Bruce Springsteen Concert Tickets Still Available At Less-Than-Retail Prices Dear Bruce, I’m writing to you as a longtime fan. I’ve been to about 60 shows, going back over 35 years. I can’t begin to tell you how important your music has been to me. As a proud son "/>
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An Open Letter to Bruce Springsteen

Ken Shane October 1, 2009 23

Bruce Springsteen Concert Tickets Still Available At Less-Than-Retail Prices

Dear Bruce,

I’m writing to you as a longtime fan. I’ve been to about 60 shows, going back over 35 years. I can’t begin to tell you how important your music has been to me. As a proud son of New Jersey, I’m grateful for the respect you’ve brought to our state for your art, and for the way you’ve lived your life.

For a number of those years, I’ve been bothered by the dramatic announcements by your advisers that the latest on-sale has sold out in “five seconds” or whatever, when the fact is that those shows are not sold out at all. There are thousands of tickets being held back. The effect of this, for the less savvy or inexperienced concertgoer, is to drive people into the arms of scalpers in the near term, because they’re afraid that if they don’t pay the exorbitant prices they’ll miss out. The fact is that if they would wait, they would find that thousands of tickets suddenly appear out of nowhere shortly before the show from official sources, not to mention the additional thousands that are offered on eBay, or various message boards, at face value, or less.

Your team has a long history of speaking out against ticket scalping, and yet their actions are so contrary to their words that it almost seems like they are somehow complicit in the secondary market. I still believe in you enough that I’m not quite ready to believe that, but I’m also not sure what else to think at this point.

Instead of announcing sellouts to add to your already glorious legacy, a friend suggested that perhaps the following would be a more accurate statement, and far more fair to your fans:

“We have sold all of the tickets presently available for our show. As soon as we determine our production and other requirements, there WILL be more tickets made available. We urge you not to patronize people who are attempting to sell tickets to our shows at outrageous prices. You WILL have another opportunity. Just stayed tuned, and we’ll let you know when.”

Now that’s a statement that anyone can get behind. The best thing about it is that it’s the truth, which past statements have played fast and loose with. I know that these statements don’t come from you, but as I’m sure you’d agree, you are the boss (Boss), and the buck stops with you. Your music has had such a deeply personal effect on your fans, including me, over the years, that I know you want to continue to enjoy the love we have shared. In fact, it would make me really happy if the statement above, or something like it, came with your signature, or in your voice. That way there is no doubt about who is doing the talking.

I don’t think that you are by any means the only artist who has taken a wrong step in the turbulence that surrounds the music business these days. It has to be a difficult road. The inexcusable greed of companies like Ticketmaster and Live Nation (and thank you to Jon Landau for his stand against their merger) is part and parcel of the overwhelming avarice that has engulfed this country, from banks, to credit card companies, to health care insurers. Sometimes it seems like an overwhelming battle reverse this trend, but it has to begin somewhere. It has to start with us.

I should point out that as a journalist, I often don’t have to pay for my tickets, so I have no personal axe to grind here. I hate to see innocent people being taken advantage of though, and unscrupulous people reaping the rewards. I believe that is what’s happening here. I also know that as a person who has done so much good for so many people, you can’t possibly approve of this behavior. You’ve always asked us to “show a little faith,” and we have. It’s time to restore that promise. It’s time to say enough.

Incidentally, although this is appearing on our site, my views are my own, and do not necessarily represent those of my colleagues at Popdose.

Ken Shane

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About the author: Ken Shane View all posts by
Ken Shane, newly arrived in Jamestown, RI, is the New Music Editor for Popdose, and a freelance writer. He is far and away the oldest Popdose writer, in fact, he may be the oldest writer period. Ken wants you to know that he generally does not share his colleagues love for the music of the '80s, and he does not forgive them for loving it.

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  • http://www.popdose.com DwDunphy

    Even so, Ken, I fully agree with these statements. The only way to finally bring fairness to this situation, if not by competition which as we've seen is only between how fast competitors can buy each other up, is by taking away the panic-sale aspect… That is if this is a serious concern and not lip service, and I hope it is not.

    I have yet to really be involved with the world of Comp Tickets. In the past, I was one of the few, the proud, the gouged, so much so that I have not been to a single large-venue how this year. That is a decrease from 5 or 6 down to zip. Next year promises much the same as I'll head to the small clubs and forsake the arenas entirely. It could all change if there was a shred of democracy about the process, but it is hardly democratic, or even governance by what the market will bear. It's a science experiment that hangs the cheese at the end of the maze while the keepers watch the white mice go nuts for the goal.

    I've been called many animals in my time, mostly three-lettered ones. “Mouse” doesn't fit.

  • Pingback: reBlog from popdose.com: An Open Letter to Bruce Springsteen | Popdose « Jersey Days

  • http://www.kenshane.com kshane

    There is obviously a much larger problem afoot in this country, as I pointed out. The worse things get, the more greedy corporations seem to see us as an never-ending fountain of money. We've all seen the headlines about bail-outs, etc. It's a huge problem that will take many years to fix, if it ever can be fixed. I was hoping maybe we could begin with this one relatively small issue. Obviously it's not that important in the overall scheme of things, but music is a big part of what we're about here, so I think it's incumbent on us to speak up.

  • SeagirlX

    Nice. I really hope this reaches the eyes of Bruce. What artists don't understand about these kinds of decisions and actions is that they leave a really bad taste in the mouth of long-time fans. Fans that got an artist to where they are today. While I feel that many of these more established acts do struggle with finding ways to stay current on new technology and strategies, they need to understand that they can only go so far before they start eroding their fan base. I'm going through similar heartache right now with my favorite band who I've supported since the very early 80s when I was a teenager.

    My band signed a 12 year contract with Live Nation. Being as anti-corporate as I am, it broke my heart. I struggle with how to come to terms with that. I panic-purchased tickets for the show because I wanted a shot at good seats, keep the expense down, and find 4 together so I could actually go and enjoy it with someone. The only seats together I could find were in excess of $250 including the ridiculous fees. In the end, I spent way too much than I wanted and wound up with tickets I couldn't even give away. When I recently read the band's manager's stand on the contract, it was like a brand new manager had taken over. Suddenly, it was about money and corporate sponsorship for a band who would never think of such a partnership before now.

    It does have to begin somewhere. And it has to begin with us.

  • mojo

    well done, sir

  • barefootgirl68

    Very good and VALID points here Ken. As a long time Bruce fan, I know his management has done a really good job at keeping ticket prices at the norm compared to some of the other larger acts and I've always appreciated that. Also in policing some of the practices by Ticketbastard. In my heart I like to think he isn't really aware of the whole practice of the “false sell-out” but who knows. I'm just having a hard time thinking that 15,000 tickets (or whatever that number was) need to be held back until the stage is set. He has an open stage plan so it's not like the back or sides will be blocked off by a “spaceship” or giant inflatable Elvis. Every single Bruce show I've gone to, I've been one of those sitting by the computer RIGHT when the show goes onsale with a knot in my stomach buying crappy seats which are suppposed to be the “best available” or getting into the system only to get a messages saying tickets are no longer available. PFFT! I know he has a practice of releasing great seats before each show (unused band tickets or extra seating near the stage when it is set up) and some have said he's done this to keep the good seats out of the scalpers hands but unless you have the willpower to wait and assuming you know this…….you take a chance on getting shut out of your favorite show.

    The world of concert tickets has gotten extremely ugly over the years and it really needs to change. I'm sure after what I've seen going on with people not being able to GIVE away tickets to some of the top acts (Bruce and U2 come to mind first) something will have to give because the demand (or willingness to pay) for over-priced tickets is going by the wayside in these tough economic times.

    I do think it has to start with legislation on the issue. Now, I am a pretty “politically challenged” person, but I'll try to get my point across. States need to create laws regarding selling tickets online in excess of their face value. Or, if they want to keep with “free enterprise,” then perhaps just regulate how much they are allowed to make on the tickets. Like say, they can legally mark up a ticket by a certain percentage for profit. This way here, they stay in business and we don't get raped. Without any laws governing these practices it's hard for the artist or their management to do much about it.

    Ok, I'll stop rambling. But thank you for saying what alot of us are thinking. If I get backstage at Giant's Stadium on Friday night I'll ask him myself ;o)

  • http://www.kenshane.com kshane

    Thanks for your comment. Some states do have laws restricting the amount of profit you can make on ticket resale, and I believe that NJ is one of them. Hasn't seemed to help much. While I agree that we need stricter regulation of the market, I really think that the only real solution is for the fans to finally just say no.

  • heathercullumengland

    Well said Ken–thank you for putting my own thoughts into better words than I could have written. Because I thought the tickets for one of last summer's Giants stadium concerts was sold out, I paid a scalper $300 per ticket for a pair of tickets on the field to the July 28th show & I've been kicking myself ever since. Why? Not because it was a bad show—there are NO bad Springsteen shows—period. But because I allowed myself to get caught up in the hype of “The Show Is Sold Out” and, against my better judgment, ended up spending FAR more than I could afford to in order to see my hero on his 'home turf'—-a dream I've had since I was 13 years old. Yes, NJ does have a law that says you cannot sell the tickets for more than 20% above & beyond their worth, we all know there are a thousand ways around that—there are loopholes in the loopholes even. Could I have shown better judgment & chosen not to pay the exorbitant price? Absolutely—”there's a joke here somewhere & it's on me.” I hope that Bruce takes your words to heart & takes a stand against what I agree with you is “part and parcel of the overwhelming avarice that has engulfed this country…” Peace, Love, & Bruce my friend, -Heather England, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

  • http://www.kenshane.com kshane

    Thanks for sharing your story Heather. I'm glad that you got to see Bruce here in NJ, because there is certainly nothing like it on any concert stage in the world. People do panic when they are afraid the shows might sell out. Veteran Bruce concert-goers just wait around for the drop line that will inevitably open on the day of the show, or buy tickets in the parking lot, or on BTX, for face value or less. The thing is, not everyone is aware of these things. Isn't part of the point of this touring to gain new fans? Those new fans are not going to know about the drop lines, or the unsold out shows, or the cheap last minute tickets. So they go to scalpers. It's a terrible situation.

  • barefootgirl68

    That whole thing opens up another can of worms……ticket fees. Good Lord! Last time Bruce was up north, I of course HAD to go. I have never missed a Bruce show in the Boston area since Born in the USA. I wanted to take a friend for her birthday and I was short on cash so I decided to buy the “cheap lawn seats.” Well, by the time all the fees were piled on (thanks to LiveNation) my cheap seat was nowhere near cheap! For that reason I only went to one of the two shows……another thing that I have never done.

    Maybe it's unfair to hold someone like Bruce to a higher standard, but I believe he's worked hard to CREATE that standard. Now he needs to work even harder to keep it.

  • http://www.kenshane.com kshane

    Well put. We expect more from Bruce because he's conditioned us to expect more from him, and that's a very good thing indeed.

  • http://www.popdose.com DwDunphy

    What is required, beyond the sensitivity to know that when the public goes through financial crisis, they look to entertainment to lighten their spirit, is the acts themselves have to take that stand. Springsteen has done it before, as had Pearl Jam, though I think they've backpedaled since then. It will take a coalition of the top grossers to say very loudly that unfair practices will keep them from returning to certain venues. Perhaps the reaction of those venues losing top-draw acts would have some effect.

    Regardless, those who everyone has come to see need to do more than just feel their pain.

  • http://www.kenshane.com kshane

    I agree with you Dw. The problem is, it's going to be hard for these artists to come out publicly against these practices without admitting that they have been the beneficiaries of them in the past. If they don't cop to that, it's going to get really ugly when the facts come to light, which they inevitably will. If the artists throw the promoters and venues under the bus, you can expect the promoters and venues to retaliate in kind. Maybe that's what we need, an all out war that will put an end to this whole system.

  • http://www.popdose.com DwDunphy

    I'm afraid so, although I think most of the audience has guessed as much.

    Anyway, you're gonna have to school me on the art of scoring comps, that's all I gotta say.

  • barefootgirl68

    To quote Bruce “no one wins unless everybody wins” and I still believe that.

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  • http://www.annlogue.com annielogue

    Heh. We live near Wrigley Field, and my son's school was given a block of 1200 tickets to tomorrow's game against the D-backs. They are decent seats, too – terrace reserved in right field. You just know they were holding these back in case the Cubs were still in the running for something this last week of the season, in which case the tickets would have been turned over to the Chicago Cubs very own scalper agency. Alas.

  • http://thevitaminkid.blogspot.com autodidact

    1. The artists could stop these shenanigans by technological means. Paperless tickets requiring ID at the concert hall.

    2. The corporations could not gouge people on these tickets, which after all are a non-essential item, if people did not pay the outrageous prices for the original tickets or for the scalped ones. I might pay $40 or $50 to see Rush, but $200 to see The Police? I mean, really. The simple answer is to close your wallet and shut them down. Mrs. Reagan said it best: Just say no. (The bailouts are another thing entirely, as this was done by politicians, indebting all of us against the will of most of us. We had no choice in that.)

    So basically, the artists can do their part to stop this. And if they won't, the concertgoing public can also stop it, if they want to. There are other choices. My friend saw Bruce Cockburn recently in a beautiful 300-seat venue, and purchased tickets directly from the box office.

  • http://www.kenshane.com kshane

    You're right about paperless tickets, but we're talking about stadiums here. I don't think I would like to be at a venue where 60,000 people have to produced id which has to be checked. Entrance to these venues is already difficult with the security pat downs. I think those are probably a good idea, though the pat downs are so cursory that it doesn't seem like they're achieving anything other than possible deterrence. If you forced ticket holders to produce id, you'd have to arrive at a venue hours early, just as you do at an airport. This would be onerous even in reasonably sized theater.

    Yes, the artists can do their part to stop this, and so can the fans. That's the whole point of my letter.

  • http://www.kenshane.com kshane

    A friend is at the show at Giants Stadium tonight. He just texted me that he scalped a ticket for tonight in the parking lot for $50. It's a very good seat in section 111. He got a GA seat for tomorrow night for $75. These prices are roughly half of face value, and I venture to say that if he'd waited a little longer, he could have done even better. So if these shows are indeed “sold out,” who's buying all the tickets?

  • http://www.kenshane.com kshane

    A friend is at the show at Giants Stadium tonight. He just texted me that he scalped a ticket for tonight in the parking lot for $50. It's a very good seat in section 111. He got a GA seat for tomorrow night for $75. These prices are roughly half of face value, and I venture to say that if he'd waited a little longer, he could have done even better. So if these shows are indeed “sold out,” who's buying all the tickets?

  • http://www.kenshane.com kshane

    A friend is at the show at Giants Stadium tonight. He just texted me that he scalped a ticket for tonight in the parking lot for $50. It's a very good seat in section 111. He got a GA seat for tomorrow night for $75. These prices are roughly half of face value, and I venture to say that if he'd waited a little longer, he could have done even better. So if these shows are indeed “sold out,” who's buying all the tickets?

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