In his recent Twitter posts, Robert Smith, frontman of the Cure, raised concerns about a new piece of legislation currently under consideration in Louisiana. Smith alerted his fans and followers to the potential harm it could cause to artists.
The vocalist expressed his concern about HB341, a proposed law that, if passed, would outlaw fan-to-fan ticket exchanges. These platforms are frequently used by musicians, including the Cure during their 2023 North American tour, as a mechanism to curb the issues of ticket scalping and the use of bots to buy up tickets for resale at inflated prices.
The bill, having already been approved by the Louisiana House, is now up for consideration in the state Senate. Smith went on to share that there will be a hearing on the matter this upcoming Wednesday. The lead singer called on Louisiana lawmakers to consider the interests of artists and fans over those of ticket resellers.
Smith concluded his messages by suggesting that commercial lobbying potentially corrupts the democratic process. He appeared to be implying that the proposed legislation might be more influenced by the interests of ticket resellers than by those of artists or their fans.
His initial tweet about the issue:
“The Louisiana Legislature (HB341) is considering a resellers-backed bill to ban fan-to-fan exchanges (like the one we are using on our 2023 North American tour to try and limit/stop scalping and bots). The bill has already passed the House and is up for consideration in the State Senate. There is a hearing this Wednesday morning… Louisiana lawmakers! Please don’t pass this bill! Empower the artists, not the scalpers and the bots!”
Smith’s last tweet:
“Commercial lobbying corrupts democracy.”
The reactions to Robert Smith’s posts among his followers were generally supportive. Many praised Smith for his advocacy efforts, recognizing him as a unique figure in the music industry for his commitment to addressing this issue. Others expressed their gratitude to the singer for raising awareness about the bill and its potential implications.
THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE (HB #341) IS CONSIDERING A RESELLERS-BACKED BILL TO BAN FAN-TO-FAN EXCHANGES (LIKE THE ONE WE ARE USING ON OUR 2023 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR TO TRY AND LIMIT/STOP SCALPING AND BOTS). THE BILL HAS ALREADY PASSED THE HOUSE…
— ROBERT SMITH (@RobertSmith) May 9, 2023
…AND IS UP FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE STATE SENATE. THERE IS A HEARING THIS WEDNESDAY MORNING… LOUISIANA LAWMAKERS! PLEASE DON’T PASS THIS BILL! EMPOWER THE ARTISTS, NOT THE SCALPERS AND THE BOTS! #ShowsOfALostWorld2023
— ROBERT SMITH (@RobertSmith) May 9, 2023
COMMERCIAL LOBBYING CORRUPTS DEMOCRACY X
— ROBERT SMITH (@RobertSmith) May 9, 2023
