Furious AC/DC fans slam high ticket prices as rockers join host of acts turning gig-goers off stadium shows
THEY’VE been electrifying rock fans with their high voltage riffs for 50 years.
But for some die-hard AC/DC supporters, the ticketing costs for their upcoming stadium gigs have been a big turn off.
Main standing tickets for the band’s Wembley show on July 3 are currently setting fans back £302.85 on Ticketmaster, while official platinum tickets are an eye-watering £381.80.
The site says: “The Event Organiser has priced these tickets according to their market value. Tickets do not include VIP packages. Availability and pricing are subject to change.”
Evidently, there are still many thousands out there with pockets deep enough to afford the pricey entry fees as both dates are almost sold out, but the price hikes in recent years are spiralling out of control.
One fan complained: “Ticket price inflation is insane, way beyond anything else I can think of. I get that records aren’t selling any more and this is the way that bands make money but I’ve been feeling the need to draw the line for a few years now, this is the time I’ve finally done it, I’m not prepared to pay these prices any longer.”
Another joked: “In other news anyone want to buy a kidney so I can see ACDC.”
A third was more serious with their criticism of the pricing, writing: “s*****g on people’s dreams. The place you no longer go to get tickets that won’t cost you an arm and leg. Where selling a kidney won’t even get you a standing ticket.”
The band, who is down to one original member in lead guitarist Angus Young, consists of longtime frontman Brian Johnson, Jane’s Addiction bassist Chris Chaney, drummer Matt Laug and rhythm guitarist Stevie Young.
They played their first live show with Johnson in seven years at the epic Power Trip festival in the US back in October.
It came after the Geordie singer overcame hearing issues that sidelined him for a previous tour that saw Guns ‘n’ Roses frontman Axl Rose take over mic duties.
AC/DC are by no means the only major act being called out over inflated ticket prices.
Pearl Jam have faced similar backlash over their Dark Matter tour which is seeing them play Tottenham Hotspur‘s Stadium in June.
For the best standing tickets at that show, punters need to fork out £249.45 while even the worst seats are £125 before booking fees are added.
One fan raged: “F*****g gutted at the Pearl Jam ticket prices. I was really hoping to see them at last! £150 for nosebleeds. S***e.
“Standing tickets for Pearl Jam in Manchester are 225 quid each!!! Absolutely outrageous. Ticket prices are out of control now.”
“I’d love to hear the rationale behind these prices. I love Pearl Jam but absolutely will not pay nearly £400 for 2 gig tickets. Then it’ll be travel from Scotland, accommodation, food and drinks. Mental, and an absolute p**s take.”
The irony with Pearl Jam’s pricing is the band famously went to war with Ticketmaster in the 90s over its service charges.
A motion was even put forward by House Democrats dubbed The Pearl Jam bill to introduce legislation to make the charges more transparent, though it ultimately died amid fears lawyers wouldn’t be able to substantiate their arguments.
In 2022 Bruce ‘The Boss’ Springsteen, another past critic of Ticketmaster, was slammed as ticket prices for his tour soared.
Some exchanged hands for more than £4,000, despite the introduction of a ‘dynamic pricing system’ which intended to limit price hikes by allowing costing to fluctuate through complex algorithms.
The blue collar musician is bringing his show back this summer with his E Street Band and prices are far removed from his humble origins.
Official platinum tickets are still selling for between £259 and £433 at his Cardiff show at the Principality Stadium.
Punk rockers Green Day’s ticket costs have also exploded. The last remaining tickets for their Wembley Stadium show in June cost £439.90
While things are marginally better at their Emirates Old Trafford gig with bronze package tickets available for £199.
It’s not just legendary rockers with inflated ticket prices either.
Pop royalty Adele, who recently announced a Munich residency in the summer, has priced some tickets for those shows at more than £315.
While Kylie Minogue and Shania Twain’s BST shows at London’s Hyde Park start from £112 for standard entry, before going up to £220 for the gold circle at the front of the pop-up setting and all the way up to £435 for the most exclusive packages.
And it’s likely to continue to be the norm, should fans keep putting their hands into their pockets to meet the ever-rising costs.