Air Supply is an Australian soft rock duo who have sold over 150 million albums worldwide since forming in 1975. The band originally consisted of singer Russell Hitchcock and guitarist Graham Russell, along with various accompanying musicians. Over their decades-long career, Air Supply has churned out hit after hit including “Lost in Love”, “All Out of Love”, and “Making Love Out of Nothing at All”. But how much does it cost to see Air Supply perform live in concert nowadays?
Air Supply Ticket Prices
The price of Air Supply concert tickets can vary greatly depending on the venue, city, and demand. Generally speaking, expect to pay somewhere in the range of $50 – $150 per ticket on average. The band frequently performs shows at smaller theaters and casinos which keeps costs on the lower end. Shows at large amphitheaters or arenas typically start at around $75 and up. Front row or VIP tickets will tack on an extra premium.
| Venue Type | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Small Theater/Casino | $50 – $100 |
| Mid-Sized Amphitheater | $75 – $125 |
| Arena/Large Amphitheater | $100 – $150+ |
Some other factors that can affect Air Supply ticket prices include:
- Tour popularity – Prices are higher if demand is up for a particular tour.
- Market size – Big city shows like LA or New York are generally more expensive.
- Opener acts – A high-profile opening band can drive up prices.
- VIP packages – Special meet & greet and merchandise bundles cost extra.
- Secondary market – Resale tickets on sites like StubHub may have markups.
How Air Supply Ticket Prices Have Changed Over Time
During the peak of their popularity in the early 80s, Air Supply concert tickets generally ranged from $15 – $30 which adjusts to around $40 – $80 in today’s dollars accounting for inflation. As their fame declined in the late 80s and 90s, prices for shows dropped into the $10 – $25 range typically.
After reuniting in the 2000s and embarking on the revival circuit, Air Supply adopted a model of playing smaller venues like casinos and theaters. This has allowed them to keep ticket prices affordable in the $50 – $100 range for most markets. Larger shows at venues like the Greek Theatre in LA still command $150 or more for the best seats.
How Air Supply Makes Money On Tour
There are several key ways Air Supply generates income from live performances:
- Ticket sales – This is the main source, with the band collecting a portion of revenue from each ticket sold.
- Merchandise – Items like t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and memorabilia are sold at shows.
- Sponsorships – Some tours are sponsored by brands for marketing, like American Express or casinos.
- VIP packages – Special upgraded experiences like meet & greets generate additional revenue.
- Live recordings – Profits from recording and selling live albums/DVDs.
Between all these streams, Air Supply brings in an estimated $500,000 – $1 million per tour based on available data. This allows Russell and Graham to continue touring regularly year after year.
How Much Are Air Supply VIP or Front Row Tickets?
Scoring front row or VIP tickets to an Air Supply concert generally requires paying a premium price. Here are some typical costs:
- Front row – $150 – $300+ per seat depending on venue.
- VIP package – $250 – $500+ per person for amenities like premium seating, exclusive merch, hang with band, etc.
- Meet & greet – $500+ per person for intimate pre-show experience.
These specialty tickets sell out fast since they are limited. Your best bet is to look for pre-sales or buy early once the general public on-sale begins. Joining any fan club can also provide first access to the most coveted seats and packages.
Who Gets Paid at an Air Supply Concert?
Putting on a live concert involves many parties who take a portion of the money earned. At a typical Air Supply show, the pay is distributed like:
- Air Supply – 25-40% of ticket sales as the headliner.
- Venue – 20-30% for providing the facility and staff.
- Promoter – 20-30% for organizing and marketing the event.
- Opening acts – Smaller % of ticket sales.
- Manager/agent – 10-20% of Air Supply’s earnings.
- Road crew – Salaries and per diems.
- Miscellaneous – Insurance, rentals, expenses.
After all these parties get their share, the members of Air Supply likely take home around 25-35% of the total ticket revenue on average.
How Much Does Air Supply Make Per Concert?
With typical ticket prices ranging from $50 – $150 and average venues holding 1,000 – 5,000 fans, Air Supply can rake in anywhere from $50,000 to over $500,000 per show. The band plays around 50 dates per year, so their yearly tour earnings add up to an estimated $2.5 – $25 million annually. Their per-show earnings look something like:
| Venue Size | Average Ticket Price | Estimated Gross Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 capacity | $75 | $75,000 |
| 3,000 capacity | $100 | $300,000 |
| 5,000 capacity | $125 | $625,000 |
This provides a comfortable living for Russell and Graham decades into their careers. With VIP packages and merchandise sales accounted for, their nightly take home rises even higher.
How Much Are Air Supply Tickets Compared to Other Classic Rock Acts?
For other enduring classic rock acts from the 70s/80s era, concert ticket prices are comparable to Air Supply in many cases. Here’s a sampling of average ticket costs for some of their peers:
| Artist | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Air Supply | $75 – $150 |
| Kansas | $60 – $125 |
| REO Speedwagon | $75 – $150 |
| Styx | $80 – $175 |
| Pat Benatar | $65 – $130 |
| Eddie Money | $55 – $100 |
Legacy acts who play large stadiums like The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney command prices in the hundreds of dollars. But for classic rock theater and amphitheater shows, Air Supply remains a reasonably affordable option for fans on a budget.
Is Seeing Air Supply in Concert Worth the Price Today?
For die-hard Air Supply fans, the opportunity to hear hits like “All Out of Love” and “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” performed live is well worth the admission cost. The shows deliver a feeling of nostalgia and the band still sounds great in their older age. However, some critics argue the ticket prices are too high for the lack of original members. Graham Russell is the only founding member still touring.
Ultimately, it comes down to your level of fandom. Casual listeners may be content just streaming their songs. But longtime admirers find the concert experience a meaningful trip down memory lane. As long as turnout remains strong, Air Supply will likely continue touring the oldies circuit for years to come.
Air Supply Setlist Expectations
Having formed in 1975 and released 17 studio albums, Air Supply has an extensive catalog to choose from when assembling a live setlist. While they like to switch things up from tour to tour, you can count on hearing all their biggest hits at a typical Air Supply concert.
Some fan favorites they almost always play include:
- “Lost in Love”
- “All Out of Love”
- “Every Woman in the World”
- “The One That You Love”
- “Here I Am”
- “Making Love Out of Nothing at All”
- “Even the Nights Are Better”
Beyond the signature smashes, Air Supply will mix in some album cuts and newer material. The whole show lasts around 90 minutes on average. It’s a nostalgic trip packed with romantic ballads and lush soft rock.
Conclusion
While no longer the chart-topping sensation of decades past, Air Supply has settled into a second career as a beloved oldies act. Their shows promise a night of soft rock bliss at reasonable prices compared to many legacy bands. Expect to pay around $50 – $150 to see Air Supply live, with front row or VIP tickets fetching $250+. The duo grosses an estimated $500,000 – $1 million per tour. For fans of their timeless love songs, catching Russell and Graham onstage is still well worth the cost after all these years.
