Bruce Springsteen's Oldest Fansite Closing Down After Supports On Dynamic Pricing

[RAMROD 105,674]

A magazine and website that has served Bruce Springsteen’s fans for 43 years is shutting down, with its publisher writing that he’s been disillusioned by the debate over ticket prices for their hero’s current tour.

Backstreets had been an unusually robust publication that imposed journalistic rigor on its writing and photography, while leaving no doubt of its fan worship.

But the complaints about high ticket prices left people there “dispirited, downhearted and yes, disillusioned,” publisher Christopher Phillipswrote late last week in a post announcing the shutdown.

“Disappointment is a common feeling among hardcore fans in the Backstreets community,” he wrote. Phillips did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

There was an uproar among some Springsteen fans when tickets first went on sale last summer, particularly over Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing model, which sent tickets soaring to $5,000 or more when there was high demand. At a congressional hearing last month following the fiasco over Ticketmaster’s handling of Taylor Swift tour tickets, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana suggested major artists like Springsteen and Swift should demand fee caps.

Springsteen then responded on RollingStone interview by saying "I know it was unpopular with some fans, but if there's any complaints on the way out, you can have your money back." And he continues, "Well, I’m old. I take a lot of things in stride [laughs]. You don’t like to be criticized. You certainly don’t like to be the poster boy for high ticket prices. It’s the last thing you prefer to be. But that’s how it went. You have to own the decisions you have made and go out and just continue to do your best. And that was my take on it. I think if folks come to the show, they’re going to have a good time."

 

https://apnews.com/article/bruce-springsteen-backstreets-fanzine-5930dfed34585b6072573521940555c5

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/bruce-springsteen-covers-lp-fan-outrage-ticket-prices-1234632658/

[Rocketno10 2,056]

Boss… what has happened to you

[jimmytimestep 2,488]

55 minutes ago, RAMROD said:

“Disappointment is a common feeling among hardcore fans in the Backstreets community,” he wrote. Phillips did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

There was an uproar among some Springsteen fans when tickets first went on sale last summer, particularly over Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing model, which sent tickets soaring to $5,000 or more when there was high demand. At a congressional hearing last month following the fiasco over Ticketmaster’s handling of Taylor Swift tour tickets, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana suggested major artists like Springsteen and Swift should demand fee caps.

Springsteen then responded on RollingStone interview by saying "I know it was unpopular with some fans, but if there's any complaints on the way out, you can have your money back." And he continues, "Well, I’m old. I take a lot of things in stride [laughs]. You don’t like to be criticized. You certainly don’t like to be the poster boy for high ticket prices. It’s the last thing you prefer to be. But that’s how it went. You have to own the decisions you have made and go out and just continue to do your best. And that was my take on it. I think if folks come to the show, they’re going to have a good time."

I have been a lifelong fan; he’s been the soundtrack of my childhood. He’s to my father what gaga is to me; stocks of old, exclusive merch, bootlegged live recordings, unreleased material…we stan the boss.

That said I can’t help but be disappointed by his comments here. Part of what has made him what he is is because of his support of the disenfranchised, and his turning a blind eye to the evils of dynamic pricing is really upsetting to me. 

[dit 46,006]

I just hope when our queen gets old she won't be this arrogant and hard headed

[Future Lovers 6,578]

I'm not going to be too quick to judge here because I think it's been demonstrated a few times now that what Ticketmaster says to artists and what they end up doing are not one and the same. I really do think in many, many situations they put the pressure on artists to adopt dynamic pricing because it makes them (Ticketmaster) more money from the sale. LiveNation is the company artists tour through, and if they put pressure on something like that then you're gonna have a hard time pushing back unless you're savy enough to do it. 

I'm almost positive it's sold on the pretext of "this is going to be good for your people." Lorde did an interview recently where she talked about just how difficult touring has become since the return after 2020. Touring was an already difficult business, but it's only increased in difficulty now because of the supply chain issues, inflation, and of course the insurance required to do a worldwide tour when people's health is still a question and cause for concern. 

I am sure they sat him down and said that this tour was only going to work out if they made the absolute most possible out of it, and I also doubt they gave him a hard number for just how expensive tickets would become--in fact, I know they didn't because they don't even know up front. 

Yes, his comments after the fact are not what they could or should be, but given his history I don't for a moment think that he went into this attempting to be money hungry or drain his fans of all of their cash. But it's the situation he's in now, and he can't take it back, and he's choosing to own the mistake. I don't think he can take back the dynamic pricing at this point. 

The real test will be to see if he does it for his next tour now that the negative effects of this have been seen not only on a deeper level from his own tour, but from others following. 

[RudraCNG 14,325]

This Dynamic Princing thing needs to be banned asap (it already is in Europe if i'm not wrong). I'm sick of the greediness of the touring firms AND some artists.

[NewUsername 11,032]

1 hour ago, RudraCNG said:

This Dynamic Princing thing needs to be banned asap (it already is in Europe if i'm not wrong). I'm sick of the greediness of the touring firms AND some artists.

It is, luckily, a lot less common in Europe, but it still happens and is not banned.

[King of the Fall 3,836]

Springsteen has become precisely the thing he seemed not to be in his younger years. Former guy of the people in it for his fans and great music has become an industry shill that can't handle criticism, charges appalling prices for his concerts and shuts down fan sites. I never bought into his fake and cultivated personality of humility even if I do like some of the mans music.

[robboadam 2,019]

20 minutes ago, NewUsername said:

It is, luckily, a lot less common in Europe, but it still happens and is not banned.

It’s interesting cause loads of people said dynamic pricing was happening for Beyoncé in London but I bought a standing ticket that was the exact price advertised.

I’d hate if it was changing all the time.