Why Buying Advance Tickets Matters (and Not Just for the Discount)
If you've ever produced a concert or festival, you already know this truth: the hardest ticket to sell is the first one. Everyone wants to wait. Everyone wants to “see how the weather looks.” But the longer audiences wait, the harder it is to plan, to budget, and honestly—to breathe.
This post isn’t just a public service announcement (although… it kind of is). It’s a breakdown of why buying tickets early helps everyone, from the artist on stage to the audience in the crowd—and yes, even the person nervously checking ticket counts in a spreadsheet at 2AM.
1. Advance Sales = Better Shows
When tickets move early, everything gets better.
Promoters can scale production.
Artists feel momentum and know they’re walking into a solid crowd.
You can invest in lighting, visuals, special guests—all the good stuff.
On the flip side, weak early sales can lead to painful budget cuts: fewer lights, smaller sound, or worse—event cancellation. Nobody wants that.
2. Early Buys Help Build Hype
Ticket sales aren’t just revenue—they’re momentum.
When a show starts to fill up early, it creates social proof. People start sharing it. Artists promote harder. Media outlets and sponsors take it more seriously.
You want a packed room? It starts with 50 people buying tickets in week one. That’s your launchpad.
3. It Supports Artists Where It Counts
Streaming numbers don’t pay the bills. Live shows do.
Buying your ticket in advance tells the artist:
“I’m showing up. I value what you do. I believe in this night.”
That kind of support? It changes the energy of the show. You’re not just a face in the crowd—you’re part of what made it possible in the first place.
4. Waiting Hurts Everyone—Including You
We get it. Life’s busy. You don’t want to commit until you’re sure you can go. But here’s the thing: waiting puts shows at risk.
Events rely on early revenue to pay deposits, secure gear, and lock in logistics.
Delayed sales cause hesitation, second-guessing, and sometimes—even cancellation.
And worst of all? If it does sell out, you’re stuck scrolling Facebook for someone selling their ticket for double the price.
Buy early. It’s cheaper, less stressful, and more supportive for everyone involved.
5. Advance Buyers Get the Perks
If you’re someone who always waits until the day-of, you’re missing out.
Early birds often get the best price.
You lock in your spot before it sells out.
You get access to updates, contests, VIP perks—and you're part of the inner circle.
Let’s be honest: showing up to a sold-out event with a ticket in hand just feels good.
Let’s Normalize Buying Early
If we want stronger music scenes, more daring lineups, and next-level production—we’ve got to support events before the doors open.
Early ticket sales give producers confidence.
They give artists security.
They give you, the audience, a better night out.
So next time you see a show you’re interested in, don’t sit on it. Grab the ticket. Be the reason it happens.
At HARD PATCH, we work behind the scenes to bring amazing shows to life—but we can’t do it without the support of early believers.
So let’s change the culture. Let’s ADVANCE.
Buy early. Show up. Make it happen.
