Cash Is King

Opinion: Do your own research after reading this article

In recent times, the U.S. has been moving head first into a descent away from cash payments. This only benefits monolithic payment processor companies (Square, Stripe, PayPal), as they have the means to make millions from minor tweaks to interest rates and small yields from each transaction. This is especially a problem in the Punk and Metal scene, as the creator economy of merchandise is one of the few ways that bands can make any money.

Merch sales and covers for local shows tend to be cash only (primarily due to a lack of options to process digital payments), while many larger venues are going as far to digitize ticket sales, bar sales, and merch sales. Ticket prices at larger venues have risen as a result of  many of the ticketing systems such as AXS, Ticketmaster, and TicketWeb adding “service & convenience” fees for utilizing a payment system that was developed over a decade ago. Not to mention the rising cost of merch at larger venues to counteract merch fees from the host venues, and the rising rates from payment processors.

Here is what can we do as concert goers to avoid fees and save a buck?

1. USE CASH FOR EVERYTHING YOU CAN. Buying merchandise or concessions with cash at a show will only benefit the local music economy.

2. Don’t buy online tickets for shows that are not in danger of selling out; where at the door cash sales are an option.

3. Get cash out at your local credit union or in network ATMS. Venue ATMs tend to have fees of $4 or more.

4. Carry around $50 in cash on you whenever you go to shows. This will prevent you from spending more than $50 at your show.

5. Avoid buying overpriced merch at shows. $25 should be the price ceiling for a shirt, while $10 to $20 is more reasonable for local band merch. Don’t buy 100 dollar hoodies at an arena band’s concert, as you are only making the situation worse.

6. Buy local band merch, as it is a better value. T-Shirts tend to be higher quality prints than the .PNG logo shirts you see for arena bands. Patches are easier to find at local shows as well.