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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...

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