Breaking Down the Dead and Co at The Sphere | How Much Money Does It Earn?
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- Опубліковано 7 чер 2024
- Join me in exploring the economics behind a TIER 1 FAMOUS ROCK BAND, Dead & Company, during their Vegas residency at The Sphere. How much are they really making? Let's crunch the numbers. Breaking Down the Dead and Co at The Sphere | How Much Money Does It Earn?
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The Sphere, a renowned venue in Vegas, hosted Dead & Company, featuring members of the Grateful Dead and John Mayer. Tickets were pricey, raising questions about the band's earnings.
Tier 1 bands like Dead & Co can demand full ticket prices and a share of other revenues, often paid upfront by promoters like LiveNation.
Using napkin math, let's estimate: an average ticket price of $270 × 17,600 seats × 24 shows = $114 million. Add merch and concessions, totaling $16.8 million.
After accounting for expenses (band salaries, crew, jets), they're still taking home an impressive sum.
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Description for ranking: In 2024, the legendary Dead & Company, featuring members of the iconic Grateful Dead alongside the virtuoso John Mayer, are performing at the Las Vegas residency at The Sphere. This collaboration between original members like Bob Weir and Mickey Hart created an unparalleled fusion of talent, drawing fans worldwide to witness Dead & Company live. As the curtains raise at the Sphere, there's one question - about the band's financial prowess - how much money does Dead and Company make? Diving into the economics of concerts, one can decipher the intricate dynamics behind Tier 1 acts like Dead & Co. With their ability to demand full ticket prices and a share of other revenues, the Dead & Company Sphere residency became a lucrative venture, magnifying their earnings through merchandise sales and concessions.
Videos capturing the magic of Dead & Company's performances echoe across the internet, further amplifying their reach and influence. From insightful business breakdowns to captivating live recordings, Dead and Company videos became a testament to their enduring legacy in the music industry. As enthusiasts eagerly awaited Dead & Co's 2024 tour dates, the spectacle of their Vegas residency offered a glimpse into the monumental success of Dead & Company, solidifying their status as pioneers in rock music. In the heart of Las Vegas, amidst the glitz and glamour, Dead & Company's residency at The Sphere epitomized not just a concert, but a cultural phenomenon.
Video Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:24 Dead & Co at the Sphere Overview
02:07 Economics Behind the Ticket Prices
03:00 How Much Money Are They Making?
04:07 Platinum Tickets Explanation
05:04 Revenue Breakdown
08:14 Expenses Breakdown
09:25 Take-Home Pay - Розваги
Enjoy watching these business breakdowns? Check out the (other) best business I've ever seen: ua-cam.com/video/i3Ye4pSat0Y/v-deo.html
Bill Kruetzman hasn’t been with the band since 2022
Wrong dude
He left the band before the 23 tour and is not making ANY money off this residency.
Came here to say just that!
"Was and Forever Will be one of the Grateful Dead"
lotta incorrect info there bud. First of Billy isnt there anymore and tickets can be had for about 100 bucks
Good catch on Bill. I'm stoked that the prices have come down since we made the video.
@@Michael-Girdley, I would argue the talent issues also. Oteil is arguably the best bass player on the planet. He would be missed. Mayer is a great guitarist, but there;s dozens that are as good or better. Jeff is world class as well.
Ticket prices are coming down on resales, but not the face value
What a. Idiot
@@bsmitty3976ticketbastard prices
what is the point of answering a phone call in the middle of a podcast? Put it on pause.
Well, when you consider that when The Dead played their first ever show in 1965, at Magoo's Pizza, they each got $5 and a slice and a coke. You've come a long way, baby...
I wish I got paid in pizza.
🍕🍕🍕
Funny I got my tickets for under $200
Great that the tickets came down since the video was made!
You got robbed
you're also basing your number on resale prices. The band doesn't profit on resale. Only initial sale. Those prices are listed on the cover of Dead and Company's webpage. Most expensive ticket is 400 bucks
No he didn't. He was basing it on the face value of the tickets.
Exactly what I said... A $$ GRAB!! and U forgot THIS is a Corporate Vegas Scham!! 🤠
I’m super happy as a long time Deadhead. I have toured both Dead with Jerry and Dead and company. LOVE both. No complaints here. I’m not rich either. Maxine from Ontario, Canada ✌️
I've followed you on Twitter for a while. I knew you liked bikes. I had no idea you like the dead too, right on man. I know that the Dead benefits ticket price-wise from LOTS of their fans being well of age to have seen Jerry live. let's be honest you aren't exactly young if you saw the dead even in the 90s and the boomers have lots of money.
Its also worth pointing out that the Grateful Dead played 2,300 shows before this. (Not counting side projects since 1995) They weren't paid anything like that for them. They had managers who stole, venues that stiffed them, and every other problem musicians frequently have. They were pretty broke for much longer than you'd of been comfortable with.
The Grateful Dead also had a fairly high mortality rate. Three of their keyboard players didn't live to see 40. So while it might be getting paid more than NBA guys now they built it for over 50 years first and lived to keep doing it.
Right on. Still a lot of cash Which pisses me off that bob took the soundboards off the internet all those years ago
Only Pigpen and Mydland died while still in the band.
this legalized scalping by Ticketmaster & Live Nation, and whoever else gets their foot in the door before the fans, must stop ! How can Dead & Co look their audience in the face after agreeing to 1. overcharge them 2. let a corrupt organization bone them without providing ANYTHING of value. These concerts should be boycotted, it's been going on far too long and concerts these days absolutely suck. If Jerry was resurrected then tix might be a bargain at $100. It's shocking to find out that they're making face value +. No artist is worth $1M a freaking night to play. When promoters are running band reunions then you know the show is about $$, and not music.
You forgot to factor in the GA tickets which are in addition to the 17,600 reserved seats. Apparently there are another 3000+ GA admissions.
I paid $12.50 for my first Grateful Dead Concert at the Boston Music Hall in 1978..And all thru the 80s tickets were cheap or reasonable...Seems to be a big money grab now.
that's $60 in today's purchasing power. Before last tour, you could get a lawn ticket to many shows for $60. Not trying to start an argument but just providing some facts. Obviously the Sphere is much higher but this is a new state of the art facility.
Billy hasn’t been in the band in a minute. Quite a fan you are 😂. You’re missing the venue’s cut too. The Sphere is not hosting these pro bono
Yeah good catch on Bill. Worth digging into the economics of these big headline shows. They have so much power.
My guess is that the venue is getting all the money from merchandise and concessions. At most likely $30.00 a T-shirt and $7.00 for a soft drink that's a nice sum.
In his defense he said he was a fan of the Grateful Dead…not the Dead & Co. but Taylor Swift…wtf…must have been crushed when realizing a Taylor Swift ‘Workingmans Dead’ was an April Fools joke 😂
This is a good video, breaking down the business side of the music industry is fascinating to me & a LOT of others. I'm surprised that some of the later dates tickets are pretty cheap!
Enjoyed your UA-cam on Rock Star revenues, insane. I guess it's time for them to cash in. A follow up would be great on how much the Producers, Live Nation/Ticket Master (monopolies) are making.
Thanks!
Eh, most nights right now on Ticketmaster half sold and going for $170.
Glad to see Ticketmaster getting their due!
@Michael-Girdley Does that really matter to TM though? Undersold kind of hurts everyone involved, band as well doesn't it? TM is probably the least bothered by that in the end. They have a million other shows to promote and sell tickets for.
When i researched this, platinum tickets mean tm bight the tickets themselves and marked them up, like a scalper. so if they don’t sell them, they take a loss.
@@girdleymichaelSure I can see what you mean there and yeah, screw them for that. That said, how many of those tickets exist I wonder and if it really matters to them. I am not a hater at all but Dead and Co looks to have been overbooked for this by a lot at the moment. Which is kind of bad mostly for the Sphere itself really.
We paid about $1000 for 3 tickets per show. We are watching 2 shows. One show we are up close in the middle and one show we are half way up in the middle. We wanted two different experiences so thats why we have different seat areas.
That’s insane
I believe that Dead and Company is actually owned by John Mayer and his manager, Irving Azoff. The rest of the band is on a salary, Most likely a very good one, but the top money is going to John Mayer and Irving Azoff. This arrangement is the reason Phil Lesh backed out, and also made it possible to send Billy on his merry way.
no shit? id like to find out more about this
Billy got out and didnt want to sell out like Bobby..Phil was the smart one that called it quits after tbe fare the well tour like they all were suppose to. Fare thee well unless the money talks i guess.
The bands dynamics are so fascinating. Goes to show how money talks!
Imagine thinking anyone can just replace Oteil and Jeff
Imagine Pigpen being replaced, imagine Keith Godchaux being replaced, and imagine Brent Mydland being replaced. Imagine all the people. They are great, but they are replacements.
Imagine Phil Lesh , arguably the best bass player of all time, being replaced. Imagine people paying close to $1,000 to see the grateful Dead without Jerry Garcia. It's more about the experience than the music nowadays.
@@ohhansel all for people getting to see a fraction of what I did in the past, but their was a past that was far superior.
You conveniently forgot Jerry@@vapor9699
I think Phil could easily replace Otiel
for the record.. every seat is good there.. just seen phish and it was mind blowing lol.. definitely go if you can swing it
When i have a spare chunk of cash i will!
I miss Jerry
THANK YOU!
Nice breakdown 🤙
Glad you liked it!
I just got 2 tickets for $365 level 406 so it isn't that bad. Yes they go much higher.
I was in 406 for Phish and felt like I was in the best seat in the house. You'll love it up there. The only venue where farther away is better.
It’s great the prices have come down since we did the video!
Your numbers are wrong. They may or may not get money from beer sales etc , that depends on the contract.
Yeah, I'm pretty clear I have no direct knowledge of the contract. Just made assumptions after speaking to an industry insider on how it all works.
I wish you would have gone into the tax aspect of expense as that's going to be the big one. I have always been curious as to how they avoid the massive tax hit us mere mortals have to face.
Lots of ways to generate tax losses without costing yourself money. Real Estate is commonly a path to do that.
Watching 👀 any Dead show in the sphere on psychedelics is priceless 💯 Think about all the shows us Heads went to with the old school light show. This is another level. If we had the Sphere back in the 80s & 90s when everyone had access to Owsley the experience would've been legendary!
Man no joke…a sound system that incorporates 167,000 speakers…and a 160,000 sf 16K resolution LED screen…😂😂😂 Just pop ‘The Grateful Dead Movie’ in and let it play….i would pay $500 to experience that before I dropped $50 on a Dead & Co. show…
No one had access to acid made by Owsley in the 80's and 90's, because he stopped mixing up his medicine in the early 70's.
Who called you?
This dude is a clown
I saw the "Grateful Dead" when Jerry was still alive. Since he passed, it ain't the same. Also not the same without Bill Kreutzman. I think I paid about $25 for my ticket the last time I saw them.
A healthy Mayer is better than a sick Jerry.
Good luck getting tickets after this weekend…
The videos look amazing.
definitely not a 25pct each split . but its a remarkable thing nonetheless.
If they don't have Jeff and oteil it wouldn't be the same. People would be bummed not having them on vocals. Hopefully Jay lane comes and let's bill have a break!!!
Definitely different.
Jeff’s voice is terrible
@@justing42 awww be nice
I wonder who does the graphics for the Sphere and how many people are on the payroll for that? Overall I would think that your estimates are probably twice of what these guys are bringing in
Still good right?
Correct. There’s all sorts of unaccounted for expenses in this analysis. Dead and coins not going to pocket much from merch or concessions, the venue and promoters need their cuts. The average ticket price is also far too high. Also, no musician in dead and co is making 1 million for 18 shows, that would be highway robbery. It’s not even pay like Grateful Dead, but it’s not that uneven either.
When U2 played there it was reported they made 4 million a show, Also the Sphere charges what ever their they charge, so your estimate is way off...
I don't think you know how Ticketmaster works. 'Official Platinum' are the bullshit scaling priced tickets that 'adjust with market value'. These usually account for about 10% of tickets and are always the last tickets available because they are always more expensive. They didn't sell 18k tickets for $700 each... Actual tickets for these shows were about $180 or so.
I know because I was there.
Dude you missed the boat, the Dead were it, and then you would know who is killing it now on guitar. Jerry is irreplaceable, but there are guitarist who bring it naturally, not having to work quite so hard to bring it home sort a.
Missing a huge expense, the cost of renting the actual venue each night. The cost to rent basketball/hockey arenas in primary cities can cost over a million for just one night. So considering this is a one of a kind venue in Las Vegas I wouldn't be surprised it costs much more than one million per show.
Yeah, my research was that lots of times these venues like this one are tied into the ticketing companies, meaning the venue is often a loss leader. Even so, if they paid for the stadium, they're doing super well.
How loud was it? I have hearing issues and can't handle loudness.
I haven’t made it but am rethinking my decision!
Goooooo!!!! it was the best experience of my life and I didn’t even know anything about the band I seriously only went because it’s my brothers favorite band and this was seriously one of the best nights of my life!!!!!
You have no idea what this venue is. Do a little basic research or better yet visit the venue.The best seats in the house are up top sections 403-407.The lower bowl seats you have to crane your neck to appreciate the spectacular graphics.
That's why I don't go to concerts. Last time I was at a concert was in the 80s.
When Jerry was alive you could see show for 50$that was long time ago tho
Nice work... 2 things. 1 - Kreutzmann's not on the bill this tour (replaced by Jay Lane, of Primus and RatDog). Also Jeff and Oteil definitely do need to be on the tour - Jeff has played with every post-Dead incarnation these past 30 years, and Oteil's been in D&C for a decade. Finally, if tradition stands, all of them get paid the same (at least in the GD that was the case)
Yup good catch on Bill.
According to Fare Thee Well- they do not get paid the same. Contractually, they may not even all be in the band. For example, again, according to the book, a lot of friction happened during further and other incarnations when Bill and Mickey were to be paid less as musicians and not band members. Apparently, Phil and Jill had something to do with that.
There was a lot of talk about the shares last year when Billy bailed out. Because he’s still a full member, I think he’s due money anytime they play as Dead and Company. There was also a lot of conversation about Jay, Oteil and Jeff who are not official band members. So they probably don’t get full shares. It’s pretty interesting and I don’t have the answers, but it came up around the time of the announcement that Billy wasn’t joining the final tour.
Love the inaccuracies in post & comments
@@photoslumI believe this is factual…IMO all acts post Jerry…Phil should have gotten 40% and the rest sprinkled amongst everyone else😊
Thank you for covering this, we saw the opening show and left wondered how much money they would make. Your video nailed it. It was an amazing show btw.
awesome
How did you see the opening show when it isn’t until May 24🙄🤣😂😅 and Clueless Michael-Girdley replies “awesome”🙄🤣😂😅
125 million versus 5 dollar hit of LSD really
Custy . $1.00 only thing with out inflation .since Woodstock.
TONS of cheap tickets leading up to each show on Cash or Trade and Vivid.
A Taylor Swift fan... Makes sense
She’s great too!
Uh people know who otiel and Jeff are dood.
Chemintis been on keys longer than any member of The Grateful Dead keyboardist. Been playing with bobby since the early 1990s along with new drummer Jay Lane. You're info is very ignorant.
Mayer owns 50% of Dead and Company the other 50% is split 3 ways Weir, Hart, Kreutsman... Jeff and Oteil are employees. ijs
Interesting. Where was that reported?
Your either in the Dead or not it doesn't matter what they make its the music if you can figure all that out you yourself should be bankin, dont ruin a good time ARE YOU KIND
Selling the same set list over and over… music is dead
Last chance to see anything even close to the real Grateful Dead, but it is not even close. Nostalgic
Indeed. All we have now are the recordings of those days.
Well, there’s a lot Michael is verifiably wrong about - so I’m not sure anyone should buy this analysis.
He clearly doesn’t understand what the Sphere is -- or the cost of content creation and production staffing that is required to operate it as the 22nd century venue/experience. The Sphere can not be described. Its an original a phenomena as early cinema -- I'm sure people at in the early 20th century had difficulty describing that too.
He counts Kreutzman in the band who has been gone for over a year -- and J-Lo cancelled her tour due to poor tickets sales.
People don’t smoke pot anymore. They do edibles and other drugs. Not much smoking in site.
No hotdogs at the Sphere....great pizza though. I don't know of any artists getting food/drink concessions at venues.
In my experience-- the bar is sacred -- only the venue operator gets that income.
He mislabels what are considered good seats at the Sphere. You want to sit in the 300's and 200's -- you want to see the ''sky'' above.
Ticket prices dropped a lot from the initial on-sale date.
He has radically underestimated the expenses the band have lawyers, accountants, managers, agents, personal assistants, rehearsals, engineers, sound designers, lighting directors....and over 6 hours of original content created for this venue that the band cant use in other venues.
His diss of Jeff and Oteil prove he’s got no musical ear. Both have added so much the sounds and direction of this band.
Finally he’s an adult Taylor Swift fan - so it's likely he's a total dipshit. Or he just had bad taste.
I think he’s misinformed or make poor assumptions about the deal.
However considering it is crucial that MSG/Sphere get people talking about 'the Sphere experience' in its first months, and considering there are only a few artists that could fill this venue as a residency-- it is possible they cut this kind of deal. But I doubt it.
Dead & Co. at the Sphere -- no matter what the deal was -- was one of the single greatest live events we've ever attended. The perfect marriage of art, myth and technology. GO EXPERIENCE IT.
I’m excited to go visit. Have you broken down your understanding of the economics in a video? Would love to see what all I got wrong.
❤ The Dead
ayy they gotta pay off that venue some how quick
even in inflation economies
the secret owners of MSG and the Sphere are smart tho
They may not be making much on the tickets, but I'm sure they're making money other ways.
Really sorry you never got to see the Grateful Dead
Yeah, one of life's regrets.
Billy isn’t playing boss 😊
Yes you’re right.
I think the spears will be taking a cut because they need upkeep
Britney and family?
Not even close sir, it takes a musician a life time to get this established, and ur numbers aren’t even hitting the biggest important cash cows which is the Venetian casino let alone parking expense, and with out the bass player the band wouldnt even be able to rehearse. But its neat that ur a business geek and appreciate the concert industry, looking forward to the doj busting up live nation and others-
Don't you let that deal go down a no no....
I got Tix for $183 for opening night dude
Awesome. It's good to see the prices have come down!
I got mine for $300 for 4th of july now a $2000 sale ez lol
crazy
Well Bill is not playing. Come on. lol
As dozens have stated
While interesting, your math is a bit fuzzy. In the beginning you state that the promoters offer the band 100% of the face ticket value, and the promoters will make their money off merchandise, concessions, and other venue related revenue. But in your final figures, you give ALL revenue to the band, and nothing for the venue or promoters. No doubt DeadCo is making serious cash, but The Sphere and Live Nation are not charities.
Bob especially is one of the hardest working people in the world of rock. He was grinding out and killing it for Ratdog for as few as 900 people. Miss me with any talk about how they should not get paid. Lazy take.
Oh I think they should get paid. Decades of work to get to where they are today. Inspiring grind!
I appreciate the idea of breaking this down but there’s too many assumptions and inaccuracies to take the final numbers seriously here.
I don’t think you should use JLo as an example because she’s been having issues with ticket sales.
Yeah, for sure. Her tour just got canceled!
Four people?
well the key members of the band yeah!
@@Michael-Girdley at this point in time they are KEY members of the band Dead & Company……Grateful Dead was almost 20 years ago….
@@trappedindc8678try 30
Sorry dude but the band does not dictate ticket pricing nor do they get 100% of face value of a ticket and Ticketmaster is a complete rip-off. Bill kreitzman is probably not getting anything from these shows since he has not played with them since 2022.
wiat. Why do we care about this? So start a band. Got in for less than 200. There are tickets to be had Expensive and stupid yes but its not me making it soooo..... Good for them.
Lol, you enjoy the band you’re seeing, the sphere will 1000% enhance that experience…Well worth it for a “true” fan, unlike this guy..
Lost me at "touch grey came out way after Jerry was gone" just clueless.
Did I say that about Touch of Grey? First, I love that song. Second, Jerry was clearly around for that song. So dunno!
Tickets have come down a lot you can probably get in for under a hundred
Yeah that has me rethinking going!
I wouldn't go if it was FREE
Why not?!
I got in free 3 times in the last week
How's that?
Not to mention with it being at one venue continuously theyre not paying for all the logistics involved in moving everything from city to city.
And thus sold out
Big benefit, indeed!
Saying JLO sells out? You shouldn't have even attempted this let alone mentioning billy's still playing with them. Then you just blew your gig by saying rich hippies. No ticket for you. next
It is rich hippies. How many lot kids you see on there?
Jerry died with $550,000 in his w ill.
He definitely lived life, eh?
U2 nd all these guys ? lol, 2 others
$700 to see a mediocre Grateful Dead cover band…I find that hard to believe…
I've been a Dead Head since 1980 and have had no desire to see Weir,Hart, and Kruetzman in a tribute band to themselves.
Sure Oteil and Chimenti probably get paid less but “if they were replaced nobody would notice”.. straight up nonsense.
And also, you said the band gets 100% of tickets because the venue/promoters get profit from concessions and merch... then you go on to give the band 100% of concession and merch. It just seems these numbers are coming out of nowhere
Yeah I interviewed an insider. The venue makes their money other ways.
I would notice
I saw them once and they were NOT even remotely good as the Grateful Dead.......Overpriced, overhyped, overvalued....
I’m sure your other money videos are good but this one truly sucks. Why am I seeing this
Haha sorry to disappoint.
Dude you need more research before you opine, lots of errors in your info
Definitely make your own video if you have better data! (I know the Bill error in mine!)
Yeah. Let’s start with cover band? Dude is a fool.
So.. tickets are not $700.. every seat is good.. and your “research” is embarrassingly false. Great vid 🙄
Agreed. It’s interesting how the prices have come down since we recorded this.
@@Michael-Girdley Ahh.. well that makes much more sense! 😅 I was so confused because I thought this was just made in the last couple days! 👍🏼
It’s not that much. And is it $700 or $900 ? hmmmm
Prices came down since launch.
Also you can't smoke in the Sphere...
Not entirely true. I was there last night and smoke was everywhere.
@@ianandkimmaness4465 Thanks my bad, I saw U2 there and nobody smoked...
Idk man you lost me when you started saying the bassist and keyboard player don’t matter
They're talented but there are plenty of people that can do what they do (IMHO).
@@Michael-Girdley Those two are there for a reason they were chosen to be in that band for a purpose. There are a lot of people who play the bass guitar but not one of them is the same
Kreutzman is not a member of the band dude.
Correct.
Like a bout 10 people already said
Original member Bill Kreutzman said a BIG "N-O" to this trained seal circus act cover band.
He was part of it for like 6 years …and it isn’t a cover band if original members are in it
@@justing42 I beg to differ. Have you ever written a song 50 years ago and still attempted to replay it year after year after year. Its a tired, unoriginal way to live. Not much risk, not much integrity.
@@justing42 Phil Lesh opted out too? Do you remember the Prankster bus was called FURTHUR?
Bill isnt w them
No kidding? So the other 20 people that already said that are right?
On behalf of the band and management you have absolutely no idea what you are speaking of here. From band members names and lineup for the event to this supposed payout you speak of. It’s embarrassing that you would present yourself in this light in order to make money off clicks. Hopefully the real fans of the band understand how off you are in knowledge of anything Grateful Dead or Dead and Co.
Get your facts straight before you post bro
If you've got a better video, would love to watch it!
Who are you ? Awful segment.
Bobby can't sing or play anymore.
It's horrible to watch.
Let Oteil or John sing more.
Bobby has turned into a disgrace
Well, old people are going to be old, so I give them respect for their situation.
They had toured with many incarnations after jerry through john. A doy
Terrible segment.
Lame research