Jazz and Blues Lounge

Getting Tickets

by balaspa on January 28th, 2008

I recently was writing about how Buddy Guy is performing a bunch of shows at his place, Buddy Guy’s Legends.  I have been championing people going to see these shows.  Buddy, sadly, is not getting any younger and while I have not heard any rumors about his health and he seems happy, hale and hearty, the fact is one can never tell.  He is a legend and I understand, and from what I have seen, his live performances are electrifying and exciting.  This is a guy who loves music and loves to perform.

So, where do you get tickets?  Well, the biggest ticket outlet in the states is still, unfortunately, Ticketmaster.  Now, we all know that Ticketmaster charges way too much money in “service” charges.  I know that, and you know that, but it’s nothing compared to what you will pay if you attempt to go through a ticket-scalper.

Of course, there are these websites where people who have tickets for shows can sell them.  For some reason, this is not considered “scalping” and these websites seem to be growing in popularity.  I have friends who used websites such as Stub Hub and rave about it.

Now, for me, sites like Stub Hub are just too expensive.  I am a writer and I am barely scraping by, so I would rather sit at home and listen to the artist that I want to see live than spend the kind of money you are likely to spend at a website like Stub Hub.  Still, those who have used Stub Hub swear that there’s no place better when it comes to finding tickets for shows that are coming up fast or listed as sold out.

When it comes to getting tickets for the last few remaining Buddy Guy shows in January, a scalper or place like Stub Hub may be the only place you can go.  I also strongly suggest you visit the link at the top of the page and check out Buddy Guy’s website.  Check out the calendar section.  While he is currently scheduled to perform there just through the end of this month, but it is his place and he often pops up there throughout the year.

No matter when you go, however, Buddy Guy’s Legends is a pretty cool blues club to check out and they always have great performances.  I am not sure I was of any help to those of you looking to visit Chicago and check out a show, but I hope it helped somewhat.

POSTED IN: Bands, Buddy Guy, Chicago, blues