$175 per ticket?!?!

[gutkaok]

I think the price is fair...if the venue is decent. I'm in Edmonton, the venue is a hockey arena, and the sound is horrible there. I'm not going to pay the price to hear distorted music. So I'll have to go to Calgary where LC's playing the Jack Singer, a proper concert hall.

[blue_94_trooper]

in Edmonton, the venue is a hockey arena, and the sound is horrible there. I'm So I'll have to go to Calgary where LC's playing the Jack Singer, a proper concert hall.

The disparity among the venue sizes for this tour is really unusual. You've got 17,000 seat hockey arenas, 2,800 seat concert halls (e.g. Phila. Academy of Music), 16,000+ seat sheds (Merriweather Post Pavillion), 6,000 seat big theaters (Radio City), even some under 2k (Waterbury, Ct.).

It's all over the place.

[canuck]

If the choice is $175 or not having the man tour, I know which I prefer.

Actually, those prices seem "reasonable" for a big name act these days. And look at it this way - you WILL get your money's worth. Every song is gem (and how many concerts can you say that about?!) and Leonard's perfectionism translates into a terrific concert experience. You also get a full show at over three hours, which is not the norm sadly.

I've paid top dollar and walked way dissapointed with several concerts. This was certainly not one of the disappointing ones.

And, let's face it, you are very likely never to get another chance to see him perform.

When I think of it that way, the choice of spending $200 (Australian ticket prices) didn't seem quite as hard. I definitely got $200 worth of show and some lifelong memories to go with it.

[substance]

So, I have to ask

(1) what is the point of stating it to the world (or at least, this Forum) that you think the price is "ridiculous"?

(2) is it really fair to write - it's "known as the "Leonard Cohen Retirement Plan". That shows real respect for the man and his life's work (sarcasm here).

1) the point is that it is important, at least for me the fan, that perhaps associates of Cohen can come onto this board to read and understand my frustration as a fan, especially and really only on this forum, as we know this is THE BEST Cohen site! One in which the man himself has made contributions to! I also wonder how younger generations of fans can attend what will be his last world tour under these circumstances, and I am referring to the cost of tickets. Students can't afford these prices! I also think that suits who want to bring their very important clients, who may not even be Cohen fans (but will sure enough be converted by the night's end) is an absolute joke! A waste of a seat, in what is simply my opinion.

2) I wouldn't say it's fair, but I also don't think Cohen would be making this trek around the world had it not been for his unfortunate circumstances.

These comments are coming from someone who does have a great deal of respect and appreciation for Cohen.

[Squidgy]

FWIW, I'm more than happy to contribute to the Leonard Cohen Retirement plan. IMO, he's worth every penny, and more. Not that I'd ever want him to retire...

[MaryB]

1) the point is that it is important, at least for me the fan, that perhaps associates of Cohen can read and understand my frustration as a fan, especially and really only on this forum, as we know this is THE BEST Cohen site! One in which the man himself has made contributions to! I also wonder how younger generations of fans can attend what will be his last world tour under these circumstances, and I am referring to the cost of tickets. I also think that suits who want to bring their very important clients, who may not even be Cohen fans (but will sure enough be converted by the night's end) is an absolute joke! A waste of a seat, in what is simply my opinion.

You also have to remember - it's a 3 hour concert!! Talk about getting your money's worth.

[vern.silver]

I seem to recall - and Jarrko and others can clarify this for me - that Leonard had earned enough of a retirement fund prior to the start of the tour from his new(ish) book of poetry, his collaboration with philip Glass, and his art show. What surprised him was how well the tour was recieved (which I think he was already committed to before he realized how well the other events had done) and the love he recieved from his fans. I sure this is expressed in sme of the News releases that have followed him on this tour.

For me to attend the New York beacon concert cost me over $1000 in airfare and hotels (not to mention the beer.) The $250 for the great aeat I had seems trivial.

I will be attending the Ottawa concerts as well, and taking my 74 year old mother with me - she loves him too. I live in a small northern ontario town with Toronto being the closet major city - 750kms. Ottawa is considerably further. I am not wealthy. I make these choices knowing that this is likely his last tour, and it means sacrificing in other areas. Deciding to see him is a huge financial commitment and Leonard is the only artist I would do this for.

This debate reminds me of the trip to Italy my ex-wife and I took a few years back. The trip cost us 10,000 for 4 weeks. While in Venice she refused to take a gondola ride because it was 100 euros. We won't be having the opportunity to do that again!!

Vern

[st theresa]

Wow--I am such a lucky duck--thanks for this thread. Made me realize how lucky I am. I paid 35 euros in Portugal (just happened to be there at the right time) and was thinking the $120 I paid today for a ticket to Jack Singer Hall in Calgary was a rip off. Way up in the balcony!!! Of course the Jack Singer Hall only seats 1800 or so. Wow did I ever score big Just in case you are getting too jealous, I do have to drive three hours one way and likely stay the night in a hotel. Still....I know what I am in for--I saw him in Portugal. And yes it is worth every penny. Happy retirement Leonard!

[dalsh327]

What's ridiculous are what the ticket brokers/scalpers are trying to get. At least you have some hope on the forum of getting face value tickets, and checking back with Ticketmaster (or whoever the ticket company is in your area) of more tickets coming out.

What is good - forums like this where fans have first crack at tickets and making it difficult on people trying to profit off of Cohen.

I'm not thrilled with the price and I've had this argument with tour managers and other fans before about anyone who charges at least $100 for the tickets. One is - the band is not cheap. Second - demand pushes prices up. Third - the more expensive venues are also small venues.

I'm not going to defend the cost. I think any way you look at it, it's high even if he is a legend and wrote some of my favorite songs. But the trade off is the quality of the show and the reviews are great. I think Cohen was reluctant to tour, but once he dipped his toe in, he dove in to it fully and is playing everywhere. Incredible for a man his age to be able to pull this together.

Bob Dylan charges a little bit less, but he constantly tours and you never know what you're going to get. He might phone in a performance, or he might surprise the hell out of everyone. I've been lucky with him and got to see all good shows.

Lesson learned - if there's a "bucket list" of must see artists, meaning picking one show that you'll see the entire year vs anyone else, put the money away so when the tickets do go on sale, you have it. The tickets went on sale at an inconvenient time - 2 days before payday, but I managed to find a way to pay for them. McCartney's also on my list, which Coachella would've killed 2 birds with one stone, but I had to go out of town the weekend it's happening.

Food and shelter are important, but it's just as important to get out of the paying bill routine and enjoy a night out, or take a trip somewhere for a few days as a diversion. That stuff will be there when you get back, and if you planned to go out to see one show and really wanted to make it a priority, that's the time to look around and see if you can sell anything off you're not going to miss.

Plus add up how much you spend in entertainment-related expenses through the year... cable, music, movies, nightlife, video games? Sometimes it's a matter of what you're willing to give up that you can live without for a while that doesn't bite into a tight budget. Sometimes I've slept overnight in the car because I didn't feel like paying for a hotel room. I've avoided paying for parking by biking close enough to the venue and usually beat half the people trying to get out of there home. Sometimes that meant missing the encore. And if it was something that was going to cut into the basic needs, I skipped it, but usually had something stashed away or sold off some things I had no use for, or could replace. I usually don't buy concert souvenirs and "fill up" on food and drink before I go so I'm not forking over half the ticket cost to concessions.

Considering I missed the tour in the early 90s because of work, it's a bigger deal to me not to miss him this time around. I'm glad it's in my city, the last 2 big shows I went to I had to fly to one, and spend overnight in another. But ever since "Ten New Songs" I've been waiting for this to happen. It's like when Joni Mitchell toured with Van Morrison and Dylan, I had no idea at the time that was going to be it for her singing live... you just never know when someone decides that's it, and if they come around again, it's a treat to go again, and feel a little more comfortable in deciding whether or not to go.

It's possible Cohen could be touring into his 80s, or he may never tour again. Just one of those chances you have to take and decide on.

Do complain to the management about how high the tickets are, even if they try to justify it. It's something that they should have feedback on because some of them might be oblivious to how things are in the audience and just focused on box office $$.

[Joan Carol]

My 95 dollar tickets were third lowest in the Seattle price range, and looked to be all that was left by evening today. They got puffed up to around $115 each by various strangely worded added fees, so we can thank Ticketmaster for some of the price. And it's true that however huge these ticket prices sound, they're moderate in the world of concerts today.

Frankly, I'm just very very grateful to have had this special day's chance to beat the rush -- wherein I usually get trampled by more tech savvy speed dialers. So Three Cheers for whoever went to the trouble to arrange for today!

I'll be in the thirty fifth row, and thrilled to pieces at my good fortune -- but indeed sorry for those who can't join in .... Joan Carol

[WayneG]

It's worth it believe me - I paid $200 plus in Sydney and it was a once in a lifetime experience - not only is Leonard at the peak of his game but the band is magnificent (includes long time collabarator Sharon Robinson) and the additional bonus is a lesson that may well last a lifetime on how to age with both grace and vigor.


Wayne

[Lissa]

He would definitely be worth the $175 but, sadly, I just don't have the money.

Don't mean to start a debate, but we're in a recession. Ticket prices should be a lot lower than that. But that's just my opinion.

[substance]

He is worth the money, but ....

Don't mean to start a debate, but we're in a recession. Ticket prices should be a lot lower than that. But that's just my opinion.

I agree.

[brightnow]

...16,000+ seat sheds (Merriweather Post Pavillion)...

Ahem... the "shed" is a Frank Gehry theater and the acoustics are phenomenal.

[blue_94_trooper]

...16,000+ seat sheds (Merriweather Post Pavillion)...

Ahem... the "shed" is a Frank Gehry theater and the acoustics are phenomenal.

That's what the industry calls those types of venues and if you're too far to one side or the other the acoustics are far from phenomenal. The current "shed' up here in Philly (the Susquehanna Bank Ctr, formerly the Tweeter Center, formerly the Sony-Blockbuster Entertainment Ctr) is one of the worst venues on the planet. Our older, smaller Mann Music Ctr (formerly Robin Hood Dell West) is much better and comparable to Merriweather Post.

Still, I'm ecstatic that he's playing the Academy of Music (formerly the Academy of Music) where my "cheap" ($89) seats are closer to the stage than 75% of the seats at several of the other venues on this tour.