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The Economics of Real Superstars: The Market for Rock Concerts in the Material World

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  • Alan B. Krueger

    (Princeton University and NBER)

Abstract

Beginning in 1997, the price of concert tickets took off, and ticket sales and the number of concerts performed by top artists declined. From 1996 to 2003, for example, the average concert price increased by 82 percent while the CPI increased by just 17 percent. This paper summarizes and seeks to understand trends in the concert industry from 1981 to 2003. Explanations that are examined include: 1) the possible crowding out of the secondary ticket market; 2) rising superstar effects; 3) Baumol and Bowen's disease; 4) increased concentration of concert promoters; and 5) the erosion of complementarities between concerts and album sales because of file sharing and CD copying. The paper tentatively concludes that the decline in complementarities between concerts and album sales is the main cause of the recent surge in concert prices and decline in ticket sales.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan B. Krueger, 2004. "The Economics of Real Superstars: The Market for Rock Concerts in the Material World," Working Papers 863, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:indrel:484
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rosen, Sherwin & Rosenfield, Andrew M, 1997. "Ticket Pricing," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 40(2), pages 351-376, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    economics of superstars; complementarities; rock and roll;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • Q14 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Finance

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