New York's crackdown on scalpers

Connections Podcast

Why are concert tickets so expensive and who is really profiting? As New York lawmakers weigh a bill that would let artists block ticket resales, we take a closer look at how this plays out between musicians, fans, and powerful resale platforms like StubHub. We break down what the proposed policy could mean for the live music economy, and why some say it could hand even more power to Ticketmaster. We also hear from musicians and venue owners who’ve seen the impact of scalping firsthand. What’s the real cost of a ticket when it’s resold for five times its face value? And what alternatives exist to make live events more affordable and fair? Guest host Gino Fanelli addresses those questions with our panelists:

• Jimmy Vielkind, state government and politics reporter for WNYC
• Dan Armbruster, lead singer and founding member of Joywave
• Zack Mikida, owner/operator of Anthology