Live music industry updates this week include a new Ticketmaster app, progress on federal ticketing legislation, a California bill that the National Independent Venue Association wants vetoed, and venue policy changes on smart glasses. The developments affect ticket distribution, venue access, and artist discovery tools.
Ticketing and Legislation
Ticketmaster launched a new consumer app designed to increase personalization. Features include:
- Watchlist for tracking upcoming events
- updated Favorites tool for following artists
- refreshed Home with categories like For You, Trending, and Last Minute that surface events tailored to each fan’s preferences
The app does not include most of the 60 to 70 percent of tickets available to non-stadium and arena shows ticketed by AXS, Etix, See Tickets, DICE, Eventim and other ticketing companies. Independent platforms such as Bandsintown combine concerts from Ticketmaster and all of these sources.
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is supporting the bipartisan MAIN Event Ticketing Act, which would strengthen enforcement against illegal ticket bots and give regulators more tools to protect fans and the live entertainment ecosystem.
The House bill, introduced by Representatives Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) and Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.), advanced out of the House Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee by voice vote this week. Its Senate companion, led by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), has cleared the Senate Commerce Committee and been placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar.
In California, following the late night passage of California Assembly Bill 1349 (AB 1349), NIVA is calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to veto the legislation. What began as an effort to ban speculative ‘ghost’ ticket sales was altered in final legislative sessions, creating major loopholes that NIVA says protect multi-billion-dollar resale platforms while shifting more legal liability onto independent venues, artists, and fans.
Venue Access and Policy
Founded in 1965, Ann Arbor, Michigan’s The Ark is battling major disruptions as the city finalizes a $17.4 million sale of the adjacent 144-space public parking lot. A developer will replace it with a high-density, luxury high-rise apartment complex.
The complete removal of ground-level parking and designated handicap spaces directly behind the venue threatens to alienate patrons and those with mobility challenges. The Ark staff will also have to navigate a narrow, shared alleyway that will also handle the high-rise’s utility infrastructure, squeezing crucial backstage load-in and load-out access for touring artists.
As wearable tech like Meta‘s smart glasses surge in popularity, a growing number of live music venues, dance clubs and festivals are pushing back. Citing privacy and consent concerns, live event spaces are updating their policies to explicitly prohibit smart glasses from entering their premises.
In addition to protecting the privacy of patrons and venue staff, the bans help enforce the rights of performing artists to not be recorded without permission.
Festival and Discovery Tools
The International Festival Forum London (IFF LDN) kicks off September 7 to 9, bringing together an invite-only list of 1,000 booking agents and festival professionals.
Among the sessions, Bandsintown managing partner Fabrice Sergent and Markus Hetzenegger of NYBA are presenting a workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) titled “Beyond the Headliner: How AI Turns Your Line-up into Ticket Sales.” The session will explore how AI-powered discovery helps festivals unlock the value of every artist on the bill, how to convert that attention into ticket sales, and using AI across creative, campaigns and audience targeting.
The National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF) is hosting a free webinar, “So You Wanna Start a Festival?”, in partnership with the Coalition of Festivals and Major Events (COFAME) on September 17, 2026 at 3:30 PM.
