The Strokes price out touts with LA benefit gig

The Strokes have explained their decision to price entry to their upcoming City of Angels benefit concert in Los Angeles at US$125 – out of reach of many fans – arguing that such a high barrier to entry will keep tickets out of the hands of touts.

The American band, who recently released their second EP, Future Present Past, will play Live Nation’s 1,850-capacity The Wiltern on 25 July in aid of charities Waste Not Want Not Now, The Center in Hollywood and the Downtown Women’s Center.

“In doing a show for the charities […] our responsibility is to keep costs down and to ensure as much of the money goes to those in need,” the band write in a post on their Facebook page. “100% of net proceeds of this show will be going to the charities.

“For those of you who might not be able to afford tickets and are disappointed, we’re sorry – but in this instance we made a decision to prevent as much money being siphoned away as we could”

“Similarly, we have to acknowledge many tickets will appear on secondary sites within minutes of going on sale, which means that anyone can flip a ticket and make a $50, $75, $100+ profit. None of that additional money would go to any of the charities but to scalpers [touts], and it will happen at a regularly priced show.

“For those of you who might not be able to afford tickets and are disappointed, we’re sorry but in this instance we made a decision to help the charities and prevent as much money being siphoned away from the people in need as we could.”

Earlier this week economist Mark J. Perry said a for-profit resale market for concert tickets exists only because they are under-priced and/or under-supplied, echoing comments made by Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino at the 28th International Live Music Conference (ILMC) in March when he said artists need to be braver in how they price the house.

 

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