This autumn, the famous performance venue O2 in London is set to host an unusual "concert." The star of this event is not an international superstar or a popular pop band, but Barack Obama, the former US president who once lived in the White House twice and is now in his sixties.

Barack Obama's tour poster

According to the organizer Seat Unique, this special event titled "An Evening with President Barack Obama" will take place on September 24th. Although the format is a speech plus interview, the ticket prices are high enough to rival top global concerts: the most expensive VIP package is priced at $2,430 (about £1,790), while the cheapest tickets are still $172 (about £127). For many fans, this is not just an opportunity to listen to a speech, but also a kind of "luxury consumption" to meet a world historical figure face-to-face.

Luxury Ticket Prices: Drinking Champagne and Taking Photos with the President

The ticket system for this event is quite complex. According to the Seat Unique website, currently available VIP packages range from $671 (around £495) to $1,214 (around £895), mainly differing in seat location, experience, and dining content.

The most popular one is the $1,214 package: it includes a four-course meal at the renowned London restaurant Gaucho steakhouse, a glass of champagne, front-row seats, a ticket to the after-party, and a book by Obama. This ticket category is almost sold out, with only six left.

London's Gaucho Steakhouse

For ordinary audiences who only want to listen without any additional services, the ticket price is $172 — still quite expensive, but considered a "budget" option compared to this presidential-level "performance."

The most eye-catching top-tier VIP ticket is only sold in pairs, with a single ticket price as high as $2,430. Buyers can not only have a close handshake with Obama but also have the chance to take photos. However, taking photos is not easy: all ticket buyers must undergo strict security checks — the ex-president, although retired for eight years, still enjoys the highest level of protection from the U.S. Secret Service.

On Par with Concerts: Premium Pricing for Top Stars

For people who love live performances and have been chasing stars for years, such ticket prices are not unfamiliar. Whether it's Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour," which made the whole world go crazy last year, or the recent reformation of the British rock legend Oasis, the top-tier VIP tickets are often over a thousand dollars. However, the top-tier ticket price for Obama's speech is still higher: it's twice the price of Taylor Swift's top-tier London concert tickets and more than twice the price of Beyoncé's most expensive London concert tickets last month.

The organizer Seat Unique explained that this event is not simply a speech, but an "experiential gathering" combining fine dining, interviews, and live interaction. Attendees can hear Obama recount his eight years in the White House, enjoy top-quality food, participate in the after-party, and even take photos with the president — these services add a stronger sense of ceremony and "irreproducibility" to the event.

A Night of Discussion: Talking About the Past and Future

According to the official introduction, the highlight of the entire event is a conversation between Barack Obama and David Olusoga, a British-Nigerian historian and BBC presenter. It is expected that Obama will share behind-the-scenes stories from his two terms in office, his views on the division of American society, and his thoughts on the future of the world.

Outside of politics, Obama has also become one of the most popular public speakers globally in recent years. He won the Emmy Award for Best Narration for his Netflix documentary "Our Great National Parks," and he has won the Grammy Award twice for his audiobook memoirs. His voice and expression have long become his "second stage."

Obama's Netflix documentary

Despite this, some people still question whether the ticket prices are too extravagant. Especially, the organizer only mentioned that 100 seats were reserved for charity, but did not clarify whether a portion of the ticket sales would be donated to charitable organizations. As a former president with personal wealth of about $70 million, it remains unclear whether Obama will use the proceeds from this event for charity, either partially or entirely.

The Economics of the "Presidential Aura"

After leaving office, Obama published the best-selling book "A Promised Land," and its copyright revenue alone reached tens of millions of dollars. He and his wife Michelle Obama have also collaborated on multiple documentaries and programs for Netflix, significantly increasing their net worth to hundreds of millions of dollars. Even as early as 2017, when he first left office, Obama began a high-priced speaking tour around the world, with the fee for a single speech reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

This time, the "President's Night" in London seems to be another extension of Obama's path toward commercializing his speeches. However, compared to simple private speeches, this large-scale event aimed at thousands of audience members, combined with entertainment elements, resembles a crossover show: it retains the dignity of a politician while integrating fan economy and experiential marketing.

Analysts point out that Obama's appeal essentially comes from his unique personal symbol: he is both the first African-American president of the United States and represents the image of a more idealistic America in the eyes of many. Even for British audiences, Obama remains a familiar and legendary figure.

Global Markets and Celebrity Economy

The reason why Obama's London speech could sell tickets at sky-high prices also has an unavoidable background: the popularity of the global celebrity economy. In recent years, whether it's sports stars, Hollywood actors, or political figures, they have all commercialized their personal IPs, making "fan experiences" an important source of income.

For example, Clinton and Hillary also gave tours of joint talks after leaving office; TV personalities like Oprah Winfrey have achieved high premiums through fan banquets and VIP meetings. In the UK, even football stars like Beckham can sell signed jerseys for thousands of pounds.

Obama's appearance is not only a verification of the global market's enthusiasm for the celebrity effect, but also shows the public's passion for "living history figures": in this fragmented era, being able to hear Obama speak about global events in person and shake hands or take photos with him still holds irreplaceable charm for many people.

The Intersection of Politics and Business

However, the high ticket prices have also sparked controversy. Some criticize that such speeches are overly entertaining, turning serious political ideas into elite consumption; others worry that this expensive "pseudo-fan meeting" makes ordinary people more alienated from public issues.

Supporters argue that this is a result of market choice: Obama is still one of the most influential former presidents globally, and his personal experiences and words have irreplaceable appeal. Even the event organizers stated: "His ideas and experiences will inspire more people to engage in public affairs."

No matter what, the success of this "President's Night" may indicate the direction of the future celebrity economy: crossing the boundaries of politics, culture, and business, allowing the public to pay for more than just a speech, but rather a private moment close to a legendary figure.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7525627649843102258/

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