As the spring 2023 semester rears to an end, music festivals and concerts are at the top of the conversation for Bison this summer.

With COVID-19 restrictions being lifted – arguably vanished – within the last two years, musicians have had the opportunity to host back-to-normal music events possible

Beginning May 9 with Lizzo’s ‘Special Tour ', several artists will be taking their newly released music across the world including Beyoncé, Drake, 21 Savage, Blink-182, Sam Smith, and more. Accompanying the seasonal tours are annual music celebrations like Coachella, Dreamville Festival, and Broccoli City Festival, affairs ranging from early April to mid-July. 

Despite most of these festivities being months away, students have already begun to secure tickets and anticipate what summer has in store. 

“I am a really, really big Beyoncé fan. So, my expectations going in are kind of super high because I've seen clips from other concerts – and of course, I've seen ‘Homecoming’ on Netflix –, and I just know her creativity,” said sophomore musical theater major, Rayven Willams. “Her mind is like pure genius, so I already know she's gonna pull out all the stops for the Renaissance tour.”

A North Carolina native, Williams is set to attend the Renaissance World Tour on Aug. 9 in Charlotte. This being her first concert, she anticipates a night of community, excitement, and a little bit of mystery due to the lack of precedence. Nevertheless, the thought of passionately singing amongst a swarm of the Beyhive is enough fuel to surpass any first-time jitters. 

“I already know this is going to be a really huge concert because this is probably one of her biggest albums ever, other than her self-titled album and “Lemonade”... [just] being around a bunch of people who are just as excited as I am about a specific artist,” said Williams. “Sometimes you listen to music and not everybody in the car or around you knows the lyrics. But you know everybody at this concert is about to know these lyrics and have the greatest time alongside you, and you probably don't even know the majority of them.”

Graduating senior LeAnne Roberts let it be known that purchasing her ticket for the Renaissance World Tour was a no-brainer. Much like Williams, Roberts voiced her loyalty to Beyonce as the basis behind the need-to-see performance. Simply put: she is expecting the “works” and a lot of never before seen antics and visuals. 

While fans and social media adapt to a post-pandemic lifestyle, many take note of the repercussions seen in the price market, especially where the entertainment industry is concerned. According to Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of TicketMaster, ticket price sales were up 37% in the third quarter of 2022; while concert sales for 2023 are projected to double those numbers. Expensive ticket prices have been a hot topic with the announcement of Renaissance and Drake and 21 Savage’s joint ‘It’s All a Blur Tour.’ Following the presale, Beyoncé tickets were reportedly selling for up to $4,000. Meanwhile, controversy surrounding the sale prices for Drake and 21 Savage’s show(s) has resulted in a class action lawsuit against the entertainment company. 

For college students, ticket rates are a considerable factor in the decision-making process. 

“I can't afford to go to every single tour – if I could, I would; I would love to see Drake and 21 – but these prices are absolutely, at this point, predatory. And it just kind of reinforces the fact that as a senior who's leaving Howard, now I'm going to be entering a landscape that's really expensive and a lot of people can't afford,” said Roberts. “So it's kind of disheartening because it shows a bigger picture, it's a bigger message. 

“I don't think that the reality of our economic crisis has hit, or maybe it has and they're trying to take everybody's money before the recession really starts. But there is a huge gap between what people can afford and what the prices are, and that is a real problem.”

For junior sociology major Hope Gardner, who is attending the ‘It’s All a Blur Tour’ concert in July, the best method was to divide and conquer through the market. Following a well-strategized scheme that included two different presale links, multiple friends, and reliable Wifi, Gardner secured her seat by any means necessary. 

“I would suggest having your money ready and to go in with friends, so that you’re not the only one looking,” said Gardner. “It was really important for me to get tickets because I’ve been a huge Drake fan since [probably] the seventh grade. He’s been my top listened-to artist for nine years and he hardly ever tours. So I wanted to grab tickets while I had the opportunity.” 

Roberts attested to the importance of prioritizing once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

“I've definitely had a rough last four years; there are some things that I wish I did better at Howard, but I think this album and the vibes are just like, ‘You can't live in the past for too long,’” said Roberts. “It's a transition that's going to be fun this summer, like transitioning out of childhood into real adulthood. It is just a concert that I'm really ready to see, but it definitely aligns with so many things that are happening in my life for sure.”

Economics and artist preference aside, all parties agree that this summer of musical madness could not have come at a better time. Whether it’s paying homage to the last four years like Roberts or casually enjoying money well spent after a long semester like Willams, it serves as a transitional moment to be remembered.
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