Do you have any inside secrets to getting good concert tickets?

After recently moving back to a 12 million person metroplex, my wife and I have started going to more concerts. We have done pretty well with getting seats through pre-sale and fan clubs but nothing really great. I have heard that the ticket brokers release tickets in waves and sometimes hold really good seats for release nearer to the show.

Have you had any luck in getting really good close seats to concerts without having to pay a scalper? Please do tell!