A growing concern over ticket pricing in the live entertainment industry was front and center during a recent Senate hearing. On January 28, 2023, Kid Rock, a well-known musician, voiced his discontent with the ticketing practices of major companies like Ticketmaster and Live Nation. This hearing was part of a broader discussion on the challenges fans and artists face regarding ticket costs and misleading fees.
Kid Rock Highlights Ticketmaster’s Issues
Throughout his career, spanning over 25 years, Kid Rock has performed in various venues, including arenas and stadiums. He expressed his frustration with the current ticketing system, stating, “I love live music and sports, and I believe music fans and artists have been getting screwed for far too long.”
The State of the Ticketing Industry
- Testimonies: Rock was one of several key figures to testify, alongside executives from the Ticket Policy Forum coalition, Z2 Entertainment, and Live Nation.
- Executive Order: Kid Rock was present when a presidential executive order aimed at combating ticket price gouging was signed in March 2022.
- Market Control: Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, controls 70-80% of ticket sales for major live events.
Rock criticized the merger between Ticketmaster and Live Nation, which he believes has harmed both artists and fans.
He stated, “Independent venues have been crushed. Artists have lost leverage. Fans are paying more than ever.”
Proposals for Change
- Implement a 10% price cap on resale tickets.
- Introduce legislation requiring full visibility of ticket prices upfront.
- Explore subpoenas of artists’ contracts to address potential fraud and abuse in ticketing.
- Allow artists to select authorized ticket sellers directly.
Rock reiterated his belief that the current system is not an innovation but rather a monopoly disguised as one. He concluded his testimony with a nod to classic rock lyrics, hoping that consumers “won’t get fooled again.”
The Legislative Landscape
In response to ongoing concerns, the Senate committee also discussed the TICKET Act. This bipartisan bill would mandate transparency in ticket pricing by requiring that all fees be disclosed upfront. However, as of now, the bill has yet to pass.
As the conversation around Ticketmaster’s monopoly continues, many anticipate further developments in the battle for fair ticket pricing in the live entertainment landscape.
