Kid Rock Testifies Before Congress on Ticketing Costs, Proposes Reforms
Robert Ritchie, famously known as Kid Rock, appeared before Congress on Wednesday to address the escalating costs of concert and event ticketing. He presented several proposals aimed at tackling corporate practices and unregulated resales that significantly impact fans and artists alike.
Congressional Hearing Focus
The U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing, led by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), delved into various aspects of the live performance industry. Key topics included ticket sale practices, associated fees, and the widespread use of automated bots for rapid ticket purchases, which often lead to tickets being immediately resold at higher prices.
Kid Rock's Testimony and Proposals
Ritchie emphasized his independent standing, asserting he is free from influence by record companies or corporate endorsements. He drew a parallel to Pearl Jam's testimony against Ticketmaster three decades ago and highlighted the 2009 assurances that the merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster would benefit both artists and fans.
Ritchie asserted that the merger, described by Live Nation's CEO as an "experiment," had "failed miserably," leading to challenges for independent venues, reduced artist leverage, and higher fan costs.
He urged Congress to subpoena contracts between industry entities, alleging potential "fraud and abuse." His proposed solutions included:
- Allowing artists greater control over ticket sales.
- Capping resale ticket prices to prevent excessive markups.
- Enforcing the BOTS Act to impose penalties on unauthorized brokers.
Ritchie also criticized ticketing lobbyists for their opposition to meaningful reforms.
Related Legislative Actions
In 2025, the Senate Commerce Committee approved the TICKET Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that had previously passed the House. This act aims to introduce greater transparency and fairness into the ticketing process with several key provisions:
- Requiring all event ticket sellers to display total ticket prices, including all fees, upfront.
- Banning speculative ticket sales, where tickets are listed for sale before being owned by the seller.
- Mandating clear disclosures on ticket ownership and guaranteeing refunds for canceled events.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is designated as the body responsible for enforcing the provisions of the TICKET Act.
Additional Witnesses
Other individuals who provided testimony at the hearing included Brian Berry, executive director of the Ticket Policy Forum; Dan Wall, executive vice president of corporate and regulatory affairs for Live Nation Entertainment; and David Weingarden, chair and co-founder of the Colorado Independent Venue Association.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The congressional hearing took place amidst significant ongoing legal challenges against Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster:
- A year and a half prior, the Department of Justice (DOJ), alongside a coalition of 30 state and district attorneys general, filed an antitrust lawsuit seeking to dismantle Live Nation Entertainment. The lawsuit alleges the company maintains an illegal monopoly over the live events industry, a charge Live Nation denies.
- In September, the FTC and seven U.S. states filed a separate lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation. This complaint cites deceptive pricing and illegal ticket resale tactics, alleging the companies added high checkout fees and allowed brokers to bypass purchase limits, thereby generating significant revenue from inflated resales.