Tokio Hotel was one of the most popular German rock bands in the 2000s, known for hits like “Monsoon” and “Automatic”. At the height of their fame, Tokio Hotel tickets were highly coveted by fans around the world. But how much did Tokio Hotel tickets cost back in the day? Let’s take a look.
Tokio Hotel’s Rise to Fame
Tokio Hotel first emerged in 2005 with the release of their debut single “Durch den Monsun” (“Through the Monsoon”). The song quickly shot to number 1 on the German charts. Their debut album Schrei was released later that year and also hit number 1 in Germany and Austria, eventually going platinum.
The band consists of identical twin brothers Bill Kaulitz (lead vocals) and Tom Kaulitz (guitar), along with bassist Georg Listing and drummer Gustav Schäfer. With Bill’s distinctive androgynous visual style and vocals, Tokio Hotel stood out in the pop rock scene. Their music fused elements of rock, pop, and electronic music, while still carrying a dark, emotive edge.
Tokio Hotel’s breakthrough came when they signed with Universal Music Group to release English language versions of their songs. The reworked version of “Durch den Monsun,” now called “Monsoon,” quickly rose up the charts in countries like France, Spain, and Italy. The band’s growing legion of fans became known as “Aliens,” and were drawn to Tokio Hotel’s dramatic look and sound.
Demand for Tokio Hotel Tickets Skyrockets
By 2007, Tokio Hotel was becoming an international phenomenon. Their albums were going gold and platinum across Europe. When they released the English version of Schrei as Tokio Hotel: Zimmer 483, it was a hit across Europe, eventually being certified double platinum.
Tokio Hotel fever hit the United States in 2007 when they signed with Cherrytree Records and Interscope Records. Their English singles and videos were a huge success on MTV. The band embarked on an international tour, performing multiple nights in major venues across Europe.
Demand for Tokio Hotel tickets reached incredible heights, with shows consistently selling out in minutes. Fans would camp out overnight to get a chance at good tickets. The band even had to add extra shows in some cities to meet demand. As a result, the secondary market for Tokio Hotel tickets also skyrocketed.
Tokio Hotel Ticket Prices and Resale Value
So exactly how much were Tokio Hotel tickets going for at the peak of Tokiomania? Let’s take a look at some real figures:
- In Germany, tickets for their 2006-2007 tour cost around €30-€50 for indoor arena shows.
- For a December 2007 show at the O2 World in Berlin, tickets were priced from €46 to €66 before fees.
- When they played Wembley Arena in London in March 2008, ticket prices ranged from £35 to £45 before fees.
- Tickets for their first North American tour in 2008 cost around $35-$60 plus fees for venue seating, and around $25 for general admission standing room.
Of course, the massive demand for tickets also drove up resale prices significantly. It wasn’t uncommon to see Tokio Hotel tickets priced at double, triple or even 10 times their face value on secondary sites. Here are some real examples of inflated resale prices:
- Tickets with a face value of £35 were reselling for £200-£300 each for their Wembley Arena show.
- Tickets originally $25-$60 were resold for $200 to even $1000 for shows in the US and Canada.
- In Germany, tickets were resold for €500-€1000 compared to their €46 face value.
Tokio Hotel’s management condemned these inflated secondary prices and tried to curb scalpers to keep tickets affordable for real fans. But given the huge demand, resale prices stayed high.
Why Were Tokio Hotel Tickets So In-Demand?
There are several key reasons why Tokio Hotel tickets were so coveted during the band’s heyday:
- Rapid early success – Tokio Hotel was one of the fastest rising bands in Germany and Europe. Their meteoric success story generated hype.
- Devoted teenage fanbase – The band cultivated an extremely loyal and engaged base of young female fans, dubbed Aliens. These dedicated teens were willing to pay top dollar for tickets.
- Small venues – Even as their fame grew, Tokio Hotel mostly played relatively small clubs and theaters, leading to high demand for limited tickets.
- Dynamic live performances – Tokio Hotel were known for delivering energetic, theatrical shows, making tickets a hot commodity.
- International crossover appeal – The band shrewdly expanded worldwide, tapping into markets across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
- Short-lived peak – Tokio Hotel’s fame peaked around 2007-2009 before fading. Fans wanted to see them at the height of their powers.
This potent combination meant that diehard fans would do almost anything to get tickets during the band’s prime. It created a perfect storm for high ticket prices and sellouts.
Changes After the 2009-2010 Hiatus
In 2009, lead singer Bill Kaulitz suffered a vocal cord injury, forcing Tokio Hotel to abruptly cancel their tour and take a break. Bill and his brother Tom moved to Los Angeles during the hiatus. The band returned in 2010, but things had changed.
While Tokio Hotel remained popular in Europe, especially Germany, they never fully regained their previous feverish fandom. The band’s sound shifted in a more pop direction, evident on their 2011 album Humanoid.
Tokio Hotel began playing larger venues and even arenas on tours, likely in hopes of attracting bigger crowds. But they struggled to sell out many shows. Secondary ticket prices cooled considerably, often falling below face value. From 2010-2014, it was easy for fans to find cheap Tokio Hotel tickets or pay regular price.
Demand rose again when they released their comeback album Dream Machine in 2017 followed by the Melancholic Paradise EP in 2019. Their core European fanbase turned out for these latest tours, resulting in some sold-out shows. However, Tokio Hotel never reached the immense popularity and ticket demand of their 2006-2009 period.
Tokio Hotel Ticket Prices Today
Currently, Tokio Hotel are touring worldwide in support of their new album 2001, playing a mix of club shows and larger venues. Ticket prices for their 2023 shows are reasonable for fans, typically ranging from $30-$90 USD in the United States.
Here are some examples of pricing for their upcoming North American dates:
| City | Venue | Lowest Price | Highest Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | The Belasco Theater | $39 | $99 |
| Chicago, IL | Park West | $35 | $69.50 |
| Toronto, ON | History | $39.50 | $59.50 |
| New York, NY | The Bowery Ballroom | $35 | $55 |
In Germany, tickets for their upcoming arena tour are around €50-€100. While not as crazy as their peak years, some dates have already sold out. The band continues to draw devoted audiences who will pay respectable prices to see them live.
Conclusion
At the height of Tokio Hotel mania in 2007-2009, demand for tickets was extreme. Fans happily paid typical prices of €30-€60 in Europe and $25-$60 in North America just for a chance to see the band live. But resale prices soared to astronomical levels up to 10 times face value due to short supply and huge demand.
The band has never regained that level of popularity. Now over 15 years into their run, Tokio Hotel play larger venues and maintain a loyal fanbase. While their shows still sell well, it is easy for fans to find tickets at regular prices. The days of paying hundreds of dollars or euros for Tokio Hotel tickets are long gone.