Bruce Springsteen is facing criticism for the steep ticket prices of his upcoming United States music tour, with some fans being charged up to $5,000 per ticket. The rock legend’s use of Ticketmaster’s “dynamic pricing” model, which adjusts ticket prices based on demand, has sparked outrage among concertgoers. And Springsteen isn’t the only artist under scrutiny, as Taylor Swift, Drake, and Harry Styles also face backlash for their high-priced tour tickets.
Tickets to Springsteen’s shows range from $4,000 to $5,000 for those purchased through Ticketmaster, with even less desirable sections costing up to $1,000 per ticket. The dynamic pricing strategy has been employed by Ticketmaster since 2011 to respond to fluctuating demand.
While dynamic pricing has been used for other artists like Harry Styles and Taylor Swift, Springsteen’s ticket prices stand out for being significantly higher. Fans have taken to social media to express their frustration at being priced out of the Boss’s tour, considering his music’s association with everyday Americans and his advocacy for the working class.
Ticketmaster’s “platinum tickets” offer access to any seat in the venue and are part of the dynamic pricing model. According to Ticketmaster, this approach aims to ensure fair access to highly demanded tickets while allowing artists and event organizers to price tickets closer to their market value.
Springsteen has not publicly addressed the ticket pricing controversy, but Steven Van Zandt, a member of Springsteen’s E-Street Band, has reassured fans that the band has no control over pricing. However, this explanation has done little to appease fans who are unable to afford the exorbitant ticket prices.