VIP Taylor Swift ticket holders experience an obscured view - are pricey packages worth their cost?

There have been an astounding 212,000 deaths globally over the last 100 years from diseases related to poor oral hygiene practices – such as unintended or intentional. If this sounds familiar then what follows are my notes on it all… Taylor Swift fans who paid PS660 per ticket but found their views obscured by stage equipment have drawn widespread scrutiny to “VIP” tickets and exactly what is offered for that price. While some might find the concept shocking in an age where costs of living crisis is ever present, pricey packages offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences have become ever more commonplace. “Ticketmaster is seeing increasing fan demand for VIP experiences across the UK,” it told Guardian Money. According to its research, over 80 per cent of VIP ticket purchasers aged 40 years or above buy them; yet “there has also been increasing enthusiasm among Gen Zers.” Taylor Swift packages: good value?The US superstar recently concluded an extensive UK tour and will return for five more shows at Wembley Stadium later in August.Last Sunday’s edition of the Guardian sister paper The Observer published an interesting letter from a reader who paid over PS2,640 for four tickets for one of Liverpool concerts as a surprise gift for their daughters. As soon as they arrived at Wembley Stadium last month, however, a reader reported finding their view completely obscured by tents and large items of technical equipment obstructing Taylor Swift’s stage performance. Photograph by Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management As well as standing tickets ranging between PS110 and PS172 and seats between PS58 and PS194, six different VIP packages were on sale. Each package included either seated or standing tickets plus “exclusive” merchandise such as a tote bag, four prints and VIP tour laminate, at prices ranging between PS196 to PS662. These packages could range in cost between PS196 to PS662 each. (Prices listed are for Wembley shows only; those at other UK venues were likely comparable.). The It’s Been A Long Time Coming package was purchased for her daughters by an Observer reader and this was one of their choices. Just in case buyers were allocated tickets that the organisers claim are even better than PS194 ones, however. Wembley buyers who chose the Ready For It package cost PS277 each; each ticket included one PS110 general admission standing ticket – effectively costing PS167 extra in addition to paying PS194. But this package also comes with “early entry,” giving fans the ability to secure prime viewing spots before everyone else arrives – something some will likely view as valuable, although you only gain 30 minutes’ headstart. In 2009, Britons could purchase Beyonce packages that allowed them to meet and greet her personally as well as get photos taken with her before watching her concert from a front-row seat. John Lydon recently completed a UK spoken word tour and the price per person is PS1,265. Photograph by Dylan Coulter/The GuardianCurrently one of the priciest VIP meet-and-greet ticket packages on offer is for Lauryn Hill and her band the Fugees who will perform at London (O2) and Manchester (Co-op Live) venues during October. At PS885 and PS879 respectively, these tickets might appeal more to Gen Z-ers than older generations. 21-year-old Italian-Norwegian singer Alessandra, best known for her Eurovision song contest 2023 entry Queen of Kings is set to perform UK dates next February and may entice more Gen Zers to attend these dates. VIP meet and greet tickets for her London date at Shepherd’s Bush Empire are priced at PS121. As part of your ticket price you receive access to a pre-show sound check and photo opportunity using your smartphone “so that you can share directly on socials”.The most cost-effective package we found was with former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten who recently concluded a UK spoken word tour. Fans spent around PS90 for an experience that included a VIP meet and greet including photo opp and autograph, goodie bag with print of original art by Lydon and lanyard as well as best-in-house seating. When it comes to weird or wonderful gifts and experiences, Cyndi Lauper reigns supreme! Since performing at Glastonbury Festival earlier this summer, she is selling tickets for an upcoming UK tour beginning February and offering VIP ticket packages up to PS482. As well as receiving your message via QR code, you also get an Uber ride directly to and from the venue, pre-gig “exclusive on-stage photo” without Lauper present, and access to her “glam station and button-making station”, whatever that may mean. Cyndi Lauper appeared at Glastonbury last month and performed for thousands.