Music Icons Demand MA Ticket Reform

A powerful coalition of musicians is demanding a fairer system for live music, launching an open letter to the Massachusetts Senate advocating for sweeping changes to ticket resale practices. The proposed legislation, dubbed “The Great Divide Act,” aims to recalibrate the relationship between artists, venues, and fans by tackling the rampant issue of ticket scalping.

The fight for fair access is not just a matter of economics; it’s about protecting the value of live performance. Leading acts in the music scene—including Noah Kahan, Dropkick Murphys, Pixies, Goose, and many others like MGMT and Dispatch—have joined forces to make their voices heard.

This advocacy is backed by a strong alliance of major industry groups, including the Recording Academy, RIAA, SAG-AFTRA, and various music coalitions. They are pushing for rules that ensure the excitement of a show doesn’t become a private luxury controlled by secondary market platforms.

What exactly does the proposed “Great Divide Act” propose to reshape the ticket landscape? The bill seeks to implement several key measures designed to curb predatory resale:

• Resale Capping: Ticket resale prices will be capped at 110% of face value.
• Fee Limits: Platforms facilitating ticket resale, such as StubHub and SeatGeek, will be limited to charging a maximum of 10% fees.
• Speculative Sale Bans: The act will outlaw the sale of tickets by resellers who do not actually own them.
• Deceptive Marketing: Sites will be prohibited from falsely implying an official affiliation with artists or venues.

In their collective statement, the artists made a direct plea emphasizing the emotional cost of scalping. They argued that live performance should not be treated as a luxury item manipulated by extreme markups.

“Live performance should not be a luxury. Our art is not a commodity to be bought and resold at extreme markups against our wishes. People who contribute nothing to live performance should not profit more than the artists, venues, crews, and workers who bring these shows to life,” they stated.

The letter highlighted that predatory resale practices erode trust and exploit fans who faithfully support their favorite artists. The signatories stressed that fans plan and save to attend shows, and they deserve a system that protects fair access rather than shutting them out.

This push in Massachusetts aligns with a growing national movement. Other regions are actively pursuing similar legislation; Maine, Vermont, and Washington, D.C, have already implemented ticket caps, while other states like New York and California are considering similar measures.

By seeking reform in Massachusetts, these artists are not just addressing a local issue; they are participating in a broader effort to advocate for equitable compensation and respect within the music industry, ensuring that the magic of live art remains accessible to everyone.