Congressmen unveil ‘BOSS and SWIFT’ ticketing act
Yet another proposal for ticketing reform in the US has been put forward, with two congressmen introducing their updated ‘BOSS and SWIFT Act’.
Named after Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift amid a string of ticketing controversies of 2022 – most notably Swift’s Eras Tour onsale, which prompted a Senate antitrust hearing, New Jersey representatives Bill Pascrell and Frank Pallone say the legislation will provide “needed transparency and regulation to the badly corrupted live events ticket marketplace”.
The Act bids to tackle issues including hidden fees, on-sale transparency, buyer protections, speculative ticket sales and “deceptive white label websites”. The congressmen first submitted the legislation back in 2009 after Springsteen fans complained of being surreptitiously directed to secondary ticketing sites that were selling tour tickets at inflated prices.
“For too long, millions of American fans have been unable to get a fair shake for their tickets and cry out for relief,” says Pascrell. “The recent experience of Taylor Swift fans being locked out of her tour is not new… For decades, the ticket market has been the Wild West: mammoth, opaque, speculative, and brutally unfair. A fan shouldn’t have to sell a kidney or mortgage a house to see their favourite performer or team.
“At long last, it is time to create rules for fair ticketing in this country and my legislation will do exactly that for all the fans.”
Pallone says the BOSS and SWIFT Act will help protect consumers when they buy tickets from both primary and secondary ticketing platforms. A full section-by-section breakdown of the Act is available here.
“It’s past time to update the ticket marketplace to ensure it’s fair, transparent, and working for ticket buyers”
“Consumers deserve to enjoy their favourite artists and live entertainment without breaking the bank,” he says. “It’s past time to update the ticket marketplace to ensure it’s fair, transparent, and working for ticket buyers.”
US president Joe Biden demanded a crackdown on “excessive ticket fees” earlier this year, and the last few months have seen a flood of politicians putting forward proposed new ticketing laws in America.
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse tabled the “Junk Fee Prevention Act, while California Senator Scott Wilk recently called for a new law banning exclusive ticketing contracts between primary ticket sellers and venues in the Golden State.
Last week, two Massachusetts lawmakers put forward new ticketing legislation dubbed the “Taylor Swift Bill”, requiring platforms to disclose the full price of tickets upfront, while Live Nation recently launched the Fair Ticketing Act with the support of organisations such as CAA, UTA, Wasserman Music and WME,
In addition, 19 companies and associations operating in North America formed the Fix the Tix coalition at the start of this month.
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Ted Nugent concert axed over political views
An Alabama venue has cancelled a concert by guitarist Ted Nugent following an outcry over the American singer’s political views.
The self-styled “political firebrand” was slated to perform at the Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham on 18 July as part of his farewell tour, Adios Mofo.
However, the 2,000-cap venue and promoter Red Mountain Entertainment have pulled the show just days after it was announced after receiving a torrent of criticism for the booking.
“We have heard the concerns of the Avondale community”
AL.com describes Nugent, who performed at a Trump rally in Waco, Texas, earlier this year, as “an outspoken advocate for hunting and gun ownership rights and an equally ardent opponent of animal rights”. He has also faced accusations of homophobia, transphobia and misogyny.
“We have heard the concerns of the Avondale community, which is so important to us, and in conjunction with our partners, have taken the necessary steps to cancel the Ted Nugent concert scheduled for July 18,” writes the venue on Instagram Stories.
In response to the cancellation, the Michigan-born 74-year-old posted a link to the AL.com article on his Facebook page, adding: “Liars & haters drunk on stupid incapable to debate me.”
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No charges filed over fatal US concert stampede
No criminal charges will be brought over the fatal crowd crush at the Main Street Armory concert venue in Rochester, New York earlier this year.
Three women lost their lives in the incident, which took place following a show by rapper GloRilla on 5 March when concertgoers began running towards the exits, rumoured to have been sparked by unfounded reports of gunshots.
Aisha Stephens, 35, of Syracuse, Rhondesia Belton, 33, and 35-year-old Brandy Miller all died in the tragedy, while seven people required hospital treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
However, a “comprehensive, multi-departmental investigation” into the stampede by the City of Rochester has concluded there is no basis for criminal charges.
“The city’s law department, police and fire departments, department of neighbourhood and business development and code enforcement teams conducted an extensive investigation over several weeks,” reads a statement from the authority. “The teams completed numerous interviews and comprehensive inspections, and compiled the information for consideration by the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
“Based on the information and evidence, both the RPD and DA’s Office determined that there is no basis for criminal charges in this case.”
The city is reviewing its entertainment licensing procedures to “identify and implement additional conditions that would increase safety and security
Nonetheless, the city says it is reviewing its entertainment licensing procedures to “identify and implement additional conditions that would increase safety and security for entertainment patrons in Rochester”.
The 6,500-cap Main Street Armory has had its licence suspended in the wake of the tragedy after the police investigation revealed “justifiable concerns” regarding the licensee’s “ability to operate the premises”.
Spectrum News reports that the venue changed hands just weeks after the stampede. According to paperwork filed with the DA’s office, Main Street Armory owner Scott Donaldson sold the venue on 23 March to 900 E Main Street Rochester LLC for $550,000.
National civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has intimated that he plans to file a lawsuit against the venue on behalf of one of the victims and several concertgoers injured in the incident.
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Bamboozle festival cancelled week ahead of event
New Jersey’s Bamboozle festival has been cancelled a week before it was due to go ahead, amid claims organisers failed to submit the necessary paperwork.
The event was due to return to Bader Field, Atlantic City from 5-7 May following an 11-year absence, with artists such as Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Joey Bada$$, Trippie Red, Rick Ross and A Boogie wit da Hoodie on the bill.
However, the event, which was expected to attract up to 15,000 people a day, will now no longer be taking place.
“After extensive discussions, we have made the heartbreaking decision to cancel Bamboozle 2023,” says a statement posted on the festival’s website. “An incredible amount of time, dedication, passion and hard work was invested into making this comeback a success. We appreciate everyone who supported this festival. Refunds should be requested at point of purchase.”
Promoters but did not discuss the reasons for their decision. However, according to reports, city officials moved to cancel the event after not receiving the required fees and documents from organisers.
“There was an ongoing concern we were not getting the required documents from festival organisers in a timely matter,” says city business administrator Anthony Swan, as per NJ.com. “We asked for this information months in advance to protect the city and the taxpayers of Atlantic City. The event was fast approaching, and these issues were still unresolved.”
The New Jersey division of consumer affairs has reportedly received 21 complaints about Bamboozle, ranging from false advertising to refund requests
The Press of Atlantic City reports the city had not received insurance certificates, a medical plan, an emergency evacuation plan, or mercantile and facility fees for use of Bader Field by the 27 April. Organisers are yet to respond to the claims.
Founded by John D’Esposito, Bamboozle was staged at numerous New Jersey sites from 2003 to 2012 and featured acts including Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, 50 Cent, My Chemical Romance and Linkin Park.
According to The Press, D’Esposito left Bamboozle after what turned out to be its final edition in 2012 due to a falling out with partners Live Nation and House of Blues, but planned to resurrect the festival after reacquiring the trademark in 2020.
However, controversy raged over premium tickets after D’Esposito allegedly repeatedly warned on social media that prices would soar as more high-profile headliners joined the bill. Instead, ticket prices fell when the promised big names failed to materialise.
NJ.com reports the New Jersey division of consumer affairs has received 21 complaints about Bamboozle about issues ranging from false advertising to refund requests.
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US senators introduce Junk Fee Prevention Act
US Senators have introduced new legislation which would eliminate “excessive” ticketing fees for concerts and other events.
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse have announced the “Junk Fee Prevention Act” following calls from president Joe Biden during his State of the Union address.
Biden argued that hidden or unexpected fees “are not only costly to consumers, but they can stifle competition by encouraging companies to use increasingly sophisticated tools to disguise the true price consumers face”.
If passed, the new legislation would eliminate “excessive, hidden, and unnecessary fees” imposed on consumers and “ensure transparency” in industries such as ticketing by requiring the full prices of services to be provided upfront.
“Concealed surprise fees – nickel and diming Americans to distraction – must be stopped,” says Blumenthal. “Airline travel, concert going, common purchases – seemingly almost everywhere – consumers are compelled to pay hidden excessive charges.
“Our bill will help end this price gouging – forcing full disclosure upfront and restricting abusive fees. It will mandate basic common sense fairness and transparency, which consumers rightly demand and deserve.”
“Our Junk Fee Prevention Act would provide consumers with the transparency they deserve when making a purchase”
“Consumers are charged hidden fees when purchasing everything from flights to concert tickets,” adds Whitehouse. “Our Junk Fee Prevention Act would provide consumers with the transparency they deserve when making a purchase.”
Live Nation has backed president Biden’s call for transparency around ticketing fees last year. The company went on to launch the Fair Ticketing Act last month and has received support from the likes of CAA, UTA, Wasserman Music and WME in its calls for ticketing reforms. Among its recommendations are for all-in pricing across all ticketing marketplaces introduced nationally so that fans know the full cost of a ticket plus fees right upfront.
Ticketing fees have been thrust under the microscope of late after The Cure persuaded Ticketmaster to offer partial refunds for “unduly high” ticketing fees charged in the Verified Fan sale for the band’s upcoming North American tour.
The firm had come in for criticism during this week’s sale when ticket-holders posted screenshots online showing some fees exceeding the cost of the tickets themselves.
Neil Young has also weighed in on the dispute, posting under the headline “concert touring is broken” on his website.
“It’s over, the old days are gone,” he writes. “I get letters blaming me for $30,000 tickets for a benefit I am doing. That money does not go to me or the benefit. Artists have to worry about ripped off fans blaming them for Ticketmaster add-ons and scalpers.
“Concert tours are no longer fun. Concert tours [are] not what they were.”
“Ticketmaster unilaterally decides which tickets it advertises and sells as ‘Official Platinum’ based on a given event”
Meanwhile, a class-action lawsuit has been launched against Ticketmaster in Canada, alleging the company “intentionally misleads consumers for their own financial gain”.
The case – filed by Montreal-based law firm LPC Avocat Inc – says a customer bought two market-driven “platinum” tickets for Drake’s upcoming 14 July show at the Bell Centre for C$789.54 (€533.70) each. However, it says that when Drake added a second show for the following night, the same seats could be purchased for more than $350 less.
As per the Toronto Star, the suit also claims that Ticketmaster knew Drake would be performing two shows at the venue, but “concealed this information” to “squeeze out” as much money as possible from fans buying tickets for the first date.
“Ticketmaster unilaterally decides which tickets it advertises and sells as ‘Official Platinum’ based on a given event,” reads the filing. “The result is that most, if not all, of the tickets advertised and sold as ‘Official Platinum’ are neither ‘premium tickets’ nor ‘some of the best seats in the house’ and are, in fact, just regular tickets sold by Ticketmaster at an artificially inflated premium in bad faith.”
Ticketmaster has not commented on the allegations.
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Loud and Live unveils new country music festival
Miami-based promoter Loud and Live has announced details of the inaugural Country Bay Music Festival in conjunction with its South Florida-focused live events division, EngageLive!
Staged on the grounds of Miami Marine Stadium, the festival will take place from 11-12 November with headliners Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, Chris Young, Lee Brice and Lainey Wilson.
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of this premier country music festival in Miami, bringing together the best of country music across the vibrant and energetic backdrop of this magical city,” says Loud and Live CEO Nelson Albareda. “Our goal is to create a memorable experience for music fans and our partner sponsors alike, and ultimately to establish Miami as a destination for country music enthusiasts from around the world.”
Country Bay Music Festival also promises to showcase performances from Randy Houser, Chris Lane, LOCASH and Elle King, as well as up-and-coming artists such as Restless Road, Blanco Brown, Josh Ross, Hailey Whitters, and David J, plus country-Latin duo Kat & Alex and Neon Union.
“We are confident that Country Bay Music Festival will be a must-attend event for years to come”
“With an incredible lineup of the top country music artists and a picturesque waterfront venue that has a long history of iconic country music shows, including Jimmy Buffet and Kenny Rogers among others, we are confident that Country Bay Music Festival will be a must-attend event for years to come,” adds EngageLive CEO Tony Albelo.
The two-day festival will also offer activities, including The Saloon Experience, a 360-degree country-themed bar offering an assortment of craft beer, whiskey, bourbon, and tequila. Fans will also be able to enjoy other festival experiences, including sponsor activations, games, culinary experiences, photo booth opportunities, line dancing, a mechanical bull, and a giant Ferris wheel.
Fans will also have the opportunity to attend the event by boat or yacht with an anchorage access pass. Weekend festival passes start at US$159 (€148), with Beach Club passes available from $699 (€652) and platinum VIP weekend tickets at $1,599 (€1,491).
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Third woman dies after NY concert crowd crush
A third person has died as a result of injuries sustained in the crowd crush that followed a concert at the Main Street Armory in Rochester, New York last weekend.
Aisha Stephens, 35, of Syracuse, had been in hospital since the incident after the show by US rapper GloRilla ended just after 11pm on 5 March. Two other women, Rhondesia Belton, 33, and 35-year-old Brandy Miller, also died, while seven people required hospital treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Police say the crowd may have panicked and rushed for the exits after unfounded reports of gunfire, leading to a “stampede”.
“As the concert was ending, concertgoers began running towards the exits after hearing what they described as gunshots,” says a letter to the venue signed by Rochester Police Investigation chief David Smith. “Your contracted event security guards were unable to control the crowd as they were running, which in turn caused a human stampede.”
The 6,500-cap Main Street Armory has had its licence suspended in the wake of the tragedy
The 6,500-cap Main Street Armory has had its licence suspended in the wake of the tragedy after the police investigation revealed “justifiable concerns regarding your ability to operate the premises”. “You have failed to maintain good order on the premises,” it adds.
The BBC reports the decision to revoke the licence made after the venue’s owner failed to show up for a scheduled meeting with the police chief and Rochester’s city attorney.
“It is one step we can immediately take to ensure that the events of Sunday night are not repeated,” says Smith. “The bottom line is, lives were lost, and we need to take steps to make sure that no lives are lost in the future if this was indeed something that was preventable.”
Police are looking at “possibly crowd size, shots fired, pepper spray and other contributing factors” as potential causes of the tragedy.
Posting on Twitter in the aftermath of the concert, GloRilla – real name Gloria Woods – said: “I am devastated and heartbroken over the tragic deaths that happened after Sunday’s show. My fans mean the world to me, praying for their families and for a speedy recovery of everyone affected.”
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NIVA Conference to return for second year
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) Conference will return from 10-12 July this year, organisers have confirmed.
The event, which will be held in Washington DC, debuted in Cleveland last July to coincide with the start of Independent Venue Week in the US, and sold out with more than 650 members, industry leaders and policymakers in attendance.
Topics to be discussed for 2023 include industry diversity, mental health, safety, insurance, economic impact of live entertainment, booking, artist development, ticketing, and the role of live entertainment in policymaking, alongside keynote panels.
NIVA ’23 will also give members the opportunity to engage with NIVA’s federal and national partners on Capitol Hill, in the administration, and throughout the Capitol region.
“We have an incredible community of music industry stakeholders here in Washington, DC,” says Chris Naoum, co-founder of Listen Local First DC, Down in the Reeds Festival and vice-chair of the NIVA’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter. “The music and comedy communities rallied together during the pandemic to build a coalition that continues to work together on a weekly basis to advocate for live entertainment and uplift each other through the incredibly difficult times.
“NIVA’s efforts led to the largest arts investment in US history”
“The coalition we have built is one of the reasons DC was chosen for NIVA ‘23 and I am ecstatic that so many members of our community are excited to host this one-of-a-kind event.”
The conference will also include live performances, a pre-party on 9 July and an awards gala 10 July at The Anthem, celebrating live entertainment’s contribution to the nation. Events will take place at multiple NIVA music and comedy venues across Washington DC, with NIVA ’23 once again coinciding with Independent Venue Week.
“Thousands of music and comedy venues across the country spent 2020 and 2021 focused on making the case to Washington DC policymakers that small businesses in live entertainment needed help to prevent the permanent loss of stages in every community, and NIVA’s efforts led to the largest arts investment in US history,” adds Stephen Parker, executive director of
NIVA.
“This summer, the nation’s music and comedy community will return to DC to illustrate why the partnership between government and the independent live entertainment industry must continue beyond the pandemic, to forge the future for independent music and comedy venues, festivals and promoters and to demonstrate their place in America’s culture and economy.”
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AEG unveils Re:SET artist-curated concert series
AEG Presents has unveiled new artist-curated outdoor concert series Re:SET, which is set to hit 12 cities across four US regions this summer.
Headlined by LCD Soundsystem, Boygenius and Steve Lacy, the series will take place over four weekends in June and create a “unique, localised experience”, with each headliner curating the lineup for their respective day.
Boygenius will be supported by Clairo, Dijon, and Bartees Strange; LCD Soundsystem will be joined by the likes of Jamie xx, Idles, Big Freedia and L’Rain, and Lacy will spotlight James Blake, Toro y Moi, and Fousheé.
Tickets start at US$99 (€91), with each day featuring full sets from every artist, on one stage with no conflicts.
“We challenged ourselves to conceive an event that would give both the artists and the fans a different experience”
“We challenged ourselves to conceive an event that would give both the artists and the fans a different experience,” says Gary Gersh, AEG’s president of global touring and talent. “At the end of the day, they both want the same thing: great locations, incredible sound, fantastic sightlines, and the best local options for food and drinks. Re:SET is a very fairly priced, artist-driven weekend where you can hang with friends and enjoy an evening of amazing music.”
Conceived as an artist and fan friendly alternative to the standard summer concert experience, each weekend will see three cities in the same region hosting, with each Re:SET headliner playing each city on consecutive days. Each venue will also feature food and drinks from local restaurants, bars, and breweries.
The event will run from 2-25 June, launching in California with shows by LCD Soundsystem at Frost Amphitheater at Stanford, Bay Area; Steve Lacey at Brookside at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles; and Boygenius at Thrive Park at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego. It will also visit Atlanta, Dallas and New Orleans (9-11 June); New York, Boston and Washington DC (16-18 June); and Nashville, Chicago and Columbus (23-25 June).
Re:SET is also partnering with digital marketing platform Propeller on a philanthropic initiative taking place on each site. Propeller will work with local charities, as well as a national sustainability partner, on a flyaway promotion to send a fan to any Re:SET date, with travel and hotel included.
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Coldplay tour tops 6m sales, more US dates added
Ticket sales for Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour have now surpassed six million, as the band reveal details of a further slate of stadium shows across the US and Canada for 2023.
The group will perform at Seattle’s Lumen Field (20 September), Vancouver’s BC Place (22 September), Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego (27 September) and the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles (30 September).
Support on all dates will come from H.E.R. and 070 Shake. Tickets go on sale this Friday (27 January).
Coldplay were originally due to play SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles last year before the shows were cancelled due to production issues. An exclusive first come, first served presale will be offered to past purchasers of their previously scheduled 2022 dates in LA. The presale will take place on Thursday 26 January.
To allow more fans access to the shows, the British band will be continuing their $20 Infinity Ticket Programme for the west coast shows. The programme offers a limited number of $20 tickets, which could be located “anywhere in the venue – on the floor, up in the gods or anywhere in between”. Tickets are restricted to a maximum of two per purchaser and must be bought in pairs.
In North America, Coldplay are represented by Marty Diamond of Wasserman Music. Diamond is confirmed as a panellist for the View From The Top panel at this year’s ILMC.
The Music Of The Spheres run restarts in Brazil in March before returning to Europe in May
The Music Of The Spheres run restarts in Brazil in March before returning to Europe in May for shows in Portugal, Spain, England, Wales, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Earlier on the tour, Coldplay made history in Argentina by completing an unprecedented 10-night sellout run at the 65,000-cap Estadio River Plate in Buenos Aires. The national record previously belonged to Roger Waters, who played nine shows at the venue in March 2012 during his The Wall Live tour.
A special live broadcast of the group’s 28 October Buenos Aires concert was screened in cinemas in more than 80 countries – a record-breaking number of countries for a live cinema event – topping the box office charts in Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Netherlands, and breaking the top 10 worldwide across the weekend covering 28-30 October, according to Comscore.
The tour has also been praised for its groundbreaking sustainability initiatives, which include the world’s first tourable battery system and the first ever stadium show powered by renewable energy.
As part of their commitment to cut tour emissions by 50%, the band have pledged to plant one tree for every ticket sold and have offered fans incentives to travel by low-emission transport.
Subscribers can revisit our in-depth look at the tour, first published in Issue 113 of IQ Magazine, here.
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