Nah... its the free market at work.
Why do they play at large venues? Because the tickets sell. We were a packed house... maybe 85-90 percent sold out. The place holds up to 21,000 but usually is set up for more like 15,000. So... do the math. Average ticket price at $100. Thats $1,500,000. Take half out for promoters. There are venue charges on top of ticket prices ($10 courtesy fee, $5 stadium fee). So thats $750k split two ways or maybe not, but lets say 50/50. Now we're talking $375k minus crew and logistical expenses. Take $25k out for that... no make it outrageous $50k. Thats still over $300k. Take out taxes and local fees... for security and such. Still over $300k, but lets say $300k. Hey but it was only 80 percent... so maybe $240k range. With numbers like those, even with big fudge factors, we're talkin a whole boatload of bling-bling. So its probably a 20 to 25 show tour, in top cities... lets whack it back again.. average $200k per show. Times 20...$4mil. Out of that, Uncle Sam takes 40 percent. So we got $2.2mil or so. Now lets look at the time - two hour shows. Take your $2.2mil divided by 20x2hous.... something like $55,000 per hour. Maybe get a blister on their little finger....maybe get a blister on their thumb.....
When they cant pull in the numbers any more, then they'll scale back to reduce costs, but as long as folks pay, they'll play.
