Hoffman Estates not alone in arena struggle

The Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates isn't the only place struggling with the concert business.

Want further proof? Concert promoter Live Nation has been holding half-off ticket sales this summer. It looks like it will be a regular Wednesday sale, with discounts offered on lawn seats and others for Chicago-area shows like Aerosmith, Creed and The Fray.

Music industry insiders have told the Daily Herald about the difficulty in filling venues as fans just don't have the disposable income for tickets, parking and service fees. The sale is just another tactic to entice ticket buyers.

Live Nation has a preferred agreement in place with the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. Hoffman Estates officials are trying to build a positive relationship with a promoter, a company which would advocate on the behalf of the Sears Centre. That would help book bigger shows. Mingling with promoters and arena management groups are some of the reasons Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod, Trustee Gary Pilafas and Deputy Village Manager Dan O'Malley attended an industry trade show in Boston last week.