KID ROCK has reignited the long-running battle against Ticketmaster, calling out fellow musicians — including PEARL JAM — to take a public stand against what he describes as decades of unfair practices toward both fans and artists.
In a passionate statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the outspoken rocker criticized the company’s business model and urged his peers to stop staying silent as fans continue to pay inflated ticket prices.
“They Rped Us for Fcking Years!”
In his unfiltered post, KID ROCK blasted Ticketmaster, accusing the company of exploiting both concertgoers and musicians through its high service fees and monopolistic control of the live events industry.
“They rped us for fcking years! Fck ’em! [I] hope they all go down,” he said. “But really, what I hope for is that we can fix ticketing for the fans. By the way, they’ve been fcking the artists, too, but I’m kind of second that equation. I want the fans to be able to go to a show at the prices I set for my ticket, and most artists do.”
His comments reflect the growing frustration within the music industry about how ticketing platforms — particularly Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation — handle pricing and distribution.
Many fans have long accused Ticketmaster of fueling scalper-driven resale markets and using hidden fees that drive up the final cost of attending live shows. Musicians like Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, and The Cure have also faced backlash over similar issues, prompting broader calls for reform.
“We’ll See If Any Other Artists Get On Board”
KID ROCK didn’t stop there. He went on to criticize other artists who, in his view, refuse to speak up or take a stand despite benefiting from massive ticket sales.
“We’ll see if any other artists get on board by the way with the lawsuit and their management, if they want to talk and tell them about the bullsh-t that’s going on for decades,” he continued. “A lot of them will p-ss out — straight up p-ssies. All these outlaw country singers, they’ll be a bunch of f-cking p-ssies when they should speak up for their fans.”
The comments highlight KID ROCK’s frustration not just with Ticketmaster, but with the music community’s silence around the issue.
Throughout his career, he has positioned himself as an artist who prioritizes fan access and fair ticketing — often setting price caps for his concerts to ensure affordability.
Calling Out PEARL JAM Directly
In a bold move, KID ROCK specifically called out PEARL JAM, referencing their historic battle with Ticketmaster in the 1990s.
“Let’s see if Pearl Jam steps up. They wanted to fix ticketing years ago. … So, calling your bluff right now. Let’s see what happens,” he said.
Back in 1994, PEARL JAM famously filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, accusing Ticketmaster of monopolistic behavior and excessive service fees. The band even attempted to bypass the ticketing giant by booking venues that didn’t use Ticketmaster — an effort that ultimately failed due to the company’s control of most major concert halls and arenas.
By invoking PEARL JAM, KID ROCK appears to be challenging the band to rekindle that same anti-monopoly spirit in 2025 — now that the federal government itself is stepping in.
FTC Lawsuit Marks a Turning Point
KID ROCK’s comments come amid a major legal battle involving Ticketmaster and Live Nation. In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit against the ticketing conglomerate, accusing it of abusing its dominant market position, stifling competition, and harming consumers through inflated fees and restrictive practices.
The lawsuit marks one of the most significant government actions against a major entertainment company in decades. If successful, it could lead to sweeping changes in how tickets are sold and priced across the U.S. concert industry.
For artists like KID ROCK, the timing couldn’t be more critical. His outburst appears to be a rallying cry for musicians to unite, testify, or at least speak publicly in favor of reform.
A Longstanding Battle in the Music Industry
The tension between artists and Ticketmaster is nothing new. Since the early 1990s, musicians have voiced frustration over the company’s control of ticket distribution and its impact on fans’ access to affordable shows.
PEARL JAM’s failed challenge in the ’90s was a precursor to the current crisis, foreshadowing many of the same complaints still being raised today. In more recent years, controversies like Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” ticketing meltdown and The Cure’s fee dispute have reignited public anger.
Now, with the FTC’s lawsuit underway, KID ROCK’s remarks have added even more heat to the conversation — especially because of his direct challenge to other high-profile acts.
“Fix Ticketing for the Fans”
At the heart of KID ROCK’s message is a clear demand for fairness and transparency.
“What I hope for is that we can fix ticketing for the fans,” he emphasized. “I want the fans to be able to go to a show at the prices I set for my ticket, and most artists do.”
That sentiment resonates with fans who feel priced out of live events due to skyrocketing fees and resale markups. By calling on his peers to take action, KID ROCK is positioning himself as one of the few mainstream artists willing to challenge the system head-on.
Will PEARL JAM Respond?
As of now, PEARL JAM has not publicly responded to KID ROCK’s challenge. However, given their historical stance on the issue, many fans are watching closely to see if the Seattle rockers will reenter the conversation — especially in light of the FTC’s lawsuit.
If they do, it could mark a powerful moment of unity among artists who share concerns about ticketing fairness and consumer protection.
A Potential Turning Point for Live Music
Whether or not PEARL JAM or others join him, KID ROCK’s public statement has reignited an essential debate about the state of live entertainment. His raw, unfiltered words may be controversial, but they’ve brought renewed attention to an issue that has frustrated both artists and fans for decades.
As lawsuits move forward and public pressure builds, one thing is certain — the music industry can no longer ignore the growing demand for change.
