More than 250 well-known musicians, such as Billie Eilish, Green Day, and Dave Matthews, have endorsed a letter urging the Senate Commerce Committee to back a bill aimed at overhauling the live-event ticketing system.
The Fans First Act, which entered the Commerce Committee’s purview in December, aims to address three primary concerns within the ticketing industry: enhancing ticket transparency, safeguarding consumer rights, and curbing the exploitation of exorbitant resale prices by unscrupulous entities. It is part of a series of legislative efforts, including the BOSS and SWIFT Act and the TICKET Act, all targeting unfair practices in ticket sales.
Organized by Fix the Tix, a coalition comprising various live event industry bodies led by the National Independent Venue Association and Eventbrite, a letter was drafted and directed to Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, the ranking member.
Among the signatories were notable artists such as Cyndi Lauper, Jason Mraz, Lorde, Sia, Train, Fall Out Boy, Graham Nash, Becky G, and Chappell Roan.
The dissatisfaction with the ticketing industry, particularly Ticketmaster, has escalated in recent years. In 2022, fans took legal action against Ticketmaster following challenges in securing tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. This incident prompted a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to scrutinize Ticketmaster’s dominant position in the market. (It’s worth noting that Taylor Swift did not participate in signing the letter.)
The letter, reviewed by NBC News, underscores the collective sentiment that the current ticketing system is flawed. It highlights the prevalence of predatory resellers and secondary platforms employing deceptive tactics to inflate prices, thus depriving fans of equitable access to tickets for their favorite artists.
Stephen Parker, executive director of the National Independent Venue Association, emphasized the urgency for comprehensive reform in ticketing practices, stating that “the time for comprehensive ticketing reform is now.”
“Parker asserted that there is a pressing need for extensive ticketing reform and consumer safeguards within the live event industry, encompassing everyone involved, including artists, venues, and fans. This reform is crucial to combat the detrimental impact of predatory ticket resale practices on live entertainment in the United States.”
The Fans First Act, if passed, would mandate that all ticket sellers and resellers disclose and itemize the full cost of a ticket, inclusive of fees. Additionally, it would strengthen the existing Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act from 2016, which aims to prevent scalpers from using automated software to purchase large quantities of tickets, by further outlawing the use of bots for ticket procurement.
A letter sent on Thursday, signed by artists, music enthusiasts, and concert-goers, urges support for the Fans First Act to combat the deceptive ticketing practices of predatory resellers and the secondary platforms that profit from them. The letter emphasizes that those who dedicate their lives to their art should not be overshadowed in profitability by predatory resellers.
The bill is co-sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).
Live Nation has expressed support for the bill, stating that they endorse legislative measures that bring positive reform to live event ticketing. However, the company, which owns Ticketmaster, is expected to face an antitrust lawsuit from the Justice Department in the coming month, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Read More: Billie Eilish accuses Variety of ‘outing’ her in cover story
Disclaimer:
This content is AI-generated using IFTTT AI Content Creator. While we strive for accuracy, it’s a tool for rapid updates. We’re committed to filtering information, not reproducing or endorsing misinformation. – Jomotoday for more information visit privacy policy
Leave a Comment