From Selena Gomez to the Monkees: how ‘stars’ are putting a price on VIP experiences

REFORMED 60s band the Monkees have cashed in on the VIP package craze, charging fans $400 to meet them — which doesn’t include a concert ticket.

Monkees magic: would you pay $400 to meet these two 60s pop stars in 2016? Picture: Supplied

CASHED up Baby Boomers can pay $400 to meet half of their 60s heroes the Monkees.

However that doesn’t include an actual ticket to the band’s concert tour, taking place in November and December this year.

It’s the latest in a boom of VIP packages that now put a dollar value on money can’t buy experiences as musicians use touring to try and make up the revenue they now lose in record sales.

Monkees business men and remaining members Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork will only meet 30 fans at each show in Australia, with the VIP package also including access to a soundcheck where they will play “fan favourites and deep cuts” which won’t be in the regular show. Fans can get a photo on their own phone, but get a pre-signed photo card not a personal signature.

Monkees business: Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork are keeping the band’s alive on tour. Pic: Getty/AFP

Less cashed-up fans can pay an extra $99 on top of their tickets (which range from around $90 up to $255) for access to the soundcheck, with no meet and greet.

Noise 11 founder Paul Cashmere said: “The Monkees are an iconic act so it makes sense to at least offer this to fans”.

“Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz have been part of people’s lives for so long,” Cashmere said.

“For some fans paying $400 is not a big deal. It is all supply and demand.

“If the meet and greet is offered and no-one responds they will get the message.

“If it sells, then those fans will happy. No-one is forced to take up the offer.”

Singer Davy Jones died in 2012 and other original member Mike Nesmith seldom tours.

The Monkees tickets go on sale 9am tomorrow.

Jimmy Barnes fans can pay $250 to go to his upcoming Soul Searchin’ tour and also sit in on a soundcheck — when the band run through songs to make sure the audio the venue is correct.

Kiss sold a similar soundcheck experience on their last Australian tour, playing a 30 minute set of acoustic songs and taking fan requests, which also included a quick photo with the band for around $1500.

Selena Gomez is charging $499.90 for the “ultimate” VIP meet and greet package on her August Australian tour. Most of those package have already sold out, with a limited number left now the tour has added new shows.

That includes a ticket to the show, as well as a “photo opportunity with a professional photographer” and a signed photo card, which means fans can’t use their own phones or get a personal autograph.

Selena Gomez will meet you now: for $500 Picture: Getty Images

The no autograph policy and use of a professional photographer is implemented to make the meet and greets as efficient as possible. They usually take place before the artist is due on stage, meaning time is of the essence.

Gomez’s VIP price is nothing compared to fellow grown-up child star Demi Lovato, who charged a whopping $7250 — the most expensive VIP package in Australian history — for a private meet and greet in a backstage dressing room with the purchaser’s name on the door. That four figure package did not include a ticket to the show.

This year kids who grew up in the 90s snapped up all the $209 tickets to get a selfie with novelty hitmakers the Vengaboys on their October/November tour — the band have sold out three Melbourne shows with a fourth and final one close to selling out and will play 10 shows across Australia in a package bill alongside the likes of Tina Cousins, Crystal Waters and DJ Sammy.

80s singers Kim Wilde and Howard Jones are touring Australia together in November, they are doing separate meet and greets which set fans back around $250, which again does not include a ticket to their joint tour.

Those meet and greets see fans allowed to get two of their own personal items signed as well as taking their own photos.

Metal band Slipknot are selling $299 VIP packages which include early entry and a general admission ticket, allowing the first access to stand in the front row.

5 Seconds of Summer have a $299 VIP package which gives fans access to soundcheck as well as a Q & A session after soundcheck, and again a general admission ticket and that crucial early entry to get the best position, but no meet and greet.

Rock superstar Coldplay are charging $550 for their most expensive VIP package, which again has no access to the band but entry to a 90 minute pre-show cocktail function with free food and selected alcohol, one prime seat for the concert and VIP merchandise.

Pop star Shawn Mendes threw in a bonus meet and greet for the first 50 people who paid for tickets to his November tour.

Perth singer Troye Sivan is not charging for meet and greets, but does have a VIP package which includes a ticket to the show, VIP early entry into the venue and a tour poster designed by the singer and other VIP merchandise for $125.

US band The Used have sold out of a limited amount of $160 packages for their November tour, where fans could watch from the side of the stage. Fans can still pay around $107 to meet the band — which again does not include an actual ticket to the concert, but is rather an “add on” to the concert going experience.

Troye Sivan knows fans want entry to his shows. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Kim Wilde will meet fans — for a price. Picture: Chris Scott

Originally published as From Selena Gomez to the Monkees: how ‘stars’ are putting a price on VIP experiences