Recommendations of the Editorial team
The group is definitely more illustrious. Sitting alongside specialist politicians from across the party spectrum beyond the AfD are “Kiki” Ressler, legendary tour manager of Die Toten Hosen, Christopher Annen from the Cologne band AnnenMayKantereit, musician Cosey Müller and booker Henrietta Bauer from the 360-degree agency Bretford.
As part of the “Parliament of Pop” debate series, the colorful group discusses in one of the round meeting rooms of the Paul-Löbe-Haus, which are familiar from the “Tagesthemen”.
For around two hours, it’s about a topic that affects millions of concert fans: the sprawling secondary market for concert tickets. Hosen tour boss Ressler sums it up succinctly: “Black market”.
Bots, price explosion and platform regulation
Short keynote speeches, flanked by Parliament initiator Manfred Tari (“Pop 100”), focus on bots, skyrocketing prices, platform regulation and the question of why Germany lags behind other countries when it comes to protecting fans from excessive prices. The event is hosted by the SPD members of the Bundestag Dr. Johannes Fechner and Martin Rabanus.
The background is well known and, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung author Johanna Bernklau, has been on the agenda for years: concert tickets are increasingly ending up on secondary market platforms such as Viagogo shortly after the official start of sales – at prices that are sometimes more than three times the original value. In addition, there are counterfeit tickets or so-called short sales, where tickets are offered that do not yet exist.
Open letter with prominent support
Numerous musicians, organizers and associations called for regulation in an open letter to the federal government. The most prominent supporters include Die Toten Hosen, Die Ärzte, AnnenMayKantereit, Nina Chuba, KIZ, Kraftklub, Purple Schulz and Deichkind. Support also comes from the musicians’ association Pro Musik, in which Christopher Annen is active when his Kölsch rock band takes a break.
The demands are specific: a legal price limit for the resale of tickets, stricter rules against automated purchasing programs (“bots”) and more transparency on sales platforms. Buyers should be able to understand who is selling tickets and what the original price was.
Political inertia as a permanent condition
This evening it becomes clear why many of these demands, despite widespread support for years, have had little political consequences. While artists and industry representatives report concrete grievances, the political debate moves along familiar lines: questions of jurisdiction, considerations under European law, audit orders and references to complex market mechanisms overshadow any committed discussion. The former Bundestag cultural politician Eckhart Gundel (The Greens) almost has to apologize for the fact that work was done on this topic in the last legislature – but nothing has changed in concrete terms.
The “Parliament of Pop” therefore seems like an exemplary lesson in German politics: an obvious problem is recognized by almost everyone involved, international examples have long been available, public pressure is growing – and yet it remains unclear whether and when regulation will actually take place. In your head you can hear the song “Waiting For The Train That Never Comes” by Mannes.
Germany lagging behind internationally
It is precisely the comparison with other countries that makes political inertia visible. The specialist politicians present point out that various responsibilities – including consumer protection and legal committees – must be emphatically involved before legislation even comes into reach. In France and the USA there are already rules against ticket usury and automated mass purchases.
In this country, the “social tickets” presented by Ressler are at least a concrete private initiative to provide cheap access for less well-off music fans. It is easier for bands in the arena and stadium leagues to use at least a small part of their immense fees to serve a greater cause. This spirit of solidarity has not yet reached Harry Styles and others.
Conclusion: The long road to regulation
At the end of a thoroughly inspiring evening, one thing remains above all: the cultural sector has taken its concerns all the way to the Bundestag. Whether this will have political consequences will probably take some time – if at all, then in the next legislative period.
