"But even if Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones or Taylor Swift uses a premier ticket pricing system, none of them are also exalting themselves as the cavalry coming to rescue democracy from the clutches of fat-cat bureaucrats as they march to the bank."
. . . "One problem: It’s all hypocritical crap. Profiteering over legitimate protest. Springsteen’s artistic identity, as a bleeding-heart populist who sings for the destitute and downtrodden, has never been more disconnected from his economic behavior as a touring act or businessman. The blue-collar troubadour now charges exorbitant amounts for his tickets — up to $2,900 retail for the best seats in Newark Monday; prices he agreed to despite fan backlash. He’s selling “No Kings” branded flags for $90 in the arena concourse. And last week, his merchandise distributor got an injunction passed to ban bootleg T-shirt sales outside the venue, even as crews of independent sellers — fine examples of working-class people he’s romanticized for 50 years — hawk merch at nearly every other Prudential Center show without issue.
Added by TD
.. . "Now Springsteen’s offering plate runneth over, as power and money are held above the people he serves, the people that made him — just like the administration he chastises."His impulse, to preserve his standing as rock’s last great prophet in the most commercial way imaginable, is shameful and frankly, a bit boring in its perceived antagonism. Of all the themes for a tour, he’s pitching anti-Trump ... in the president’s second term? Singing to 15,000 fans who already agree with him or they wouldn’t have spent a car payment (or two) on a ticket? What a revolutionary." . . . More...
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