FTC sues Ticketmaster for directly selling to scalpers

Ticketmaster is being sued by the FTC for illegal business practices. The FTC, and seven state governments, filed a suit against Livenation and its parent company for a number of illegal ticket selling practices, with most of the claims centered around Livenation's interactions with ticket resellers. The claims involve “bait-and-switch pricing,” where consumers often pay more than advertised. Further, there are claims that the company imposed "Strict limits" on the number of tickets that any one entity can buy are false since the company routinely dumps thousands of tickets, per show, directly into the hands of resellers. The FTC also said that fees are often hidden and not shown until the end of the purchase, and they can be as much as 44% of the final cost of the ticket. (Editor note- we have actually paid much more than that- namely, at the Sting/Shaggy show last weekend, we paid a whopping 85% service fee, at the door). Ticketmaster has collected $16 billion in fees from 2019 to 2024.

Livenation controls about 80% of major venues in the United States. Consumers spent nearly $83 billion buying tickets from the company between 2019 to 2024.

Morrissey cancels shows due to death threat

Morrissey was scheduled to play Connecticut tonight and the MGM music hall in Boson tomorrow. But, those shows have been canceled due to a death threat on Morrissey. Morrissey's representatives stated: "Due to recent events and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of both the artist and band, the upcoming shows this weekend at Foxwoods and MGM Music Hall have been cancelled. All tickets will be refunded automatically at your original point of purchase. We appreciate your understanding.

Listen to Human Issue cover Rudimentary Peni

Today, we are psyched to debut a rad cover!

Human Issue lioke things hard and nasty. They pull from anarcho-punk, death rock, and goth to create a hard charging, spiky sound. There is also some Siouxsie Sioux style soaring, too. It sounds intense and dark! So, it's only fitting that they covered the all time champs, Rudimentary Peni!

Jukebox Romantics : “March 24, 1984"

We are so pleased to bring a brand new Punknews Exclusive music video for New York based punks Jukebox Romantics. Over the last 15 or so years the band have been known for hitting the road endlessly with multiple appearences at festivals like The Fest, Warped Tour , Pouzza Fest and much more. After a long 4 year gap between releases, the band is back at it and is set to release their 5th new LP, This One Looks Cool on October 17th, 2025 via Sell The Heart Records and Engineer Records. You can pre-order the album by clicking here or here.

Today, their third single from the new release, "March 24, 1984" is here with a rated PG-13 film advertising rating, see below.

Kitchen Lover break down every track on their new album 'The Circus Sideshow Dream'!

Today marks the release of the debut album by Brighton-based, garage rock-infused punk rockers Kitchen Lover. The album is called The Circus Sideshow Dream and was produced by Erik Miles. Speaking about the album, the band said,

”It’s a reflection on the brutal highs and lows, the madness we willingly walk into - for the love of art, expression, and that ever-fleeting sense of validation.”

We caught up with the band to hear the stories behind each of the eleven tracks that make up The Circus Sideshow Dream. Listen to the album and read a track-by-track breakdown below!

The Good Depression: “Curse the Witch”

The Good Depression have released a new song. It is called “Curse the Witch” and is off their upcoming EP Where Grace Won’t Grow. This is also the first single they’ve released since Norik Alexanian joined the band on second guitar. The Good Depression released their album Oxblood in 2024. Check out the song below.

BETABOYS announce new album, share video for “Alone in Paradise”

Calgary-based new wave band BETABOYS have announced that they will be releasing a new album. It is called Great Pretenders and will be out in December. The band has also released a video for their new song “Alone in Paradise” which was shot and produced by Heather Saitz and filmed at Canyon Meadows Cinema and Pin Bar in Calgary. BETABOYS released their EP Just Yesterday in 2023. Check out the video below.

Summerbruise break down every track on their new album 'Infinity Guise'!

oday marks the release of the new album by Indianapolis emo punk band Summerbruise! The album is called Infinity Guise and was recorded, produced, and mixed by Nicholas Starrantino at Deadend Studio. The album also features guest spots from Tades Sanville of Hot Mulligan and Stoph Colasanto. The twelve tracks find the band getting both introspective and extrospective with lyrics full of humour and a ton of heart. We caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Mike Newman to hear the stories behind each of the tracks. Infinity Guise is available everywhere now via SideOneDummy Records. Listen to the album and read the track-by-track breakdown below!

Snooper release video for “Pom Pom”

Snooper have released a video for their new song “Pom Pom”. The video was created by Joe Sams, Arius Ziaee, and Kate Renshaw. The song is off their upcoming album Worldwide which will be out on October 3 via Third Man Records. Snooper are currently touring North America with The Hives and released their album Super Snooper in 2023. Check out the video below.

Listen to Punknews Podcast #699.999 - Dagger Polyester!

Episode #699.999 of the Punknews Podcast is now up! In this episode, punk rock artist Dagger Polyester stops by the podcast to talk about their new album Perversion for Profit, the uniqueness of living and creating in Los Angeles, and so much more. Em also gets deep into the My Chemical Romance lore while trying to explain their Toronto show to John. Listen to the episode below!