Tixel & Bolster’s 2025 Ticketing Report Reveals Aussies Are Choosing Between Gigs and Groceries
Australia’s love affair with live music is stronger than ever, but cost-of-living pressures are forcing fans to make tough choices, according to the newly released 2025 Ticketing State of Play: Behind the Ticket report from ticketing platform Tixel and culture marketing agency Bolster.
The report reveals that nearly three in five Australians (57%) have had to choose between attending a gig and paying for basic living expenses in the past 12 months. For Gen Z, that number climbs to 64%, highlighting the strain on younger fans.
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Despite rising costs, passion for live music remains undeniable. Almost 72% of fans say they’d still buy a ticket to see an artist they love even if the price exceeded expectations. Yet the gap between fan expectations and reality is widening: while fans expect to pay around $280 for a camping festival, the true average is closer to $385.
Social media continues to reshape discovery and ticket sales. Nearly two in five fans (39%) — and over half of Gen Z (53%) — have bought tickets to artists they first discovered on TikTok or Instagram. This trend has transformed live shows into content-driven experiences, where viral moments and setlist surprises fuel fandom and streams.
Lineup quality remains the biggest driver of sales, with 91% citing the artist as their main reason to purchase. At the same time, 82% of fans support Michael’s Rule, backing Aussie acts as support slots on major tours.
As Tixel CEO Zac Leigh explains: “People are navigating tighter budgets, but they’re also finding creative ways to make live events happen – whether that’s leaning on resale for flexibility, prioritising their favourite artists above all else, or waiting until friends commit before buying.”
