'Must-see' shows beat recession belt-tightening

The top price for tickets to see Eric Clapton in Auckland was $399.90. Photo / Kenny Rodger

So much for cutting back on guilty pleasures. Even during these depressed economic times, you can't stop the music.

Plenty of people are still prepared to fork out hundreds of dollars for concert tickets, as last weekend's two Simon and Garfunkel concerts showed.

And of this year's other big concerts, including similar baby-boomer acts The Who, Eric Clapton and Leonard Cohen - plus Coldplay, arguably the world's biggest band - all have attracted sellout or near-capacity crowds with prices for premium tickets ranging from $179 and $400.

Guitar legend Clapton was the most expensive, asking $399.90 for the best seats, but still came close to selling out the 12,200-capacity Vector Arena.

And the top price for the Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel show was $369, with cheaper seats from $99 to $259.

"It comes down to your personal circumstances," said punter Michael Ellis, who, as well as paying $259 for a ticket to Simon and Garfunkel, had the cost of travelling from Wellington.

"If you think you're really secure in your job and an opportunity like this comes up, then you probably wouldn't think twice. It was the last opportunity I was ever going to get to see them."

Regular concertgoer Emma Pinney of Auckland paid nearly $300 for two tickets to the 60s superstars' Sunday night show.

"Simon and Garfunkel was a once-in-a-lifetime show. As far as the recession goes and not spending money, we're not in the position some people are in. We don't throw money away but I will go and pay money for artists I really want to see."

Australian promoter Michael Coppel, who brought the sold-out Pussycat Dolls and Lady Gaga show to Vector last month, said it was a common trend worldwide that if the audience perceived an artist as a "must see" then high prices were no deterrent.

He said top-class entertainment seemed immune to the economic downturn with ticket sales in Australia for the AC/DC tour next year (which goes on sale in New Zealand some time next month) setting box office records.

"It's clear that entertainment represents the great escape from the gloomy headlines for many of us."

Simon and Garfunkel promoter Manolo Echave, of Michael Chugg Entertainment, said the audience these baby-boomer acts attracted were probably the least affected by the economy.

"And all these factors come into play when we decide whether it's worth doing a show and pinpointing a ticket price that's going to work for everybody."

Echave said there could be leaner times ahead, predicting concertgoers will watch their spending even more, and this summer's gig lineup is already looking quieter than last season's bumper crop of shows.

"We are playing it very conservatively and unless it's something extraordinarily special ... I think there will be resistance to higher ticket prices."

Guy Ngata, chief executive of Vector Arena, says bookings for the end of the year are solid and he does not expect the current economic climate to have a great impact on big-name live acts coming to New Zealand.

And if you are thinking New Zealand audiences are paying too much for tickets, think again.

In Australia, where Simon and Garfunkel are now playing, ticket prices range from A$97.50 to $358 ($122 to $450).

BIG NIGHT OUT

Cirque de Soleil
$55-$140 ($270 for VIP)

NZ Symphony Orchestra
$35-$145

Mamma Mia!
$90-$125

All Blacks v France
$60-$120

Cats
$60-$80

Western Springs Speedway
$20