There's another essential component to this systems which is that the artists, managers and promoters are all often in on this. See: https://www.wsj.com/articl

There's another essential component to this systems which is that the artists, managers and promoters are all often in on this. See: https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123672740386088613 https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123672740386088613 and https://www.theringer.com/2016/6/3/16045790/ticket-industry-problem-solution-e4b3b71fdff6 https://www.theringer.com/2016/6/3/16045790/ticket-industry-... LiveNation often offers the artist guarantees for the tour up front. This is great for artists as the risk it transferred to LiveNation. LiveNation then extorts the fans via Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster becomes the scapegoat, but since they're a near monopoly with a one of the worst public images it makes no difference to them. The artists also take a piece of those "convenience charges" that often make up a large percentage of the face value of a ticket. Again Ticketmaster takes the heat and everyone wins except the fans.