Episode #12×14: Why The Hell Are Concert Tickets So Expensive?

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Welcome to Millennial, the home of pretend adulting and real talk — and this week, the vibes are… tense. In the Dumpster Fire Corner, we’re checking in on America where things feel one headline away from chaos: escalating threats overseas, whiplash policy shifts, and a President lashing out while juggling bad press on everything from gas prices to legal battles. Then we get into the main event: why the hell are concert tickets so expensive now? What used to be a fun night out is starting to feel like a luxury purchase, with fans dropping $1,000+ just to get in the door. We break down how pandemic fallout, rising production costs, and the loss of experienced crews have driven prices up — and why even face-value tickets now look like resale gouging. Plus, the psychology of fans: if you’re paying that much, you expect a show, which only drives costs higher.

To wrap up, we’ve got recs: check out 5calls.org if you’re looking for a simple way to stay civically engaged, and don’t miss Record Store Day for a reminder of why music still hits different offline.

And in this week’s installment of After Dark: Pam’s family has welcomed a new furry family member after a tragic origin story of owner abandonment. We get a little judgy this week behind the paywall about people who treat their furry companions as optional. We also give a little tease for what is to come in next week’s After Dark – come hang out with us!

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