What a concert's worth

This week, a few friends who closely follow the music industry e-mailed me to kvetch about the top ticket price for George Michael's upcoming tour -- $250 in most markets. (That includes tickets for his July 29 gig at D.C.'s Verizon Center, which go on sale tomorrow.)

Is he really still popular enough to fill arenas, especially at that price?

I contended that no one thought the recent Spice Girls tour would sell to anyone outside the Beckham family; but according to concert industry magazine Pollstar, that tour grossed from $800,000 to $1.3 million a night, with crowds ranging from 7,000 to 15,000 people.

At their D.C. stop in February, tickets topped out at $120 -- a bargain these days.

Then I was reminded how the Girls abruptly canceled the China, Australia and South African leg of the tour because of "family commitments" -- industry code for "tickets not selling as well as we thought."

So maybe not everyone was willing to spend more than $100 on a personality-driven fashion show set to music.

That said, as much as I'm looking forward to finally seeing Michael in concert (he last toured North America 17 years ago, and I missed him), I'm not sure how many of the rest of you are willing to pony up more than a day of pay (for most people) for two hours of entertainment.

But at least with Michael, it can be argued that his name is attached to some impressive stats -- 10 No. 1 singles in the U.S. and 12 in the U.K. between 1984 and 1996. He's a talented singer and songwriter and a bona fide star -- albeit one who hasn't produced much except headlines in the past several years.

A far bigger annoyance to me than Michael's $250 asking price came with the release announcing the Counting Crows/Maroon 5 show at Nissan Pavilion in Manassas on Aug. 16.

What semilogical person is going to spend $126 -- the top ticket price for the best seats on these two middling acts? (Other reserved seats are $33.75, $60.75 and $65.75, with lawn tickets for $30.50). And if you're driving to the show from Richmond, factor in $30 more for gas.

Sure, Counting Crows had solid success in the early to mid-'90s, and their new album, "Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings," is highly listenable with a few repeat-worthy tracks. But guys, these aren't exactly the glory days of "Mr. Jones."

As for Maroon 5, let's just say it's no secret in music circles that the band's fall tour was a major flop. The blame there lies mostly with concert promoters who got greedy and tossed the band into arenas, when they're still a theater-level act.

And sticking newcomer Sara Bareilles on the bill does nothing to add to the value of the ticket. It's doubtful many people plan to spend $60-plus for a good seat to hear her sing her debut hit, "Love Song."

By the way, that tour kicks off July 25 at Virginia Beach Amphitheater, but prices haven't been announced.

So for those who look at names such as George Michael and Counting Crows and think "has-beens," I give you this scenario.

For the past several years, Poison has headlined a summer amphitheater tour, usually bringing like-minded'80s hair metal acts such as Ratt and Cinderella along for the rowdy ride.

And every summer, promoters continue to be happily surprised when the tour sells 10,000 to 15,000 tickets a show. Why? Because the band knows its audience is primarily working-class, everyday folks whose wallets aren't bursting with expendable cash.

So what do they do? Charge $20 to $45 for a reserved seat and $20 for a lawn ticket, as they are for the July 31 show at Nissan with Dokken and Sebastian Bach. (And FYI to Poison fans: Hang tight, because news of the group playing a Richmond show is coming soon.)

The bands get paid less and the fans pay less. It's a pretty simple scenario.

The irony in this latest round of silly ticket prices, though, is that the band credited/vilified for being the first to charge more than $100 a ticket back in the mid-'90s isn't even the highest-charging act on the road right now.

The Eagles are returning to Virginia on May 21 at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, and when tickets go on sale tomorrow, they'll top out at $152 (plus service charges). Not exactly a "Let's pay cash for six tickets!" price, but it's a clean $100 less than George Michael.

So, for the people who will shell out the big bucks for any of these acts, let me ask you this: Do you think it's worth it? And what is the most you would spend on a concert ticket?

I know what my limits are but I'd like to hear yours. mruggieri@timesdispatch.com.