Outraged Grateful Dead Fans Slam 60th Anniversary Ticket Prices as a ‘Slap in the Face’
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Fans Shocked by Ticket Prices
Dead & Company are celebrating the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary with three concerts in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park this weekend. But many longtime fans say the high ticket prices are ruining the celebration.
A general admission three-day pass on Ticketmaster costs $635. VIP tickets — which include up-front access, nicer bathrooms, and exclusive food — are priced at $1,725. Some resale tickets on Seatgeek are going for as low as $279, but fans still feel that the pricing has gone too far.
Fans Say It Goes Against the Band’s Values
Many fans are calling the prices unfair and not in line with what the Grateful Dead once stood for — community, openness, and equality. Some say this anniversary feels like a cash grab, not a celebration.
“This whole thing is just a big money grab, a real ‘fuck you’ to the fans,” said the father of journalist Carly Schwartz, who reported the pricing for the San Francisco Standard. “It totally goes against what the Grateful Dead was all about. Jerry [Garcia] is rolling over in his grave.”
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A Price Hike That Feels Wrong
Schwartz also shared that before Garcia’s death in 1995, the most expensive Grateful Dead ticket was about $35 — around $73 with inflation today. The band even played free shows in Golden Gate Park during the 1960s and 1970s.
Now, some fans are frustrated that even after the group’s “final tour” in 2023 and upcoming Vegas residencies at the Sphere, the anniversary shows seem more like a business move than a heartfelt tribute.
Anger Over Changing Culture
One fan told The Standard that the prices are the opposite of what the Dead’s culture was about. “Now you have to let the money talk and dictate whether or not you make it into a show,” they said. “It’s not necessarily fair for a culture and crowd that’s not supposed to be known for possessions or money. Who gets to go to these shows? How much is enough?”
The high cost has made some feel excluded from a band that once welcomed everyone. Fans are asking whether this is still about the music or just about the profits.
Venue Criticism Adds to the Backlash
Some fans also feel the location doesn’t match the prices. A Reddit user commented, “Are they fu**ing serious?! This is a damn polo field, not a 2.3 billion-dollar Sphere.”
They continued, “Single day tickets for the Sphere, if you got in on the presale, started somewhere around $145. And yet they’re planning on charging $100 more right off the bat?!! This is a joke… This is blatant price gouging.”
A Different Way to Watch
Despite the criticism, thousands are expected to attend the shows. For fans who can’t afford to go, the third and final performance will stream live in IMAX theaters across North America on August 3.
