How much is being close to your favorite artist worth? Superfans are reshaping the concert industry
Some admit to spending thousands of dollars for barricade spots and other VIP perks at concerts, which is slowly becoming common
TL;DR
- Fans are paying premium prices for VIP concert tickets and perks to get closer to artists and secure prime viewing spots like the barricade.
- This trend has seen astronomical growth post-Covid, offering artists a new revenue stream as album sales decline.
- VIP experiences can include merchandise, meet-and-greets, and soundcheck access, with a higher percentage of revenue going to the artist.
- The demand for close proximity is leading some fans to arrive extremely early or seek out paid options to skip lines, similar to theme parks.
- While popular with large venues, independent venues are hesitant due to concerns about preserving egalitarian access for all fans.
- Superfans spend significantly more on music, and catering to them could generate billions for the industry.