The price of a ticket tells a bigger story—and Tommy D is here to pull back the curtain. From a kid throwing house parties to the promoter behind packed midweek rooms and an award-winning club sound, his path was set for festivals at the Meadowlands. Then came a meeting that changed everything. Tommy recounts how a dominant player, he alleges, used its grip on talent, venues, and ticketing to force an ultimatum. He says the fallout didn’t just hit his business; it hit artists’ paychecks and fans’ wallets—and reshaped the live events market.
We go deep on how consolidation affects creativity, artist development, and the price you pay at checkout. Tommy lays out his case against hidden “rebates,” why artists often don’t see the true costs attributed to their shows, and how those expenses push ticket prices higher. He argues that when one company controls routing, rooms, and rails, new ideas struggle to breathe. The ripple effect is real: fewer choices for fans, slower growth for emerging acts, and a fragile local scene.
This conversation also maps a way forward. We explore practical reforms—transparent accounting, structural separation of ticketing and promotion, and real competition across markets—so artists can choose their partners and fans can choose where they buy. Tommy shares the grit behind a 15-year legal fight heading to a rare jury trial, the personal toll and motivation that keep him going, and why AI can draft assets but can’t replace human passion on a dance floor. If you care about fair prices, independent culture, and the future of live music, you’ll find substance and urgency here.
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