Is 'Blue Dot Fever' a real problem for the concert industry?

"“Whatever their reasons behind the scenes (they range from finishing new music to spending time with family), some have cited ‘Blue Dot Fever’ as a possible cause - a tour staring down too many unsold seats to make the numbers work.”"

"“It’s a tough environment for all but the biggest acts right now - gas is eye-wateringly expensive, fans' concert habits changed post-COVID, ticket prices are higher than many would like, and social media fame doesn't guarantee a crowd in person.”"

"“There used to be a lot of steps up the ladder - you'd play clubs at your band's start, then theaters, then go onto bigger things. What I see now is the middle class eroding, and it's harder for everyone there. Expenses are way up, some have tripled from even a few years ago.”"

"“For a lot of artists, it's increasingly difficult to tour and have a healthy business. A lot of this is fans' sensitivity to ticket prices, but kids also have a lot of options now, and going to concerts is not as ingrained in their culture.”"

Major artists have canceled tour dates, with “Blue Dot Fever” cited as a possible cause when too many seats remain unsold to make tours financially work. Touring is described as harder for many acts due to sharply higher expenses, expensive gas, changed fan habits after COVID-19, and ticket prices that many people find too high. Social media popularity does not reliably translate into in-person attendance. The pathway from clubs to theaters to larger venues is said to have become more difficult as the middle class erodes. Concert-going is also described as less ingrained for younger audiences, who have more options and different cultural habits after the pandemic.

Read at Los Angeles Times