Event Ticket Prices

Colonel Sanders

Have noticed over the last while that concert tickets seems to be even more of a rip off than usual. Someone told me this is because there is now a higher rate of VAT applied. Is there any truth in this or have they just become more expensive? Thanks

RuggieBear

we also tend to have much higher insurance costs

Toast

There is vat on tickets sold for outdoor events that sell hot food this year which hadnt been applied before. So the majority of festivals and larger outdoor events (anything in marlay, rds, slane etc).

Also promoters seem to have taken to signing up bands for 2 shows, one their own and one for a festival appearance. Generally their own show often is priced slightly higher than it should be to cover some of the festival appearance costs.

honru

Festivals in both the UK and Ireland seem to have shot up more than anything. Since they're practically guaranteed to sell out these days, they can afford to increase the cost quite a bit year on year.

I have to say though I'm gobsmacked by the prices charged for most gigs by more newer bands. Like acts that have one album and play for 50 or so minutes. Arctic Monkeys at Malahide Castle are one example, but I obviously know nothing as they've sold out one night at €50 a head.

gucci

Toast wrote:

There is vat on tickets sold for outdoor events that sell hot food this year which hadnt been applied before..

FFS what will they think of next. taxing events that require toilets??

Toast

I actually made a mistake.. its on all events that sell alcohol or hot food inside or out. In fairness theres Vat on practically everything so its not like this is surprising but yeh its a bit of a kick in the teeth when it adds an extra 20 quid to a festival ticket.

Love to see if theres any numbers for how much lost revenue to tourists not coming for festivals because of the ticket price increases. Used to be cheaper for a lot of British people to come here for festivals but that cant be holding true anymore.

gucci

well im going to a festival in belguim (rock wercther see other posts in this forum) based on price and almost guaranteed good weather. the line-up is pretty impressive also

Jonny Arson

Colonel Sanders wrote:

Have noticed over the last while that concert tickets seems to be even more of a rip off than usual. Someone told me this is because there is now a higher rate of VAT applied. Is there any truth in this or have they just become more expensive? Thanks

Sadly the higher rate of VAT (13.5% am I right?) has inevitably been used as an excuse by promoters to up their prices on top of the new VAT. The amount of gigs I've seen been advertised say for example €30 that would have cost €20 2 years ago is frightening. Festivals and outdoor gigs have been the worst victims of this..... look at Electric Picnic and a certain other festival for the most outrageous rip-off ticket prices that have increased substantially year on year. I'm voicing my disgust at this by going to less gigs and going more smaller gigs that offer better value for money. There needs to be more regulation of the industry because there is something fishy going on with some certain promoters.

Mushy

FFS what will they think of next. taxing events that require toilets??

Do not publicise comments like that cos, eh, ya never know what they might do. Or, they might at least charge you you for using them when you get there