Recently I found myself going to a live show where a local musician was hosting an event at George’s Majestic Lounge here on Dickson street in Fayetteville. As I downloaded my mobile ticket, scanned it, and entered the door, I found myself reaching to save one of the flyers for the event inside, hoping for any tangible example of the memory to include within my box of keepsakes.
Later that week, my mother sent me an old photo of my childhood bedroom, where I marveled at the gallery wall I had created at just 8 years old. I noticed on the wall there was a large concert ticket, bolded in red and reading “TAYLOR SWIFT LIVE IN CONCERT”. It prompted me as I compared these two experiences to question, when did physical ticket stubs stop? What happened to saving a movie theatre stub from a first date, or a concert ticket from a live event? Most importantly I asked myself: can a digital ticket ever replicate the original print?
We will focus this conversation around tickets for music events specifically, as this industry is easiest to point to when navigating this changing landscape. Besides the obvious answers of the rise of the digital age as well as a decreased need for print media, one still can ask why these almost ritualistic practices stopped.
A quick google search can outline the surface level reasons for why ticketing has changed to being primarily digital, as it states “widespread adoption of ticketing systems offer greater convenience, security, and cost-effectiveness for both organizers and attendees.” These are all valid reasons for the shift to digital ticketing, and there are multiple scenarios where having your ticket online can be more of a convenience than burden. One example could be the fear of driving hours to a venue, showing up at the doors upon entry, only to realize you left your ticket behind. This is where having a digital receipt outshines the need for a physical copy, and proves there are benefits to the current way of ticketing.
However, in a day and age of unlimited technology where we have grown used to storing all of our memories virtually online, people no longer yearn for convenience— people desire a need for physical memorabilia. This shift has been seen online by people going back to collecting physical media, such as CD’s, vinyls, and print magazines. Younger generations are becoming increasingly aware that while all of our information is stored within a cloud somewhere, this gives more reason for it to be lost in the abyss of the digital landscape.
But the loss of print tickets is deeper than just missing inserting a physical stub into your scrapbook, it is the reflection of a changing music industry. There are local venues being shut down across America, unable to compete with larger companies who hold the reins on typical tour stops. There are ticketing monopolies who control the entire industry, meeting their fair share of scandals in regards to extorting fans through extra fees. This also doesn’t account for a new commonplace scheme that occurs within the music industry, which is people who buy dozens of tickets once they go on sale, only to resell them on a different site for a criminally inflated price.
This frustration is a conversation that has not been lost on my peers, as it is agreed that buying tickets is completely different than it was ten years ago. I think the true loss for people wanting print tickets is not just the memorabilia aspect, but rather the loss of how the concert experience used to be. Concerts and live music events used to be more affordable, and less competitive. Going to live shows could be considered a hobby, and now one has to practically take out a loan in order to hear their favorite artist live. This is a grieving process that is understandable and can take some time to process through.
Understanding that we live in a prominently digital age and that it would be outlandish to think we can fully transform such a large industry, there are things you can do to alleviate this new way of concert going. If you happen to live close to the venue, you can approach the box office when searching for a physical ticket. If this is not an option, there is still usually an avenue for getting physical memorabilia when it comes to live shows, as most concert venues have merch tables where you can purchase a product from the artist.
In conclusion, you are not alone if you are also a consumer who misses this and sees the inherent value in having a physical ticket copy. Digital tickets lack character! They reference this new corporate aspect to the music industry, and are a fair stipulation to have. We must however remember that the root of each show is the art that is bringing a community of people together, and that no ticket can encapsulate this feeling. If you desire more print media, it is never too late to start collecting.
Ryanne FitzGerald
Contributor
My name is Ryanne FitzGerald and I am so excited to be a part of the Star Shopper NWA team. I moved to Fayetteville four years ago to pursue my Advertising and Public Relations degree at The University of Arkansas. I am a firm believer in everything being art, down to the lines created by a trail of ants or the way littered trash mimics wildflowers.
I am so lucky to have a space to share a little insight into who I am as a person, and hopefully along the way can share my voice within future blog posts. As for what my future holds, I find that working within a creative field will allow me multiple different avenues for creating art that transcends campaigns and advertisements. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and I hope that I can bring a new perspective to the Star Shopper NWA!
