Taylor Swift Ticketmaster issue could lead to massive national movement: Expert

Swifties all over the country have been very active on social media since Taylor Swift announced her career-spanning “The Eras” tour, expressing their excitement for the arena-filling tour next year.

Following the contentious rollout of presale tickets last week, Taylor Swift fans relentlessly chastised Ticketmaster for the poor service they received during the purchase process.

Ticketmaster is by far the largest and holds the majority of concerts in the United States, collaborating with Live Nation as the country’s sole provider of music events.

The merger established the two companies’ monopoly in the live music events industry in the United States, infuriating music fans with no other options.

Taylor Swift’s Ticketmaster issue was not new in the industry, as many fans have complained about it on social media in recent years, yet no action has been taken.

The Ticketmaster issue has pounded the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives with Taylor Swift’s impact on the music industry and her ever-loyal fans’ loud voice, as congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez echoed the sentiments of the fans in calling out the merger of Livenation and Ticketmaster.

To that end, a small group of Swifties has decided to take charge of the situation, as Pennsylvania and Tennessee state governments have announced investigations into the fandom’s complaints.

According to Stephanie Aly, a professional community organizer based in New York, fandoms are an untapped force in organizing and mobilizing fandoms for social progress.

She said in a statement:

“Fandoms are natural organizers. If you find the right issues and you activate them and engage them, then you can effect real change.”

According to Billboard, Aly has “joined forces” with many other professionals to target Ticketmaster, launching “Vigilante Legal” and petitioning attorney generals to launch a similar attack. Swifties from the legal, public relations, and cybersecurity industries have joined the ranks.

The movement is “fascinating,” according to Rutgers University Center for American Women and Politics Associate Director Jean Sinzdak, who adds that it is “certainly an opportunity to engage people politically.”

According to reports last week, the Justice Department was investigating Live Nation Entertainment, which includes Ticketmaster, even before the Taylor Swift ticket issue. According to Deadline, the recent saga has heightened the investigation into the company.