Football and jazz - the worrying parallels

Liverpool fans were turned away from the European Champions' League Final yesterday partly because so many tickets were being taken by corporates and similar. This has parallels for me as to what has just now been happening at Ronnie Scott's or the large festivals. The "fans" have been locked out, and put off by the high prices. The true fans are the life blood of the music, as much as the musicians. The atmosphere is as much a part of the whole listening experience as the music itself. Just as with football, where most fans will no longer get the chance to go regularly to see their club, it could become the same with jazz if the Ronnie's model becomes the norm. And this atmosphere is partly created by people who want to be there and appreciate it beyond just paying the money at the door.