How To Watch Live Nation, Kid Rock Senate Ticket Hearing Today
The Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy convenes a high-stakes Senate hearing on live event ticketing today. Learn details and how to watch the Senate ticket hearing today including testimony from all sides of the issue.
The hearing titled “Fees Rolled on All Summer Long: Examining the Live Entertainment Industry” will be haired by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). It aims to pull back the curtain on the “artist-fan connection.” In particular, it will focus on how modern ticketing practices from hidden junk fees to the relentless surge of automated bots may be destroying it.
Who is Testifying?
The Senate ticketing hearing today will feature a mix of high-profile artists and industry heavyweights. The mix ensures a polarized debate:
- Robert Ritchie (Kid Rock): Representing the artist’s perspective on rising costs and fan frustration.
- Dan Wall (Live Nation Entertainment): The Executive VP of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs will likely defend the primary ticketing model.
- Brian Berry (Ticket Policy Forum): Representing the secondary market.
- David Weingarden (Z2 Entertainment / CIVA): Bringing the perspective of NIVA and independent venues struggling to compete in the current ecosystem.
Why It Matters
For the independent live music community, this isn’t just about clearer and perhaps lower prices for fans. It’s about the sustainability of the touring ecosystem.
When “junk fees” and bot-driven markups eat into a fan’s monthly entertainment budget, there is less money left over. Consequently, there is less for merch, concessions, and tickets to see emerging indie acts. Whether Congress will actually pass enforceable legislation against bots or if this is just more “political theater” remains to be seen.
How To Watch Live Nation, Kid Rock Senate Ticket Hearing Today
The Senate Ticket Hearing today, Wednesday, Jan 28 will start at 2:30 PM EST. You can stream it live via the Senate Commerce Committee website and YouTube.
Check back here for an embed of the live stream.
Bruce Houghton is Founder & Editor of Hypebot, Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, a Berklee College Of Music professor and founder of Skyline Artists.
