It seems like someone finally figured out the potential of NFTs beyond JPEGS and PFPs. Web2 companies keep failing to understand the web3 space and fail to make the leap. Blockchain technology offers the music industry innovative approaches and many artists are realizing it. NFT ticketing may be the salvation every single fan has been waiting for, and despite many’s passionate hate for NFTs, this won’t be the case for long. The Ticketmaster NFT Gated Tickets experiment with Avenged Sevenfold will definitely resonate with many artists.
Ticketmaster: NFT Gating
Before we get into the Ticketmaster NFT gated tickets, you need to be familiar with the term. Token gating is a verification method that provides exclusive access to spaces, events, content, and communities to people who own specific digital assets in their wallets.
This isn’t Ticketmaster’s first rodeo with NFTs, the platform minted almost 15 million digital collectibles tied to events via the Flow blockchain and Ethereum scaling network Polygon.
- November 2021- Ticketmaster gave attendees of NFL games during the 2021-2022 season the chance to mint their ticket stubs as NFTs.
- September 2022 – Via the Flow blockchain, all Ticketmaster event organizers could link NFTs with each attendee’s ticket. Something similar to the concept of a POAP.
How NFT Gating Works on Ticketmaster
The token-gating feature is available to any artist with their own NFT collection or that has partnered with an NFT community. The partnership idea is very interesting in bridging web2 and web3. For example, Beyonce could partner with World of Women NFTs (because who runs the world? ) Hence, whoever holds a WoW NFT can token gate a ticket for her concert from Ticketmaster.
Here’s how it would go:
- Go to the Ticketmaster pre-sale link
- Connect your wallet
- Hold the right NFT in your wallet
- Get verified
- Buy the ticket
- Transfer tickets to another wallet if you want.
That’s it, quick smooth, and almost effortless. If you don’t know how to set up a crypto wallet, we got you covered here. With this method, there’s no queue, no scalper black market deals, and no competition with bots. This verification process protects die-hard fans from manipulation and paying for overpriced tickets- this is exactly what happened to Taylor Swift fans trying to get tickets from Ticketmaster for her Eras Tour. Seems like Ticketmaster is making amends, good start.
The Success with Avenged Sevenfold NFTs
Avenged Sevenfold pioneered this Ticketmaster NFT gated ticket experiment. Their frontman Matt Sanders is deeply immersed in web3, for he helped launch the band’s NFT collection Deathbats Club back in December 2021 in hopes of bridging the gap between the band and their fans.
Owners of the 10,000 Deathbats Club Ethereum NFTs were offered early access to buy tickets to the band’s upcoming New York City and Los Angeles arena shows in June. About 1,000 total tickets were purchased between the two shows with the NFT-gating feature, therefore it is confirmed as a huge success.
Yes, we have integrated @DeathbatsClub into @Ticketmaster assuring that fans get the best tickets at the best prices without Bots, scalpers and long wait times. More info to come but there is 3 hours left. So if you have a Deathbat head here… https://t.co/lB8hlLCkkF
— M. Shadows (@shadows_eth) March 15, 2023
This opens a way for artists to connect with their fanbase on many levels. David Marcus, Ticketmaster’s EVP of Global Music, told Decrypt:
“Avenged Sevenfold used the capability to offer first access to tickets, but there are a variety of ways it can be used by artists in the future from unlocking premier seats to special experiences like sitting in on soundcheck. It’s really a blank slate for the artist to decide.”
Reactions To Ticketmaster NFT-Gated Ticket Sales
The Ticketmaster NFT Gated ticket sales are a revolution for NFT utility. Many web3 enthusiasts are very hopeful of this endeavor, while some are not as much. In a tweet, Matt asked his followers if they would be up to trying things with some blockchain integration and 63.3% were up to it. It’s progress in itself that only 36.7% chose ‘fuck the blockchain’ option. We may be going places with this.
Question for fans NOT in the @DeathbatsClub . If I can figure out a way to get the best concert tickets in the hands of REAL fans at the best prices, but it involves downloading a digital wallet (free of charge), would you be open to that?
— M. Shadows (@shadows_eth) March 23, 2023
There seem to be two groups in any NFT-related topic, so let’s go over some of the reactions to Ticketmaster’s NFT gate ticket endeavor with Avenged Sevenfold on Twitter:
1- Excitement: This is Innovative AF!
Since I am a @DeathbatsClub holder, I was able to get two tickets in Section 1 (LA, Kia Forum) for $250 which included a $25 service fee/ticket.
Those same two (2) tickets are now close to $755 total which includes $61 service fee/ticket.
I can’t speak for eveyone but for me… pic.twitter.com/BjtHcOVobQ
— EvryDayBetter (☀️,☀️)| bgonzo.eth/sol (@bgonzo00) March 26, 2023
2- Skepticism: This is Not Good Enough
Please stop hyping this stuff. How is this different than any other fan club? So much convoluted tech and religiosity is involved to accomplish something Pearl Jam did with a basic database in the 90s. Oy, is this really what we've come to?
— Adam Arrigo (@radiocurea) March 28, 2023
We don’t think supporting Ticketmaster does right by independent artists.
Artists deserve a platform that prioritises creator-owned monetisation, not a monopolistic incumbent playing catch-up 💤😴
— TRAX (@onlyontrax) March 27, 2023
What do you think about this collaboration between Ticketmaster and Avenged Sevenfold?