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

Sky-high Oasis concert ticket prices prompt dismay; officials vow to examine fluctuating pricing strategies

"Seems we have to 'look back in anger'," commented a fan on social media, expressing frustration over the ticket sales for the eagerly awaited comeback tour.

Monday, September 2, 2024, 12:

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

Culture Minister Lisa Nandy labeled the high prices of Oasis concert tickets as "depressing," noting that surge pricing would be examined in a government evaluation of the secondary market for concert ticket sales.

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

After enduring long lines and significant delays, numerous individuals discovered that the cost of tickets was substantially higher than their original price.

Many voiced their frustration online after tickets, originally priced at £148, surged to £355 on Ticketmaster shortly after going on sale, a spike attributed to the platform's dynamic pricing models.

Over the weekend, Ms. Nandy stated that in a forthcoming government consultation, they will examine these problems and the technology behind queuing systems that encourage such behavior.

She expressed disappointment, stating, "Following the exciting announcement of Oasis's comeback, it's disheartening to witness the skyrocketing ticket prices that prevent everyday 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 review of consumer protection policies for ticket resales, we plan to address concerns regarding transparency and the application of dynamic pricing, as well as the technologies supporting queue systems that encourage such pricing strategies."

"By collaborating with artists, the industry, and supporters, we can develop a more equitable system that eliminates the problems of scalpers and overpriced resales, guaranteeing tickets are sold at reasonable prices."

What does dynamic pricing mean?

This system, which adjusts prices based on demand, was launched by Ticketmaster in 2022.

The measure was introduced to prevent scalping and to direct a greater share of profits to the artists.

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

In response to frustration regarding the cost of tickets for Oasis, the company clarified that they do not determine ticket prices and provided a link to a website explaining that prices could be "set or fluctuate based on the market."

On its official site, Ticketmaster defines its "Platinum" tickets as ones with prices that fluctuate based on market demand and availability.

The text indicates that the purpose of the dynamic pricing system is to ensure that fans can purchase tickets in a fair and secure manner, 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 representatives, and promoters who determine the prices and decide if dynamic pricing is implemented for their events.

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On Saturday, government minister Lucy Powell was affected by dynamic pricing and ended up 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, "It's important to us that fans receive fair treatment when purchasing tickets from secondary markets. We've already taken steps against prominent resale sites to make sure they comply with consumer protection laws."

"We believe additional safeguards are necessary for consumers, which makes it encouraging that the government is seeking to tackle this issue. We are eager to collaborate with them to achieve the most favorable results for supporters and ethical businesses."

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The announcement follows Noel and Liam Gallagher revealing last Tuesday that the much-anticipated reunion of their band is set to take place.

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

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Long-time Taylor Swift collaborator Jack Antonoff has previously mentioned that dynamic pricing presents a problem.

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 contact Ticketmaster for a response.

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