Oasis Reunion Tour Ticket Fiasco: Government to Review Dynamic Pricing Amid Fan Outrage

Sky-high Oasis reunion tour ticket costs 'disheartening' – government to examine fluctuating pricing practices

"Time to look back in anger," posted a disappointed Oasis enthusiast on social media, expressing frustration over the ticketing process for the eagerly awaited comeback tour.

Monday, September 2, 2024, 12:

The government has pledged to investigate the practice of dynamic ticket pricing following a significant increase in the prices of tickets for the Oasis reunion tour during the sale period.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy labeled the high pricing of Oasis tickets as "depressing," announcing that surge pricing will be examined in the government's upcoming review of the secondary concert ticket market.

On Saturday, enthusiasts of the globally renowned music group spent hours in online lines, eager to secure tickets for one of next year's comeback concerts.

Once they endured the long lines and extensive delays, numerous individuals encountered ticket costs significantly exceeding the original price.

Many voiced their frustration online after seeing tickets initially priced at £148 being resold for £355 on Ticketmaster shortly after they went on sale, a spike attributed to the platform's dynamic pricing strategies.

Over the weekend, Ms. Nandy stated that the government will examine these matters and the technology related to queuing systems that encourage it in a forthcoming consultation.

She expressed disappointment, stating: "Following the thrilling announcement of Oasis's reunion, it's disheartening to witness exorbitant ticket prices preventing regular fans from experiencing their beloved band in concert."

"This administration is dedicated to recentering music around its supporters."

"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 concertgoers, we can establish a more equitable system that eliminates the problems caused by scalpers and overpriced ticket resales, guaranteeing fairly priced tickets for everyone."

What is dynamic pricing?

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

It was implemented to prevent scalping and to direct more revenue towards the performers.

When ticket demand is high and supply is limited, prices tend to rise.

In response to frustration surrounding the cost of Oasis's tickets, the organization clarified that they do not determine the pricing. They provided a link to a webpage explaining that ticket prices might be set at a fixed rate or subject to market fluctuations.

On its official site, Ticketmaster defines its "Platinum" tickets as those whose prices vary based on market dynamics of supply and demand.

The objective of the dynamic pricing system is to ensure that tickets are accessible and secure for fans, while also allowing artists and event organizers to set ticket prices that more accurately reflect their real market value.

The firm states that the responsibility for setting ticket prices and deciding on the use of dynamic pricing for events lies with the artists, their management teams, and event promoters.

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Cabinet member Lucy Powell experienced the effects 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 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 intervened with prominent reselling sites to guarantee compliance with consumer protection laws."

"We believe that additional safeguards are necessary for consumers, and it's encouraging that the government is keen on tackling 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 reunion was officially made by Noel and Liam Gallagher last Tuesday.

Dynamic pricing is also prevalent in other sectors, notably in travel, where it is regularly applied to hotel accommodations and flight fares.

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Jack Antonoff, a regular collaborator 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.

Attempts have been made to contact Ticketmaster for a response.

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