As the late afternoon sun gracefully set over United Center Parking Lot K, a line of tittering general admission holders began to queue up, eagerly awaiting the chance to see Billie Eilish. Among the sea of baggy pants and mustard-yellow hoodies stood Paul Sanders, a 28-year-old who had paid around $200 via Eilish's presale on Ticketmaster for the November show. "The first time I saw her was at Coachella, and it was truly an unforgettable experience," Sanders shared.

Green Room Newsletter - Stay Ahead of Chicago's Arts Scene

Billie Eilish's Chicago Performances

Billie Eilish has graced the United Center not just once but twice. At her 2019 performance and again in 2024, general admission attendees revealed that they had spent upwards of $200 per ticket. This has sparked discussions about the rising cost of concert tickets and the impact on concertgoers.Concert tickets have become a topic of widespread concern in recent years. The anxiety-inducing Ticketmaster queue is a common experience, and budgeting for tickets has become a challenge. Despite efforts to make prices more transparent, concert tickets have consistently outpaced inflation for a decade.

The Impact on Smaller Venues

Chicago's small and midsize venues are feeling the effects of rising ticket prices. While larger touring acts like Billie Eilish draw large crowds, smaller, locally owned venues struggle to attract audiences. For example, The Empty Bottle, with a capacity of 400, has a fiercely loyal consumer base but faces challenges with lower ticket costs. On the other hand, The Salt Shed, with an indoor capacity of 3,600, is trying to adopt a community-oriented feel and promote daylong events to attract more attendees.Venue owners like Brent Heyl of 16 on Center are constantly adapting to the changing landscape. They are looking at diversified revenue streams such as craft cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks to offset the rising costs of putting on shows.

The Role of the Internet in Ticket Buying

The internet has revolutionized the way we buy concert tickets. It has made it easier to learn about shows, compare options, and watch clips of previous performances. However, it has also made it more difficult to compare price points. This "search obfuscation" leads to unexpected surcharges at the checkout.MIT economist Sara Fisher Ellison argues that internet tech-driven factors are also contributing to the increase in ticket prices. The combination of match quality (the willingness to pay for a particular artist) and search obfuscation creates the perfect environment for ticketing companies to hide prices until the end of the buying process.

Fan Behavior and Budgets

When it comes to their favorite musicians, many fans are willing to go to great lengths to attend a concert. As Charles, a 25-year-old Eilish fan from Moline, said, "If it's something I really want to go to, I usually find ways to make it work. I don't care how much I have to work for it."This behavior is not limited to big pop stars like Taylor Swift. Even at smaller venues, fans are still willing to spend money on shows they enjoy. However, changing consumer patterns, such as drinking less at venues, are also affecting revenue streams.Back in line at the Eilish show, the anticipation was palpable. Fan-since-Coachella Paul Sanders wondered if there would be any special guests, adding another layer of excitement to the event.In conclusion, the rising cost of concert tickets and its impact on various aspects of the music industry are complex issues that require careful consideration. From the experiences of big venues like the United Center to the struggles of smaller, locally owned venues, the music scene in Chicago is constantly evolving.