If she was playing out my back garden I'd draw the curtains!
Your friend must have heard some of their records after she bought the tickets and realised it was on a Monday night

Nah seriously, each to their own I suppose.
£52 does sound steep but playing live is virtually the only way for a band to make any money these days.

Personally I'd rather get my Live music in the 'smaller' venue, with much better VFM.