Grateful Dead demand sees ticket prices soar

Tickets for the Grateful Dead’s upcoming three-night reunion at Chicago’s Soldier Field have reached as high as $10,000.

The four surviving members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir will take to the stage on July 3,4 and 5 – 20 years after the death of frontman Jerry Garcia to celebrate the group’s 50th anniversary.

They attempted to bypass scalpers by implementing a mail order pre-sale for the shows. But according to Stereogum, Chicago Bears season ticket holders – who watch the American Football team at the stadium – were given first option on securing places. It’s thought many of them are now responsible for pushing up the prices.

The tickets are being sold on StubHub – and one anonymous agent reports he’s never seen prices so high for a music event.

He tells Mashable: “I’ve been doing this nine years and I would say this is going to be the biggest one I’ve seen. The Super Bowl is always going to be bigger than anything – but this is definitely the biggest concert by far.”

Last month Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio revealed he initially hesitated when Lesh asked him to join the lineup for the shows. He’ll be joined on stage by Jeff Chimenti and Bruce Hornsby.

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.