Roger Waters, the co-founder and former bassist and singer of the legendary rock band Pink Floyd, is one of the most iconic and influential musicians of all time. Even after leaving Pink Floyd in 1985, Waters has continued to tour and perform Pink Floyd classics and solo material to sold-out crowds around the world.
Seeing Waters perform live is a unique experience for any classic rock fan. His concerts feature stellar musicianship, elaborate stage productions, and some of the most beloved songs in rock history. However, Roger Waters tickets do not come cheap. Let’s take a look at what goes into the costs of mounting one of his major tours and examine the ticket prices and overall revenue generated by his recent concerts.
The Costs Behind a Major Roger Waters Tour
Putting on a massive Roger Waters arena tour takes an enormous amount of work, planning, time, and money. Some of the major costs include:
- Paying all the musicians, backup singers, and bandmembers who tour with Waters. His backing band is made up of highly skilled session musicians and the pay is commensurate with their talent.
- Paying a large crew of stagehands, roadies, technicians, and support staff to set up the elaborate stage and production.
- Transporting the stage, instruments, and equipment via trucks and tour buses.
- Renting or setting up the sound, lighting, video walls, pyrotechnics, inflatables, and other effects that are part of the show.
- Booking and renting major stadiums and arenas large enough to accommodate the production.
- Marketing, advertising, and promotion to spread awareness of the tour.
- Insurance, permits, and all other bureaucratic needs to put on shows in different cities.
All in all, the total costs of mounting a major solo tour for an artist like Waters can easily run into the millions of dollars. The payoff comes from fans eager to see a music legend performing some of the greatest classic rock songs ever written.
Ticket Prices for Roger Waters Concerts
In general, ticket prices for Roger Waters concerts tend to be on the expensive side, especially compared to shows by newer bands and musicians. Here are some example ticket price ranges for recent Roger Waters tours:
Us + Them Tour (2017-2018)
- Average Ticket Price: $130-$150
- Front Floor Seats: $250-$400+
- Upper Level/Nosebleeds: $50-$100
The Wall Live (2010-2013)
- Average Ticket Price: $100-$125
- Floor Seats: $200-$300+
- Upper Level: $60-$90
As you can see, the average ticket price for a Roger Waters show tends to start around $100 and can go up dramatically for front row or VIP floor seats. Compared to the average ticket for a touring arena rock band, which is usually $50-$75, Waters commands a premium.
Factors That Influence Roger Waters Ticket Prices
There are a few key factors that drive the high ticket prices for Waters’ concerts:
- Legendary Status: As a rock icon, there is high demand from fans to see Waters perform Pink Floyd classics live.
- Elaborate Productions: The scale of the dazzling visuals and effects raises overall costs.
- Scarcity: Waters tours less frequently than active bands. There are limited chances to see him.
- Venue Size: Waters only plays large arenas and stadiums now, which are more expensive.
Promoters and venues know that fans are willing to pay higher prices given Roger Waters’ legendary status and the uniqueness of his concerts. The law of supply and demand enables pricing tickets at a premium compared to up-and-coming acts.
How Much Money Roger Waters Makes on Tour
Even with the expensive overhead of a major tour, Roger Waters still pulls in huge profits from his concert ticket sales. Let’s take a look at estimated revenue and profits from some of his recent tours using reported average setlist lengths, average ticket prices, and number of shows:
Us + Them Tour (2017-2018)
- 126 Concerts Total
- Average Ticket Price: $130
- Average Venue Size: 45,000 Seats
- Total Estimated Revenues: $730 million
The Wall Live (2010-2013)
- 221 Concerts Total
- Average Ticket Price: $100
- Average Venue Size: 40,000
- Total Estimated Revenues: $880 million
Factoring out the major expenses involved in touring, it’s estimated Waters has likely netted hundreds of millions of dollars across his recent concert tours. This explains how his current net worth is estimated to be around $510 million.
In addition to concert ticket sales, Waters also earns revenue from merchandise and VIP experiences. For a legendary rock musician who does occasional tours, it’s an extremely lucrative enterprise.
How Rogers Waters’ Ticket Prices Compare to Other Legacy Acts
To put the ticket prices and earnings power of Roger Waters into perspective, it’s useful to compare him to some other legendary artists who are still touring and drawing well in their older age:
| Artist | Average Ticket Price | Average Earnings Per Show |
|---|---|---|
| The Rolling Stones | $120 | $6.5 million |
| Paul McCartney | $150 | $4 million |
| Roger Waters | $130 | $5.5 million |
| Billy Joel | $90 | $2 million |
| Elton John | $120 | $1.5 million |
Waters is firmly in the top tier of legacy rockers commanding premium ticket prices on par with The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney. While each have their own legendary statuses, the combination of Pink Floyd nostalgia and Waters’ dynamic concerts drive his ability to charge ticketing premiums in line with icons like the Stones.
Is Seeing Roger Waters in Concert Worth the Price?
Even with the steep ticket prices, many Roger Waters fans feel the experience of seeing him perform live is absolutely worth the money. Key reasons include:
- Hearing classic Pink Floyd songs like “Comfortably Numb” and “Another Brick in the Wall” played by one of the creators.
- A chance to relive the magic of seminal Pink Floyd albums like Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall in an immersive live setting.
- Witnessing impressive, state-of-the-art visual effects and stage production values.
- Experiencing a rock legend on stage, possibly one of the last chances to do so.
For devoted Pink Floyd and classic rock fans who have the means, the cost is worthwhile. It truly is a one-of-a-kind event seeing Roger Waters perform some of the most acclaimed rock songs ever live.
Tips for Saving Money on Roger Waters Tickets
While there’s no getting around the reality that Roger Waters tickets are expensive, especially up close, there are some tips to save a bit of money for budget-conscious fans:
- Purchase upper level or rear floor seats instead of front floor seats.
- Buy tickets well in advance instead of last minute.
- Take advantage of fan club or Citi card presales.
- Use ticket resale sites and apps and bid on tickets closer to event.
- See the show at a larger venue – they tend to have less pricey upper decks.
Following those guidelines, you can likely save $50 or more per ticket. While you’ll be farther away, you’ll still get to see the incredible production and enjoy the amazing music.
Conclusion
Roger Waters established himself as a cultural icon through his groundbreaking work in Pink Floyd, and he continues to cement that legendary status by embarking on elaborate world tours playing the band’s most beloved material. While the ticket prices are among the highest in the industry, the demand remains sky high to witness a once-in-a-lifetime show from one of rock’s greatest pioneers years after leaving the band that made him famous.
For the millions of hardcore Pink Floyd fans who grew up with their albums, the opportunity to watch Waters perform songs like “Comfortably Numb,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Another Brick in the Wall” live is truly priceless. Waters has proven the public is willing to pay top dollar to make those unforgettable musical moments happen.
