Are these criticisms of the Eras tour valid.

In the interests of full disclosure,let me state that I am in no way an expert on Pop star Taylor Swift-I don't really follow her music and I've never been to one of her shows.I do,however,know people who have,and they've expressed the following criticisms of the current "Eras"tour:1) Premium tickets can run for up to several thousand dollars.That is expensive,even for prime tickets for an artist of Swift's stature.2)"VIP" packages for concerts usually include a "meet and greet"with the singer,but Swift's do not.3)Even with such a package,the merchandize included (T-shirts, souvenirs,etc)don't live up to the standard of what you are paying.Are these criticisms valid?

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ArishMell · 70-79, M

I wouldn't know a Taylor Swift song if I fell over it, nor recognise her singing; but I wonder if the "premium" tickets are via shady agencies that buy large numbers of tickets at the normal price, then re-sell them at inflated prices: ticket-touts, in a phrase. To hide their activities they use false on-line purchasing identities so the bulk is broken into tiny fragments: ones, two, or fours, say.

It can be so bad that many genuine fans are priced out and the audience number less than the numbers of tickets sold. I believe there are efforts under way in the UK to put a stop to it, under pressure from performers and their managers, and the venues; but I don't know progress on it.

It needs a complete ban: selling and buying any ticket at above its face value (the advertised door price) for any sports or arts event being illegal.

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If Miss Swift has no supposed "meet and greet" event, I can't say I blame her. I doubt I would either, if I were a big-name artiste: I'd just want to shower, change, have a drink with the rest of the troupe and crew then go to bed! It may depend on the size of the venue but some performers do come out to the foyer after the event. By no means all though, and not in a formal way.

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High price for low-quality souvenirs? That does not surprise me.