FAIR PRICES? ... What do You as the Fan, Buyer, think are Fair & Reasonable Prices for...

[MetalSludgeCEO]

.... CDs, Tees, Vinyl, Concert Tix, M&G Packages...


Seeing a recent thread about the Cost of a Band's T-Shirt at concerts, festivals, etc...

Curious to see what you think is a reasonable Price to pay for the following....


----------------------

A band's new CD =

Catalog releases on CD =

A band's Vinyl LP =

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold =

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) =

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt =

A concert ticket (at a club) =

A concert ticket (at a Theater) =

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show =

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career =

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career =

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career =

Ready, Set, Sludge.

$ludge

[Rocker4Real]

I've never paid for meet and greets and special edition vinyls, but I'll give prices I'd expect.

A band's new CD = 10-15

Catalog releases on CD = 10

A band's Vinyl LP = 20-30

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = 40-50

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt = 25

A band's full 3-4-5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = 30-40

A concert ticket (at a club) = 40-50

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = 75-100

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = 100 cheap seats and up

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = 200

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = 300-500

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = 1000 and up

[superglide88]

A band's new CD = 25

Catalog releases on CD = 20

A band's Vinyl LP = not interested

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = not interested

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt = 20-30

A band's full 3-4-5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = 30-40

A concert ticket (at a club) = 20-30

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = max 60

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = max 130

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = 0 interest in paid fake ass meet and greets, just be glad I came to your show and bought some merch.

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = see above

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = fuck off greedy bastards

[LitaStrauss]

This will all depend on who the artist is, as I've paid more for some of these things, but this is generally what I would hope for.

A band's new CD = 9.99 to 12.99

Catalog releases on CD = same as above

A band's Vinyl LP = 30

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = 30

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = 30-40

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = 30-40

A concert ticket (at a club) = $30-$40

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = $50 - $75

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = depends on who and where the seats are. But generally I won't go above $125 a ticket, and I've still been able to see Taylor Swift and Metallica last year.

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = $125

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = $125

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = $125

The best meet and greet package I ever did was for The Darkness and it was $125. It came with soundcheck, a Q&A, the opportunity to play a song with the band, photos, autographs, signed stuff, laminates to get in and out, and it lasted about 2 hours. They went well beyond anything I've seen when it comes to meet & greets. So that's my bar. If Metallica was doing a full band meet & greet for $250, then maybe I'd think about it, but otherwise, $125-$150 is my limit, and it better come with more than just a brief photo. I want my money's worth.

[LAglamrocker]

If I like something I’ll buy it
Last thing I bought was Pearcy event shirt at Whisky..I saw it and said “ill take that “ then I asked the price..was 40$

Won’t buy CDs,vinyl, or catalog stuff. That Apple Music thing is what 10$? I don’t even look at the charge. Brings me all music entertainment I need

If I like a show I’m going to go at any size venue. Nothing is overpriced..Body Count is like 100$ night. I’m good with that. Big events doesn’t matter where I sit -I mostly go where I want- doesn’t work out doesn’t bother me-another 3000 shows are coming up
All club shows average around 40$..I’m cool with that..get the dream every show seeing it in cool place or town I dreamed about as a kid…not going complain if someone like Firehouse is 50$

VIP I can’t imagine I would pay for one of those. But if you do good for you…seems like Meet and Greet is a paid cd signing from back in the day..all rushed for photo opportunity

The money I “save” usually goes to Topless Maid(girls) scheduling

[Sleek]

A band's new CD = Not gonna buy

Catalog releases on CD = Not Gonna Buy

A band's Vinyl LP = $15-$20.

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = Not gonna buy

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = $15-$20

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = $15-$20

A concert ticket (at a club) = $10-$15

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = $30-$35

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = Max $50. Maybe $100 if it is the stones or something

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = Not gonna buy

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = Not gonna buy

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = Not gonna buy

[kingbrian74]

I've never paid for meet and greets and special edition vinyls, but I'll give prices I'd expect.

A band's new CD = 10-15

Catalog releases on CD = 10

A band's Vinyl LP = 20-30

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = 40-50

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt = 25

A band's full 3-4-5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = 30-40

A concert ticket (at a club) = 40-50

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = 75-100

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = 100 cheap seats and up

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = 200

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = 300-500

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = 1000 and up

I was going to type up a response, but it wasn't necessary. This pretty much hits the nail on the head.

Though I'd go as high as $15 for any cd release, and would say $30 for a t-shirt is also fair....but those are insignificant differences.

[Rocker4Real]

I've never paid for meet and greets and special edition vinyls, but I'll give prices I'd expect.

A band's new CD = 10-15

Catalog releases on CD = 10

A band's Vinyl LP = 20-30

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = 40-50

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt = 25

A band's full 3-4-5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = 30-40

A concert ticket (at a club) = 40-50

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = 75-100

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = 100 cheap seats and up

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = 200

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = 300-500

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = 1000 and up

I was going to type up a response, but it wasn't necessary. This pretty much hits the nail on the head.

Though I'd go as high as $15 for any cd release, and would say $30 for a t-shirt is also fair....but those are insignificant differences.

I may not be following the rules of the question, but that's what Sludgers usually do. These are prices that I would expect and not be surprised by.

[MetalSludgeCEO]

A band's new CD = Not gonna buy

Catalog releases on CD = Not Gonna Buy

A band's Vinyl LP = $15-$20.

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = Not gonna buy

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = $15-$20

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = $15-$20

A concert ticket (at a club) = $10-$15

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = $30-$35

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = Max $50. Maybe $100 if it is the stones or something

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = Not gonna buy

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = Not gonna buy

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = Not gonna buy

$15.00 for a band's Vinyl or T-shirt is laughable...

I understand, these are your choices, etc... but those #s are beyond realistic in today's market.

Making a Vinyl record in 2015, was already costly... but it's only went up since.

Same with T-shirts, CDs, etc... everything has went WAY UP, esp in the last 3-4 years, post pandemic.

Anyone selling shirts for $15.00 is taking a F#@king bath... same with Vinyl... those bands are either Stupid, or Desperate to move their crap!

And the 95% of the fans who would Pay $15-20, will pay $20-25 and beyond.... there is the few percent, who are tight with their doe and think it''s still 1988.

$tEvil

[Ralph2]

CD - 25

VINYL - 35

T-SHIRT - 35

HOODIE - 75

CLUB SHOW 25-35+

HOUSE OF BLUES LEVE - 75+

ARENA SHOW - PASS, BUT 150+

[Ozzy Stradlin]

A band's new CD = $15

Catalog releases on CD = $10

A band's Vinyl LP = $20 - $30

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = $25 - $40

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = $25

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = $35

A concert ticket (at a club) = $25 - $40

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = $35 - $50

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = $100

[Darrien]

A band's new CD = $10

A band's Vinyl LP = $25-30

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = $35 (so over variants and gatefolds, just give me black vinyl at a decent price)

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = $25

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = don't care

A concert ticket (at a club) = $20-30

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = $40-50

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = $50-$80

[Blumpkin King]

A band's new CD = $20

Catalog releases on CD = $20

A band's Vinyl LP = $30

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = $35

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = $35

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = $40 +

A concert ticket (at a club) = $20 - $40

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = $40 - $80

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = $75 - $200

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = $75

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = $125

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = $300 +


This is what we basically been ingrained with for the last few years. I just kind of figure that this is the reality, and if I want one of those things it's probably are going to cost me this or more. It's not the 80's anymore and people have to make a living, so these seem fair to me.

I'm not really up on the meet and greet as I have never done one. I look, but just don't think it's worth it for me. I don't care about meeting someone of collecting autographs.

[VinnieVincentsVag]

I won’t pay over $30 for entry to a show.
Too many irritating drunks and overpriced drinks.
Don’t want to be around that many people either.
I’m fine with never going to another concert in my life.

[FreddyFender]

A band's new CD = $10 if its a local kids just starting out. I'll play it once and throw it away.

Catalog releases on CD = $0

(adding my own here) - Cassette - $20-$25. Lot of acts are selling cassettes these days and it's what I'll always buy.

A band's Vinyl LP = $0

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = $0

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = $20

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = $20

A concert ticket (at a club) = $20

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = $40

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = $0. GNR reunion was my last big venue show and will be my last ever. No interest in watching bands from a mile away.

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = $0 never have, never will.

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = $0 never have, never will.

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = $0 never have, never will.

$ludge

Might not be the best place to ask that, though - I think most guys on here are working musicians to some degree or another.

We're spending our disposable income on instruments we don't need and bullshit like new wireless in-ear monitors.

I'm not paying to hear Don Dokken butcher Dream Warriors, let alone meet him or buy his shitty new album.

However there are a lot of fans out there that will.

[Sleek]

A band's new CD = Not gonna buy

Catalog releases on CD = Not Gonna Buy

A band's Vinyl LP = $15-$20.

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = Not gonna buy

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = $15-$20

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = $15-$20

A concert ticket (at a club) = $10-$15

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = $30-$35

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = Max $50. Maybe $100 if it is the stones or something

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = Not gonna buy

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = Not gonna buy

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = Not gonna buy

$15.00 for a band's Vinyl or T-shirt is laughable...

I understand, these are your choices, etc... but those #s are beyond realistic in today's market.

Making a Vinyl record in 2015, was already costly... but it's only went up since.

Same with T-shirts, CDs, etc... everything has went WAY UP, esp in the last 3-4 years, post pandemic.

Anyone selling shirts for $15.00 is taking a F#@king bath... same with Vinyl... those bands are either Stupid, or Desperate to move their crap!

And the 95% of the fans who would Pay $15-20, will pay $20-25 and beyond.... there is the few percent, who are tight with their doe and think it''s still 1988.

$tEvil

You're thinking supply side, brah.

The question is what do I think is fair and reasonable, not "how much money do I think an artist could get for these items?".

I don't use CDs, and only marginally give a fuck about vinyl. You want to charge $30-$35 for an album, fine by me, but I won't be buying. I'll take that money and buy some Giorgio Moroder disco shit or something I will really enjoy.

...and yeah, I have priced out every item on this list as a musician who has vinyl records out and has had shirts, stickers and everything else made. I even sold a branded potato at one gig.

To be fair, I have a day job and am not looking to gouge somebody 300%-500% so I can eat. I just want people to have a good time and buy some swag.

I can get short runs of shirts (50pcs) at $6 a pop. Selling them for $15 already seems like gouging.

[GoodJudge]

$15.00 for a band's Vinyl or T-shirt is laughable...

I understand, these are your choices, etc... but those #s are beyond realistic in today's market.

Making a Vinyl record in 2015, was already costly... but it's only went up since.

Same with T-shirts, CDs, etc... everything has went WAY UP, esp in the last 3-4 years, post pandemic.

Anyone selling shirts for $15.00 is taking a F#@king bath... same with Vinyl... those bands are either Stupid, or Desperate to move their crap!

And the 95% of the fans who would Pay $15-20, will pay $20-25 and beyond.... there is the few percent, who are tight with their doe and think it''s still 1988.

$tEvil

Agreed, i was reading some people's prices and thinking "that's what we were paying +20 years ago, there's been a lot of inflation since then".

That said, the only things on the list I'd buy are new CDs, a very occasional t-shirt and club and theatre tix. New release CDs here are generally £12-15 in the (few remaining) shops or online = $15-19, and £15+ at shows. More for special editions of course. I've recently paid £20-45 for various upcoming gigs = $25-55. That seems to have gone up a lot on pre-covid prices. I was thinking about seeing Arch Enemy in October at Hammersmith but it'd be over $60 and by the time I heard about it they only had balcony seats. I've passed but I'd have paid that for standing. That's probably the max I'd pay for an indoor show these days unless it was something really special. (I paid +£200 for 2 tix to Andrea Bocelli this July as a present for my wife, even though it's an outdoor show and he'll be a dot on the horizon).

[Spongie]

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show =

I don’t think arena and stadium should be lumped together… they’re two totally different things.

I’d pay up $150 for the right band in an arena.
10 bucks tops on the same band at a stadium.

[Psychobolia.com]

A band's new CD = 18€

Catalog releases on CD = 15€

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = 20€

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = 30€

A concert ticket (at a club) = 15€

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = 30€

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = 60€

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = FUCK
Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = THAT
Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = BULLSHIT!!

[gtshark1]

A band's new CD = $20

Catalog releases on CD = $15

A band's Vinyl LP = $30

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = $30

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = $25

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = $40

A concert ticket (at a club) = $30

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = $60

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = $75

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = no clue

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = no clue

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = no clue

[ijwthstd]

It's kinda tough to come up with realistic prices when I know the act's expenses have doubled too and don't buy most of that stuff. I pretty much stopped buying merch or any logo stamped trinkets. Even if I wanted to spend the money it's a constant struggle to keep my living space from turning into a hoarder nightmare. Now I do still buy concert DVD's and $20-25 is a reasonable price for a decent new release. I paid about that for Rolling Stones at the Wiltern. Will pay that or more per unit if Aerosmith starts releasing some of the video they are sitting on.

Vinyl - what a scam but then I was still buying records far into the CD era, usually at $1-3 each. Easy even someone as broke as me at ages 10-17 to build a collection.

As many shows as I go to, it doesn't bother me what's happened to mass market consumer events. You can play that like the stock market. Buy low, sell high, buy low again but that's getting more difficult. What's really starting to affect me is the "cheap" shows are so expensive. Those run into the $40 to 60 range and up. I can't just hustle my way in for cheap for every one, that takes effort and it's different when bleeding and breakage is hard to control and to be expected. When it's working people depending on me to eat and pay the bills ... I think I would rather cut way back and let them figure out how to make the financials work without me. Used to like to see the same bands I like over and over but in the last few weeks shows I insisted I was going to go go - Karl Denson's Tiny Universe ($39.50), Pete Escovedo and Family ($45 but a sit down dinner joint - where I walked into Tony Danza after smoking a joint outside - hey can I see the dessert menu, that was a $90 night out), KMFDM ($40-50? was gonna go ticketless but stayed home). Can't do that a few times a week anymore. Last show I paid for was Mike Watt for $10. He'd be worth even $20.

I also don't drink alcohol anymore and pretty much stopped eating out. I only pay for parking when me and my girlfriend go, otherwise it's public transportation.

Hoping to get into Springsteen for under $100, Cruel World for under $100, Iron Maiden $50-ish (they had 2 shows penciled in but now it's just 1 so it might heat up later), Neil Young & Crazy Horse is sold out, I am ticketless and about to go in for a hotel/train so that's gonna end up costing what it costs. Otherwise trying to train my brain to resist the OCD and FOMO etc. I am stacking up history docs on YouTube faster than my future event calendar.

Will pay whatever it costs for Crowded House fall run. Hopefully <$100.

[ijwthstd]

The only "paid" M&G I ever did for a top level artist was Miranda Lambert. At least in 2018 it was included with a $30 fan club membership, by lottery and limited to one a year but there were like 100 people in line so I get the idea it's not that hard. I originally bought fan club for first crack at tickets but jumped at that for sure. Paid $29.50 for the cheapest ticket out the window.

Otherwise I wouldn't 100 percent rule it out but couldn't imagine paying in most circumstances. Might pay $70 for Jesus Jones soundcheck and M&G if it's included at the upcoming Whisky but it's more the extra music than any photo op as I think it includes songs not in main set. But even a ridiculously low $100 to meet the Rolling Stones or Aerosmith or any other stadium favorites? Probably not. When I was still making decent money and the Spice Girls did their Euro tour in 2019 I said I will pay $1000 for THAT M&G if it was offered here, but probably wouldn't pay anything now.

I paid $35 for an Ashland Craft shirt just because she said she would be at the merch booth. This was opening for Marcus King at the Wiltern. She was talented, beautiful, nice, etc so even though a purchase was only implied I was happy to do it.

[skinni]

The majority of the above-listed prices reflect those from the early 90s. I'm also astonished by how inexpensive merchandise like media and T-shirts still are. I would have expected prices to have significantly increased after three decades or more. The following reflects what I would pay:

A band's new CD = $50+

Catalog releases on CD = $50+

A band's Vinyl LP = N/A

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = N/A

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = $75

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = $100+

A concert ticket (at a club) = $75+

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = Seats range from $100 for lower-end options to $1000 or more for prime seating.

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = lower-end seats $200 to a few k$ for prime seating.

I don't ever plan to meet or interact with professional musicians. The conversation would be pointless, since their views are of no concern. The only thing that matters is quality of their music. However, I imagine that die-hard fans who have pressing questions or need for conversation/pictures, should pay at a minimum a few k$.

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career =

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career =

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career =

[rubysdad]

Aussie dollars
I won’t buy cds or albums any more.

For an international act, I’ll pay whatever the mid price seats are, normally around $150.

I paid over $300 for front bit seats for Kiss and Springsteen in the past.

Shirts are generally around $50, hoodies, $100.
If I like a design and have money to spare I’ll buy one.

For local acts, I’ll pay whatever is on the door, and buy merch rather than cds.

Have never paid for a meet and greet, can’t seeing it ever happen.

[DangerZone]

there is no fair price.
You price it up until people stop buying and then lower it until they do

[mrspeedgene]

A band's new CD = $0, I stream everything

A band's Vinyl LP = no interest

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = no interest

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = $25 - $30 if I can get one that actually fits

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = see above

A concert ticket (at a club) = $50 depending on how they sound these days

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = $50 depending on how they sound these days

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = $75 depending on how they sound these days

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = $0

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = $0

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their career = $0 I have met plenty of "stars" and never paid a nickel. While nobody was an ass*(musicians have all been good, athletes not so much) I don't have any fond memories either.

[Nobodyspecial]

A band's new CD = $20

Catalog releases on CD = $20

A band's Vinyl LP = Don't buy vinyl so I don't care

A Vinyl, with Color options and/or Gatefold = Don't buy vinyl so I don't care

A band's standard 2 color print T-shirt (ex: Red & White on Black) = $40

A band's 3-4 or 5 color, two-sided printed T-shirt = $50

A concert ticket (at a club) = $30 - $40

A concert ticket (at a Theater) = $40 - $60

A ticket for an Arena or Stadium show = $60 - $100

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 2-5M over their career = I've never paid for a meet and greet, and don't think I ever would, But if I did max would be $100

Meet & Great for an Artist who sold 6-10M over their career = see above

Meet & Greet for an Artist who sold in excess of 10M over their care = see above

[Nobodyspecial]

duplicate

[MattleyCrue]

If it’s a good band that I want to see I will pay any amount really.

As far as new merch goes not really interested as I collect vintage shirts which I will spend hundreds on. I just scored a 1989 Danger Danger tee for $105

[Metal Judge]

My personal experiences as of late for these last tours here in SoCal

Iron Maiden at Honda Center
Official band shirt - $50 (I passed)
Bought one from a scalper after the show $10, I wear it all the time

Depeche Mode at Kia Forum
Official band shirt cost - $50 (again pass)
Bought one after the show for $5, I wear it all the time

I'm not cheap, just not stupid.