LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Concert promoter Live Nation said yesterday it will waive service fees for general admission at hundreds of concerts on sale for a 24-hour stretch this week.

Live Nation’s no service fee offer will happen as a one-day-only event tomorrow. The company said it plans other offers every Wednesday through the summer as a recession year break for customers, such as waving the fees on certain bands or offering regional discounts.

“Summer concerts are a great escape in these tough times,” Michael Rapino, chief executive of Live Nation, said in a statement.
He added that the offer will make it easier for “millions of music fans to attend the hottest concerts this summer.”

Live Nation’s service fees on general admission, or lawn tickets, range from $9 to $12, and the company said that more than 5 million of those low-priced tickets will be eligible for the discount.

Bands whose shows are included in the company’s discount offer include Aerosmith, Coldplay and No Doubt.
Live Nation is not alone in offering deals to lure concert goers in the recession. No Doubt this year announced it would give away a free download of its entire digital audio catalogue to fans who bought a top tier ticket for their reunion tour