I understand the $346 part, but the expensive cheap seats are bullshit. Although I have to wonder, is that actually that expensive by Boston standards?
I would hope that with everybody adopting the VIP package model that the non-VIP seats would remain affordable. Down here they've mostly stayed reasonable (for cheapos, at least). Good seats for the Clockwork Angels tour were about $250, but our seats ran $43. While I certainly prefer the good ole days when every seat in the house was $14, I've done pretty well with the the new model.
As for why, I suspect that as they've changed business models, first from 1 price for all seats to tiered pricing, and then to the current VIP system, they've come to realize that the market will support more than they'd been asking. What the scalpers have been arguing all along is that the face for a ticket was severely undervalued. Sucks, but appears to be true. Add to that the changing business model of the music industry. Artists are relying on tours to make their money. Stands to reason that they might want a little more. Corporate sponsorship certainly doesn't help from our POV. Lastly, because of the number of seats that get held back for various fucktards, contest winners and AMEX cardmembers, the supply of seats is considerably smaller. While most of those seats are still paid for by somebody, it does drive up demand for the seats they actually do release to the public.
And TM has their fair share of problems, but they don't set ticket prices.
Monetary compensation making up for an industry-wide lack of album sales?
Album and ticket sales are two different animals. For one thing, I believe sales are still quite good. However, any decrease just means the artist gets less and has to recoup from touring. The division seems to be that the label gets album money and the artist gets ticket money.