Music
Whether you've got a passion for the classics or you're an indie rock addict, staying up to date with everything that’s going on in the music world can require real effort. Fortunately, the Internet can make your task a little easier. On it, you'll find tools for buying music, listening to music, discovering new music, and even making music. Or you can read all the available news and reviews, find bloggers who are writing about the music you love, and buy concert tickets.
For a Spanish-language version of the Guide, click here.
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There's nothing quite like hearing your favorite band live. Unfortunately, it can be hard to keep track of upcoming shows or make it to the box office. Some shows sell out quickly or don’t properly publicize ticket availability. But you can avoid a lot of these issues if you buy your tickets online. Not only are online ticket vendors easy, fast, and safe, but some of them will even send you alerts about upcoming shows you might like. (Cigarette lighters not included.)
- When you search for tickets, a site will usually locate seats for you and then hold them for a few minutes while you decide if you want them. Make sure to have a credit card ready; if you don't stay active on a page, those tickets go back in the pile and could get snatched up by someone else.
- If you do find yourself needing last minute tickets, it's safer to use a site like eBay where products are guaranteed, rather than purchase tickets from a scalper.
For direct ticket purchases …
TicketWeb
was created specifically for the Internet and was designed to help as many people effectively promote shows and sell tickets as possible. Plus, it generally has lower fees than other authorized ticket sellers. On the homepage you can do a search by artist or venue, get information about the show, and buy tickets directly off the site. If you sign up for a TicketWeb account, the site saves your credit card information so future purchases are easy, and you'll have the option of receiving e-mails about shows you might like.
Ticketmaster
is a ticket vendor similar to TicketWeb, except that it is not as devoted to online service and thus is not as accessible to smaller vendors and venues. Different venues use different vendors, so if you can't find something on TicketWeb, check Ticketmaster. The music homepage lets you search for a specific show, browse by genre, or sign up for e-mail alerts.
For second-hand ticket purchases …
StubHub
is a ticket sales Web site sponsored by eBay that allows people to resell tickets they’ve already purchased, usually resulting in a discount for the buyer. StubHub is not an auction; sellers list at a specific price but if no one buys, sometimes the price goes down.
eBay
is an auction site especially good for finding tickets to that show that sold out right away. You'll probably pay a bit over face value but if a show is really important to you, eBay is often the place to find tickets.
Craigslist
is one of the largest online classified ad services, and under the “for sale” section you might find tickets to a show you've been dying to see. Craigslist doesn’t offer buyer protection, so make sure you trust your seller.
For concert news …
JamBase
is a site specifically devoted to fostering a community for those who love and live improvisational music. JamBase provides concert dates and tour information for over 30,000 bands, as well as updates on the music community at large. JamBase is both a marketing site and a community site, filled with helpful information about finding and seeing live shows.
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