Bob Dylan Beats Scalpers With Ticketless Show in San Francisco

Posted on Aug 20th 2010 1:30AM by Benjy Eisen
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When Bob Dylan says his just-announced, surprise show at the Warfield in San Francisco next Wednesday, August 25 costs $60, he means it costs $60 -- no service charges. No scalpers. No secondary market. In fact, perhaps as an effort to combat all complaints about the ticketing industry at large, there simply won't be any advance tickets to the show. Fans will pay $60 -- cash only -- on their way inside the venue, and that's that. Think of it as a very expensive cover charge... but a bargain price to see Bob Dylan, these days.

The line will officially be allowed to form beginning at noon on the day of the show, with the doors opening at 5:30PM and the show beginning at 8:00PM. It's going to be a long day for Bay Area Dylan fans but the wait will be worth it for the 2,250 lucky attendees -- it's been 15 years since the iconic folk singer has performed at the legendary theater.

A statement by promoter Goldenvoice's David Lefkowitz, on the company's website, reads, "Given the state of touring and how fees have escalated, it was a real breath of fresh air to do something very consumer oriented by eliminating all ticketing charges. It's almost a throwback to another time." Almost. The last time Bob Dylan played the Warfield, for a two-night stand in May of 1995, tickets were half that price -- including all fees. Guess the times really have been a-changing.