Technology / 09.23.19

Why the Black Keys Shut Out Hundreds of Fans, Causing Chaos at the Wiltern

Access Staff

Los Angeles Times (9/20/2019) Reyes-Velarde, Alejandra

Hundreds of fans who purchased tickets to see the Black Keys concert at the Wiltern in Los Angeles were denied entry. These fans purchased tickets from third-party vendors like StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats. Ticketmaster and LiveNation blamed “bad actors” who knowingly sold invalid tickets. In a statement, Ticketmaster said, “The presenters of the concert directed that these tickets be made available only to fans and that they be strictly nontransferable. This was messaged from the beginning with the announcement of the performance and throughout the sales process. Unfortunately, bad actors took advantage of this situation and posted screen shots of tickets that were not valid for entry onto the secondary market. We always recommend purchasing tickets from the official source.” The Black Keys commented, as well. “Last night’s concert tickets were $25 and geared toward the fan club,” the band said in an email via their representative. “This was our first show in over four years … Because we were playing a venue far smaller than the rest of the venues on the tour as a warmup show, we turned off ticket transferability to ensure that our fans got in the door at the low ticket prices we set for them.” SeatGeek said it seemed fans who “just wanted to see the show” and bought tickets on non-Ticketmaster platforms were targeted. “You start thinking, who is behind the curtain?” fan Evan Smith said. “I don’t know, something stinks.”

Read the full story in the Los Angeles Times.

Tags: Music , Ticketmaster , Reselling , Security , News , Venues