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Apr 2, 2024
Ticketmaster and Live Nation have long been under scrutiny for their monopolistic practices in the music industry, and now, iconic rocker Kid Rock is adding his voice to the chorus of criticism. In a recent appearance on “This Past Weekend” with Theo Von, the outspoken artist didn’t hold back, expressing his frustration with the inflated ticket prices and lack of transparency in ticketing.
Kid Rock, known for his conservative beliefs, surprised many by calling on legislators in Tennessee to take action against Ticketmaster’s monopoly. Despite his successful partnership with Live Nation, he emphasized the need for change, stating, “I’ve actually talked to several of [the legislators] about really taking a hard look at Ticketmaster. They have a monopoly.”
One of the key issues Kid Rock highlighted is the lack of control artists have over ticket prices, with Ticketmaster dictating market rates. He also criticized Ticketmaster’s failure to effectively combat bots and scalpers, resulting in inflated prices in the secondary market. According to Kid Rock, Ticketmaster made over a billion dollars in the secondary market last year, indicating a clear incentive to prioritize resale over fair pricing for fans.
While Kid Rock typically favors free market principles, he acknowledged the need for government intervention in this case, urging politicians to address the issue. He criticized President Joe Biden’s efforts thus far, stating that simply disclosing fees is not enough to address the problem. Kid Rock’s sentiments echo those of many artists and legislators who have called for more transparency and regulation in ticketing.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, speaking at the American Liberties Project’s panel, emphasized the bipartisan nature of the issue, stating, “This isn’t a red issue or a blue issue, it’s an American issue.” She called for action to address the frustrations of fans who are often unable to access tickets due to monopolistic practices.
Kid Rock’s comments come amidst renewed scrutiny of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, following the release of a suppressed study detailing their corrupt practices. Congressman Bill Pascrell, a longtime critic of the entertainment giants, described the report as revealing “rampant corrupt and abusive practices” that have harmed millions of Americans.
In light of these criticisms, alternatives like Curios offer a refreshing approach to ticketing. Curios prioritizes the interests of artists and fans, ensuring that sellers retain 100% of sales and have access to valuable fan data. By empowering artists to connect directly with their fan base, Curios fosters a more transparent and equitable ticketing system.
As the debate over ticketing practices continues, voices like Kid Rock’s serve as a reminder of the need for change in the music industry. With alternatives like Curios gaining traction, there is hope for a more fair and accessible ticketing landscape in the future.