'It Just Sucks': The Smith Street Band & Illy Join The Fight Against 'Scummy' Online Scalping

Following the Australian Senate finally passing an amended motion yesterday for new anti-ticket scalping legislation, emcee Illy and punk act The Smith Street Band's Wil Wagner have spoken out against ticket reselling sites.

Wagner took to Twitter to draw attention to Ticketmaster Resale selling tickets to the band's shows at "HUGELY INFLATED prices", stating, "We have always and will always make our shows as affordable as possible. We'd never want people to be out of pocket in order to see us play."

Later, speaking to triple j, Wagner elaborated, "It's such a scummy thing to do and the fact that it is this Ticketmaster Resale website. They take the $9 booking fee on the original ticket and then to put it up on the Ticketmaster Resale website — I think they're making $18 from it just posted up on there.

Hey @Ticketmaster_AU why are you letting scalpers sell tickets to our shows at HUGELY INFLATED prices on your resale website?

— The Smith St Band (@smithstband) March 21, 2017

These are all on YOUR website right now @Ticketmaster_AU pic.twitter.com/DzwJQLIB3z

— The Smith St Band (@smithstband) March 21, 2017

Seeing Wagner's tweets, Illy spoke up in a Facebook statement. 

"It's fucking disgusting how much some people are marking prices up. I'm sorry to anyone who has paid more than the price we set. Insert more swear words here."

Illy notes he's also seen tickets to his shows go for "double or more" on resale sites.

read more: top aus promoters call for scalping crackdown while resale vendors dodge questions

"It goes against the spirit that me and all the people involved in making this shit happen work with, and way more importantly, it's a big ducking [sic] slap in the face to the people who support me and my music, people who actually want to come to the show. They should never have to cop that.

"I don't know what the fix is for it, resale sites should be cracking down on this shit WAY heavier."

The anti-scalping movement has been gathering steam for months, with Peter Garrett speaking out against ticket reselling sites earlier this month ahead of Midnight Oil's massive world tour.