What People Don't Understand

"What people don't understand is that in the case of concert promotion, more competition means higher ticket prices."

A promoter, who did not want to be identified, explained the reverse economics of the concert promotion business. He said that when a concert tour announces it is heading out on the road, the agent takes bids from concert promoters around the country. The more promoters per city, the hotter the bidding process becomes, resulting in a higher guarantee for the artist. That higher talent fee is passed on to the consumer in the form of higher ticket prices.

That economic law may have become a reality in San Diego with the higher profile of local concert promoters. Last month Viejas Entertainment hired away House of Blues talent buyer John Wojas, who is now bidding against his former employer to bring concerts to the Sports Arena and other local venues. Soma's Len Paul has also started booking the Sports Arena for next year's "Taste of Chaos" tour.

Meanwhile, Sports Arena general manager Ernie Hahn said the new agreement involving Viejas Entertainment and the Sports Arena will bring more live concerts to the Sports Arena. He said Duran Duran was going to go to SDSU's Cox Arena but will now play the Sports Arena in February.

Taste of Chaos, featuring the Used, Kill Switch Engage, My Chemical Romance, Senses Fail, and Under Oath, appears April 1 at the San Diego Sports Arena. Tickets are $25.