Thanks to events such as Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour and the upcoming Oasis reunion, concerts have never been more in-demand. However, as the popularity of live music surges, so do ticket prices.

For example, tickets for The Eras Tour were resold for thousands of dollars above face value, as fans spared no expense for the chance to see their idol perform live. Meanwhile, Oasis fans were recently left furious over 'dynamic pricing', a practice where ticket sites inflate prices based on market demand. Hopefuls queued online for hours to secure tickets for the upcoming gigs, only to find that prices had skyrocketed from $197 (£149) to $470 (£355) at the point of purchase. 

But it's not always been this way. As gig ticket prices soar, read on as we turn back the clock and reveal the cost of some of the world’s most iconic concerts and how much a ticket would have set you back in today's money.

All dollar amounts in US dollars

Before The Beatles became world-famous, they regularly played gigs at Liverpool’s now-iconic Cavern Club (pictured). The band performed at the venue 292 times between 1961 and 1963 before skyrocketing to international stardom. Their final performance at the Cavern took place on 3 August 1963, with tickets costing 9 shillings and 6 pence, equivalent to about $18 (£14) in today's money.

By 1966, 'Beatlemania' was in full swing. That year, the band performed at New York’s Shea Stadium, widely regarded as one of their most iconic gigs. Ticket prices had increased significantly since their Cavern Club days, selling for around $5.75, or approximately $56 (£45) in today’s money.

Bob Dylan’s 1965 performance at the Newport Folk Festival (pictured) was a pivotal moment in his career. By performing with an electric band, Dylan made a dramatic departure from his usual acoustic sets, signalling his shift from folk to rock music. At the time, tickets to the Newport Folk Festival cost $2, which is around $20 (£16) in today’s money.

The price is a serious bargain compared to Dylan’s most recent tour, Rough and Rowdy Ways, which kicked off in 2021. According to British magazine RadioTimes, tickets for the 2024 UK leg of the tour ranged from $99 (£75) to $259 (£196), depending on the seat, venue and location.

The Woodstock Music & Art Fair, which took place between 15 August and 18 August 1969, was full of iconic performances. None was more memorable than Jimi Hendrix’s legendary set (pictured), which closed the festival. Hendrix performed his now-infamous cover of Star-Spangled Banner, as well as classics like Voodoo Child (Slight Return) and Purple Haze. 

Tickets for Woodstock ranged from $6 to $8 per day, or $18 to $24 for the entire three-day event. Adjusted for inflation, that's $52 (£42) to $69 (£55) per day, or $154 (£124) to $206 (£165) for the whole weekend. The price is almost unbelievable considering the festival featured performances by some of the world’s most renowned acts, including The Who, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

After a period in the wilderness, ‘The King of Rock and Roll’ was catapulted back into the public consciousness via the TV one-off that became known as the ’68 Comeback Special. Keen to capitalise on its success, Elvis Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, struck a deal with the International Hotel in Las Vegas for the star to perform a series of concerts there. It became an extended residency lasting several years, with ticket prices initially starting at an expensive for the time $15, around $128 (£103) in today’s money.

The performances also launched the phenomenon of the Las Vegas residency, and to this day some of the world’s biggest stars decamp to the city to perform hundreds of concerts in front of thousands of people. For example, tickets for Barry Manilow’s long-running show at the Westgate (formerly the International Hotel) start from $79 (£64), rising to $230 (£185) for the best seats.

In 1971, Aretha Franklin performed a series of concerts at Fillmore West in San Francisco (pictured). Her setlist included her biggest hits like Respect alongside surprising covers such as The Beatles' Eleanor Rigby. The concerts resulted in her renowned live album, Aretha Live at Fillmore West.

Tickets for these landmark shows were just $3.50, or about $27 (£22) in today’s money – incredible value to experience the Queen of Soul in her prime.

Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon is regarded as one of the most influential albums in rock history. From 1972 to 1973, the band embarked on the Dark Side of the Moon Tour (pictured), performing the iconic album in its entirety. Tickets for the US leg of the tour were priced at $5-$6, or about $35-$42 (£28-£34) in today's money.

Pink Floyd's final tour, The Division Bell Tour, was the band’s first without founding member Roger Waters, who quit in the 1980s. Tickets for the 1994 US leg cost around $35, equivalent to $74 (£59) today, highlighting the band's enduring popularity even without Waters.

On 17 July 1975, Bob Marley and the Wailers performed at London’s Lyceum Theatre as part of the Natty Dread Tour. The concert became a landmark moment in reggae history as it was recorded for Marley's acclaimed live album Live! released later that year.

Tickets for the show cost a modest £1.50, which is approximately $27 (£22) when adjusted for inflation. 

Often cited as ‘the gig that changed the world’, over the years, thousands of people have claimed to have been in attendance to see a snarling Sex Pistols rip through their set at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall. In fact, just 150 people were there, but those who were went on to form bands including Joy Division, New Order, Buzzcocks, The Fall, The Smiths and even Simply Red.

Tickets cost just 50p, the equivalent of around $4 (£3) today. Meanwhile, tickets for the band’s notorious final show with Sid Vicious at the San Francisco Winterland Arena in 1978 (pictured) could be snapped up for $5, or around $24 (£19) in 2025 money.

Prince's Purple Rain Tour (pictured), which ran from November 1984 to March 1985, is considered one of his most influential. During this North American trek, Prince and the Revolution performed bangers like When Doves Cry, Little Red Corvette and, of course, the iconic ballad Purple Rain. Prince's electrifying stage presence throughout the tour solidified his status as a music legend. 

Tickets could be snapped up for around $17.50, equivalent to an affordable $53 (£43) today. 

Bruce Springsteen's 1984-1985 Born in the U.S.A. Tour, supporting his eponymous album, took the world by storm (pictured). The Boss performed 150 shows globally, delivering epic hits like Born in the U.S.A. and Dancing in the Dark. The tour's success helped make the album one of the best-selling ever.

In North America, tickets for this historic tour were priced at $22.50, equivalent to about $68 (£55) today. In stark contrast, tickets for Springsteen's recent tour with The E Street Band have sparked outrage among fans due to exorbitant costs.

Dynamic pricing by Ticketmaster pushed the most sought-after seats from $400 (£321) to $5,000 (£4k). Meanwhile, the average ticket for the US leg of the tour costs $262 (£210), with only 18% priced under $99 (£80). 

In 1985, rising pop star Madonna embarked on her debut world tour, The Virgin Tour (pictured). During this North American trek, Madonna performed hits including Material Girl and Like a Virgin, firmly establishing herself as a live act to be reckoned with thanks to her stage presence and bold outfit choices. Tickets cost around $15, or about $44 (£35) in 2025 money.

Today, seeing the Queen of Pop perform live comes at a much higher price. Her most recent tour, the 2023-2024 Celebration Tour, saw ticket prices start under $100 (£80), though they soon soared. By the final dates, the cheapest seats cost $245 (£197), with VIP packages ranging from $475 (£381) to a staggering $1,750 (£1.4k). 

Metallica's Wherever We May Roam Tour (also known as the Black Album Tour) is one of the most infamous in rock/metal history. The global trek, which ran from 1991-1992, featured electrifying live performances of major hits like Enter Sandman and Nothing Else Matters. Tickets set metalheads back around $22.50, equivalent to about $50 (£40) today.

On the band's recent M72 World Tour, the cheapest tickets were available for a bargain $20 (£16), but VIP spots come at a premium, fetching up to $480 (£385).

Nirvana released three studio albums before the untimely death of frontman Kurt Cobain: Bleach (1989), Nevermind (1991), and In Utero (1993). While the band toured in support of each album, the 1991-1992 Nevermind Tour is arguably the most iconic, as it featured some of the band's biggest hits, including Smells Like Teen Spirit, Lithium and Come as You Are.

General admission tickets for the tour were priced at an accessible $19.50, or about $45 (£36) today. Cobain famously expressed his disbelief in a 1993 interview about artists like Madonna charging over $50 for a ticket. “There are people that charge that much? Who charges that?” said a stunned Cobain. 

The upcoming Oasis reunion isn't the first time the Britpop band has sparked overwhelming demand for tickets. Back in 1996, over two and a half million fans registered for tickets to their Knebworth Park shows (pictured). The 250,000 available tickets sold out within 24 hours. Astonishingly, tickets then cost just £22.50 (equivalent to $74/£59 today).

For the reunion tour, prices have skyrocketed, starting at $90 (£73) and reaching $630 (£506) for premium packages. However, Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing has further increased prices, with some tickets rising by as much as $250 (£200) over the advertised value due to demand.

The controversial dynamic pricing model has sparked hundreds of complaints to the UK's Advertising Standards Authority and prompted the European Commission to launch an investigation into the practice.

Radiohead's 1997-1998 OK Computer Tour (pictured) cemented the band's status as one of the biggest rock acts of the 1990s. The iconic setlist featured tracks like Paranoid Android and Karma Police, with the shows renowned for groundbreaking stage design and futuristic themes. 

A general admission ticket for a gig located in NYC cost $19.50, or an accessible $38 (£30) in 2025 money.

After departing Destiny's Child, breakout star Beyoncé embarked on her first solo tour, 2003's Dangerously in Love Tour. Already a huge star thanks to the group's success, tickets were priced at around $74.50, or $127 (£102) in today's money.

Queen Bey's most recent tour was 2023's Renaissance Tour. In the UK, the cheapest tickets were a reasonable $62 (£50), with VIP packages costing $212 (£170). However, due to overwhelming demand, resale tickets skyrocketed in price, often selling for thousands above face value.

U2 has embarked on numerous juggernaut global tours, but their most iconic and highest-grossing remains the 2009-2011 360° Tour (pictured), which earned over $1 billion (£800m) when adjusted for inflation.

For the US leg, the cheapest tickets started at just $30 ($44/£35 today), which is a total bargain to witness one of the world’s greatest bands live. Fans seeking a more VIP experience paid up to $250, or $367 (£295) today – a competitive price compared to modern-day premium tickets, which can often sell for thousands.