Kid Rock Criticizes Ticketmaster Monopoly at Senate Hearing

Kid Rock has publicly criticized the ticketing industry during a recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing focused on live entertainment fees. The event, titled “Fees Rolled on All Summer Long: Examining the Live Entertainment Industry,” took place on January 28, 2023. Rock, a renowned singer with over 25 years in the music industry, emphasized the ongoing issues with ticket pricing and the monopoly held by major companies like Ticketmaster.

Kid Rock’s Stance on Ticketmaster’s Monopoly

At the hearing, the 55-year-old artist expressed his frustration with the ticketing system. “I love live music and sports, and I believe music fans and artists have been getting screwed for far too long by the ticketing system,” Kid Rock stated. He argued that the merger between Ticketmaster and Live Nation in 2010 has negatively impacted the concert marketplace.

Impact of the Ticketmaster and Live Nation Merger

Kid Rock criticized the effects of the merger, claiming it has led to inflated ticket prices and diminished options for fans and artists alike. He commented, “Independent venues have been crushed. Artists have lost leverage. Fans are paying more than ever and getting blamed for it.” The merger has reportedly allowed Live Nation to control around 70-80% of major concert and live-event ticket sales.

Legislation and Proposals

During the Senate hearing, Kid Rock discussed the need for legislative action. He referenced the bipartisan TICKET Act, which aims to require transparency in ticket pricing by displaying total ticket prices upfront. Although the bill was approved by the Senate committee last year, it has yet to pass.

• Proposes a 10% price cap on resale tickets.
• Calls for investigation into artist contracts with ticketing companies.
• Recommends allowing artists to choose their ticket sellers.

Rock’s comments highlighted how foreign practices, like ticket scalping, threaten artists’ livelihoods and inflate costs for fans. He noted that “the economic foundation that supported artists in the past is crumbling.”

Conclusion

In closing, Kid Rock quoted The Who, expressing hope that the industry would not be fooled again by practices masked as innovation. As the conversation around ticketing continues, the implications of monopoly in the live entertainment sector will likely remain a focal point for both lawmakers and artists.