How 'blue dot fever' is affecting concerts
The live music industry is facing a divide where major superstars sell out stadiums while smaller acts struggle with unsold tickets and cancellations. Rising production costs, including labor and energy, are driving up ticket prices and limiting consumer demand for mid-sized concerts.
Why it matters
This trend threatens the long-term viability of the grassroots music scene and suggests a potential market correction for the live entertainment sector.
Live music remains popular, but many concerts are struggling with unsold tickets and cancellations. While superstars fill stadiums, smaller venues and acts are facing a crisis.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HIp2 Live music is in greater demand than ever before — yet many small and mid-sized acts are fighting to survive Image: Jonas Walzberg/dpa/picture alliance Advertisement The term "blue dot fever" has been circulating in the media for some time now. "Blue dots" refer to available seats on US ticket sales platform Ticketmaster. Lots of empty seats right before a concert can spell trouble for both artists and organizers — including canceled shows. With more and more concerts afflicted by this "illness," is the future of the concert scene uncertain?
The situation is quite different for big name stars. Leading musicians like Beyonce , Oasis and Coldplay still easily fill large stadiums.
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