Would you spend $300 or more to see Neil Young play songs you don't know?
A few years ago I was having a discussion with my daughter about concert costs. Ticket prices were rising and some acts were approaching the $1000 mark. I said I wouldn't pay that much if John and George were reincarnated and the Beatles got back together. She called my bluff and got me to admit that of course, I would do it.
In 2023, we've seen a wave of high ticket prices for big-name acts. Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks and Beyonce are just some of the star musicians touring this summer. If you want to see them, be prepared to shell out the big bucks. And for that amount of money, you want to hear them sing the songs you know and love, right?
Neil Young recently announced that he's hitting the road for the first time since before the pandemic. He’ll be doing a short acoustic tour of the west coast. Young also said that this tour won't feature his hits or even well-known songs. He’ll be playing his more obscure tunes; some which haven't been played in decades, others that have never been performed.
Yesterday I went to Ticketmaster to see what the ticket prices are. Most shows began at $300 while a few others started at $500. For a couple to attend this concert, when you add in parking, food, and merch, the night comes close to the magic $1000 mark. That's a lot of money not to hear “Old Man”, “Heart of Gold”, “Harvest Moon” and any of the other Young classics you would expect to fill out one of his acoustic concerts.
I understand that a musician would get tired of playing the same song night after night for five decades. But for the money that artists are now demanding you have to give the people paying the bills at least a little something of what they want and expect. I’m apparently not the only one that feels this way. The tour was announced two weeks ago and tickets are available for all shows except the one in San Diego.
So Neil, buddy…I’ve been a huge fan and supporter of yours for more than fifty years. I even listen to and like your newer albums. I hope you bring this tour somewhere in the Midwest soon. But, please how about a little of acoustic “Down By The River” or “Alabama?” I’d settle for “Sugar Mountain” or “The Loner!” Just anything to make me want to spend my money to come see you play one last time. Thanks in advance from all of us.