Joe Pug Fights Ticket Fees with $10 Tour

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 6, 2010 4:00PM

Tired of the outrageous surcharges that come with buying tickets through a ticket broker? Well, so is local folk musician Joe Pug, and he’s taking a stand. In an effort to cut out the middle man and give his fans a break from excessive fees, Pug has announced a consumer-friendly tour. Appropriately dubbed the $10 tour, the month-long trek consists of 22 shows with nearly all tickets priced at only $10 with zero or minimal additional fees.

Pug recently blogged about his frustration with ticket brokers who charge outrageous surcharges, often doubling the ticket price. He says that a recent ticket-buying experience left him feeling “manhandled,” because, as he goes on to explain, “The actual price was nearly double the face of the ticket. Half of my money was going to the band I loved, the other half to horse-thieves.” Oh, snap.

Pug and his backup act the Hundred Mile Band will hit Chicago Oct 16 for a show at the Metro. After some negotiating with the Metro, Pug was able to offer the first fifty tickets directly through his site for exactly $10 - tax included and those pesky “convenience” and “service” fees excluded. Of course, those tickets sold out quickly, but Pug announced Thursday that another batch of zero-fee tickets is now available. So throw down a Hamilton at Pug’s site and get your tickets before they sell out again.

Joe Pug Plays Saturday, October 16 at the Metro, 3730 N Clark, 9 p.m., $10, 18+