Live Nation Takes $78 From Each Fan

Based on their last quarter in music sales, Live Nation has reported that their revenue per fan is $78.16. This is lower than last year’s second quarter which brought in $81.82 per fan.

Although this is not bad at all when you factor in the economy that has been spiraling downward, it just proves that fans are paying unnecessary amounts of money when it comes to large companies like this. Live Nation confirms the fact that people haven’t stopped going to concerts, but also state that they continue to receive earnings from food, beverages, and visits to their monopoly of a site.

$78 is a lot of money for one music-goer. We’re not sure how this “revenue per fan” rate is calculated, but one question still stands: Why are people paying big corporations for service fees and inside-only (and expensive) venue food and drinks when every one could be seeing some of the greatest indie acts playing smaller venues?

Smaller venues charge anywhere between $5 – $15 for shows depending on how big the artists are. The food and drinks are much cheaper at these venues and usually music-goers can can stop by a nearby local restaurant for food and drinks beforehand and afterward.

Large stages may have a grand effect, but are fans as up close to musicians as they want to be? Perhaps, but it’s typically only the select few in the front who end up getting mashed up against the barricade. However, when one only pays $5 for each show during each “quarter,” fans still get a lot more for a lot less as Live Nation empties wallets $78 each time.

What’s the price going to be when Live Nation and Ticketmaster merge? Support your local venues!