14 DAY TRIAL // Music sales are going down and labels are taking up innovative measures of fighting recession and, implicitly, poor sales numbers, either with unique promotional campaigns or by means of including advertising on the album itself, like Def Jam announced it would do with Mariah Carey’s upcoming material. The one thing that seems to last in these financially troubled times is the Idol Live series of concerts, and that is mostly due to runner-up Adam Lambert, as USA Today informs.
Numbers made public by Billboard and then cited by USA Today show that the tour, which features AI winner Kris Allen and nine other finalists, is actually faring just as well as the one from the previous year. On an average, the Idol Live tour sells 82 percent of tickets, grossing so far an estimated $11.2 million. If this does not sound as that much, Billboard, as cited by USA Today, assures us that it actually is, since most concerts or tours sell tickets only in a percentage of 60, with the remaining 40 percent going down the drain, so to speak, or being offered as prizes.
“According to Billboard Boxscore, the first 19 shows of 2009 averaged 9,456 attendees per city, almost even with the 9,771 for the same period last year. With ticket prices ranging from $40.50 to $69.50 – a dollar higher than last year – the tour gross is almost exactly equal. In the industry, ‘40% of tickets go unsold,’ says Billboard senior touring editor Ray Waddell. ‘They’re doing better than average,’ especially since ‘these are baby acts on their first national tour, even if they’ve had the best exposure you can get.” USA Today writes of the recently revealed numbers.
Those wondering why so many people pay so much money to be at one of these concerts need to wonder no more: Adam Lambert, American Idol runner-up is actually the one who is making these impressive figures possible. His fanbase is huge and extremely devoted, so he is the main attraction of the tour, Billboard also reveals, as cited by the aforementioned publication. “The Adam Lambert fan base is incredibly avid. That dedication is what sells tickets.” former Idol blogger Richard Rushfield tells USA Today.
Another fact that must weigh heavily in the balance is the lineup itself, with boys outnumbering female performers, which is perfect since the concertgoers who pay to see them live are mostly girls, it is further being said.