Massachusetts Artists Rally Behind Ticket-Resale Cap Bill

A coalition of 16 New England musicians, including Noah Kahan, Aimee Mann, The Pixies, Goose, and Dropkick Murphys, sent a letter to state lawmakers urging approval of the “Great Divide Act.” The legislation, introduced by Governor Maura Healey, would cap the resale price of concert tickets at 110 percent of the original face value and ban speculative ticket sales.

The letter, posted on Wednesday, argues that live performance should not become a luxury good. The signatories state that “our art is not a commodity to be bought and resold at extreme markups against our wishes” and that ticket resellers who profit more than the artists, venues, crews, and workers “erode the trust between artists and the people who support us.” The artists note that they have all experienced fan frustration when tickets are sold at high resale prices.

The Great Divide Act is named after Kahan’s fourth album, The Great Divide. According to a press release, the bill would allow a resale price of up to $110 for a $100 face‑value ticket unless an artist or venue authorizes a higher cap through a written agreement. The act also limits fees charged by secondary ticketing sites and prohibits the sale of tickets that the seller does not yet possess.

Kahan has been a vocal advocate for ticket‑reform. He supported the Massachusetts bill and a similar law that recently passed in Vermont. The bill has backing from industry groups such as the Music Artist Coalition, the National Independent Talent Organization, and the Future of Music Coalition.

Ron Gubitz, executive director of the Music Artist Coalition, said the legislation “draws a clear line” against speculative tickets and runaway resale fees. He added that Massachusetts, led by Gov. Healey and Sen. Dylan Fernandes, is “leading the country” with these reforms.

The Massachusetts proposal is part of a broader trend. Maine introduced a price‑cap on resale tickets last year. California and New York have passed similar bills this year, and Washington D.C. approved a cap last week.

Ticket scalping has long been a source of fan frustration. The 2022 Taylor Swift–Ticketmaster controversy, in which fans were forced to pay high resale prices after a high‑profile tour’s tickets sold out, intensified calls for regulation. The controversy led to congressional hearings and a federal antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation‑Ticketmaster in 2024.

The Great Divide Act would address the same issues that prompted the earlier lawsuit. By limiting resale prices and banning speculative sales, the bill aims to protect fans from “price gouging” and to ensure that artists and venue staff receive a fair share of revenue.

The letter lists 16 signatories, ranging from punk and metal acts to indie and folk‑rock performers. The artists emphasize that the legislation is about access to live music, not about limiting the industry’s profitability. They argue that the current market structure allows a small number of scalpers to profit at the expense of fans and performers.

The bill remains in the legislative process. If passed, it would become the first state law to set a nationwide standard for resale pricing. The signatories and supporting industry groups are monitoring the bill’s progress closely.

At present, the letter has been delivered to the Massachusetts General Court, and the bill is awaiting committee consideration. The artists and industry groups plan to continue outreach to legislators and the public to build support for the legislation.

The outcome of the Great Divide Act will have implications for ticketing platforms, venues, and artists across the United States. If enacted, it could set a precedent that other states may follow, potentially reshaping the secondary ticket market nationwide.