NASHVILLE— Kid Rock is still absolutely *pissed* about the DOJ’s settlement with Live Nation. The musician, born Robert Ritchie, expressed profound disappointment this week. He had hoped for a more “visceral and public” dismantling of the concert giant. His years-long personal crusade felt unceremoniously dismissed.
Ritchie, 53, had previously lobbied various government agencies. He cited personal grievances and a broader “vibes-based” antitrust theory. He sought nothing less than a full demerger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. He also wanted a public apology “delivered via pyro-infused monster truck rally.”
A Vibe-Based Legal Theory
“This ain’t just about tickets,” stated Kid Rock, self-proclaimed “Chief Custodian of American Morale.” “It’s about the soul of rock ‘n’ roll. And that soul ain’t settling for no partial refund.” He maintained the settlement was a “slap on the wrist.” He called it “a polite nod to corporate malfeasance.” The Justice Department announced its agreement last week. It concluded an antitrust lawsuit against the merged entities. Many observers found the outcome underwhelming, as detailed by Stereogum.
Ritchie had envisioned a different outcome entirely. He wanted Live Nation executives to personally deliver concert tickets to disenfranchised fans. These tickets would be “at face value, with a bonus free beer and a high-five.” He had submitted a 300-page manifesto to the FTC. It was titled “The Ballad of Bob and the Broken Ticket Machine.” It detailed his personal frustrations.
The Search for True Justice
“Mr. Ritchie’s concerns are, shall we say, uniquely articulated,” noted Brenda Fiddlebottom, Assistant Deputy Undersecretary for Antitrust Vexations at the Department of Justice. “We believe the settlement addresses the core issues. It fosters competition within the ticketing landscape.” She added that “pyro-infused monster truck rallies are beyond our current mandate.”
Kid Rock dismissed such bureaucratic language. He called it “typical D.C. double-speak.” He vowed to continue his fight for “true fan justice.” His next steps remained unclear. Sources suggested he might launch a solo “Justice Jam” tour. The tour would exclusively perform his own interpretation of antitrust law. He previously considered running for Senate. This renewed activism seemed to preclude that. More information on government antitrust actions can be found here.
At press time, Kid Rock was reportedly drafting a new amendment to the Constitution. It specifically outlawed “bad concert vibes” and “hidden fees on patriotism.”
