By Kristin Dudley

Maybe I dove into this topic because of the passing of Ozzy Osbourne this week or maybe I’ve just been itching for good tunes. But—- Remember when going to a concert didn’t feel like applying for a loan?

There was a time—not so long ago—when heading to a live show was an easy yes. You’d grab a few friends, swing by the fairgrounds or the civic center, maybe pay $25 at the gate, and spend your evening screaming lyrics and eating overpriced nachos without a single regret. Fast forward to today, and that same night out now costs more than your monthly car payment—and the nachos still suck. Worlds of Fun in Kansas City had a phenomenal concert series when I was growing up.

So, what happened?

Spoiler: Artists Didn’t Suddenly Get Better. They Got Pricier.

I’m judging all of the Swifties out there. That price tag is insane and would be better spent on local artists.

Let’s start with the elephant-sized tour bus in the room: artist fees. Touring used to be a tool for artists to promote their albums. Now, touring is the income. Album sales have been cannibalized by streaming services, so performers are making up for that loss in other ways—namely, jacking up ticket prices, demanding VIP packages, and charging meet-and-greet fees that could fund a small island.

When an artist asks six figures (or more) just to show up, guess who foots the bill? Spoiler: it’s not the label. It’s you, the fan. And when state fairs or local festivals try to book big names, they’re forced to scale down quality or pass on the cost—meaning less impressive lineups, higher gate fees, and a growing sense of ‘meh’ in what used to be our most anticipated events of the year.

Ticket Fees Are a Scam. Period.

Just when you think you’ve swallowed the cost of the ticket, you click “checkout” and get slapped with “processing,” “handling,” “facility,” and “convenience” fees—convenient for who, exactly? Between dynamic pricing (hello, $400 floor seats for a band that peaked in 2008) and sneaky add-ons, what starts as a $60 seat quickly becomes $125. And that’s before parking, gas, and the $14 beer.

Fairs Are Feeling the Squeeze Too

Local fairs once prided themselves on drawing a crowd with a solid music lineup. It was part of the draw—fried food, carnival rides, and a concert under the stars. But those events now find themselves in a bidding war with casinos, festivals, and arenas that can cough up the kind of money smaller venues simply can’t. So instead of a chart-topping country act, you get a tribute band and a shrug.

This year’s Missouri State Fair is lackluster at best.

It’s not that local organizers don’t care—it’s that they’re being priced out, just like the rest of us. And while we still support these hometown efforts, it’s tough not to notice the dip in entertainment quality compared to years past.

Nostalgia Costs Less and Feels Better

With the cost of everything else rising—from groceries to gas—it’s no wonder live music feels like a luxury now. But the sad truth is: it’s not just about money. It’s about what we used to get for it. The experience. The thrill. The connection. When a ticket was affordable, it felt like music belonged to everyone. Now it feels like it’s just another thing behind a paywall.

And frankly, I miss it.

I miss spontaneous nights with friends, the sound of a crowd singing in unison, and the simple joy of seeing a favorite artist up close without needing a spreadsheet to budget for it. Until something shifts—whether it’s artist expectations, streaming compensation, or ticket company accountability—we’re left choosing between concerts and common sense.

At this point, maybe I’ll just crank the speaker in my backyard, invite a few friends over, and pretend we’re at a show. It’ll be cheaper, the bathroom lines will be shorter, and the drinks won’t cost half a paycheck. Sometimes I have a neighbor who puts on a resounding performance that’s a little off key, a little bit obnoxious, but it’s free. Terry-oke is what I like to call the one-man shriek fest. Even the Music Festival at Black Silo Winery in Trenton has gotten to be an indulgence.

Not the same, but it might be close enough.

Shout out to the visitors bureaus and local restaurants who try to bring in local up and coming artists that we can hear live. One of the best darn bands I hear last year was in the middle of the pumpkin patch in Meadville at Farmin Berries. The only disappointment was there weren’t a lot of people in attendance and seriously, it was one of the best live bands I’ve heard in ages.

Keep watching for local concerts. Blackwater in Chillicothe and Raspberry’s in Brookfield try to bring the entertainment in the heat and from someone who’s trying to survive the economy changes too— I really appreciate their efforts of keeping everything affordable.

Long live live music! But can we stop glorifying the ridiculous ticket prices to see artists like Taylor Swift?