Pop star Zara Larsson has claimed she is "not making big bucks" on her world tour, revealing revenue goes toward crew, travel and production.
The 28-year-old Swedish music artist addressed ticket costs on Friday after posting a TikTok video featuring choreography designed to promote her upcoming show in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 1.
Followers highlighted steep resale ticket prices under the clip, prompting one fan to write: "I wish singers would advocate for cheaper ticket prices. the whole d**n world would go to yall shows but s*** is too expensive in this economy. While you guys flourish in money, you get to happily leave after singing and dancing on a stage. us have 9-5's that barely pays enough."
Larsson agreed with the follower, replying: "I don't want my tickets to be too pricy and I will definitely see what I can do about that!"
The "Lush Life" hitmaker explained that touring at this stage in her career generates minimal personal income. "But right now in my career I'm definitely not making big bucks on touring," she wrote.
She added that most tour revenue pays for crew members, domestic and international travel, and overall production, including backup dancers, flashy costumes, and vibrant set pieces.
"It's basically a non profit at this point :p everything that I make goes to paying people, transportation, production etc," Larsson stated.
Another TikTok user argued that performers should lower concert prices during difficult economic conditions: "Ya see everyone is broke and barely making it by..if rich people could see that and lower the concert prices for people to still go while you still make your bag. But until they see that they will over price their tickets and continue to not have sold out shows."
Larsson responded by reiterating her financial situation and expressing confidence in her remaining ticket sales. "I'm not making a bag on this tour truustt," she typed. "And everything is sold out except for Thailand! Which will be sold out! I'm manifesting and posting."
Ticket prices and resale costs
The Bangkok performance serves as the final stop on her Midnight Sun Tour, which kicked off in October last year. While official tickets on Ticketmaster Thailand range from around $84 USD to $117 USD, resale prices on websites such as StubHub have climbed to $340 USD and $419 USD.
The high price of attending the concert comes against the backdrop of local economic conditions in Thailand. The average gross monthly income in the country is estimated at around ฿15,700 ($469.15 USD), according to Wage.is.
High resale rates have also affected other tour dates, including Larsson's upcoming show in Los Angeles in September. Resale tickets listed on the AXS website range from $152 USD to $893 USD.
The Daily Mail reached out to representatives for Larsson for comment, but has yet to receive a response.
Music industry pressures and career path
Larsson has previously discussed the pressures of the music business, labeling the industry as "brutal" during a recent interview with Vogue Singapore.
"Pop is brutal because everyone wants to declare something over so quickly. But careers are long if you keep showing up," she told Vogue Singapore.
Reflecting on quiet periods in her career, she added: "I had to learn that a quiet season doesn't mean failure. It can be a rebuilding season, a learning season, a becoming season."
The singer explained that she brushes aside down periods in her commercial success. "I've already had success and then my flop era. And then it's like, 'Okay, I flopped.' So, it doesn't scare me anymore."
Rise to global fame and discography
Larsson first gained international recognition in the 2010s and released hits such as "Lush Life" and "Never Forget You", a 2015 collaboration with MNEK. In 2016, she dropped further hit singles including "Ain't My Fault" and "I Would Like".
In 2017, she was featured on Clean Bandit's track "Symphony", which peaked on music charts worldwide, including in the United Kingdom. Her 2018 single "Ruin My Life" was later included on her third studio album, Poster Girl, released in 2021.
Larsson released her fourth studio album, Venus, in 2024, followed by her next album, Midnight Sun, in September 2025. The title track from Midnight Sun earned Larsson her first Grammy nomination for Best Dance Pop Recording.
Throughout her career, the artist has also been embroiled in feud rumors with fellow musicians Taylor Swift and Chris Brown, and faced controversy over an abortion joke she posted on TikTok.
Upcoming tour schedule and venue scale
Larsson's next tour date is scheduled for August 20 in Austria, before she performs another show in London on August 22.
Speaking to Elle in March, Larsson described her current tour setup as an intimate experience for fans. "It's really, really exciting because in a way, this is such a fun show that I get to do with the girls on stage, but it's also quite an intimate show," she said.
"The show is basically just me. It's the band. It's the dancers. It's the outfits. It's the lights. It's very simple, is what it is," she told Elle.
She added that she hopes to transition to larger venues for future tour cycles. "But I think it's the last time, hopefully, with humbleness and love, that I will play in venues of this size. I'm really excited for that."
