Ticketmaster Outrage Spills Over into Political Action

By BROOKE SCHULTZ

A Powerful Political Motivator

Some of Taylor Swift’s fans want you to know three things: They’re not still 16, they have careers and resources and, right now, they’re angry. That’s a powerful political motivator, researchers say.

Look What Ticketmaster Made Them Do

It started Nov. 15, when millions crowded a presale for Swift’s long-awaited Eras Tour, resulting in crashes, prolonged waits and frantic purchases. By Thursday, Ticketmaster had canceled the general sale, citing insufficient remaining tickets and inciting a firestorm of outrage from fans. Swift herself said the ordeal “really pisses me off.”

Fans Take Action

Ticketmaster apologized but the bad blood had already been sowed. And now fans — and politicians — have started acting on it.

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez directed Swifties to where they could make U.S. Department of Justice complaints. Multiple state attorneys general — including in Pennsylvania and Tennessee, key states in Swift’s origin story — have announced investigations.

Mobilizing Fandoms for Social Progress

Stephanie Aly, a New York-based professional who has worked on community organizing for progressive politics, for years has thought mobilizing fandoms for social progress could be beneficial.

“Fandoms are natural organizers,” said the 33-year-old Swiftie. “If you find the right issues and you activate them and engage them then you can effect real change.”

Research Supports the Power of Fan Culture

In 2020, for instance, K-pop fans organized to back the Black Lives Matter movement and sought to inflate registration for a Donald Trump rally. Aly and Swifties from different industries — law, public relations, cybersecurity and more — have joined forces to create Vigilante Legal, a group targeting Ticketmaster by creating email templates to petition attorneys general and providing antitrust information. Thousands have expressed interest in helping or learning more.

Conclusion

The sheer power and size of Swift’s fandom has spurred conversations about economic inequality, merely symbolized by Ticketmaster. As researchers note, the level of anger and outrage shown by fans is astounding, and it presents an opportunity for young people to become more politically engaged through fan culture. Whether this energy will last remains to be seen, but it is clear that fans are mobilizing and demanding change.

FAQs

Q: Why are Taylor Swift fans angry at Ticketmaster?

A: Fans are angry because of the botched ticket sale process, which resulted in crashes, prolonged waits, and frustrated purchases. Many fans feel that Ticketmaster prioritized profits over fan experience and fairness.

Q: What is Vigilante Legal, and what is its goal?

A: Vigilante Legal is a group of Swifties from different industries who are using their skills to target Ticketmaster. The group is creating email templates to petition attorneys general and providing antitrust information to help fans make their voices heard.

Q: How has fan culture impacted political engagement?

A: Research has shown that fan culture and community have boosted the tendency toward mobilization. Fans are using their passion and energy to drive change and make their voices heard on issues that matter to them.

Q: What does the future hold for this movement?

A: While it is difficult to predict the future, it is clear that the energy and outrage shown by fans will continue to shape the conversation around Ticketmaster and economic inequality. As fans continue to mobilize and demand change, it is possible that this movement will lead to real policy changes and a more just and equitable society.