Ticketmaster and popular metal band Avenged Sevenfold have partnered to roll out the Ethereum NFT token-gating ticketing feature that offers special access to concert and event tickets for eligible NFT owners.

The launch will allow artists to offer up exclusive access to concert tickets for holders of their NFTs, with fewer bot-created sales and scalpers taking the edge over fans. Avenged Sevenfold, which has its own Deathbats Club NFT collection, was the first to test the feature to enable 10,000 of its Ethereum NFT holders to buy tickets to the band’s upcoming New York City and Los Angeles arena shows in June.

Avenged Sevenfold will also launch an NFT-based loyalty program on Polygon that will allow fans to claim a free ticket pass and tap into NFT-gated presales and potential benefits. The band plans to use claimable NFTs to merchandise, as well as CDs and vinyl releases and plans to airdrop passes to top listeners on Spotify. The token-gating function can be used by any artist that has its own NFT collection or that has partnered with an NFT community.

(By Andrew Hayward)