Concert ticket sales decline, economy to blame

Music lovers may soon see or have already seen an effect on their concert going frequencies due to the economy.

An article written this summer by the Associated Press, states that the live music industry has dropped 17 percent since last year.

"The industry trade magazine and web site Pollstar says gross revenue for the top 100 tours in North America in the first six months of 2010 is down nearly $200 million from last year," the article said.

This national trend seems to be hitting home with college students as well.

"I love music but I don't have enough money to go to all the shows I want to," sophomore John Sartain said.

Some students may be missing out on a concert to be able to go to another concert.

"Instead of going to all the concerts that are around the same time, I have to just pick one," junior Kirisa Turner said.

However, the economy isn't hitting every music fan the same.

"If I want to see a band, I want to see a band. I don't care about the price," sophomore Andrew McCluney said. "I may have bad seats, but I still want to be there."

Some students may not feel the national trending economic effect yet, but it could be still to come.

"I haven't felt the effect yet but I might eventually but I think it is too early to tell," junior Kendal Bruce said.

The economy may have an effect on the person but they may not realize it just yet.

"At first it didn't feel like I was missing shows, until I missed a good show to save for another show," Turner said. "I still regret missing that show."

Even if the person has the money to go to the show, there may be an affect on the money they spend at the venue and the merchandise they invest in.

"I think I feel the effect more on the merch I buy. I now only buy one shirt instead of three or four shirts," Turner said.

While some people may not be able to attend some of the concerts they normally would, some people notice different types of concert patrons than a few years ago.

"There seem to be more people getting involved in shows you wouldn't normally see. Like people who are dressed athletically, but there are still the people with gauged ears, band T-shirts and black jeans," McCluney said.

Although it may be difficult to predict the future of concert sales, some music enthusiasts will pay whatever it takes.

"You just have to go see some bands," Bruce said.

Who would be the bands these people would pay astronomical amounts to go see?

"I would go see Muse again," McCluney said.

"I would see Paramore or A Day to Remember, but that could change," Turner said.

"If ticket prices sky rocketed, the Arctic Monkeys would be at the top of my list to see," Bruce said.

"Megadeath and Slayer. I will always be up front," Sartain said.