Bands Urged to Oppose Dynamic Concert Ticket Pricing After Oasis Fiasco

Artists are being urged to take a stance against the growing issue of dynamic pricing for concert tickets. This call to action followed a recent incident where Oasis fans experienced a significant price increase for tickets, sparking outrage.

Fans of the renowned Manchester band were left frustrated and angry after spending hours queuing online. Initially, the standing tickets were priced at £135, but by the time fans attempted to purchase them, the cost had surged to £355.

Lucy Powell, the leader of the House of Commons, admitted that she had to pay more than anticipated. She criticized the dynamic pricing model, which allows ticketing sites to increase prices based on demand, stating that the process lacks transparency.

Many fans discovered only at the point of purchase, after enduring long online queues, that the only available standing tickets were marked “in demand,” costing £337.50 plus fees. These tickets offered the same benefits as the basic £135 tickets, without any additional perks, despite the inflated price.

Ticketmaster, owned by Live Nation, defended the dynamic pricing strategy, comparing it to pricing models used by hotels and airlines. The company claims the system aims to deter ticket touts by setting prices closer to market value and that the fees are pre-approved with the artists and their management.

Jamie Stone MP, the Lib Dem culture spokesperson, labeled the situation as scandalous, accusing promoters and ticketing websites of exploiting cultural events for profit. He emphasized that the Oasis ticket debacle should lead to an official investigation by either a watchdog or parliamentary body.

Labour has promised to tackle ticket touting, where secondary sites resell tickets at exorbitant prices, and plans to launch a consultation on the issue in the autumn.

In Ireland, fans trying to buy tickets for Oasis’s Croke Park gigs, originally priced at €86.50 (£73), were met with prices of €415.50 for the same tickets. Regina Doherty, an MEP for the Dublin constituency, called for an investigation into this lack of transparency and fairness in advertising.

The European Commission acknowledged concerns about dynamic pricing last year and is currently monitoring the situation. It stated that imposing excessive prices by a dominant company violates EU law.

In the US, the Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Live Nation over allegations of monopolization and other unlawful practices that stifle competition in the live entertainment industry.

Jonathan Brown, CEO of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers, defended dynamic pricing, stressing that prices are set by artists and compared it to booking travel or accommodations. However, musician and author John Robb criticized the model, claiming it exploits fans’ excitement in an unscrupulous manner.

Sean Adams, who manages artists like Charlotte Church and the Anchoress, urged MPs to investigate dynamic pricing but suggested that real change must come from the artists themselves. He questioned why a “band of the people” would endorse corporate ticket policies that feel exploitative to fans.

Numerous Oasis fans voiced their discontent over the unexpected price hikes and the lack of prior warnings. Professor Michael Waterson, who reviewed anti-touting measures for the previous government, emphasized the need for transparency in ticket pricing to prevent surprises at the point of purchase.

UK consumer regulations mandate that companies must be clear about their pricing and must not mislead customers by providing false information or omitting crucial details. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) declined to comment on individual cases.

Reg Walker, a ticketing and security expert working with major music venues, pointed out that Ticketmaster stands to gain significantly from higher fees through dynamic pricing. He expressed skepticism about whether artists fully understand the implications of this model.

The Guardian has reached out to Ticketmaster and Oasis representatives for comments.

Source: Reuters, The Guardian