If you were expecting a big break on ticket prices for summer concerts this year, you can pretty much forget it.

Last summer, the bubble burst in the concert industry nationwide. Fans stayed away in droves; Rolling Stone called it "the disastrous summer of 2004," noting that ticket revenue dropped an estimated 40 percent.

The industry responded with promises of lower ticket prices, a cap on fees from Ticketmaster and other ticket-sellers, and a better consumer experience in everything from food services to restrooms to activities for kids.

But with few exceptions, the promises aren't being kept here. Five of this region's six major outdoor concert venues had a relatively successful summer last year and are booking more concerts than ever. In most cases, prices are just as high, although more options exist for families looking for a summertime musical outing.

First, the good news

Marymoor Park Amphitheatre in Redmond, entering its third year, has shifted this season to a more family-friendly format. It recently unveiled its "Picnic in the Park" series of low-cost concerts, with lawn seating at $20, and free to kids. Acts include the Wallflowers, the Gin Blossoms, Spyro Gyra and Joan Osborne. It helps that there's a playground adjacent to the concert site. Marymoor also promises higher-quality food booths.

Kid-friendly ZooTunes at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo is sticking with last year's hot-selling formula and holding the line on prices at $19, free for kids. The lineup includes Taj Mahal, Los Lobos and Violent Femmes.

"This is one of the strongest lineups we've had in a long time," said Kathryn Olson, the zoo's marketing director. "We anticipate it should be a sellout year."

Clash of the titans

But the family venues typically feature second-tier acts who've long been out of the top of the charts. To catch the biggest names, you have to go to the big "sheds," and pay accordingly. Competition between the biggest venues in the region — the 22,000-capacity Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Grant County, and the newcomer, the 20,000-capacity White River Amphitheatre in Auburn — hasn't resulted in much of a price break for consumers.

Best seats for Eminem and 50 Cent, and for Motley Crüe and Sum 41, both at White River, are about $75. Ozzfest, also at White River, has a high of $100, the same price as last year's Sting and Annie Lennox concert. So far no show at White River is as pricey as last year's Fleetwood Mac concert, which topped out at $150. At the Gorge, prices go for around $60 for shows like Dave Matthews and the hip-hop showcase, KUBE Summer Jam.

Both venues are trying different tactics to draw concertgoers.

The Gorge, now in its 20th year, offers a spectacular vista of the Columbia River Gorge, a full-service campground and virtually unlimited free parking. Getting there is a trek, however, requiring a three-hour drive from the Seattle area.

This year, imbibers at the Gorge no longer will be confined to the beer gardens. "It's walk-around beer time," says Jeff Trisler of House of Blues Concerts, which owns the facility. Food quality has been a problem in the past, but new concessions are in place this year, and food from outside is now allowed.

Advance ticket sales are the biggest ever, Trisler says, with more than 150,000 tickets already sold. The slate of shows has increased from 20 last year to an expected 24 this year. (A few have yet to be announced.)

White River, opened in 2003 by Clear Channel Entertainment, is a state-of-the-art facility in Auburn owned by the Muckleshoot tribe. It offers far more reserved seats, covered seating, built-in concessions, and a high-tech stage and sound system. But the facility has been dogged by poor ticket sales and traffic problems. Fans from Seattle often endure three-hour commutes to the venue and long waits to exit the parking lots.

White River had 17 shows last year. This year, only 10 have been announced, and ticket sales are weak for all but a few of them. White River officials did not respond to several requests for comment.

Competition for acts

One Reel's Summer Nights series moves this year from Pier 62/63 on Seattle's downtown waterfront to a new site at South Lake Union Park. With prices holding steady at $32 to $50, One Reel has reported strong sales for acts such as Los Lonely Boys and Lucinda Williams, despite unknowns such as parking and traffic in the new location. Organizers have worried in the past about competition for acts from Marymoor and White River, but this year is different.

"I didn't feel the heat of the competition as I did in the last two years," said Michele Scoleri, producer of Summer Nights. "It's like it all went away."

But others, including Olson of the zoo, Scoleri (who also books Bumbershoot) and Karen LaFlamme of the Puyallup Fair all said they had to compete to snap up the best acts. Even Trisler of giant HOB said it was hard getting "second-level acts" for Marymoor and the Chateau, which HOB books along with longtime local talent booker Dave Littrell of the Lakeside Group.

Trisler said the response to Marymoor's $20 ticket events has been good, and Ste. Michelle's ticket sales are "on fire again, for the 12th year in a row."

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com