[akudha]

Life is too short and there are big problems to deal with - my grocery bill went up by 25% in the last couple of months, and my salary is still the same. My rent went up by more than 9% this year.

I don’t feel bad for people dropping hundreds, thousands of dollars to watch a band or a comic. I don’t feel bad for TM either - they are a monopoly.

The Whole situation is just terrible. Same for sports events

Me - I’m happy watching my favorite artists on YouTube or buying their singles or MP3s wherever available.

[lancesells]

I agree with you and food and shelter are way more important but culture is important. I live in NYC and it's very easy for me to see artists I listen to for ~$35 every other night of the week. I can easily skip big, expensive acts and not really be missing out on anything.

But there are many people living in an area that don't have an opportunity to see smaller acts and only get access to stadium type shows in the closest major city. It's a shame people are missing out on culture due to monopolistic greed.

You'll never remember the time watching an artist on YouTube but you would certainly remember going to their concert. The same as sports.

[thunky]

There aren't enough seats at these events to make it possible for everyone that wants the cultural experience to have it.

If you accept this as true, how do you propose tickets are distributed, if not to the highest bidder?

[akudha]

I don’t have an answer to your question. That said, if every experience is sold to the highest bidders, only rich people can experience these events, isn’t it?

Maybe I am just old - what is so special about these events anyway? Everything is expensive, it is super crowded, everyone around you is sweaty, many drunk/high…

[thunky]

> only rich people can experience these events, isn’t it?

This is how it already is. There is a ton of stuff that only rich people can afford to experience. Luxuries cost money. Seeing the Rolling Stones live in concert is a luxury.

> what is so special about these events anyway?

I'm with you here. I'd take watching a big concert or sporting event from home over live in person any day. I honestly think the majority of people that attend these big events mainly do it so they can tell people they did. Same reason people go to Times Square on NYE.

[akudha]

I remember going to an event that had Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé etc. It wasn’t anything special - we had to wait for hours to get in, we weren’t allowed to take even water bottles, long lines for the bathroom, even longer lines to buy overpriced water, irritated cops everywhere…

Maybe I am just wired stupid or something - I didn’t enjoy the event. I am happy with YouTube and Spotify