ticket prices are killing me petey!

I just spent over 3000 HKD on two pairs of tickets to see Oasis and Coldplay a few days ago. Now at first I didn't hesitate to buy tickets, because I've always felt rock shows are worth however much they're cost. I mean I could probably get a free ticket from work if I wait it out. But I didn't want to wait for a potential free ticket (then have to fight over it with coworkers). I want to support rock shows. I pay without thinking.  

But then after I paid for everything and I had time to think and put things into perspective. I realized they were so damn expensive. Anytime an international act comes to Hong Kong, the ticket prices are ridiculous. Coldplay tickets were going for 980, 780, and 480. Obviously the 480 tickets were sold out right away because everyone else knew 980 and 780 were a bit much.

To put things into perspective... I saw Coldplay in 2002 for 35 USD, which is about 270 HKD.

And Coldplay didn't play alone. I also got to see Interpol, Jack Johnson, Beck, and Jimmy Fallon (yes.. that Jimmy Fallon) on the same show.

Rock shows in HK are daylight robbery compared to in the states. In 2003, I paid 45 USD and saw White Stripes, Foo Fighters, Jet, The Living End, and a bunch of other bands such as The Transplants, Jane's Addiction, Staind, etc.

Look at that lineup for a second. I got to see one of the greatest contemporary guitarist ever (Jack White), with THE DRUMMER OF NIRVANA with Fake AC/DC (Jet) with THE EPITOME OF ONE-HIT-WONDERS (The Living End). All for half the price of what someone in Hong Kong would pay to see.. DUFFY right now.

The Duffy prices just pisses me off. Coldplay and Oasis charging nearly a grand a ticket. Fine. They Grammy winners and proven chart toppers. But Duffy charging the same amount? Huh?

With the economy in bad shape, people are getting pay cuts and laid off left and right. Rent is going down, gas prices are down and even plane ticket prices are going down.

To put the prices into perspective once more: One ticket to see like, freaking Duffy or Coldplay costs 900 HKD. For half that you can see like, Andy Lau and at least he'll sing in a muscle suit or do God of Gamblers Knife impressions.

I'm flying to the US and back for 3000 next month. For 3000 I'm seeing my family, friends and visiting THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD. And one and half hour of watching Duffy costs 1/3 that amount. Really?

And these aren't even true "great acts". They just Coldplay and Duffy. Imagine if the "big guns", like say Madonna or the Rolling Stones come to Hong Kong. how much would tickets be? 2500 a ticket?

Why the hell are ticket prices still so expensive?

The promoters, managers, and the bands are all in on this.

Which is why after Oasis, I'm boycotting paying for tickets to see live acts in HK.