As avid music lovers, we always look forward to experiencing the magic of live performances. Last Wednesday, we eagerly attempted to purchase tickets for the Twenty One Pilots show in Ohio using an artist's presale code on Ticketmaster, only to find they were already sold out when our turn finally came. Undeterred, we returned on Friday for the general admission ticket sale, but the situation was despairingly familiar. I was number 225,401 in the waiting room, with my daughter not far behind at number 32,000.

The presale process is meant to give dedicated fans an early opportunity to secure spots but has become an almost laughable hurdle—effectively a race that prioritizes not loyalty, but sheer luck. Adding insult to injury, resellers hold these tickets at a morally indefensible 900% markup, with pit tickets being listed for over $3,500. Such astronomical prices are simply unaffordable for the real fans who just want to enjoy the music they love.

This price gouging is not only unfair; it's a systematic exploitation of fans. It's disheartening to see the commodification of our cherished cultural experiences, reducing meaningful events to mere transactions driven by profit.

Ticket reselling at exorbitant prices has reached an unmanageable level, exacerbated by a demand-supply imbalance intentionally created by resellers. Data from ticket sales consistently show a significant portion of tickets being purchased by bots and resold at inflated prices, depriving genuine fans of their chances. According to a report from the New York Attorney General, bots circumvent ticket limits, making it practically impossible for genuine fans to obtain tickets at face value.

The time for change is now. It is imperative that legislation be enacted to prohibit resellers from marking up tickets beyond a reasonable percentage above face value. Implementing technology-driven solutions, such as blockchain ticketing, can ensure that the sales process becomes transparent and equitable, preserving the integrity of live performances.

We urge the U.S. Congress and state lawmakers to take immediate action against this exploitative practice and protect consumers from being forced out of events they are passionate about. Let’s make concert-going an enjoyable experience once again for everyone.

Please join me in signing this petition to call for a ban on ticket price gouging. Together, we can bring about the change needed to preserve the heart and soul of live music."}