Concert ticket prices are reaching record highs, but savvy bargain-hunters are discovering ways to score incredible deals through last-minute purchases.

Photo Credit: Annie Spratt

While the average ticket price for top tours in North America has nearly doubled to $136.45 over the past decade, bargain-hunters are regularly finding tickets for as low as $2-15 through careful timing and persistence.

These deals typically emerge when ticket brokers need to offload unsold inventory at the last minute. The sweet spot for finding the lowest prices is usually 2-3 days before a show, with another price drop occurring right around showtime.

Key platforms for finding these deals include:

• StubHub
• SeatGeek
• TickPick
• Gametime
• Ticketmaster's resale section

Recent examples of incredible deals:

• Bruce Springsteen tickets for $8 in Philadelphia
• Cyndi Lauper for $9 (normally $148)
• Coldplay for $12
• Santana and Counting Crows for $4 near Seattle
• REO Speedwagon and Train for $2 in Los Angeles

This trend isn't necessarily indicative of poor ticket sales - many of these shows are part of highly successful tours. Instead, it's often the result of brokers overestimating demand and needing to recoup some costs rather than taking a complete loss.

To successfully bargain-hunt concert tickets:

• Be flexible with your schedule
• Be willing to attend last-minute
• Monitor multiple resale platforms regularly
• Accept that you might occasionally miss shows if prices don't drop
• Focus on areas with frequent concerts for more opportunities

This approach particularly benefits those who value the experience of live music over seeing specific artists, as the best deals often require being open to various performers.

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