Chasing payments
Top promoter slams £579 Adele tickets and says real fans are ‘at the back’
TOP concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith has hit out at the cost of Adele’s gig tickets, with some priced at £579.
General admission for the star’s London shows in July next year is £90, which the veteran gig guru says is “expensive enough”.
Tickets for Adele’s pair of British Summer Time gigs in Hyde Park include primary entry for £111, gold circle at £273, diamond circle costing £379, and ultimate bar and terrace tickets for £579.
The Chasing Pavements singer, 33, releases new album
30 on November 19.
Harvey, who ended up on stage with Paul McCartney, George Michael and Bono at
Live Aid in 1985, has promoted gigs for legends the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart and U2.
“We never used to charge those prices,” he said. “I would say £90 is expensive enough.
“I argued about charging £250 for Barbra Streisand when she did BST. I wanted to help lower the prices. The people at the back of the field are the real fans. Also, these hospitality areas are half a mile away so if you want to see the show the last thing you want is to be in a VIP area.
“I don’t believe in a golden circle or paying more to get to the front. I always thought about doing shows for the fans who support the artists all the year round and I am not in the business of fleecing them. I do my thing and I charge fair prices.”
A music industry source defended the pricing, saying: “The most expensive tickets include food and drink throughout the day and everything sold out in seconds so it’s obvious there is plenty of demand for premium experiences.
“The overwhelming majority of tickets are general admission – there are upgrades for those who want them. “Adele’s set will be the headline slot for a full-day music event featuring several stages, so it is priced to reflect that. Top tier tickets for Adele’s Wembley Stadium gigs in 2017 were £95.”
I am not about fleecing the fans.. I do my thing and I charge fair prices
HARVEY GOLDSMITH CONCERT PROMOTER ON HIS POLICY
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