Faced with the Ticketmaster crisis, Panteón Rococó returns to self-management for its October shows

( Spanish) — The Ticketmaster company is in the eye of the hurricane. The claims of the users for the problems derived from the purchase of tickets for the concerts in Mexico and the United States of Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift and The Cure have generated criticism of their sales modalities and a class action lawsuit that a judge in Mexico admitted in April.

For this reason, the Mexican band Panteón Rococó decided to bet on the independent promotion of the two shows that it will offer next October 28 and 29 at the Bicentennial Park in Mexico City, in which it hopes to bring together some 100,000 people.

Members of the rock and ska group told that they chose to return to the self-management that characterized them since their inception, 28 years ago, and this time to do without large promotional and ticketing companies, as well as exclusive pre-sales for cardholders. banks. In this way, his show “Días de Pantheón” will be organized, according to what they say, in an “inclusive and independent” way.

“The question of the ticket booths is something that also causes us a lot of irritation,” said the group’s guitarist, Rodrigo “Don Gorri” Bonilla. “Suddenly you wonder why Pearl Jam was in a fight with Ticketmaster for so long. And now more and more things are coming up, more little details, like these virtual days-long waits to get a ticket, where you’re number 100,000 in line.”

It should be remembered that, in December 2021, the band made up of Dr. Shenka (vocals), Monel (guitar), Darío Espinosa (bass), Tanis Huerta (percussion), Paco Barajas (trombone), Misael Oseguera (saxophone), Felipe Bustamente (keyboard) and the aforementioned “Don Gorri” Bonilla (guitar), offered three sold-out shows at the Foro Sol in the Mexican capital, in which local promoter Ocesa brought together a total of 180,000 people , according to figures from the organizers.

The band appeared on that massive stage to make up their 25th anniversary concerts, long postponed due to the covid-19 pandemic.

“We did have an offer from the company with which we did the three Foro Sol. But we told them: ‘What do you think if we leave it for later and as friends as ever? Today we are going to do it alone,'” added Bonilla.

has requested comments from Ocesa -acquired by Live Nation-, but so far we have not received a response.

The Federal Consumer Attorney’s Office (Profeco) told that the class action lawsuit against Tickermaster México for the irregularities presented with the ticketing during Bad Bunny’s first concert at the Azteca Stadium, in December, has already been resolved.

“Ticketmaster sent 2,330 service receipts: 1,261 correspond to order numbers managed through PROFECO and 1,069 to claims handled directly by the provider. The company returned 18.3 million pesos, including 20% ​​compensation,” the instance reported.

Panteón Rococó clarified that its decision does not imply a dispute against the promoters and ticket companies, but rather an attempt to offer “one more option to the public.”

The group announced this Tuesday that for its show on October 28, some 50,000 tickets had already been sold, the entire ticket, for which it reported that it opened one more date, on October 29. The sale for that concert “will be from Wednesday, July 5, starting at 9 AM at the Park ticket offices and digitally on the corresponding page,” according to a statement from the group.

Dr. Shenka said that they work together with the authorities of Parque Bicentenario, located north of the Mexican capital, to prevent the resale of tickets, as well as possible consumer fraud.

“With the Bicentennial Park there has been a hand in hand, hand in hand, to create a system that can guarantee that the audience that wants to see us is the one that will really be there,” said the singer.

With a 28-year musical career, Panteón Rococó is considered one of the icons of ska and rock in Mexico, with a proposal that has transcended borders to reach the United States, Latin America and much of Europe.

In the eye of the hurricane

The crisis of the ticket companies has grown so much that the Mexican Chamber of Deputies has put them on the ropes. On June 15, the Economy, Commerce and Competitiveness Commission approved, with 24 votes in favor and 11 against, an opinion that seeks to reformulate federal Consumer Protection laws to regulate ticket sales in Mexico.

Among other points, this document establishes that, before the cancellation of an event, the ticket offices must reimburse the entire cost of the ticket, including service charges, within the following 30 days without the need for the consumer to make the request.

The letter also establishes that ticket offices must guarantee access to those who have a valid and authorized ticket. Thus, it seeks to combat the overselling of tickets that exceed the number of places available in each venue.