Country singer-songwriter Zach Bryan is the latest addition to the chorus of voices speaking out against Ticketmaster. The artist whose “Something in the Orange” recently landed on former President Barack Obama‘s year-ending playlist released a new live album, All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster (Live from Red Rocks), and made a pledge for affordable concert tickets.
“Seems there is a massive issue with fair ticket prices to live shows lately. I have met kids at my shows who have paid upwards of four-hundred bucks to be there and I’m done with it,” Bryan wrote on Instagram. “I’ve decided to play a limited number of headline shows next year to which I’ve done all I can to make prices as cheap as possible and to prove to people tickets don’t have to cost $450 to see a good and honest show.”
Bryan’s calls echo those from fans of Taylor Swift who acted as the catalyst for a renewed campaign against the merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation. After millions of fans were shut out of the pre-sale for The Eras Tour last month, the U.S. Department of Justice opened an antitrust investigation into Ticketmaster. This was followed by an international scandal earlier this month when hundreds of Bad Bunny ticketholders were turned away from a pair of concerts in Mexico City after Ticketmaster Mexico oversold the shows.
“I believe working class people should still be able to afford tickets to shows,” Bryan added. “I am so tired of people saying things can’t be done about this massive issue while huge monopolies sit there stealing money from working class people. Also to any songwriter trying to make ‘relatable music for the working class man or woman’ should pride themself on fighting who listen to the words they’re singing.”
The statement also included details of a mailing list that will keep fans informed on the affordable summer tour, “merch-drops and unreleased music.” All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster (Live from Red Rocks) landed on streaming services as a surprise Christmas present on Sunday. The 24-track album was recorded live on November 3rd, 2022 and includes guest appearances from Charles Wesley Godwin, Jonathon Peyton, and Abigail Peyton, who join in on the album-opening cover of “Country Roads”. Stream the album via Spotify in the player below, and for more on Zach Bryan, visit his website.
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Zach Bryan – All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster (Live from Red Rocks)