Government to Review Dynamic Pricing After Oasis Ticket Outrage: Calls for Fairer Access to Live Music

Sky-high Oasis concert ticket costs dishearten fans; officials vow to examine fluctuating pricing strategies

"Looks like it's time to look back in anger," commented a fan on social media, expressing frustration over the ticketing process for the eagerly awaited comeback tour.

Monday, September 2, 2024, 12:

The authorities have committed to investigating the practice of variable ticket pricing following a significant increase in the prices of Oasis reunion tour tickets during their sale.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy labeled the high pricing of Oasis concert tickets as "depressing" and announced that price surging would be covered in a government examination of the secondary market for concert ticket sales.

On Saturday, enthusiasts of the globally renowned music group endured long waits in online lines, eager to secure tickets for next year's highly anticipated reunion concerts.

After enduring long lines and significant delays, numerous attendees were greeted with ticket costs that greatly exceeded the original price.

Many voiced their frustration online after tickets, initially priced at £148, were listed for £355 on Ticketmaster shortly after going on sale, a surge attributed to the platform's dynamic pricing strategies.

During her weekend address, Ms. Nandy revealed plans for a government consultation that will examine these problems and the technology that supports queuing systems which encourage them.

She expressed disappointment over the high ticket prices following the announcement of Oasis's reunion, noting that these costs prevent regular fans from experiencing their beloved band in concert.

"This administration is dedicated to recentering fans as the core focus of the music industry."

"In our upcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales, we plan to address concerns related to the transparency and application of dynamic pricing, as well as the technology behind queuing systems that promote it."

"By collaborating with artists, the industry, and supporters, we can establish a more equitable system that eliminates the problems caused by scalpers and overpriced resales, guaranteeing reasonably priced tickets for everyone."

What is dynamic pricing?

Introduced by Ticketmaster in 2022, this pricing strategy adjusts based on consumer demand.

The measure was implemented to prevent scalping and to increase the financial returns for the artists.

In essence, when ticket demand is high and availability is low, prices tend to increase.

In response to frustration about the cost of Oasis tickets, the company clarified that they do not determine ticket prices and provided a link to a website explaining that prices might be "set or subject to market fluctuations."

On its official site, Ticketmaster characterizes its "Platinum" tickets as those priced based on fluctuations in supply and demand.

The objective of the dynamic pricing system, according to the statement, is to ensure that tickets are accessible to fans in a fair and secure manner, while also allowing artists and event organizers to set ticket prices that more accurately reflect their actual market worth.

The firm states that it is the artists, along with their management and event promoters, who determine the prices and decide to use dynamic pricing for their events.

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Cabinet member Lucy Powell experienced the impact of dynamic pricing this past Saturday, ultimately paying over twice the initially quoted price for a ticket to an Oasis concert.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) supported the announcement of a government review.

A representative stated: "Our goal is for fans to receive equitable treatment when purchasing tickets from secondary markets, and we have initiated measures against prominent reselling platforms to enforce compliance with consumer protection laws.

"We believe that additional safeguards for consumers are essential, and it's encouraging that the government is taking steps to tackle this issue. We are eager to collaborate with them to achieve the most favorable results for supporters and businesses that play by the rules."

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Last week, on Tuesday, Noel and Liam Gallagher announced the much-anticipated reunion of their band.

Dynamic pricing is widely adopted across various sectors beyond the music industry, particularly prevalent in the travel sector for pricing hotel accommodations and flights.

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Jack Antonoff, who often works with Taylor Swift, has expressed concerns about dynamic pricing in the past.

He explained to Stereogum that his goal was for artists to have the option to leave the system and set their own prices for their work.

Efforts have been made to contact Ticketmaster for a statement.

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