Concert Ticket Sales Jump 22% in 1stQ 2006

Touring industry trade magazine Pollstar reports that concert ticket sales jumped dramatically in the first quarter of 2006. The magazine’s database of the more than 5,500  North American concerts reported showed a 22% jump in total ticket sales to 13.6 million for the first quarter of the year. The average number of tickets sold per show was 2,455 up 18% and average ticket prices were also up $3.61 or 9% percent to $44.29.

While some portion of the increase may be attributed to a few mega-tours like the Rolling Stones and U2, these robust numbers also signal increasing strength in the live music market. Entertainment options at home, the office and while driving may be increasingly fractured, but nothing yet has replaced the live music experience.