soft ticket
n.— «Most country artists, even many of the ones who score big radio hits, perform on what is known as the “soft ticket” market, meaning venues such as casinos and fairs, where crowds will gather regardless of the act and where performers can make decent guaranteed money without having to count on people paying for a ticket that allows entrance into a concert and nothing else. Someone who pays $60 to see a concert at a stadium, amphitheatre or arena has purchased a “hard ticket.”» —“Brad Paisley moves up from corn dogs to catered meals” by Peter Cooper Tennessean (Nashville) May 21, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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