System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan recently issued a stern warning to individuals attempting to profit from his generosity.
System of a Down drummer calls out fan
In a recent Instagram post, Dolmayan expressed his frustration after discovering that tickets he personally donated to fans in need were being resold.
“I give out these tickets to help those who love our band but have no way of affording the tickets,” Dolmayan wrote.
“Whoever this person is you should be ashamed of yourself. Don’t worry, I’ll find out who you are and your tickets will be forfeited and instead they will go to a real fan.”
The drummer explained that he donates tickets specifically to ensure genuine fans—particularly those unable to purchase them at market prices—have the opportunity to attend System of a Down shows. He encouraged fans to report anyone seen reselling these gifted tickets, calling such behavior “vile.”
“For the people selling these tickets it makes me very sad,” Dolmayan continued. “You are vile.”
System of a Down, known for their powerful mashup of metal and political commentary, have built a die hard fan base since the late 1990s. Tickets to their rare live appearances are often in high demand, making Dolmayan’s donation efforts especially meaningful to fans struggling with affordability. System of a Down did multiple North American tour dates this year, increasing their live output, despite the lack of a new album.
Dolmayan’s strong stance against scalping reflects bigger frustrations in the live music industry, where ticket reselling and inflated prices have become increasingly controversial. By personally intervening, the drummer has made clear that his priority is ensuring loyal supporters—not opportunistic resellers—get the chance to experience the band’s shows. Dolmayan yet again offered free tickets via DM to an upcoming System of a Down London show to fans who can’t afford them, so despite this setback, he’ll continue to help fans.
