Back to News
How much is being close to your favorite artist worth? Superfans are reshaping the concert industry
EntertainmentMusicMusic NewsSeptember 21, 2026 at 12:00 PMNational

How much is being close to your favorite artist worth? Superfans are reshaping the concert industry

By Rosalind AdamsThe Guardian Music

Some admit to spending thousands of dollars for barricade spots and other VIP perks at concerts, which is slowly becoming commonWhen Harry Styles announced a fall residency at Madison Square Garden, 43-year-old Tara Bess knew she had to be there. She didn’t want to spend hours camping for a prime spot in the general admission area, so Bess bought a VIP ticket for $1,400 from a resale ticket site, which allowed her to enter the arena early and secure a spot at the barricade.“When you’re up close, you can see him closing his eyes and almost meditating to the music,” Bess said. “You can hear the click of equipment on stage, you just feel very connected to the performance.” Continue reading...

Some admit to spending thousands of dollars for barricade spots and other VIP perks at concerts, which is slowly becoming common

When Harry Styles announced a fall residency at Madison Square Garden, 43-year-old Tara Bess knew she had to be there. She didn’t want to spend hours camping for a prime spot in the general admission area, so Bess bought a VIP ticket for $1,400 from a resale ticket site, which allowed her to enter the arena early and secure a spot at the barricade.

“When you’re up close, you can see him closing his eyes and almost meditating to the music,” Bess said. “You can hear the click of equipment on stage, you just feel very connected to the performance.”

Continue reading...

Related News

BBC removes 11 Mitchell and Webb comedy sketches from iPlayer
UK NewsEntertainmentMusic News

BBC removes 11 Mitchell and Webb comedy sketches from iPlayer

The corporation said it had included "the ones that still work today and not the ones that don't."

BBC Entertainment & Arts1 hour ago
‘Reacher’ storyline about white supremacist cancelled after Trump re-elected, claims Alan Ritchson
PoliticsMusic News

‘Reacher’ storyline about white supremacist cancelled after Trump re-elected, claims Alan Ritchson

"I had it approved until someone got re-elected" The post ‘Reacher’ storyline about white supremacist cancelled after T...

NME Music News1 hour ago
Video game cheaters are spending $8.5billion a year, say Call Of Duty bosses
Music News

Video game cheaters are spending $8.5billion a year, say Call Of Duty bosses

"All for a temporary ego boost" The post Video game cheaters are spending $8.5billion a year, say Call Of Duty bosses a...

NME Music News1 hour ago
Mariah Carey announces ‘Christmastime’ 2026 UK arena tour
Music News

Mariah Carey announces ‘Christmastime’ 2026 UK arena tour

"I can’t wait to celebrate with you all!" The post Mariah Carey announces ‘Christmastime’ 2026 UK arena tour appeared f...

NME Music News1 hour ago
Jeremy Strong treated co-stars how Mark Zuckerberg treats people on ‘The Social Reckoning’ set, says Aaron Sorkin
Music News

Jeremy Strong treated co-stars how Mark Zuckerberg treats people on ‘The Social Reckoning’ set, says Aaron Sorkin

"You cannot argue with the results" The post Jeremy Strong treated co-stars how Mark Zuckerberg treats people on ‘The S...

NME Music News2 hours ago
Ed Sheeran’s former support act Aaron Rowe says anger should be aimed at “the likes of Robert Kraft” and “Zionist lobbies”
Music News

Ed Sheeran’s former support act Aaron Rowe says anger should be aimed at “the likes of Robert Kraft” and “Zionist lobbies”

Rowe was among the artists to withdraw from Sheeran's tour after Macklemore was dropped from the shows over a “Free Pal...

NME Music News2 hours ago

Featured Artists