Rant!

Precisely...
There was a time when I could do the camping out/getting there are some early hour in the morning, but now my life is completely different.
Also, I learnt a lesson at Shepherds Bush in 2003 that put me off ever turning up early again.
That day I left the house at 2am and we were at the Empire by 4am. There were 11 people in the queue in front of us, no more.
By the time the doors opened there were more than 50 who had forced their way around, and by the time we got in we found ourselves in a corner.

Fortunately it was very much a gig that fan club members got early booking on (was a member back then).
Nowadays it would be divided into all sorts of categories with stupid prices.

Also did GC at Milton Keynes in 2006. The circle was PACKED with well over 1500 people. We found ourselves in what we thought was the best position at the time and had a good view of Nickleback.
Then down came the bridge to the runway and our view was obstructed for the rest of the gig (they never moved the bridges back). All we saw was feet on the stage!!

Like I said though, my life has moved on. I have kids who deserve my time and money way more than Bon Jovi. We get ONE night out every year if we're lucky and we always use that night to go see Jon & the boys. This year it's just not happening......
Shame really as it's our 10th anniversary of meeting (at the Bowl in 2001).

I'm going to see Take That myself this Sunday in Croke park, Dublin. Bought my tickets when they went on sale in November. Only today have ticketmaster just released a whole new batch of tickets on sale, I assume in a bid to beat the scalpers, so if you want tickets now you can buy them from their offical source.

I don't think the whole tiered prices with Bon Jovi has anything to do with scalpers and everything to do with a new revenue generating stream. The people will pay the rip off prices for front row/diamond circle. Hell, I've bought one myself - feeding the monster. (A one off treat for myself never again to be repeated/afforded!)

It saddens me though after all these years that first come-first served no longer means anything. Standing by and supporting your favourite band through the decades counts for less than having the spends for pricey tickets. We've had this discussion so many times before, I know, but we've been loyal to Bon Jovi for years, where is their loyalty to us?

^^^

"It saddens me though after all these years that first come-first served no longer means anything. Standing by and supporting your favourite band through the decades counts for less than having the spends for pricey tickets. We've had this discussion so many times before, I know, but we've been loyal to Bon Jovi for years, where is their loyalty to us?"

From me:

I could not have said it any better. There is no loyalty to "us".

Their FC is not what it used to be and I really miss the people who used to post on there. I miss meeting the FC members in the first few - ok - 20 rows, I miss those good ole days. The only way that the CEO will *get it* is if we don't buy into what he's trying to sell. But, that may be a mute point, at this stage, sadly.

Sigh.

I payed $55 and was row 2 in the pit for the U2 show. They put on a much better show than I've ever seen Bon Jovi do and Bono still looks like he gives a damn while singing his songs. U2 = Far superior live than Bon Jovi in every aspect - ticket prices, show, lights, stage, entertainment value.

Agree!
I don't necessarily need a support act, but this ^.
There's a certain charm to the whole standing in line and workin hard for your precious front row spot, instead of having to feel deep angst for the rest of the year for spending €262 on a ticket plus flights there and back plus accomodation for 2 days longer than you needed to because Ryanair are ****wits. I love a trip to Dublin any day, god knows ive done it before, but this trip+extended couple of days will ruin me for a long time lol.

I have also seen RHCP a couple of times and they could easily charge ridicolous prices as well but don't. Same for U2. Sure they might have higher prices on occation and I don't think they're saints either, but i've never paid more than approx. €60 to see them, nor have I spent more to see RHCP. Still got to front row for RHCP by sitting outside the venue, and stood waitin long enough outside the arena to get a "DC" wristband for U2.