Somewhere in a Ticketmaster server room, someone is having a very bad week. Senate investigators obtained 110,000 pages of the company's own internal documents, and what they show is that Ticketmaster paused ticket queues mid-presale, including during the Morgan Wallen on-sale, to reprice tickets in real time. Dynamic pricing wasn't a feature. It was a strategy. The Senate takes it up this Thursday.
We read the 101 page report so you don’t have to. Here are a few of the key things:
Ticketmaster charges fans 13-15% to resell their own tickets, while professional scalpers negotiate lower rates.
Between 2019 and 2022, dynamically priced concert tickets sold by Ticketmaster jumped over 700%. By mid-2022, all 30 of their top touring acts were on dynamic pricing.
Internal emails show staff were told to make sure any tickets priced over $2,000 sold fast so fans couldn't screenshot them.
During a Morgan Wallen presale, Ticketmaster paused the virtual queue to reprice tickets higher, keeping thousands of fans waiting.
They confirmed the system was rigged and people are still buying tickets for next Friday. I think that tells you everything about what shows actually mean.
Dynamic pricing wasn't a feature. It was a strategy.
THIS WEEK IN SHOWS 🎸
Billy Joel cancels all concerts after brain condition diagnosis
Billy Joel has cancelled every concert through mid-2026 after being diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. NPH affects hearing, vision, and balance, not the conditions you come back from on a concert stage. His daughter says he's in physical therapy and "doing great," and we're all choosing to hold onto that.
My Chemical Romance is playing The Black Parade in full for its 20th anniversary
Three Wembley nights, Citi Field, Hollywood Bowl with My Chemical Romance with rotating guests including Iggy Pop, Franz Ferdinand, and BABYMETAL. The emo generation is in their 30s now. They have mortgages and they are buying all three Wembley tickets anyway.
Alabama Shakes reportedly announce first tour in eight years
Reports suggest Alabama Shakes have announced a 2026 reunion tour, their first in eight years, wider confirmation from major outlets is still pending. One solid source has dates circulating. One of the most beloved live bands of the last decade, apparently back after a hiatus most fans had written off as permanent.
THE VENUE REPORT 🏟️
Corsica Studios in London is closing at the end of March after 24 years under the railway arches in Elephant & Castle.
The arches aren't just a backdrop, the low ceiling and concrete floor shaped the specific sound that defined London electronic music for two decades. Fred Again.., Four Tet, and Bicep built early sets in that room.
Some final shows are still on the calendar. The founders say they're searching for a new home, but the arches are the arches. There's no replicating them.
FAN DEBATE 💬
Iron Maiden announced a phone ban for their 2026 tour, and fan reaction has been almost entirely positive. Their manager didn't hedge: the ban made "a colossal difference to the atmosphere of every show." Iron Maiden joins Ghost, Bruno Mars, Jack White, and Bob Dylan in the phone-free camp, at this point it's less an artist quirk and more a movement. The screens kill something in the room. Have you been to a phone-free show? Did it feel different?
THE PRACTICAL BIT 🔧
The UK has banned ticket resale above face value, capping service fees and setting fines of up to 10% of global turnover for platforms that don't comply, covering social media sales too, not just the major platforms. Fans are estimated to save £112 million a year. The US is still debating proposed caps. The UK just did it.
B-SIDES 🎶
Rush's 2026 reunion tour keeps expanding. now 40 dates, with Anika Nilles on drums. The band that was never supposed to tour again keeps adding shows. Loudwire
Music Hall of Williamsburg is closing at the end of 2026, losing its lease after early sets from Mumford & Sons, Tame Impala, St. Vincent, and a pre-famous Ed Sheeran. Every remaining show is a de facto farewell whether it's billed as one or not. Brooklyn Paper
Judy Collins is launching a farewell tour called "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes" starting July 4. She's 86, with 14 Grammys — and a tour name that does all the emotional work before she plays a single note. Variety
The Prince 10th Anniversary Celebration runs five days at Paisley Park and across the Twin Cities, June 3–7 — VIP is already sold out, and full programming drops March 25.
Linkin Park played their first Australian shows in 13 years this week, with Emily Armstrong. The Adelaide date cancelled hours before showtime, but Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney all delivered. Fans who didn't believe they'd see LP again got their show.
The band was too loud for that room and the ceiling was basically on your head and I've never stood that close to a PA and felt that free.
What'd you think of this week's Still Ringing? Hit reply and let me know!
See you at the show.
