Over Tickets

Over in relation to Concerts: A Look at the End of an Era

For those who love music, there are few things more thrilling than attending a live concert. From the anticipation of waiting for your favorite band to take the stage, to the sheer joy of experiencing live music with thousands of other fans, a good concert is a truly unforgettable experience.

But as we enter a new decade and look back on the past few years, it's hard not to notice that something has changed in the world of concerts. Specifically, it feels like we're witnessing the end of an era.

What do we mean by that? Well, there are a few different factors at play here.

First and foremost, the rise of digital streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal means that people increasingly consume music in solitary, individualized ways. Yes, we still gather around our favorite albums with friends and discuss what we love about them, but it's rare to find a group of people today who all listen to the same artist or genre. This fragmentation makes it harder for concerts to build the kind of communal excitement they once did.

Secondly, there's the issue of cost. It's no secret that the price of concert tickets has skyrocketed in recent years. While scalpers and resellers certainly bear some of the blame for this, it's worth pointing out that many artists have also raised their prices – often charging hundreds of dollars per ticket for even mid-level seats.

This trend is understandable to some extent; musicians make most of their money these days from touring rather than album sales, so it's only natural that they would want to maximize their earnings. But for many fans, the price tag is simply too high. And when you combine that with the logistical challenges of getting to and from a concert (not to mention the exorbitant cost of parking in some venues), it's easy to see why many people are opting to stay home.

Finally, we have to acknowledge the impact of the pandemic on the concert industry. While some artists have pivoted to livestreaming shows or performing at drive-in theaters, the fact remains that large-scale concerts are simply not safe right now. And with many experts predicting that COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future, it's unclear when – or if – we'll ever return to the kind of mass gatherings we once took for granted.

Of course, all of these factors have been building for quite some time. You could argue that the heyday of the concert industry ended years ago, and that we're simply in the midst of a slow decline punctuated by occasional spikes in popularity. But even if that's the case, it's hard not to feel a sense of sadness at the thought that we may never experience the thrill of a truly packed arena again.

That being said, there are still plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future of live music. Even if large-scale concerts become less common, smaller, more intimate shows are likely to thrive – especially if artists find creative new ways to connect with fans who can't be there in person. And if history has taught us anything, it's that people will always find ways to gather around music; whether it's in a field at a festival, or just in their own living rooms with friends.

So while the era of the blockbuster concert may be over, the spirit of community, passion, and joy that live music brings will always endure.