Taylor Swift-Inspired Laws Target Ticket Scalpers in Michigan

If you’ve tried to get concert tickets, especially to the big shows here in Michigan like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, Zach Bryan and John Mayer at the Big House, or when the WWE comes to town, you can already relate to my pain.

The show goes on sale at 10 a.m., you’re logged in at 9:59, and by 10:01 the tickets are “sold out.” Not because 20,000 real people bought them… but because of bots.

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As someone who goes to nearly every concert in the area (seriously, if there’s a tour or festival coming through Detroit, Grand Rapids, or really anywhere in Michigan, I’m probably there) I can’t tell you how frustrating it’s been. And that’s why I’m thrilled to see Michigan finally taking some serious steps to stop the madness.

The “Taylor Swift bills,” just passed by the House and now headed to the Senate, aim to make it harder for ticket bots to grab up tickets the very second they go on sale. They’d give the Attorney General the power to go after scalpers using these shady tools, by giving out fines of up to $5,000 per ticket.

I don’t care who you love seeing live (Beyoncé, Blink-182, Luke Combs, whoever) everyone deserves a fair shot at getting a ticket without paying three times the price to a reseller.

Did you know these massive stars played The Intersection back in the day? ⬇️

These bills, HB 4262 and HB 4263, aren’t just about Taylor Swift. They’re about every fan in Michigan who’s tired of being priced out of the music and performers they love by people who just want to make a quick buck.

So fingers crossed the Senate moves quickly because Michigan concertgoers have waited long enough.

These Music Stars Stopped at The Intersection in Grand Rapids on Their Way to the Top

Intersection photographer Benjamin Howell has been sharing his photos of artists who play the intersection for almost a decade. These are some of the biggest acts who hit the stage in Grand Rapids on their way to the top.

Gallery Credit: Benjamin Howell