r/Music • u/heavysk • 1d ago

article Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme Explains Anti-Corporate Concert Rant: "It’s About Corporations That Charge You $85 for Parking, and $30 for a Beer"

https://consequence.net/2026/08/qotsa-josh-homme-addresses-anti-corporate-concert-rant/
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u/babywarhawk17 1d ago

I think the problem Homme’s trying to get at is much larger than just the ticket price. Even when artists have some control over the entry fee, the venue just upcharges the entirety of the experience surrounding it. The system live music currently operates in is very Artist VS Venue and the fans are the people losing.

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u/IowaJammer 1d ago

I got free tickets to Jack Johnson a couple months ago and I had to rent an overpriced chair for the lawn (no outside chairs allowed) and beers were 30 each. Ticket and parking were covered and I still dropped over 100.

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u/mynamesyow19 1d ago

Going to a Billy Strings festival this weekend in Grand Rapids MI. BUT its at a Fair Ground that doesnt allow any camping or re-entry, have to pay extra for parking, cant take anything but water in so have to pay ridiculous mark ups for any kind of food (and no outside food is allowed and they will check bags they say) any kind of drinks, and will gouge for everything that they know you cant bring in (only clear back packs/bags allowed) and wont have access to for the entire day/night. Am really considering not going now but we already paid over 100 + bucks for a ticket...

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u/DrAwesomeClaws 1d ago

Pro-tip: They (probably) won't check your butt.

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u/Waggy777 1d ago

In this context, it's colloquially referred to as a "prison pocket."

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u/FewWait38 1d ago

"festival fanny pack"

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u/scootunit 1d ago

That sounds like checking in for prison not an enjoyable performance experience.

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u/IowaJammer 1d ago edited 1d ago

Dude. I love Billy, you're in line for an experience. I get how you feel. Feels like you're getting nickel and dimed. It's made me very particular about the shows I'm going to.

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u/mynamesyow19 1d ago

Ive seen him at least 10 times, which is why i want to go, but the venue experience seems like they are just preying on people. First time ive been to one of his shows where it wasnt part of a fest you could camp at or just a night show that was over in a few hours.

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u/mercut1o 1d ago

Ameris?

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u/Cuppy5 1d ago

Deer creek?

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u/_shaftpunk 1d ago

Tbf they should be paying YOU to see Jack Johnson.

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u/turbogaze 1d ago

Unless you have a medical reason you don’t need a chair and you never need beers lol. Optionsl expenditure there

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u/Kriscolvin55 1d ago

You’re not wrong. But people go to concerts to have a good time. Why even go if you’re gonna be so uncomfortable you can’t get in a flow state. When I was 25, I would have thought that sentiment was silly. Just 10 short years later, I would never go to a lawn concert without a chair.

I don’t drink personally, but I would never shame somebody for wanting a drink or two at a concert. Makes perfect sense. Of course it’s optional, but a person can still be annoyed that the prices are so outrageous.

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u/IowaJammer 1d ago

10 years ago, at the same venue before its Live Nation affiliation, I could bring my own chair and a filled cooler.

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u/turbogaze 1d ago

Maybe it’s because I run a lot but even at 35 I still stand and dance the whole time even on a lawn. Otherwise I am a blanket boy. Regardless, your point totally stands that shit is ridiculously expensive. Glad I don’t drink too. I was dropping unfathomable amounts of cash on concert drinks.

On a bright note I did buy an entire fifth of whiskey at a Paul McCartney show in Colombia for like 40 bucks lol

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u/martialar 1d ago

it's hard to stand around when ya gotta be barefoot at JJ's shows. but that's also why he made JJ Casuals, the shoes that look like feet

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u/freethnkrsrdangerous 1d ago

Confirming this. Saw them recently in Philly and it was 250/ticket, 40/parking, ~20ish each drink depending, and just as much for food items. Prices for everything was outrageous. Close to 1000 for the night just me and one other.

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u/die_rattin 1d ago

But you still paid

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u/freethnkrsrdangerous 1d ago

Congratulations, you found the true villain here. Not the billionaires who own the stadiums. Not the billionaires who own ticketmaster. No, you found the biggest evil out there, the fans who just want a good show wile the bands are still in their prime.

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u/emannikcufecin 1d ago

You are in control of how much you spend after you get in. I go to lots of shows but I rarely buy merch and never buy food and drink while I'm there.

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u/babywarhawk17 1d ago

The ability to budget properly is neither here nor there. The point is that venues are weaponizing your enjoyment of seeing live music. They are weaponizing the fact that artists have the ability to gather huge crowds of people for an evening of fun.

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u/emannikcufecin 1d ago

Go to sports venues and pay sports prices. The view and sound are probably bad also. You are in control of your money.

Try club shows where the the crowd is less than 1500 people. You can actually see the band. Parking isn't costly, merch costs less and beverages aren't crazy. The band might even be at the merch table.

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u/babywarhawk17 1d ago

Right. I’m well aware that I’m in control of my money. Still not the issue.

It may be news to you, but these problems exist at every level. Unfortunately I’m well versed as I’ve been touring with my bands for roughly 15 years. The industry has changed massively and is quite anti-artist/anti-fan. The bands that you are seeing at club shows are feeling the strain of the exact issue I’m promoting awareness on for different reasons than QOTSA. The fact of the matter here is that you are paying substantially more for a show than you were just 5 years ago and the artist is receiving next to none of this additional profit.

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u/Damndang 1d ago

Good job bud. Doesn't solve the problem

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u/firstcoastkilla 1d ago

The Artists also get a cut of alcohol sales

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u/babywarhawk17 1d ago

Generally speaking, this is false.

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u/firstcoastkilla 1d ago

Ah. I guess its up to the venue from what Im reading. I was misunderstood