Spring Break
Catching your favorite summer concerts
Local and statewide entertainment for all
Erin Edwards
Issue date: 7/9/08 Section: Features
|
Pollstar, a concert industry trade magazine, reports that while the average ticket for a show has doubled within the past 10 years, ticket sales have continued to rise, topping $3.9 billion in 2007.
While gas prices peak at a nationwide all-time high, it is not stopping some music fans from seeing choice bands on summer tours.
ECU student Stephen Mason is one of many students checking out his favorite artists on tour this year. Mason, who has already seen Radiohead and Dave Matthews Band this summer and also plans to check out Coheed and Cambria and the Black Keys before school starts, doesn't let high gas prices ruin his music experience.
"I really like music and if it's a group I want to see, I'm willing to travel the miles to see them," said Mason. "I carpool with friends and split gas money. I enjoy the live music experience, so I try to make it out to as many shows as I can without breaking the bank."
For Adesola Ogunleye, local shows are the best bet when it comes to saving money and witnessing great entertainment.
"For me, gas is a huge factor for not traveling to other cities for shows, and because prices are so high, it has cut down on the far travels of seeing that band that you know will never come to your small town," said Ogunleye. "I think it's better to go out and support local music, because they will be the next big thing you see in the mainstream, but if I have a chance to see one of my favorite bands and I have the funds, I will rally up my friends and head out."
For fans not willing to venture much farther than Raleigh, there is still time toward the end of July and early August to catch great acts at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek. Maroon 5, Counting Crows and Sara Bareilles will all stop by July 29, followed by the Jonas Brothers and Avril Lavigne July 30. Country group Rascal Flatts will perform Aug. 2 as well as Journey with Heart and Cheap Trick Aug. 10. Acoustic acts such as Jack Johnson (Aug. 12) and John Mayer (Aug. 27) will finish out the summer concert lineup in Raleigh.
Dedicated fans willing to travel far and wide are sure to head to Charlotte to catch new tours as well as classic favorites. Trekking into its 14th year, the Vans Warped Tour will be stopping by Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte on July 14. The all-day festival will boast such acts as Anberlin, Gym Class Heroes, Jack's Mannequin, Katy Perry and many more. This is shortly followed by Projekt Revolution on July 30, headlined by Linkin Park, The Bravery, Busta Rhymes, Ashes Divide and Chris Cornell along with supporting acts Atreyu, Hawthorne Heights and Armor for Sleep.
Be the first to comment on this story