Ticketmaster issued an official response after fans flooded social media with criticism for higher-than-average ticket prices to see Bruce Springsteen in concert.
The controversy has to do with “dynamic pricing,” a method of determining ticket prices by demand to discourage scalping. Per the company’s website, this “enables market-based pricing (adjusting prices according to supply and demand) for live event tickets, similar to how airline tickets and hotel rooms are sold.”
Fans began reacting strongly when “platinum” tickets with variable prices soared as high as $5,000 apiece on the first day of sales, per Variety. But now Ticketmaster says those astronomical ticket prices only represent 11.2% of the total number of tickets sold so far.
“Prices and formats are consistent with industry standards for top performers,” the company said in a statement. They did confirm that 1.3% of the Springsteen tickets cost more than $1,000. In an unprecedented move, Ticketmaster gave an exact breakdown of ticket prices so far to combat misconceptions.
They claim 56% of tickets were sold for less than $200, and 18% were sold for under $99. Further, 27% went for between $100-150, and 11% sold for between $150-200.
Ticket sales for The Boss’ 2023 U.S. tour are being staggered over ten days, the publication noted. The company is releasing this financial information in hopes that fans will not be discouraged from purchasing tickets in the coming days.
Springsteen hasn’t released a statement on the situation yet, but fans are especially irritated that a rock star known as the champion of the working man would have such expensive concert tickets.
E-Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt did speak up, telling angry fans not to blame the musician for pricing that he doesn’t control.
“I have nothing whatsoever to do with the price of tickets,” Van Zandt tweeted in reply to a fan venting about high ticket prices. “Nothing. Nada. Niente. Bubkis.”
Ticketmaster’s statement seems to be doing little to soothe fans’ tempers. Many tweeted in response to the article, insisting these alleged cheaper tickets don’t exist.
“I saw nothing under $299 and as I tried for those the seats suddenly shot up to $515 and higher,” one fan wrote. “I had no idea what was going on. Whole rows, then sections shooting up in price, then gone. It took a minute to realize prices were changing like the National Debt ticker. $750 for 2.”
“I bought a single ticket. $125. But it’s in the nosebleeds. Literally the worst seat I’ve had for a Bruce show since the mid 80’s. Usually I’m on the floor, for about the same price,” someone else shared.