A comparatively robust local economy and the National Hockey League lockout makes Vancouver a prime destination on the concert circuit for major recording artists.
“I’ve never seen a Vancouver concert lineup as diverse and as large,” said Kingsley Bailey, owner of Vancouver Ticket and Tour Service Ltd.
“You’ve got Lady Gaga coming, Rihanna, One Direction, Journey, [Bruce] Springsteen, [Paul] McCartney, [Red] Hot Chili Peppers, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Metric, Barbra Streisand and more.”
Last week, Blueprint Events announced that, in partnership with Live Nation, it would produce what it bills as the largest electronica dance party ever held in western Canada.
Deadmau5 and others will play to 14,000 people on the floor at BC Place on December 26.
“I’ve never seen that kind of show at BC Place,” Bailey said. “I’ve seen it at the [Pacific] Coliseum. I guess the organizers know there’s no hockey in the market and people want to spend their money on something.”
This does not mean that people are spending top dollar to attend the shows, however.
Bailey said the target market for high-end seats is limited to those who can afford it. One trend he has noticed is that more shows have larger sections of cheaper seats.
“For the majority of people, no. They’re not spending top dollar,” he said. “They’re buying tickets though – they’re just happy to be in the building.
