I thought this was interesting. While perusing the local student-run messageboards after the concert last night, I found out that free tickets were available to ISU students the day of the show. I'm pretty sure they were all cheap nose-bleed seats, but all you needed to get 2 was your student ID.

I'm guessing this was completely up to the promoter, since it has already been discussed that Prince is just getting a lump sum for each show, regardless of ticket sales. I know from checking Ticketmaster in the last few weeks just to see what was available, it looked like a lot of the upper balcony seats were still available. Whoever's decision it was, I'm guessing they just wanted make the house seem as packed as possible, to drum up excitement for future shows.

Chacmool said:

I think this is cool. I mean it the day of the show... hold back a couple hundred tickets for walk-ups then make sure the rest go to SOMEBODY and turn some college kids on to some funky music. Smart move if you ask me!

I knew Prince was doing something underhanded. Little shit.

I knew Prince was doing something underhanded. Little shit.

2freaky4church1 said:

I'm sure Prince had nothing to do with it. It was the venue or the promoter. He is busy on the day of the show with production details, soundcheck, etc. Not mucking with these sort of issues.

Besides the Ames venue is ON campus. They may have been required to do something like this as part of the lease or something. The venue is not a free standing private facility like most arenas.

For the record I experienced this once. I went to see Michael Hedges at a local university. He was my favorite musician at the time (and probably still would be were he still with us, RIP Michael) and I bought 8 tickets for myself, friends, etc. I just wanted to share him and I dropped a pretty penny, let me tell you.

Walking up to the show there were people from the university giving away tickets. BEGGING students to go. Don't think I wasn't cheesed!! I paid around $200 for 8 tickets and these kids wouldn't even go for free!!

But the good news was it was a small show, I got to see him from the front row, meet him afterwards and chat. It all worked out but it sure was agravating on the surface of it!!

If I was a broke college student right now & heard that, I would just DIE - I think it's awesome!