Rising prices hit concerts too
Specialists in the music field said a live show still requires a heavy investment, at times of up to VND1 billion (US$62,500) of high standards are still rare.
The costs of lasers and other hi-tech equipment in addition to stage management are raising ticket prices. In the mean time, concerts of late have been losing their lustre.
Soaring costs mean dwindling audiences, so many shows now rely on sponsor support.
Dong A Bank foots part of singer Quang Dung’s live show Chuyen Tinh (Love Story). He has a show at the Hoa Binh Theatre on August 8. Tuan Trinh Productions is partially funding an evening of pieces by Quoc Bao, called Tinh Ca Hong ’08 (Pink Love Songs ’08). A line up of singers performed his songs at the Hoa Binh Theatre last Saturday.
Bao’s concert cost an estimated VND800 million ($50,000). Its manager already trimmed unnecessary investments in the live show to reduce the budget, in particular the singer’s fees.
Both shows were foregoing an MC to cut costs.
It’s becoming more and more difficult to create a spectacle because of rising prices. Pop singer Dam Vinh Hung wants to make a splash with an upcoming solo performance with five special innovations. “The show is not for the old or people with heart disease. There will be no seats, no breaks between songs and no intermission,” said Hung.
Rising ticket prices are partly to blame for shows of late losing their lustre, according to many popular singers. It will be up to their talent to keep audiences coming back for more.
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