With veteran acts like U2, the Rolling Stones and Coldplay sitting out New Year's Eve, this year offers fewer major shows than any in recent memory. But Alex Hodges, executive vice president of House of Blues Concerts, claims the shift away from big New Year's concerts won't last. "With royalty checks down due to the state of the record business, I think you'll see some pickup in future years," he says. "You'll have bands saying, 'Wow, I'm really missing an opportunity here.'"
And if you're stuck at home, you can always watch Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest hosting New Year's Rockin' Eve from Times Square, with performances by Sean Paul, Chris Brown, 311, 3 Doors Down and the Pussycat Dolls.
Here are the ten hottest New Year's Eve shows, by city:
Los Angeles
Black Eyed Peas, Death Cab for Cutie, Flaming Lips and many more
Where: Giant Village (six stages on six city blocks in downtown L.A.)
Price: $80-$150
Las Vegas
Matchbox Twenty
Where: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Price: $100-$200
Kanye West
Where: Aladdin Resort and Casino
Price: $75-$150
New York
Black Crowes, Trey Anastasio, North Mississippi Allstars
Where: Madison Square Garden
Price: $45-$65
James Brown
Where: B.B. King Blues Club
Price: $95-$175
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, the National
Where: Irving Plaza
Price: $25
San Francisco
Phil Lesh and Friends, John Mayer Trio
Where: Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Price: $65
Detroit
Motley Crue
Where: the Palace of Auburn Hills
Price: $55.50-$125
Chicago
Rogue Wave, the New Pornographers
Where: Metro
Price: $60
Atlanta
Widespread Panic
Where: Philips Arena
Price: $48.50