Is it really worth spending 100 euros to meet a famous artist, such as Roger Hodgson?

Is it really worth spending 100 euros to meet a famous artist, such as Roger Hodgson?

On July 29th of 2019, the legendary leader of Supertramp gave a concert that filled with magic the port city of Vigo, Spain.

      Roger Hodgson with his band, playing at the Auditorio de Castrelos on July 29th, 2019.

Many fans around the world are disposed to pay a certain amount of money in order to take a photo with his/her idol but, does it really cost its high price?
It was nearly midnight when the iconic artist, along with the band, got up on stage to commemorate the 40 years of the album Breakfast in America. The nostalgia feeling could be perceived in the looks of illusion of the entire audience.
During the concert, Hodgson wanted to remark the importance of nature, particularly with a very emotional song called Death and a Zoo, which he tried to explain in Spanish for all the people to understand it.  Tears and laughs were both frequent on that special night. When Lord Is It Mine was performed, the entire audience raised their mobile phone flashlights, creating a beautiful and starry atmosphere at the Castrelos park. As Hodgson said, 'That's how all the concerts should be'.
His purpose, the leader mentioned, is to make the audience happy, for which he gave us an advice just before starting: 'I would like everyone's problems to be left out of the auditorium.'
Without a doubt, he made everyone a little happier that night.

Though, an interesting situation happened a couple of hours after the concert. When all of the musicians left the stage and the audience was leaving or buying merchandise products, I noticed that there was a backstage pass between the objects for sale, as happens in many concerts. I asked for the price, and the seller told me it was worth 100 euros. I clearly did not buy it, since the experience for which I had paid the small amount of 8 euros to be in the front row, had already been incredible enough.

However, my friends and I decided to wait at the back door, in the event that a miracle occurred. Local or moderately famous groups usually go out after the concert to take a couple of photos with fans, but if the artist is selling backstage passes (which are supposed to be for chatting for a while, taking a picture and having some CDs signed), it is not likely to happen.
We were waiting for almost 2 hours, while some musicians, sound technicians and organisers were going out, until we could finally catch sight of him.
Roger was getting into a black car to leave, but as some of the people we were waiting with (we were 8) shouted his name begging him to come out, he turned around and walked towards us. With all the calm of the world and a lot of care, he told us that he could not sign anything but that he would take a picture with all of us. We were talking with Roger for about 15 minutes, until he apologised for having to leave, and left in that tinted car waving his hand towards us. I will never forget the atmosphere that surrounded him, along with the peace and love he was transmitting. We were so grateful for that moment...

After having said this, it comes the question of whether or not it is worth to pay 100 euros for meeting an artist when you can also meet him/her with a bit of luck. It is very curious how the role of a musician's kindness or devotion for his fans can beat the money industry. Not every artist does so, as it is very easy to leave comfortably to the hotel after a hard night of work, but sometimes it is worth a little effort in order to make people's lives a bit better. It seems quite clear that Roger Hodgson's record company or maybe even the manager, would not like him to talk with us for free, while other people are paying for the same experience (except the signature, which is the only thing that differentiates both situations). We must not forget that artists are also a product, and the most important one.

In conclusion, we should think twice before spending our money on backstage passes with certain groups. Will the future of the music industry be made of money or of kindness? Only time can answer that question but, for now, we could say it is made of both.