Concertgoers share Ticketmaster horror stories as DOJ files suit: ‘What in the actual f–k?’

Concert goers celebrated the Justice Department’s lawsuit against Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster on Thursday, which has long been accused of monopolistic practices that have enabled it to get a stranglehold on the ticketing of live events in the US.

Music lovers took to social media to wonder why it took the government so long to act against Live Nation — particularly in light of frequent complaints from ticket purchasers that they fell victim to alleged price gouging by the company.

An Australia-based fan of Aerosmith took to Reddit to complain about the exorbitant fees that he says he had to pay for two tickets to the band’s upcoming New Year’s Eve concert in Boston.

business, antitrust law, broadway tickets, concert tickets, lawsuits, ticketmaster, tickets, concertgoers share ticketmaster horror stories as doj files suit: ‘what in the actual f–k?’
3

Fans of top music acts including Aerosmith shared their horror stories of purchasing concert tickets through Ticketmaster. Boston Globe via Getty Images

“For a concert I expect to pay $10 or so for fees,” the Reddit user who goes by the name “scottywiper” wrote.

He said that after buying two tickets to the Aerosmith show in Boston, he was forced to pay fees which exceeded $120.

“WTF! Tickets were $311, cost for two was $770,” he wrote, adding: “Unimpressed.”

William Pierre-Louis, a Washington, DC-based public policy analyst, posted a screenshot of a purchase for $49.50 for a ticket to see R&B performer Tank at The Theater at MGM National in nearby Maryland.

“The price for one ticket was $49.50. When I tried to check out, the total quickly went up to $71.00,” Pierre-Louis wrote on X.

“Seriously, how is this okay?”

business, antitrust law, broadway tickets, concert tickets, lawsuits, ticketmaster, tickets, concertgoers share ticketmaster horror stories as doj files suit: ‘what in the actual f–k?’
3

Ticketmaster is alleged to have added service fees and other charges to tickets for events such as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. AFP/Getty Images

Another commenter on Reddit wrote that he wanted to buy tickets for Ringling Bros. Circus for him and his girlfriend.

While the face value of the seats were $35 apiece, the final amount he ended up paying — including fees and taxes — was $113.

“What in the actual f–k,” he wrote.

Exactly, @SenWarren. Last night, I tried to buy a ticket via @Ticketmaster for a concert. The price for one ticket was $49. 50. When I tried to check out, the total quickly went up to $71.00.See screenshots below to support my claim here! ⬇️
Seriously, how is this okay? https://t.co/x3L3RZBOOn pic.twitter.com/SYTrFD1ET3

— William Pierre-Louis, Jr., B.S. (He/Him/His) (@williamjpl1) May 23, 2024

Live Nation has denied the government’s allegations that it is a monopoly.

The company released a statement on its website on Thursday saying that the lawsuit “won’t reduce ticket prices or service fees.”

“It blames concert promoters and ticketing companies — neither of which control ticket prices — for high ticket prices,” Live Nation said in its statement.

business, antitrust law, broadway tickets, concert tickets, lawsuits, ticketmaster, tickets, concertgoers share ticketmaster horror stories as doj files suit: ‘what in the actual f–k?’
3

Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation are denying allegations that it is a monopoly. AP

The company said that the Justice Department is ignoring “everything that is actually responsible for higher ticket prices, from increasing production costs to artist popularity, to 24/7 online ticket scalping that reveals the public’s willingness to pay far more than primary tickets cost.”

Ticketmaster “retains only a modest portion of” the service fees, according to the statement.

OTHER NEWS

4 hrs ago

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy 'getting fed up' with owner Jerry Jones: report

4 hrs ago

Who Should Steelers Hope Wins Training Camp QB Battle?

4 hrs ago

Goaltender's dad talks up the Oilers' chances of lifting the Stanley Cup

4 hrs ago

Phillies turn rare 1-3-5 triple play against Tigers, 1st since 1929

4 hrs ago

Discount Burger Check? Chiefs' Reid Shares Hilarious Commercial Story

4 hrs ago

'Devastating loss': Digital lending library, Internet Archive, removes 500,000 books after being sued by publishers

4 hrs ago

Iga Swiatek vs Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina: WTA ‘Big 4’ state of play ahead of Wimbledon

4 hrs ago

Would a Toronto byelection loss spell doom for Trudeau?

4 hrs ago

BlackSuit ransomware gang blamed for ongoing car dealership outages

4 hrs ago

'Unreal' injury-time equaliser saves football powerhouse

4 hrs ago

Nigel Farage accused of cosying up to the Kremlin by former NATO boss

4 hrs ago

Dagestan, in southern Russia, has a history of violence. Why does it keeps happening?

4 hrs ago

Marines revive a World War II airfield on Peleliu in Pacific pivot

4 hrs ago

Fortnite Brings Tilted Towers and Other Fan Favorite Locations, But With a Twist

4 hrs ago

Shadow of the Erdtree Puts the Cherry on Top of Elden Rings Main Strength

4 hrs ago

Anger erupts as Albo's governor-general is awarded payrise

4 hrs ago

Charo Makes Rare Public Appearance at Project Angel Food Event: 'Life Is Beautiful' (Exclusive)

4 hrs ago

Boozed-up England fans sing '10 German bombers' chant in Cologne

4 hrs ago

Show Respect: ‘Boys are surprised we talk about this, it’s become normalised’

4 hrs ago

After clash with prosecutor, judge reserves ruling on restricting Trump’s rhetoric about agents’ classified documents search

4 hrs ago

Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan ‘doesn’t deliver’ any ‘energy price decrease’ until 2040

4 hrs ago

Where to watch Netherlands vs. Austria live stream, TV channel, lineups, prediction for Euro 2024 match

4 hrs ago

China lunar probe to return to Earth with samples

4 hrs ago

Report: Knicks’ OG Anunoby declines player option, enters unrestricted free agency

4 hrs ago

Saints offensive line ranked 19th in the NFL

4 hrs ago

Senators acquire goaltender Linus Ullmark from Bruins

4 hrs ago

Why Qld feels like home for the Blues

4 hrs ago

Seahawks waive 3 undrafted free agents, make UFL champ signing official

4 hrs ago

Andrew Scott Frantically Runs to Hear Taylor Swift's ‘Style' at 'Eras Tour'

4 hrs ago

England’s Test series v New Zealand: Date, kick-off time and TV channel

4 hrs ago

Bills' McDermott Says Von Miller Has ‘Something to Prove’

4 hrs ago

US prosecutors want Boeing to face criminal charges

4 hrs ago

Finance Minister Michael McGrath set to become Ireland's new EU Commissioner

4 hrs ago

Red-hot Cardinals get huge boost in return of star catcher

4 hrs ago

How police use the mail to spy on you: 60,000 cases in last decade with little pushback

4 hrs ago

These 3 Republicans are Trump’s most likely VP picks

4 hrs ago

Roy Jones Jr. announces his son, DeAndre, died by suicide

4 hrs ago

Luxury Gyms, Like Equinox and Life Time, Are Taking Over Big Retail Spaces

4 hrs ago

Automobili Pininfarina PURA Vision wins prestigious Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2024

4 hrs ago

Pop legend Robbie Williams wears his AFL jersey to see if he still gets recognised in London - with some very surprising results