Aussies shocked at ticket prices for Usher's concert: 'You're not in your prime anymore'
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Australian fans of Usher have taken to social media to complain about the sky-high ticket prices for his upcoming tour Down Under.
The multi-platinum artist, 46, is bringing his globetrotting Past Present Future tour Down Under in December for eight shows - four at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena and four at Qudos Bank Arena In Sydney.
Triggering the outrage was a video shared to TikTok which revealed that Usher's 'Ultimate Meet and Greet VIP Lounge Experience' would set back concertgoers an eye-watering $2792.85.
'That's almost $3000! What the actual eff,' TikTokker Jacinda Chenelle said in her clip.
'For context, I have been with Taylor Swift and hung out with her backstage on multiple tours over the years.
'And do you know how much she charges? Zero dollars. Come on, almost $3,000 Australian. Usher babes you’re not in your prime anymore.'
For Taylor Swift's Australian Eras Tour in 2024, VIP packages ranged from $349.99 to $1249.90, depending on the included benefits and does not include meet and greet opportunities.
However, the pop singer does not usually offer paid meet and greets at her concerts and instead has her team select fans from the crowd to meet her backstage after the show.
More than 100 TikTok users commented on the post, many from disgruntled Usher fans.
'This is absolutely ridiculous but I would very much pay this for Billie Eilish,' complained one person on the thread.
'That's absolutely insane,' said another fan, who added, 'I've been a fan since day one and I wouldn't even pay that to see him.'
'One would think for that price you’d get to spend a night with him,' joked another.
The Ultimate VIP Experience includes one reserved seat ticket, an individual meet and greet, a photo opportunity and an invitation to a 90 minute pre-show VIP lounge.
A welcome cocktail is also included, as well as complimentary beer, wine & soft drink and light canapés.
One fan also complained about the cost of the cheaper tickets for Usher's shows in Australia.
'The prices for the tour in general is absolutely ridiculous, I was going to take my mum but 600+ for two people is absurd,' they said.
Usher's promoters are offering a wide range of tickets, including $530.05 for premium reserve seating and $203.80 for B reserve seating.
Other ticket prices, detailed on the Ticketek website, include a seat for $285.40 or $224.20.
It will be more than a decade since Usher headlined an Australian run, with his last visit back in 2011 on his OMG tour.
He was last in the country back in 2018, performing alongside the likes of Salt-N-Pepa, T-Pain and Naughty By Nature for the RNB Fridays Live tour.
His current tour, which kicked off in the US back in August last year, has seen Usher perform in Europe and the UK.
With the tour currently in full swing, fans can expect a very well oiled machine by the time it hits Australian soil.
Usher has been on top of his performing game of late, with a bravura turn at the Met Gala in New York earlier this month.
The superstar also honed his act in a 100-show Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and Park MGM between 2021 and 2023.
The Past Present Future tour got off to quite the rocky start however, with Usher having to postpone the commencement of the US leg due to injury.
The hitmaker ended up missing a trio of concerts after he hurt his neck preparing for the shows.
Usher will play at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on November 19, 20, 22 and 23, before heading north to Sydney's Qudos bank Arena on December 1, 2 4 and 5.
Tickets for all dates are on sale go on sale Friday May 16.
Eager fans can secure theirs early in an artist presale from Monday 12 May at UsherWorld.com
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