Musicheads want you to admit it: What is the most money you've spent on a concert?

$30 a seat to see Philharmonia Baroque last fall.

"Some of [your] friends" are jingle writers, Mark? (like your pal Moby?) I just think it's unfair to hold Jim Noir's stage presence (or lack thereof) against him in regard to his records. It's funny, because I think one of Noir's strongest influences is XTC, and Andy Partridge gave up touring altogether in the early '80s, instead leaving the members of the band to retreat to their own home studios to produce a string of excellent albums. The comment about "enabling" Jim Noir kind of rubbed me the wrong way -- any elaboration on that? With all that said, I wasn't as impressed as I was with "Tower of Love"; too many long vocal interludes on this album as opposed to the clever wordplay of the debut. But "enabling"? You make it sound like his musicianship should be discouraged.

I spent $200 ($100 per ticket, one for me and one for my father) for Springsteen's show at XCel last fall. Totally worth it, especially because it wound up being our last opportunity to see the late Danny Federici.

I paid 50$ to see The Dead at Alpine Valley Wisconsin in 2004, plus gas and motel. I paid $30 to see Widespread panic in Taos, New Mexico in 2002, plus gas and camp site. I've heard stories about the price of Rolling Stones Tickets.

factoring everything in a trip to a festival: $800 or $900 the 1st Nearfest cost me, I attended in 2000.

I think I spent around $300 or so for Hammer of the Gods in NYC and 1 of the Marillion trips to Chicago I made...or the Jon Anderson in Phiadelphia perhaps.

But afa an individual concert, I think the most I ever spent for 1 show was the
Dream Theater/Yes show in 2004 @ Target Center where I bought "Bronze" VIP tix. I think I paid about $65 or maybe even $75 for that one. I don't foresee ever spending anything that high for a local concert again. Most of the high priced concerts I ever see..I manage my way in free or pretty cheaply from someone with an extra on the street.

I spent a pile of cash on Coachella a couple years ago... Between the ticket, traveling, and other "misc." expenses (did I mention beer was $7 for a tiny glass of swill?). The $40 a night motel room I had in Joshua Tree was a money saver... I wish I would have stayed in "Room 8" at the Joshua Tree Inn (the infamous Gram Parsons room). I would have brought my oujia board. But the festival itself was great, 2 days... 5 stages. Traveled with a good friend. Was worth it!

As for Jim Noir. I would agree that I'm not sure he has learned to transform his home recordings into a live show, but I'm sure it isn't easy to do when you're used to holing up in your room, doing all the work yourself. He has a natural talent for making a great hook. I think we need more musicians as creative as him. Plus, the recordings have such a warm sound, which I totally dig. The layering and depth of his voice work, instrumentation and mixing skills make this record and the last one (Tower of Love) sonically interesting to listen to. I'm generally not interested in being blown away by lyrics all the time. When it comes to feel good, sunshine pop tunes, keep it simple I say. Say what you need to say without clutter. I think he's more interested in the instrumention and creating depth than being a master of the ironic and mindblowing lyric. I would like to see his talent expand to a live show, but I don't think that has much to do with his ablility to make an album. Look at The Beatles. They made their best music when they gave up touring.

This is a tricky question for me, because on the one hand I paid close to $80 to see The Hellacopters and Gluecifer in Oslo back in 2002 when I bought a ticket outside the soldout show, then I did pay for a plane ticket, a boat ticket and travel costs to Helsinki to see Radio Birdman in 2006... but was on the guest list for the show... but in Sept of 2007 I paid about $60 USD to go on the Rocknrollbaten in Stockholm.... and each of those shows was worth every penny.

About $80 (per ticket) to see Steely Dan at the Xcel Center.

Hey Jill Riley...Like your comments about Jim Noir, especially the Beatles analogy!

Speaking of the Beatles....really wanted to see Paul McCartney when he was in Twin Cities a few years ago, but, resisted due to tickets being over $100. Read the average ticket price for his last American tour was $135. (ouch!) That's a little rich for my blood!

Grateful Dead Family Reunion 2002 2 days $120.00, not to mention what was spent to get there.

Hey Mac...re; "... unfair to hold Jim Noir's stage presence (or lack thereof) against him in regard to his records."

I didn't say anything about his stage presence? I was commenting on the album being full of filler, there's only a couple of good tunes and instead of letting them be used in commercials, he is 'forced' to make a whole album and go out and play it live. Some artists shouldn't have to go through the touring part of the biz and he's one of them. We're 'enabling' him by demanding that this is how artists have to present themselves to be considered serious. I agree Jill, it is warm, comfy, and the lyrics don't matter for a song or two, but again I can't stomach an album full of his sweetness and sunshine, sorry.

Bill-- I was at that Paul McCartney concert at the Xcel a few years back. It was amazing! I took my brother and his wife for their wedding gift (as long as I could sit by them!!), and we had a few moments where we all teared up. My brother and I have been HUGE Beatles people since we were kids. It put a big hole in my pocket book, but the experience and memories I'll always have of seeing a Beatle perform were priceless to me. We even got the rich fuddy duddies around us to have more fun! We couldn't sit still, no way!

A quick aside: I haven't heard enough of the new Jim Noir album to make a stand, but I can tell you, the first time I heard "My Patch" I can tell you exactly where I was. Driving on Hamline Avenue toward Target, just after Mr. DeVille saying "This is my favorite song at this very minute" and playing it. I was mesmerized by the beauty of that song. Then, as the "Beach Boys" segment of the song came on, I thought to myself, "Dang, I wonder if Mr. DeVille will play the Beach Boys after this.. what a great segue that would be." And lo and behold, he got my psychic message and played the Beach Boys. That's why I love Mr. DeVille as a DJ....

I can't exactly recall the most I've spent on a concert. Maybe Neil Diamond in the '80's as a Mother's Day present. It could possibly be Laurie Anderson on the "Strange Angels" tour, tix were about $50 per at the time (with KNOW's Stephen John, late of Cities 97 emceeing). The Mrs. did spend quite some cash to see Jon Stewart (of the Daily Show) to do stand-up comedy at the Orpheum last year. We've always loved his stand-up, and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. What a great birthday present.

Now I always use what I call the "Kevin Kling" method to determine if I want to see somebody. Taking a line from his fantastic "A View From The Card Table" story about wanting a spider monkey for Christmas for $9.99, and saying "Do you love me $9.99?" and his father saying "you're not getting a spider monkey for Christmas!"... I now ask "Do I love _____ band/artist $X.99?" to see them. For example, I LOVE Chris Isaak, but I don't love him $49.99 .

a BF spent $250.00 each for the Concert for Walden Woods back in the early 1990's.....but everyone was playing there...it was awesome...

Mr Self Indulgent is here. Disclaimer: I have only heard the singles played on the Current. I looked at metacritic.com, Moby's "Last night " got 60/100 from 30 reviews. His best since play in 1999. I like to hear the Single "I like to move in here" Rolling stone gave it 4/5 stars. Moby is a very talented guy. Chemical bros, and Daft Punk are great too.
Next Gnarles Barkley "The Odd Couple", 76/100 metacritic.com from 32 reviews. I like "Run" a lot. Great radio single. I'm going on...
Jim Noir, Seems good to me. His latest is not on meacritic.com. that is a sign of a guy that not everyone knows about. A lot of talent, I sort of agree with Mark, a little too sweet for a whole record. I will just be happy to hear his"Don't Worry"once in a while on the Current. Maybe the under dog of this group, and I root for the underdog.
metacritic.com link
I like the reviews from NME, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Q best. You can link to all of them from metacritic.com thats my 2 cents for now.

I took my family to see Paul McCartney in Houston a couple of years ago. $250 per ticket, face value. Outrageous but worth every penny for a once in a lifetime experience. My teenage daughters got to see one of the most famous muscians in the world and he was good!

Many people paid much more for seats comparable to mine on the resale market. I would much rather give my money to the performer than a scapler.

The most expensive tickets I have had to a show was Barry Manilow in Vegas. I understand his tickets are the highest price in Vegas with front row going for $1,000. (The price of those tickets are actually a donation to the Manilow Fund for Hope and Health. You also get the chance to meet and greet the legendary showman.) My tickets were in the fourth row. The people sitting next to me at paid $361 each. E-bay had them listed must higher. Thanks to gather, mine were free.

This is a big difference from the only other time I've had to see Barry. In 1982, I paid $12 for premium tickets. At that time, he was still on his post-Copacabana high. What a difference a few years (and a big comeback) make, huh?

By the way, all concerts have been worth every penny and then some. In the interest of fairness, my husband (who went with me) doesn't agree. At lest that's what he says. I secretly caught him singing along to Mandy and by the end, he was up dancing with everyone else. Another closet Manilow fan...

Highest I paid for a concert ticket was $101 to see Paul McCartney

In all fairness to Sir Paul, his tickets were much cheaper than Barbara Streisand. I got a kick out of her cancellation of her show in Rome last year due to protests of her exorbitant ticket prices. The people of Rome spoke loud and clear!

I will probably pony up for for Macca if he ever comes back to Twin Cities!

In all fairness to artists. Live shows & merchandise are the main way for them to make a buck these days. Recorded music sales continue to plummet.

Thanks for the kind words Frick!

Nobody has chimed in on the new Gnarls Barkley yet??

My friend's dad went to McCartney last time he was here and said it was the best thing he's ever been to -- better than the 1987 or 1991 World Series. I would probably pay $250 to see him once. Ringo, not so much (although just wait, he'll probably be back at the State Fair in the next few years, and I would go see him then)

Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers - Circus Mexicus concert in Rocky Point, Mexico. The concert itself was only $28, but with the flight, hotel, meals, etc. I spent about $500. It was a great vacation and the concert was a blast!

My most expensive concert was Ricky Martin -- $102 at Target Center. It was worth every penny -- the set and effects were unbelievable. We had main-floor center-aisle seats in the 18th row. The atmosphere was like a big party with confetti and streamers. I knew at the time I would never have the chance to see him in concert again and I was right -- so I'm glad I spent the money.

$100 for Pink Flyod

75.00 for Reba and 70.00 for Heart.. :O)

Aside for festivals like Horde, Further, Palooza, etc. It would most likely be for the Grateful Dead.

Ringo's tickets seem like a bargain this day and age. His show even features many who you might never get to see otherwise. If Billy Squier hits the road without Ringo he is probably playing at a suburban dive bar!

Looking forward to the next episode of Musicheads. We will discuss the new albums from DeVotchka, Billy Bragg's 1st new material in 6 years & the British band Foals.

"If Billy Squier hits the road without Ringo he is probably playing at a suburban dive bar!" - Bill Deville Not if there's a reality tv show on the table... There isn't? Maybe you're right.

You know I can't recall the biggest bucks I've dropped on a concert. Not to sound all crotchety, but they all seem too expensive. Some feel like they cost more when you walk out the door thinking "A Warrant / Poison ticket for X amount sounded good in theory..." Others are so well done & slick (Sade's Lover's Rock tour) you know what you paid for.

I dropped $160 per ticket to see Van Morrison this past November at the Northrup. Whas it worth it? Yes and no.

Van has been a big part of my relationship with my wife, via the Belfast Cowboys. The first song we danced too, was their version of "The Perfect Fit", I proposed to her at Lee's Liquor Lounge to the Cowboys and that song, and the Cowboys were the band at our wedding.

I must admit I am glad we went to see Van, but Iwould not spend that kind of money again. For what we paid, we could go see the Belfast Cowboys 27 times each!

$30 to see Flogging Molly in Atlanta, I think. It was worth every penny.

$325.00 for one ticket to see Luciano Pavarotti ten years ago.