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Black Sabbath, 'Back to the Beginning' concert -

Ozzy Osbourne is set to reunite with Black Sabbath for one final performance in their hometown at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5. This monumental all-day show will also see performances from Metallica, Slayer, Halestorm, Alice In Chains, and Anthrax, with surprise appearances from music legends like Duff McKagan, Slash, Billy Corgan, Fred Durst, Tom Morello, and others.

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Black Sabbath, 'Back to the Beginning' concert -

However, fans should be prepared for hefty ticket prices: £412.50 (US$518.79) for gold circle standing, £262.50 (US$330.14) for general admission standing, and £197.50 (US$248.39) to £662.50 (US$833.21) for reserved seating.

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Oasis 'Live'25' reunion tour -

On August 31, 2024, British band Oasis released tickets for their 2025 reunion tour via various ticket provider platforms. However, after a long wait in a virtual queue, fans purchasing through Ticketmaster were horrified to learn that only "in demand" tickets were available. The price? Almost double a standard ticket. Standing tickets started out at £148 (US$194), but prices were driven up to £400 ($525). Dynamic pricing - pricing that automatically increases based on demand - has caused outrage in recent years. 

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Taylor Swift, 'The Eras Tour' -

With a record-breaking world tour and a $1.1 billion net worth, Taylor Swift is one of the most successful and influential artists of her generation. 

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Taylor Swift, 'The Eras Tour' -

Swift's 'Eras Tour' shows were three hours and 15 minutes long, consisting of 44 to 46 songs. Tickets ranged from a reasonable US$49 to $499 (plus fees).

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Bruno Mars, '2024 Las Vegas Tour' -

Singer-songwriter Bruno Mars is renowned for his retro showmanship and ability to perform in a wide range of musical styles, including pop, R&B, funk, soul, reggae, and rock. Hits include 'Uptown Funk' and 'Just the Way You Are.'

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Bruno Mars, '2024 Las Vegas Tour' -

While fans could buy tickets to Mars' '2024 Las Vegas Tour' for around US$219, the average was around $570. 

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BLACKPINK, 'Born Pink World Tour' -

BLACKPINK is a four-piece girl group from South Korea. Accolades include several Golden Disc Awards, MAMA Awards, People's Choice Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards.

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BLACKPINK, 'Born Pink World Tour' -

BLACKPINK's global 'Born Pink World Tour' saw ticket prices range from US$100 to $300 for standard seats. VIP packages, which included perks like early entry, exclusive merchandise, and soundcheck access, were priced from $400 to over $1,000. 

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Lady Gaga, 'Jazz & Piano' residency in Las Vegas -

Singer-songwriter Lady Gaga is famous for her distinctive voice and is known for pushing the boundaries of pop music and fashion. Gaga is also celebrated for her advocacy work, including her efforts in LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness.

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Lady Gaga, 'Jazz & Piano' residency in Las Vegas -

The 'Jazz & Piano' residency saw Lady Gaga sing jazz songs and her own hits in an intimate setting. Ticket prices reached over US$900.

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Lady Gaga, 'The Mayhem Ball' -

Lady Gaga fans are expressing frustration over high ticket prices for her upcoming tour, with some tickets exceeding US$1,000. Fans have taken to social media to voice their disappointment, accusing ticket vendors of price gouging and questioning the affordability of attending live concerts. This backlash highlights ongoing concerns about the accessibility of live entertainment events.In the past, seeing your favorite band or artist live in concert wouldn't break the bank. But thanks to the rise of streaming services and the rising cost of concert production, ticket prices have sharply increased over the years.

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The Rolling Stones, '50 & Counting' tour -

A band that needs no introduction, the Rolling Stones are legendary figures in rock and roll, captivating audiences worldwide for over six decades with their iconic music, performances, and influence on the genre.

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The Rolling Stones, '50 & Counting' tour -

The Rolling Stones' '50 & Counting' tour held globally in 2012 and 2013 for their 50th anniversary, earned over US$460 million. Tickets averaged $1,000, making it one of the most expensive tours ever.

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One Direction, 'Take Me Home Tour' -

One Direction is an English-Irish pop boy band formed in 2010 after members appeared on the reality television music competition 'The X Factor.' One Direction became one of the best-selling boy groups of all time before going on an indefinite hiatus in 2016.

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One Direction, 'Take Me Home Tour' -

One Direction's 'Take Me Home Tour' ran from February to November 2013 and grossed over US$320 million. Fans, or Directioners as they called themselves, spent upwards of $1,000 for close-stage seats or backstage VIP passes.

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Justin Bieber, 'Justice World Tour' -

Canadian singer Justin Bieber was discovered by music manager Scooter Braun after he stumbled upon Bieber's YouTube videos. In 2012, tickets to the North American leg of Bieber's 'Believe' tour sold out within an hour of going on sale.

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Justin Bieber, 'Justice World Tour' -

Justin Bieber’s 'Justice World Tour' began in 2022 to promote his albums 'Changes' and 'Justice.' Super fans could purchase a Justice Platinum Package ticket, which cost US$1,500 and offered early merchandise access, soundcheck admission, and a meet-and-greet with Bieber. 

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z, 'On the Run II Tour' -

Together for over 20 years, Beyoncé and Jay-Z are one of the most powerful couples in the entertainment industry. Some of their best collaborations include 'Drunk in Love,' 'Bonnie & Clyde,' and 'Crazy in Love.'

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z, 'On the Run II Tour' -

Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s all-stadium 'On The Run II Tour,' which ran from June to December 2018, showcased the couple's undeniable chemistry on stage. Following the success of their 'On The Run Tour' in 2014, this second joint venture saw VIP tickets priced at US$1,991.

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The Weeknd, 'After Hours til Dawn Tour' -

Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd made a lasting mark on the music landscape with his falsetto register and chart hits 'Blinding Lights,' 'Starboy,' and 'The Hills.'

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The Weeknd, 'After Hours til Dawn Tour' -

The Weeknd's 'After Hours til Dawn Tour' was one of the first major tours after the COVID-19 pandemic. VIP packages, priced at US$2,071, offering premium seating, pre-show lounge access, and exclusive merchandise, were available to eager fans.

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Usher, 'My Way Las Vegas Residency' -

After releasing his self-titled debut album at just 15 years old, Usher catapulted into stardom in the late 1990s after the success of his second album 'My Way.' Throughout his career, Usher has sold over 75 million records worldwide.

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Usher, 'My Way Las Vegas Residency' -

Usher's 'My Way Las Vegas Residency' was one to remember, with medleys, covers, and a surprise appearance by Ludacris. For die-hard fans, a VIP experience was offered, with tickets priced up to US$2,600.

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BTS, 'Love Yourself World Tour' -

BTS, or Bangtan Boys, is a South Korean boy band formed in 2010. In 2023, their hit song 'Dynamite' was the first and only song by a South Korean act to surpass 1.7 billion streams on Spotify.

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BTS, 'Love Yourself World Tour' -

Spanning four continents and 14 countries from August 2018 to April 2019, BTS' 'Love Yourself World Tour' is the band's biggest tour to date. Huge demand meant ticket prices jumped, with one ticket selling for US$3,850 at a Chicago show.

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Elton John, 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour -

English singer-songwriter Elton John is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with one diamond, 40 platinum or multi-platinum, and 23 gold albums. His famous song 'Candle in the Wind' was written in honor of Marilyn Monroe and re-written as a tribute to Princess Diana after her death. 

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Elton John, 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour -

The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which ran from 2018 to 2023, is one of the highest-grossing concerts ever. And it's no wonder, as demand to see Elton one last time in concert drove ticket prices to a whopping US$4,500.

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Beyoncé, Renaissance World Tour -

Former Destiny's Child member and now global superstar, Beyoncé has become one of the most influential and celebrated artists in the music industry. Hits from her impressive two-decade career include 'Crazy in Love,' 'Single Ladies,' and 'Run the World.'

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Beyoncé, 'Renaissance World Tour' -

She's not called Queen Bey for nothing! Beyoncé's 'Renaissance World Tour' comprised 56 shows around the globe in 2023. Premium packages reached a staggering US$5,000 in select cities. 

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Bruce Spingsteen, 'Springsteen and the E Street Band' tour -

Bruce Springsteen, or The Boss as he's known amongst fans, has been a cornerstone of rock music for over five decades. You'll likely hear 'Born to Run,' 'Dancing in the Dark,' and 'Out in the Street' at one of his concerts.

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Bruce Spingsteen, 'Springsteen and the E Street Band' tour -

When tickets for the 2023 'Springsteen and the E Street Band' tour went on sale, fans were shocked to see that some were priced at US$5,000. Springsteen argued that “most” were “totally affordable.”

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Maroon 5, 'M5LV' Las Vegas Residency -

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Maroon 5 is a pop rock band fronted by Adam Levine. Hits include 'Moves like Jagger,' 'This Love,' and 'Payphone.'

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Maroon 5, 'M5LV' Las Vegas Residency -

At Maroon 5's Las Vegas Residency in 2023, titled 'M5LV', some tickets cost US$8,701. While extortionate, the price did include private lounges, food and drinks, meet-and-greets, and exclusive merchandise, which may have been worth it to some superfans.

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Coldplay, 'Music of the Spheres' tour in India -

Coldplay fans in India were left fuming after discovering that the only way to attend the band's concert was to pay exorbitant prices of up to US$11,000 on the black market. To put this into perspective, the World Bank estimates India's current GDP per capita at $2,500 per year. Despite the official vendor's website and app crashing during the ticket sale, scalpers managed to secure a significant number of tickets using bots, leaving many fans empty-handed.

Sources: (CNN) (Yahoo! Finance)

See also: Concerts that ended in tragedy

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