(24 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Napa, California – 24 May 2024
1. Various concert fans enter BottleRock music festival
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Vinny Sacco, Music Festival Attendee from Las Vegas:
"I was honestly very excited because as a kid, I’ve always gone to concerts my entire life, and it was disheartening to see the prices raise over time, especially for small bands that I know and love. And it was sad to see that it was Ticketmaster’s fault because it was a monopoly, and all these bands are kind of forced to work with this company. So it was unfortunate that these bands that I like are kind of pigeonholed into this scenario where I can’t see them unless I shell out a lot of money nowadays, where tickets used to be $20, but now they’re upwards of $75 for the same experience, if not worse, because there’s less amenities, more crowds, and everything is more expensive."
3. "Welcome to BottleRock" sign
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Misti Serrato, Music Festival Attendee from Sacramento:
"When you buy tickets and you start at like 60 bucks and you end up at like 95, it’s insane. So I think it’s it’s a good thing. And certainly to break up the monopoly is is a good idea."
5. General Admission entrance sign
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Crystal Mayer, Music Festival Attendee from Sacramento:
"I think if the government is getting involved, obviously they’re looking to support equity across buying tickets. And I feel like, if there’s a chance it’ll make it better, I’m all for it, as long as it’s not where I’m continuing to pay extra money on top of fees, just to be able to get to the. It’s almost like you’re at the back of the line. And then there’s the other line, and it just feels like it’s pushing me back further from even going to see a show anymore."
8. Will Call ticket booth
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Anica Amato, Music Festival Attendee from Los Angeles:
"Honestly, I was hoping to buy a ticket for this concert, but because it was so expensive, I ended up working it instead so that I can go. So I’m actually I’m hoping to like, get off to see Stevie Nicks, but that’s kind of how it goes because it is too expensive for younger people. And, just kind of makes it a not so fun experience to try and get a hold of tickets."
10. BottleRock music stage
11. Jenene Crockett, Music Festival Attendee from Napa:
"Maybe we should thank Taylor? I’ll send her a letter. The beginning of a change. Maybe she’ll run for president next. But, yeah, I think a change needs to happen."
12. Street closed for music festival
STORYLINE:
As the summer music festival season heats up, concert goers are cheering the U.S. government’s efforts to break up Ticketmaster.
The Justice Department sued Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation, accusing them of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America and asking a court to break up the system that squelches competition and drives up prices for fans.
The sweeping antitrust lawsuit was brought with 30 state and district attorneys general and seeks to dismantle the monopoly they say is squeezing out smaller promoters, hurting artists and drowning ticket buyers in fees.
Ticketmaster and its owner, Live Nation Entertainment, have a long history of clashes with major artists and their fans, including Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen.
The government accused Live Nation of various tactics, including threats and retaliation and an “endless list of fees on fans."
It said most service fees go to venues and said it would defend itself against the “baseless allegations.”
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