Noah Kahan's advocacy has led to the enactment of Vermont's new ticket scalping law, designed to curb excessive resale practices and protect fans.
Legislation Details
Earlier this year, Kahan provided testimony to the Vermont State Senate in favor of bill H.512, which was sanctioned by Governor Phil Scott last week. The law caps ticket resale prices at 110% of their original value for concerts, sports, and live events.
"As an artist that cares deeply about the fan experience and accessibility of concert tickets, this bill is a critical step in eliminating predatory resale behaviors," Kahan stated.
Wider Impact
The Vermont law aligns with a national trend, as states like Maine, New York, and California also work on similar measures. Maine's law, passed in 2025, caps resale prices at 10% above face value. Organizations like the National Independent Venue Association support these efforts, arguing that eliminating profit motives is key to stopping scalping.
Opponents, including secondary platforms like StubHub, argue against caps, claiming that ticket holders should have the freedom to manage their tickets as they see fit.
Noah Kahan's Ongoing Efforts
Kahan has a history of promoting fan-friendly ticketing. On his Great Divide Tour, he implemented identity verification on Ticketmaster to thwart bots and used a face value exchange system.
Music Milestones
In 2026, Kahan celebrated his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with The Great Divide, noted for having the year's third largest debut week. Following his breakthrough with Stick Season, the album's release was marked by the surprise drop of an extended version titled The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs, featuring four new tracks.
Kahan's storytelling-focused approach is highlighted in pre-release singles like "The Great Divide" and "Porch Light." A Netflix documentary, Noah Kahan: Out of Body, directed by Nick Sweeney, delves into the making of the album, encapsulating the artist's reflections on creative evolution.
Kahan emphasized capturing Vermont's essence, stating, "Vermont has so many quiet, beautiful moments that you really just need to hear to experience."
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/noah-kahan-vermont-ticket-scalping-bill-law-1236611845/
