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Posted on 06/30/2006 7:26:11 AM PDT by PajamaTruthMafia
Just call her money girl - Streisand tix demand off as price skyrockets By Scott Van Voorhis Boston Herald Business Reporter
Friday, June 30, 2006 - Updated: 07:35 AM EST
The days of being the music world’s top-priced ticket may just be memories now for Barbra Streisand.
The 64-year-old crooner with a taste for trendy, lefty causes earlier this month rolled out grand plans for a 20-concert tour, her first in 10 years.
But after taking a look at her ticket prices - including $5,000 deluxe packages - even Babs’ die-hard limousine liberal fans may be having second thoughts.
And in the biggest shocker of all, Babs is even bombing in Boston, the heartland of blue state America.
While Boston was slated for two shots of Streisand, for now, anyway, we will have to settle for one on Oct. 22.
It’s the same story across the country, where Streisand had hoped for lucrative double shows in a select list of major markets.
Instead, Streisand’s grand - and possibly final - tour is down to 14 shows, with doubles only in New York and south Florida.
What’s to blame?
The culprit, industry insiders say, may be the evil that liberals like Streisand just love to blast: greed.
Streisand’s ticket prices average $300 and quickly escalate to $750. That’s even before you get to the ticket packages.
Those start at $1,000, and top out at an oh-so-economical $5,000.
For that sum fit for a princess, you get a room at a five-star hotel, transportation to and from the arena, a pre-dinner reception and a souvenir to remember the night by.
It’s prices like these that have made Streisand the most expensive act ever to hit the road.
Even Madonna, the most ruthless of the ruthless in the corporate music world, tops out with ticket prices of $350.
But Streisand and her promoters could teach Madonna a few things or two when it comes to business tactics worthy of a corporate raider.
In talks with venues, Streisand’s promoters demanded a $6 million guarantee per show, one executive noted.
But it’s not just the money that can be a headache for arena managers.
Streisand is also known for demanding things like wall-to-wall carpeting and chandeliers.
But if Streisand’s early ticket sales are any indication, some fans may be tired of being milked.
The promoters of her tour have held out the possibility that second shows will be added in cities like Boston.
However, it’s now three weeks and counting since tickets went on sale, an eternity in the hyper-paced concert business.
You only need a day or two to figure out whether you have that kind of demand, one industry executive noted.
It’s not that Streisand hasn’t tried to tug at the heart-strings - as well as the purse strings - of her legion of fans.
She pledged to funnel millions from her tour to - what else, the Streisand Foundation - to “combat dangerous climate change” and other causes.
“The public speaks and at some point these ticket prices get stupid,” noted Paul Munick, senior vice president for sports and entertainment at Mohegan Sun, which considered booking Streisand.
Considering she has the same fans as the Dixie Twits, there aren't enough funds to go around. The rich bit2he$ need to coordinate their tours better.
Poor Babs,
If it don't work out, she can always go back to garage sales .... she probably has some furniture left from the last one.
Maybe she can do a double tour with the Dixie Chicks, they can play small college clubs, where their brand of idiocy is bound to be loved.
But I'm sure she is doing it for the chil'ren.
As far as tix prices go--I've paid as much as $300 for Kiss (and will do $1K for a meet and greet next time), and about $200 for Alice Cooper (Front row, "We're not worthy!)
But even Madonna is seeing a drop off in ticket sales, isn't she? It's not just politics and ticket price, it's also the market place. Streisand is no longer pop, the core of her audience are now senior citizens. Kudos for her for touring, but she's no longer culturally relavant.
Good to see journalism schools are still turning out the competent, precision writers.
Actually, how else can these areana managers recoup their investment? You know you'll have fewer people...so you charge more per head...Sounds like good, albeit crisis management, business.
Lets hear you sneer at the 'rich", Babs, like all of your Lib friends do on every tv show.
Sounds like folks don't want to pay that kind of money to listen to a wrinkled up hippie screeeeeching about the eeeevil Bush.
For the children?
Oh, they must be referring to the aborted children!
The souvenir? Wish I could photoshop a pair of those Groucho glasses into one with a huge nose and crossed-eyes.
Rodeao = Rodeo
Did you ever see her website. It's full of insanely overpriced crappy trinkets.
She's like Mr. Haney with saggier boobs.
You couldn't pay me those prices to see that old cow.
Well, this can't be possible. She already did her Farewell Tour 10 years ago.
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