Do you really know? Why is funflation causing us to spend more on live entertainment?
Mar 27, 2026
They unpack funflation and why live-entertainment prices have surged. They use Taylor Swift and sports to show how ticket markets and resales have changed. They explore why people can afford pricier nights out, from savings to job security. They discuss how consumer priorities are shifting toward experiences over goods.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Taylor Swift Tour As A Funflation Example
- Taylor Swift's US tour illustrated extreme demand with face value tickets $49–$499 and resale prices in the thousands.
- Stylecaster data was used as the concrete example to highlight the phenomenon.
Funflation Is Demand Driven Ticket Inflation
- Funflation means rising prices for live entertainment driven by stronger demand for events like Taylor Swift concerts.
- Average global face value concert ticket rose to $79.42, a 14% increase versus 2019 according to Polestar data cited in Pitchfork.
Savings And Job Security Fuel Higher Entertainment Spend
- People can afford higher entertainment spending partly because many saved during COVID lockdowns and redirected that money.
- Economists also point to stronger job security and record employment as reasons consumers feel able to spend more.