It's not as if shows didn't sell out ten years ago. Faith No More 1995 sold out quickly and they announced a second show. Same with 1997. All that has changed is how easy it is to use the net to get tickets.
I've been wondering lately about the frequency of fast multi-show concert sell outs in Melbourne.
Is it an indication of the quality of the acts or an increase in a cashed up concert going population?
The entire Iron Maiden Australian tour sold out in 25 minutues, although they haven't been here for a decade or more. Justin Timberlake is doing four shows in Melbourne, with the first three selling out as fast as they can be announced.
Even Peeping Tom, a fairly obscure act compared to the two above was forced to do a second Melbourne show after selling out in a few days. Mike Patton's bands often do two shows in Melbourne.
Half a decade ago I thought concerts would be few and far between due to the huge increases in ticket prices, but they seem to be going strong.
I'd love to see just who is buying these tickets. Are there more teenagers with a heap of cash? Are they just the same late 20s gen Xers with eclectic tastes that are happy to see Justin Timberlake and Mike Patton in the same year?
Or is it simply that you don't hear about the gigs that don't sell out? Perhaps we just don't have venues big enough to hold enough people?