Posted on 06/30/2006 9:29:41 AM PDT by edzo4
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.
I wouldn't go to see that whench if they paid me $5,000.
I'm sure the wealthy Left are pretty demoralized after 2000, 2002, and 2004.
They threw a heck of a lot of money at the elections in each of those years, and all they got were a couple caps, some bumper stickers, a few signs... and a lousy t-shirt.
My last indoor concert was Jimi Hendrix in Houston.
When concert tickets went to $3.50 I knew the real 60s were over and the mainstream had taken over the music.
In the best days of the 60s Led Zeppelin might be in a bar and start playing for free.
Streisand and all of Hollywood is so out of touch with the way average Americans live, that they think people can afford these tickets. Maybe if they paid their fair share of taxes instead of having all their money sheltered, they might get it. They must think everyone can live like Kerry and Kennedy.
Maybe if Babs got the Dixie Chicks to open for her................
Maybe she should team up with The Dixie Chicks. Between the two of them, they might be able to sell out one or two venues. Maybe.
The old yenta is popular only with other old yentas these days.
maybe if she payed me $5000, maybe then I would sit at her concert and endure the torture.. maybe...
I would. ....but I'd wear ear protection and some bathroom reading material.
What if they sweetened the pot with a juicy tomato? ;) Kidding he he he
and BRING some bathroom reading material, that is.
Every year we fork out between $300-500 a ticket to see Jimmy Buffett. We have to go through a broker because the tickets sell out in less than 30 minutes.
Then we have to book a hotel room and pay for the trip too. All in all the weekend usually costs us about $1000 to 1500.
This is how we start our vacation.
I would say it is not the price of the tickets but Babs herself that is ruining the sales. I wouldn't pay $5 to see her. ;)
I'd go for $5,000 and I'd take ear plugs and a good book! Then I'd donate money to a conservative candidate! HA
5000 dollars to listen to this screech? Dream on !
Ya think there are that many "cool people who get it"?
She should have the Dixie Chicks as the opening act, I bet ticket sales will go through the...floor.
One of her pet causes is supporting Ned Lamont (D-CT) for Senate against Joe Lieberman in the Democrat primary.
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