Metro No Longer A Ticketmaster Venue
2 Comments Published by Keith on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 3:20 PM.
The Metro, my favorite venue in Chicago, will no longer be selling tickets through Ticketmaster. Very interesting times, indeed. From Chicagoist:We just learned that tickets to ALL Metro and Smart Bar shows are only available through their websites, or the Metro Box Office. There will still be service fees for tickets bought online, though we believe they will be much reduced due to Metro handling all sales internally, and there is still never a service fee for tickets bought at the Box Office.What does this mean? Ticketmaster has just lost one of the venues it's had long-standing relations with. We asked Metro spokesperson Jenny Lizak for the reason behind the switch and she said, "Basically, we’re responding to customer requests and technological advances that have occurred over the years, and this change is going to help us simplify the buying process and bring customers an affordable ticketing solution."
Huzzah to Metro and Smart Bar for listening to the fans, and may this be the beginning of a trend of local venues taking ticket sales into their own hands, and out of the haands of Ticketmaster and its outrageous fees.
The Metro is your favorite??
It's my favorite "legit" venue. As far as smaller places, I love Schubas -- but I haven't been there enough to really call it my favorite. All in due time.