The Cure’s Robert Smith is “sickened” by Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan fees

The musician also described the company’s dynamic pricing as a “greedy scam.”

It’s safe to say Ticketmaster has not had the best time over the last few months – and for good reason. Following the fiasco over Taylor Swift’s tour, which led to a number of her fans filing a lawsuit, the ticket vendor is in the headlines once more. This time, ​​The Cure’s fans complained about the fees collected by Ticketmaster during the band’s Verified Fan sale for tickets for their upcoming tour – and the band’s Robert Smith has now responded. 

“I am as sickened as you all are by today’s Ticketmaster ‘Fees’ debacle,”’ Smith wrote on Twitter. “To be very clear: The artist has no way to limit them. I have been asking how they are justified. If I get anything coherent by way of an answer, I will let you all know.”

 

Earlier this week, Smith posted about the band’s decision to use Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan system in an effort to combat scalping and get more face-value tickets in fans’ hands. He says the band refused to participate in the company’s dynamic pricing and “Platinum” tickets, calling the program that led to tickets on Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s current tour to skyrocket to thousands of dollars “a greedy scam.” 

As previously mentioned, Ticketmaster has been under fire for their business practices of late, facing a Senate hearing and multiple lawsuits. Meanwhile, Last year the Justice Department opened an antitrust investigation into Live Nation Entertainment – the company formed after Live Nation and Ticketmaster merged in 2010 – for potential abuse of power.

Writer
Chris Saunders