05/08/2023
May 6, 1994
On this day twenty nine years ago Pearl Jam filed a grievance with the Justice Department, which would lead to an antitrust complaint, against Ticketmaster. The band wanted to keep ticket costs down for their upcoming tour and felt that Ticketmaster were charging fans too high of a service fee (usually $4 - $6). Pearl Jam wanted the fee to be no more than $1.80 on their $18 tickets.
In an effort to fight against Ticketmaster, Pearl Jam would cancel their 1994 summer tour dates. However, the band would be fighting a losing battle as other bands were reluctant to join them in the battle and in the months and years to come Pearl Jam would have no choice but to perform in Ticketmaster exclusive venues (today Ticketmaster controls over 70% of major venues in America).
Over the years the service fees charged to fans would only get worse. Much, much worse. This year for one concert I’m attending I paid more in service fees than the actual base cost of the ticket. 😡
We need a group of major artists to stand up to Ticketmaster, or this will never change. Recently The Cure fought Ticketmaster on this same issue, but it will take a lot more than one band. Us fans can only hope.
When this case happened in the 90s I honestly didn’t think much of it, but over time I’ve come to really respect what Pearl Jam was fighting for.
