Linkin Park recently made headlines for shifting their show from the iconic Dodger Stadium to the more intimate Intuit Dome—a surprising move for a band with such a massive following. Fans who purchased tickets were promised refunds, but the change raises questions about the current state of live music.
They’re not the only ones facing challenges.
Music industry veteran Eddie Trunk took to X (formerly Twitter) to shed light on the broader issue, claiming, “There are a lot of shows at every level struggling.” He pointed to skyrocketing ticket prices and an overwhelming number of tours happening simultaneously as key culprits.
Trunk didn’t hold back, even mentioning rock legends AC/DC. “Some AC/DC shows are not selling out,” he said, adding that major cities like New York and San Francisco aren’t even part of their current tour plans.
“There are a lot of shows at every level struggling I am hearing about. High volume of shows/tours and high prices for tickets,” Trunk explained. “High prices generated by artists wanting higher guarantees. Same on the festival front. Interesting times for live music. Some AC/DC shows not sold out and major cities like NYC, SF not even being hit for that one.”
This raises pressing questions: Are fans growing tired of paying premium prices for live events? Is there simply too much happening at once? Or is the demand for arena rock dwindling?
One thing is clear—after Linkin Park, now even iconic bands like AC/DC are feeling the heat. The future of live music may be shifting, and it’s not just about the bands anymore.
