Find a band that you like but isn't mainstream popular and still plays the smaller venues and you can still get reasonably priced to jets. Also check Groupon, I saw some decent bands locally from there getting buy one get one lawn seat deals. I paid maybe $40 per person for Weezer and Green Day that way.
if you live local to a venue that's associated with a casino/hotel and have friends that work there let them know if you're interested in a particular upcoming group (that's not sold out) b/c it's not unheard of for staff to be offered concert day half price tickets if sales are lagging.
The last time I saw the Rolling Stones, my tickets cost about $4 each Granted, that was 1964.
i paid $12 (including the ticketmaster fee) to see boston, sammy hagar AND eddie money...............in 1979. if i remember right i think parking at the venue was free-now the same place charges minimum of $40 up to $100 for event parking