Oh Ticketmaster, How I Hate Thee
Remember a number of years back when Pearl Jam took on Ticketmaster and boycotted using them for one of their tours? Well, seems not much has changed since then. I just picked up a pair of tickets off Ticketmaster.con, and my $14 ticket had a $4 service charge, and another $2.65 "processing charge" attached to it. What does that cover which isn't already covered by the service charge? So my ticket essentially had a 50% markup from face value. Quite the racket they have going there.
But in brighter news, the ticket is to go see Iron & Wine perform at the Grog Shop. I saw him perform there last year, and it was an awesome show. So I was very happy to see he is returning, and quite surprised since that show was near capacity, and the band's popularity has grown much since then. In fact, my friend Will told me the other week that they are playing a 1,000+ capacity venue in Kansas City, as compared to the Grog Shop's meager 400 capacity. Usually I wait to buy tickets at the door (since the $1-2 "day of show" fee is much cheaper than Ticketmaster's fees), but I don't expect this show to be available much beyond this week.
In addition to this show, there are a number of other great shows coming up now that Spring is quickly approaching. The one I am most excited about is my first time to actually see Akron's The Black Keys perform in Akron at the very intimate setting of The Lime Spider. Another big surprise since the last time through this area they sold out back-to-back shows at the much larger Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. Other good upcoming shows in April & May, all at the Grog Shop are Crooked Fingers, Q and Not U, The Good Life, and Caribou.
But in brighter news, the ticket is to go see Iron & Wine perform at the Grog Shop. I saw him perform there last year, and it was an awesome show. So I was very happy to see he is returning, and quite surprised since that show was near capacity, and the band's popularity has grown much since then. In fact, my friend Will told me the other week that they are playing a 1,000+ capacity venue in Kansas City, as compared to the Grog Shop's meager 400 capacity. Usually I wait to buy tickets at the door (since the $1-2 "day of show" fee is much cheaper than Ticketmaster's fees), but I don't expect this show to be available much beyond this week.
In addition to this show, there are a number of other great shows coming up now that Spring is quickly approaching. The one I am most excited about is my first time to actually see Akron's The Black Keys perform in Akron at the very intimate setting of The Lime Spider. Another big surprise since the last time through this area they sold out back-to-back shows at the much larger Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. Other good upcoming shows in April & May, all at the Grog Shop are Crooked Fingers, Q and Not U, The Good Life, and Caribou.
This entry was posted by Brad, on
Tuesday, March 01, 2005.
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3/03/2005 10:44 AM
i recently bought a ticket for a $5 show through tickemtaser that ended up costibg $9.50 after fees. i rank that company almost beloew credit card companies in terms of corporate greed. best thing is how when you buy tickets now, if you get them through regular mail its free, but if you want the EMAIL tickets it like $2.50. sickening
3/05/2005 8:56 PM
Just thought I'd let you know that the Lime Spider show with the Black Keys is for a benefit so that's why they aren't trying to play at the Beachland...perhaps they're saving that for a sooner rather than later Ohio show (crossing my fingers, I'm a big fan!) Well I'm still thinking about going to this benefit even though the black keys probably won't play long, but at least I'll see them and it's for a good cause. I'm just not sure if I wanna see the other bands. Here's what the info says about the benefit: Friday, April 8th and Saturday April 9th:
THE NICKED-UP HUEYS ROCK-A-THON WEEKEND: A Benefit For Hearts, Minds, and Livers..... (With All Proceeds Going to Chemo and Band-Aids)!
Featuring the following local legends and contemporary Heroes:
Friday, April 8th, 8 pm
The Black Keys
Ralph Carney And Friends
Half Cleveland (With Chris Butler and Harvey Gold)
The Bizarros
Houseguest
The Gentlemen Grifters
C.D. Truth