Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Taylor Swift slammed over controversial partnership with Ticketmaster that aims to stop touts

The singer is under fire over her endorsement of the ‘verified fan’ programme.

tayl

EARLIER THIS WEEK Taylor Swift and Ticketmaster announced that she would be using Ticketmaster’s ‘Verified Fan’ programme that supposedly keeps tickets from the hands of resellers.

The Verified Fan programme, which is currently only operating in the United States, requires fans to register in advance of ticket releases. After this, they receive a code that allows them to buy tickets, but not everyone is eligible to register.

Singles charts Dominic Lipinski Dominic Lipinski

Billboard explained exactly how this works:

Ticketmaster uses “proprietary data science technology” to try determine whether potential buyers are likely to be scalpers or fans – which presumably means no Swift tickets for Phish heads unless an algorithm determines they’re probably parents – and only approves the latter.
A couple of hours before tickets go on sale, Ticketmaster sends a text message with a code to some consumers – not everyone who qualifies gets one – who enter it to buy tickets much as they otherwise would.

Aside from concerns about data collection, this is problematic in another couple of ways.

Firstly, fans have been told that they can ‘maximise their chances’ of being selected for tickets by registering on TaylorSwift.com, buying her merchandise and picking a city in which they want to the singer to perform.

This means that fans are being backed into a corner, where they are feeling as if they have to buy merchandise and share personal data such as their location with the singer’s website  (which is obviously beneficial to her and her label) in order to get concert tickets.

As if trying to get concert tickets for a child with huge expectations isn’t one of the most stressful things a parent can do already.

The programme has yet to roll out in Ireland, but it’s probably only a matter of time, considering the extra steps that Ed Sheeran is taking to stop touting for his Irish concerts.

Secondly, fans can’t even be certain that this will guarantee them tickets. Billboard’s Robert Levine who explains the Verified Fan programme shared his personal experience purchasing tickets for the Broadway show Hamilton.

Levine spent 30 minutes being told that excellent seats for the show were available but was met with an error message every time he attempted to purchase them.

He finally came back to the computer two hours later to try again and had to opt for below-average group of seats three months after the original date he attempted to buy tickets for and *finally* got the tickets.

As we all know, unlike Broadway shows that run for months, there’s very little flexibility for concert tickets.

Rock on the Range Music Festival 2016 - Day 1 Rou Reynolds of Enter Shikari Daniel DeSlover Daniel DeSlover

Enter Shikari vocalist Rou Reynolds ranted on Twitter about Swift and Ticketmasters ‘sickening’ ‘ultra-capitalistic exploitation of fans’.

PastedImage-16738 Rou Reyno / Twitter Rou Reyno / Twitter / Twitter

PastedImage-62719 Rou Reyno / Twitter Rou Reyno / Twitter / Twitter

Fans of Enter Shikari agreed with Reynolds.

However Swift’s super-fans rushed in to defend her, insisting that they all would have at least bought a hard copy of the album ahead of the concert anyway.

PastedImage-42066 Rou Reyno / Twitter Rou Reyno / Twitter / Twitter

Would fans really buy a hard copy of the CD in 2017 though? Whatever about back when they didn’t want to download it illegally, but everyone uses music streaming services.

Consequence of Sound pointed out that express delivery on the CD, which some people will ultimately opt for, brings the cost of a single CD up to $63.

PastedImage-63477 Consequence of Sound Consequence of Sound

This is the ‘cute animated video’ that Consequence of Sound were critical of:

Taylor Swift / YouTube

They sum it up with “Basically, give Swift a lot of extra money or join her publicity team to ensure you have not a ticket – but simply a place in line for the opportunity to purchase a ticket.”

Finally, they point out that fans are able to purchase Swift’s album ‘up to 13 times’ to receive boosts on their position in line.

DailyEdge is on Snapchat! Tap the button below to add!

Written by Kelly Earley and posted on DailyEdge.ie

[image alt="" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2017/08/img2-thejournal-644.png" width="600" height="115" credit-url="" credit-source="" credit-via="" credit-via-url="" wp-id="wp-image-3573427" class="alignnone" /end]

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
16 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elaine
    Favourite Elaine
    Report
    Nov 10th 2017, 11:10 PM

    The stock photo used is not a whooper swan. For photos and information on whooper swan please go to http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/IrelandsBirds/Swans/WhooperSwan/tabid/151/Default.aspx

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Mcshane
    Favourite Michael Mcshane
    Report
    Nov 11th 2017, 12:41 AM

    @Elaine: the journal just can’t even get the simplest of things right…couldn’t even google the proper picture, I love to see the whooper swan in winter there is a lake with a long meadow near me and the return to it every year, a wonderful sight :)

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tweed Cap
    Favourite Tweed Cap
    Report
    Nov 10th 2017, 11:50 PM

    Migrating over here….and stealing our power lines. They’ve some neck all the same.

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Appaddy
    Favourite Appaddy
    Report
    Nov 11th 2017, 12:02 AM

    @Tweed Cap: brilliant- how dare they cannot they take a joke

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave.
    Favourite Dave.
    Report
    Nov 11th 2017, 1:34 AM

    @Tweed Cap: The Ethnic Minority might have a thing or two to teach them how you really do it, amateur hour getting electrocuted.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Sherman
    Favourite Dave Sherman
    Report
    Nov 11th 2017, 12:04 AM

    Does Paul Murphy know about this?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Nov 10th 2017, 11:06 PM

    I doubt they were electrocuted..

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel James Doherty
    Favourite Noel James Doherty
    Report
    Nov 10th 2017, 11:38 PM

    @William Grogan: what are you saying poison?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Big bad bull
    Favourite Big bad bull
    Report
    Nov 11th 2017, 1:38 AM

    @Noel James Doherty: he must be related some ways…..

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tom McCormack
    Favourite tom McCormack
    Report
    Nov 11th 2017, 7:45 AM

    The electricity should be switched off while swans are in the area. Ireland should welcome all migrant ..birds.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute brian mclaughlin
    Favourite brian mclaughlin
    Report
    Nov 11th 2017, 5:44 PM

    Some constructive comments The majority were of an uneducated nature. Why waste your time and energy If you cannot be construtive?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pizyco
    Favourite Pizyco
    Report
    Nov 10th 2017, 11:03 PM

    sad-black swan event.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute eastsmer
    Favourite eastsmer
    Report
    Nov 11th 2017, 3:32 PM

    Bury all power lines

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave barrett
    Favourite Dave barrett
    Report
    Nov 11th 2017, 9:04 AM

    Whats all the flap about!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Faustina O Farrell
    Favourite Faustina O Farrell
    Report
    Nov 11th 2017, 9:05 AM

    More nonsense.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Appaddy
    Favourite Appaddy
    Report
    Nov 10th 2017, 11:50 PM

    Can they not take a joke

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick J. O'Rourke
    Favourite Patrick J. O'Rourke
    Report
    Nov 11th 2017, 11:30 AM

    The solution is a very simple device and you will see it all the time if you look up.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds