Concerts these days have become quite expensive. Ticket prices for major or well-known artists would be from hundreds to thousands of dollars. But did you know that concert ticket prices were cheaper back in the day?
1. The Beatles at The Cavern Club (1961–1963)
When The Beatles’ fame was starting to go global in the early 1960s, their concert tickets were very affordable. They performed in one of the most iconic venues at the time, The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. Their shows in the club were popular amongst the fans even though it was a small basement.
At the time, the ticket prices to see them perform in The Cavern Club were roughly around $1. Concertgoers had the chance to see one of the most influential bands in music history for such a low price before they became popular all over the world. Looking into how much ticket prices now have inflated so much, it’s amazing that back then people could watch the iconic band for a cheap price.
2. Woodstock Festival (1969)
The Woodstock Festival began in 1969; it’s one of the most popular music festivals in history and also one of the cheapest back then. Gathering more than 400,000 people at Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel, New York, the festival had iconic artists performing like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The festival also became a symbol for peace, love, and the power of music.
Early bird tickets for the three-day event were $18 back then; today that would be around $120 (including inflation rate). But, for those who went to the festival without a pre-purchased ticket, the on-site ticket prices were increased to $24. Presently, it sounds like a good bargain, but note that back then it was an opportunity to see some of the popular music artists for half the price.
3. The Ramones at the CBGB Club (1970s)
The Ramones are recognized to be the pioneers of the punk rock movement in the United States. They became the main act at New York City’s CBGB club in the 1970s. It’s a small venue in the East Village and was the place where punk rock music started. Thanks to The Ramones’ music, it attracted people, especially young people who were excited to see something new and rebellious.
The tickets at CBGB, including performances by the Ramones, were around $5, which today is roughly $25. For this price, the fans get the chance to watch one of the most popular bands in the history of rock music in an intimate and underground location.
4. The Rolling Stones at Hyde Park (1969)
In July 1969, The Rolling Stones held a concert for free in London’s Hyde Park. It was a historic moment for the band. The concert was arranged in the wake of the death of former band member Brian Jones, and there were more than 250,000 people who went. Even though it wasn’t the usual kind of paid event, it made a mark in music history. The band performed in front of a large crowd, and the concert was also for free.
There have been many free concerts that have happened over time, but the Rolling Stones’ concert in 1969 stood out because of the importance, the audience’s size, and the level of the band’s performance. The reason why their concert is engraved in the history of cheap concerts is because it’s rare to have a major rock band hold a concert for free.
5. The Grateful Dead’s Early Concerts
They’re a band recognized for their free-spirited way of making music and welcomed a policy of cheap and even free concerts during their career’s early days. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, they usually performed in small venues and had outdoor performances, and tickets were available either for a small amount or for free. The band developed a loyal fan base because of their accessibility, and their concerts attracted different people that came from different backgrounds.
The tickets for the band in the early 1970s were usually between $3 and $5; if that were priced today, it’s around $20 to $35. Their concerts became famous for their music and for being accessible for everyone. Because of that, they existed for a long time.
6. The Punk Rock Scene and DIY Shows
Punk rock bands and DIY in the punk scene produced some of the cheapest performances in history in the late 1970s and early 1980s. To make it accessible for everyone, the punk gigs were usually held in small, independent venues like basements, warehouses, or small clubs. The tickets were also cheap, or sometimes the performances would be free.
Punk rock bands like Black Flag, The Clash, and Dead Kennys played in small venues where the tickets cost as low as $1 or $2. Sometimes, they’re asked to make a donation to support the cause. The performances were equally about the community and the music experience; the low cost of the tickets made it possible for a variety of people to enjoy punk rock.
Concert prices have become high-priced over the years, and Lord Ping has some opinions about it. But there was a period when concerts were really affordable, and it didn’t matter if the musicians were big names like The Beatles or The Ramones. The prices of the tickets served as a reminder that concerts should be accessible to everyone.
