With concert season heating up as summer approaches, fans are planning outfits and picture poses for their upcoming concerts. 

In recent years, though, concerts have become less of a way for a musician to celebrate their fans and more of a money grab or a status symbol. Ticket prices have soared, and there is constant turmoil on social media of fans being upset they lost the “Ticketmaster war.” 

This shift became most noticeable during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Die-hard fans could not afford a single ticket, while social media influencers were attending upwards of five or more shows. This is just one example of how concerts have become a status symbol. 

I myself have already lost the so-called “Ticketmaster war” this year when trying to see Noah Kahan. It is nearly impossible to get a “good” spot (if there even is one) in the queue, and then when you finally get in to see what tickets are available, they are basically sold out, and the prices are astronomical. 

This leaves me, and many others, disheartened about not getting the chance to see their favorite artists as it is becoming nearly impossible to beat the crowds of eager buyers. I cannot speak for everyone, but I do not even feel like going to concerts anymore because I know there is a slim chance I will be able to get a ticket at the right price. Even if you do get tickets, you may end up so far away from the stage that you cannot see anything. 

Several artists have received backlash over the prices of their tickets, saying there will be no fans at their shows, because average people cannot afford them with all other expenses rising. 

Online, it has also been stated that people should only be allowed to buy tickets after meeting certain criteria, to prove they are true fans. People are saying it is not fair that people are getting tickets to shows like Olivia Rodrigo or Noah Kahan because they are famous now, not because they have been fans since the beginning. 

Now, I know not many things will change because everyone loves money and having a lot of it, but it should. Soon, concerts are going to become full of social media influencers more obsessed with getting the perfect photo than actual fans who are there to see live music.