The Big Topic About Ticket and Merchandise Prices

[TMBJon]

I think it's legitimate to criticize the ticket prices for Weird Al if someone personally feels that way. But more importantly I think it is crucial for a forum like this that no one attack or criticize the financial decisions made by various people on this board. If someone has the money to go to 27 Weird Al concerts in one summer, that's awesome and no one should be publicly questioning where they got the money to do it. If someone else is scraping by and is lucky to get to one show, no one else needs to make disparaging comments about how you only live once and people shouldn't be so stingy with their money. These sorts of comments ONLY lead to hurt feelings and do nothing to further the point you're trying to make. Some people on this forum will go to a lot of Weird Al concerts, others will go to few or none. Who cares why each person makes this decision. It's really neither here nor there to the question WWW is posing.

WWW, I actually disagree with a point you made early on which has heretofore been ignored: that the amount of shows/merch you buy is directly related to how big a fan you are or how you are perceived in the community. I think there are many members here who have never seen Al live who I would say are held in equal esteem with some of the biggest tourchasers. Everyone expresses their fandom in different ways. Some make really awesome t-shirts and artwork, others get tattoos on their body, others make tribute videos or even albums, others tourchase, and then there are those like me who are just on this forum talking about Weird Al-related minutia all day every day. I don't get the sense that tourchasing/merch-buying in particular is held in higher regard than the other expressions of fandom, especially here in this community.

I've already weighed in on my own thoughts about ticket prices. I think that most of the shows this tour have been pretty reasonable. An average of $30 for standard seats and if you want the VIPs it will cost a bit more and in some cases the worst seats were as low as $10. Yes, some locations got screwed. Ventura ended up costing a lot of money, but I personally thought it was worth it to spend the money, and therefore it was no big deal. I really don't think most people on this forum could tell you how many Weird Al concerts everyone else has been to this year, nor do they care. Al's tickets cost what they cost, and unless Al suddenly decides to go Eddie Vedder on us and boycott Ticketmaster, I am guessing they are going to stay at least around the price range they are in now. If you want to save up and go to a lot of these shows, great. If you don't have the money or would rather spend your money on other things, great. No one should really care about other people's finances on this forum. Really should not need to be spelled out...

[HappyGilmore]

I have to say I find Al's ticket prices to be very reasonable. I have paid much more for concerts I was much less interested in seeing. $30 bucks for a Weird Al concert, which runs 2 1/2 hours and features so many costume changes, and - let's face it - if you're on this forum Al is clearly one of your favorite acts. To me, this is a good deal.
Now I am the first one to admit that for the casual fans who find out about these shows through the newspaper (do those still exist?) may find the concert tickets to be too high for them. If so, they just won't go to the concert. If we were talking about the next level up, say $50 per ticket, I think it would be reasonable to complain. But at least from my perspective the entertainment per dollar is well worth it.

The merch on the other hand is definitely a bit overpriced, especially when you consider that the designs aren't really that conducive to wearing outside of a gathering of Weird Al fans. I have said it before but I think it's weird that pretty much every design features Al's face on it. I would like designs much more if they just had a motif of the concept, such as the silhouette of the Amish guy with the scythe which appears on the back of the Amish Paradise shirt. More designs like that would be appreciated on future tours.

The T-shirts ranged from around $20-$25. A bit pricey, but somewhat affordable, but I certainly wouldn't buy more than 1 at an event, if I buy one at all depending on what's for sale. I will say I've come across some shirts over the years, some as gifts from relatives, and some I've bought/acquired through various means. I've worn them out, and I gotta say, the reaction from people ranged from a general sense of warm reception (people saying that they liked Al, and seemed generally surprised someone else liked him), to people just sorta pointing and commenting on the uncoolness of wearing it. The one with the most negative reaction is the "Weird Al is My Homeboy" shirt I got as a gift. I've since learned to never wear that out. Then there's the grey Poodle Hat Band Photo/Tour Shirt, and most people don't usually recognize Al at first, since they're used to the '80s style Al. Generally I get "Who's that on the shirt?", and upon being told, a "Oh, that's kinda cool." Then I got the Amish Paradise shirt from this tour, as I just happened to have extra cash around, and almost everyone has a warm reaction to it, cause they like the song. I don't know. I guess it depends. That's just my experiences. I doubt I'd cough up the dough for more, unless I really like it, or have the extra dough. I'm not poor by any means, and I will spend money when I can. But I'm generally cheap and refuse to shell out any extra cash if I can avoid it, as I'm sure eventually I'll need it in the future.

But overall, I see what you're saying and overall agree with you. They have one too many shirts where it's just a big old image of Al front and center, like the Al on The Bicycle, The Amish Paradise shirt, Off the Deep End, etc. I probably would've been happier if the Paradise shirt was just the silhouette, as it would actually spark more discussions, etc, is kinda like "I support Al and don't have to be ostracized at the same time' kinda thing.

[algonacchick]

Thank you for the comments, Jon. You made a lot of good points about fandom and how each person expresses it. I'm no big tour chaser, but that doesn't mean I don't think Al is the best. I've seen him in concert 8 times over 4 tours. 3 times in one tour was the most. I have to find a friend to drive me, plus, I have a family, so I can't really leave the state to see Al in concert. I'm perfectly happy with seeing him when I can. As far as ticket prices, I think they're fairly reasonable. I got a deal on my tickets this time out. I only wish Al were coming back to Michigan, so I could get a second chance to see a concert without having a headache the entire time. Ah, well. It still was a good show. Kari and I were laughing, singing along to SOL on the way there, so our good time started even before Al took the stage. As far as merch, I haven't bought any for this tour yet. I was feeling so crappy after the July 3rd show, I didn't think to look for the merch table. I might get something off the site. I'll have to think about it. It's a tad pricey, but I might buy one shirt.

[Driew_La_27]

But more importantly I think it is crucial for a forum like this that no one attack or criticize the financial decisions made by various people on this board. If someone has the money to go to 27 Weird Al concerts in one summer, that's awesome and no one should be publicly questioning where they got the money to do it. If someone else is scraping by and is lucky to get to one show, no one else needs to make disparaging comments about how you only live once and people shouldn't be so stingy with their money. These sorts of comments ONLY lead to hurt feelings and do nothing to further the point you're trying to make. Some people on this forum will go to a lot of Weird Al concerts, others will go to few or none. Who cares why each person makes this decision. It's really neither here nor there to the question WWW is posing.

I just want to clarify this quote. This topic is to discuss the prices of the tickets/merchandise. This topic isn't meant to be a measuring stick for everyone's fandom. If you like to tour chase, great. If you can't tour chase or don't want to, that's great also. You're not less of a fan because you don't tour chase. You're also not less of a fan if you DO tour chase. People spend their extra money in a way that pleases them or provides entertainment. If that means spending it on tour chasing, great. If you choose to spend your extra money making gifts, great. If you spend your extra money surfing WOWAY all day, also great. If you donate your extra money, great.

Money is a VERY touchy subject, especially during these times of recessions etc.

From now on in this topic please refrain from commenting on how others want to spend their money. Its none of our business how others decide to use their wealth. I would also say don't comment on how you spend your money, but its sort of difficult to talk about ticket prices without explaining why you feel that way. So, if you see something you don't agree with just bite your tongue, this topic isn't here to tell other's how to spend their money. It only gets ugly, and people get upset.

Thank you.

[Grom]

Money is a VERY touchy subject, especially during these times of recessions etc

Money?! Get away! Get a good job with more pay and you're okay.

[Killingsworth]

Thanks. Jon...for expressing a fair and level headed point of view...

[RoyalJester]

I got my ticket (for 6/21 Verona) for just the $45 face value (by calling the venue directly).
Not bad at all for that degree of legend.
That auditorium holds only 800 or so, so even the cheap seats were quite good. [That's a gross of $36K not even counting the extra price for the premium seats.]

The trading cards were cool at their price. Shirts looked alright, but I was low on cash that night.

I have developed a taste for yet more expensive shows, so although I like those, it also helps make Al's prices look better. For those I'd spring a bit for closer tickets (especially since the venues are larger), but the cheap sets for Al were great, as I said.