Government to Review Ticket Pricing Amid Outrage Over Oasis Reunion Tour Costs

Sky-high Oasis concert ticket prices leave fans disheartened; government to examine fluctuating pricing models

"Time to revisit our frustrations," commented an Oasis enthusiast online, expressing dismay over the ticketing process for the much-awaited comeback tour.

Monday, September 2, 2024, at 12

The administration has committed to investigating fluctuating ticket prices following a sharp increase in the cost of tickets for the Oasis reunion tour during the sale period.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed disappointment over the high prices of Oasis concert tickets, stating that the issue of surge pricing will be addressed in an upcoming government examination of the secondary market for event tickets.

On Saturday, enthusiasts of the globally renowned music group spent hours in digital lines trying to secure tickets for next year's highly anticipated reunion concerts.

Yet, after enduring the lengthy lines and extensive waiting times, numerous individuals were greeted with ticket costs significantly exceeding their original price.

Many voiced their frustration online after tickets, originally priced at £148, quickly escalated to £355 on Ticketmaster shortly after going on sale, a result of the dynamic pricing strategies employed.

Over the weekend, Ms. Nandy stated that the government would examine issues including the technology behind queuing systems that encourage it, as part of a forthcoming consultation.

She commented, "With Oasis making a comeback, it's disheartening to witness such steep ticket prices that prevent regular fans from experiencing their beloved band in concert."

"This administration is dedicated to re-establishing fans as the core focus of the music industry."

"In our upcoming discussion on consumer protection measures for ticket resales, we will address concerns related to the transparency and application of dynamic pricing, as well as the technology behind queue systems that encourage it."

"By collaborating with artists, the industry, and supporters, we can develop a more equitable system that eliminates the problems of scalpers and overpriced ticket resales, guaranteeing reasonably priced tickets for all."

What does dynamic pricing mean?

This pricing strategy, which adjusts prices based on demand, was rolled out by Ticketmaster in 2022.

It was introduced to prevent scalping and to make sure that a greater portion of earnings goes directly to the artists.

When there's high demand and a limited number of tickets available, prices tend to increase.

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

On its official site, Ticketmaster defines its "Platinum" tickets as those whose prices fluctuate based on market dynamics.

The dynamic pricing system aims to ensure that fans can purchase tickets fairly and securely, while also allowing artists and event organizers to set ticket prices that more accurately reflect their market value.

The firm states that it is the artists, their management, and event organizers who determine the prices and decide if dynamic pricing will be implemented for their events.

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Cabinet member Lucy Powell was affected by fluctuating prices last Saturday, ending up paying over twice the initially stated price for a ticket to see Oasis in concert.

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

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

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

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The announcement of the band's highly anticipated reunion was made by Noel and Liam Gallagher last Tuesday.

Dynamic pricing is widely adopted in various sectors, not just music, and is particularly prevalent in the travel industry for pricing hotel accommodations and airline seats.

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

He explained to Stereogum that he wished for artists to have the option to withdraw from the system and set their own prices for sales.

Efforts have been made to obtain a statement from Ticketmaster.

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