Prince knows that there are enough people out there with the disposable cash to sell out a small show like this, just like he has done with the 3121 club. The price of anything is usually what the market will pay - and there are enough people out there willing and able to pay high prices. People that moan about the prices are usually those that don't have the disposable cash to spend on these shows, so really it's a case of being envious of the people who can as much as anything. Everytime you go to a gig, you have to evaluate whether the costs involved are worth the show you expect to see. Prince may be pricing himself out of the range of many fans, but there are many more fans who will still willingly, gladly, find a way of affording it.

I know it is frustrating when Prince puts on a show and you can't afford to go. But think, it is always frustrating for those of us that live in another country where the chance to see Prince is rare at best.

Besides, say Prince put the price way down so anyone can afford, there is still only a set number of people that can get in, it would just mean you would have MORE people moaning that it was sold out before they got a ticket. This way, you have LESS people moaning they missed out on a ticket because more people weren't going to go with prices that high anyway!

I'm not sure if you were responding in whole or in part to my post, metalorange, but I certainly understand that Prince has a *right* to charge anything he wants, and I understand the concept of pricing (i.e., capitalism, setting prices by what the market will bear, etc.) and capitalism.

I just think that.....

Shit, no time to finish this post; gotta get to work pronto so I can retain the privilege of earning my hourly wage...
[Edited 3/23/07 21:44pm]

metalorange said:

Well said, metalorange. This was an exclusive show to begin with, and the high prices may be a result of the exclusivity. Or, maybe they figured that the credit card holders could afford these higher prices.

I don't think that these prices will necessarily be the cost of tour tickets.

UCantHavaDaMango said:

Pricing yourself out of young fan base is bad business. all of us mature fans will always pay if we want. It is a prince fan site, it doesn't mean pointing out these things should be framed as "moaning".

Sorry, for this tangeant on the SF thread. You all enjoy!

Ouch... $225. For those who can't afford it our Prince vs Michael party which falls on the same night is only $5. We're doing a special extended version 6pm - 2am. And it's free to get in before 9pm!

PRINCE vs MICHAEL party - special extended version
Saturday, May 19th @ Madrone Lounge
500 Divisadero St. @ Fell, San Francisco, CA 94117
6pm - 2am / free before 9pm, $5 after / 21+ with ID

Once again Prince and associated artists go toe-to-toe against Michael and the Jackson family - this is the ultimate dance party! DJ's Dave Paul & Jeff Harris mix album cuts, remixes, rare tracks and classics from their extensive record collections to battle it out on the turntables. 8 hours of concert footage and music videos from the Purple One and the King of Pop on the video screen all night long.

This event was conceived four years ago by bombhiphop.com who have successfully produced over 20 of these parties. This is the perfect night out to lounge with your friends, make some new friends, get your drink on, dance your @ss off and celebrate the music of both these pop stars. Featuring music and videos from Prince, Michael, The Time, The Jackson 5, Sheila E., Janet Jackson and many more.

How FUN is this party?
To view photos from previous parties go to
http://www.bombhiphop.com/PvsM.html

Madrone Lounge is 1.3 miles from the Orpheum
5 minute drive
about $6-$7 in a taxi

shame on you, Kid...shame on you...

i went to vegas to see one of my heros, so spending the money is not an issue for me. my 9 yr old daughter is getting into music, and i would have loved to take her to vegas. so when the SF show came around, i was excited to be able to take her. but you need a certain credit card to purchase tix. thats unacceptable.

as the artist, you may have the right to charge what you want, perform where you want, do the set list YOU want to do, etc...but i, as the consumer (the person or persons that allow you to make that living), have the RIGHT to purchase tix the way I / WE choose to. of course there will be other shows for me to take my daughter to...that's not the point. when did I, as a consumer, lose the right to pay for something in the manner i want to pay for it. so if i came with good ole Green Backs (cash)...not good enough...??? "sign up for the card...!!!" i was tempted to do it, but i said to myself..."Self, don't fall for the ole 'o-key-doughk'..."...meaning the credit card comp wants you to sign up, charge a bunch of sh*t, and get you / us with interest...

hey Kid, why would you involve yourself in a promotion to, in a sense, sell your show to a credit card and then let the credit card company dictate who can come to the show i.e. only credit card holders...???

could have been some bad advice. at the very least, its poor taste.

I haven't read through all the posts but has anyone mentioned the possibility that since this is an event sponsored by the credit card company that maybe the company is the one that set the ticket prices???? This is an extensive promotion featuring various artists in different cities not just Prince. So chances are they paid Prince a flat fee and set the prices to try and just break even most likely. Because it seems that this is more of a marketing/advertising event for the credit card company. It's obvious that their target audience is NOT hardcore Prince fans rather affluent, creditworthy, casual music fans. Just a thought. . .

SCNDLS said:

Exactly.

I think some people are forgetting that this is a reward (an expensive one) for the Citi/AAdvantage card members, not a typical Prince concert. It was meant for the holders of an exclusive airline miles card (or someone who knows a person with a card ). Prince probably had limited control over this event, because it is not his deal, it's Citi Bank's.

I wonder if Christina and Dave's fans are as angry over the exclusive nature of the Traveling Through Life Tour...

I heard Prince once say that Art and Money Don't Mix!

UCantHavaDaMango said:

I probably should stop reading this thread because I am totally shocked at some of the negativity. First, since when does Prince owe us anything? Second, if you believe we have the "right" to purchase tickets any way you want, why doesn't Prince have the "right" to do a promo only concert as a perk for card members of Citi? Third, this has never been advertised as a concert for the general public, it is advertised as a BENEFIT to card members, nothing more.

I am sure when Prince is ready to tour, you will have the option to purchase tickets any way you please, cash in person, credit card...

txladykat said:

Thank you txladykat!!!

Personally, I think most of the negativity comes from people who can't go cuz they don't have the card..I just happen to have the card, so I got some tickets. Does that make me bad??? I don't think it makes Prince bad either!

And if/when he tours, everyone will be happy again..I plan to go again then too

babooshleeky said:

I also happen to have the card and chose not to go. San Francisco just isn't near me or in my future at the moment so I will just wait it out till he comes a bit closer to home