I had some sticker shock when I saw the prices, but there was another subconscious reason why I didn't grab a couple even though I could afford it.
Despite being my lifelong favorite band, I've come to realize a couple of things that made me opt out of going to Madison Square Garden for this tour:
1: Power Windows in 1985 was the last Rush album that I really genuinely enjoyed. Presto was terrible, and the albums after Roll the Bones just sucked. For the most part I liked 1-2 songs (at best) per album, but I must acknowledge the reality: I've been grading on a curve for decades. If it were any other band, I wouldn't give it a second listen. By contrast, Maiden's post-reunion albums are among my favorites in their discography.
2: Related to the item above, what is the set list going to look like? It's quite possible that they would be playing a ton of songs I just don't care for.
3: I did have the pleasure of going to see Rush live about a dozen times between the Hold Your Fire and Test For Echo tours. It's not a case where I never got the opportunity to see my favorite band.
4: I'm older now. I just don't care the way I used to. If anything, it might tarnish my lasting memory of the band as a disappointment.
It pains me to say this because for so many years of my life being a Rush fan was a part of my identity. I just read My Effin' Life last year.
So I didn't get tickets for Rush. Even though once the tour starts I'll see the concert videos on youtube and they will probably be awesome and I'll probably regret my decision and scramble to go see a show.
On the other hand, this Friday Oct. 31 Maiden tickets for the North American shows go on sale, and I love the set list. So there's that.