (including the bigger names) may sell out in one area/region of the country and struggle to draw a crowd in another. In this case, it is the promoter's due diligence to know who the popular groups are in their area.

It is of the utmost importance as a promoter that you're getting the popular artists, just make sure it is the artists that are popular in your area.

[Jeff_from_Kentucky]

I know I have joked on here before about not wanting to spend a lot of money for concerts but the truth is I would pay quite a bit to see several artists for one show, and I have done so a couple of times. I have also been to concerts with multple artists where they take a love offering only. That type of event is hard for me because I honestly never know how much I should give.

[cajungirl81]

Oh I definitely see what you are saying, but from a promoter's standpoint, you want to give the audience what they want. Audiences want a "concert" and they expect popular groups. And as a promoter, you're always taking a risk. You never know what kind of circumstance is going to throw a monkey wrench into your plans. So, do you charge less and hope you draw a few more people by lowering the cost...and risk having to come out of your own pocket, or do you charge more - HOPING - people will still come but have a sense of at least making ends meet? Tricky, tricky.

Definitely a quandry. It is also important that the promoter knows their area. Artists (including the bigger names) may sell out in one area/region of the country and struggle to draw a crowd in another. In this case, it is the promoter's due diligence to know who the popular groups are in their area.

It is of the utmost importance as a promoter that you're getting the popular artists, just make sure it is the artists that are popular in your area.

Agreed.

[RobertYork]

Bobby, and other promoters, approximately how much do you spen on things other than the artist fee? I'm thinking of things like advertising, the venue, that kind of thing.

Usually between $500 - $750. I am lucky with the cost of the venue don't have to pay near as much as it is worth and I have tried using as much e-mail as possible for advertising. We don't have radio in the area that is effective. I have advertised a few concerts on radio and that raises the cost a lot. I have to look hard at the cost of the artist. I was kinda shocked today to find that some are going up 20 - 25% in their flats nexts year with the economy like it is. People are still loosing their jobs and taking salary cuts, businesses are folding every day. The older generation has not seen a raise in their Social Security in two years. Their health cost increases each year. This generation is the one that supports Southern Gospel Music. As Devin used to say as he looked out over the audience that it looks like a south Georgia cotton field out there. . You'll probably see me booking fewer concerts next year. I lost an average of $1160 dollars last year on each concert I promoted.

[SGEnthusiast]

Oh Bobby, that's awful. With the economic issues you mentioned, concerts seem to be one thing that can be eliminated from the budget. The key may be to have fewer concerts but bring in the groups that will draw a crowd in your area (as Steve said). Maybe more people would come if there were less concerts to choose from too.