THE UK GOVERNMENT has announced a comprehensive review of the ticket sales market following widespread backlash over the inflated prices of tickets for the recently announced Oasis reunion tour. The surge in prices, driven by dynamic pricing models, has left many fans feeling excluded from the chance to see their favourite band perform live, with ticket prices more than doubling from their face value.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed her disappointment over the situation, describing the inflated prices as “incredibly depressing.” She highlighted the Government’s commitment to addressing the issue and ensuring that fans are not exploited by the system. Nandy stated that the review will focus on the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, particularly the technology behind queuing systems that appear to incentivise such practices.
“After the incredible news of Oasis’ return, it’s depressing to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans from having a chance of enjoying their favourite band live,” Nandy remarked in a statement. “This Government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of music. We will include issues around the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, including the technology around queuing systems which incentivise it, in our forthcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales.”
The controversy erupted when fans attempting to purchase tickets for the Oasis reunion tour found themselves faced with prices that skyrocketed from the initial £75.00 to as much as £498.00 on Ticketmaster. The surge pricing model, also known as dynamic pricing, adjusts ticket prices based on demand, leading to what many fans have described as “sickening” and “scandalous” increases.
Crundale resident Gavin Young said: “I came into work on Saturday by 8.30am to use the office computers to buy my tickets. I was put into a queue of 274,677 people. After 8 hours of waiting at my desk I got to number one in the queue, but as soon as I got to the checkout the system was trying to charge me £498 for ‘budget seating’ for tickets that were initially advertised at £75.00 each.
“This is despite the band saying that tickets being sold over ‘face value’ would be cancelled.
“I feel devastated because I am a massive fan of the band, and one of those lucky enough to have seen Oasis live in Knebworth on August 11, 1996.
“Admittedly my mate and I, just 17-years-old at the time got given free tickets by a mystery woman walking out of the VIP entrance back stage, whilst we were trying to sneak in.
“We doubt that we would have the same luck this time around.”
One prominent figure affected by the pricing surge was Government minister Lucy Powell, who revealed that she had paid more than double the original quoted price for tickets to an Oasis show. Powell, the House of Commons leader and Lord President of the Council, purchased two tickets for £350 each for the Heaton Park concert in July, which had originally been priced at £148.50, excluding a booking fee. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Powell admitted that while she does not “particularly like” surge pricing, it reflects how the market operates. However, she emphasised the need for transparency, stating, “You’ve absolutely got to be transparent about that so that when people arrive after hours of waiting, they understand that the ticket is going to cost more.”
Ticketmaster, the platform where the tickets were sold, has defended its role in the pricing controversy, clarifying that it does not set the prices. According to the company, ticket prices are determined by the “event organiser,” who prices the tickets according to their market value. Despite this defence, many fans were left frustrated, not only by the inflated prices but also by technical issues on the Ticketmaster website, which led to some being incorrectly labelled as bots and missing out on tickets altogether. However, Ticketmaster maintained that its website did not crash and advised customers to clear their cookies and use only one tab when attempting to purchase tickets.
The Oasis reunion tour, marking the end of a decade-long feud between brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, quickly sold out all 17 of its announced shows, including two in Cardiff. The overwhelming demand and the issues with ticketing have reignited debates over the fairness of the secondary ticket market and the ethics of dynamic pricing.
Adding to the concerns, secondary ticket seller Viagogo listed a seat at Wembley for July 25 at an eye-watering £5,289. The platform has defended its practices, with its global managing director stating that it is the fans who set the prices. Viagogo also reiterated that resale is legal in the UK and that fans are protected by a guarantee that they will receive their tickets in time for the event or get their money back.
In response to the controversy, Oasis has issued guidance to its fans, advising them to use only Ticketmaster and Twickets for reselling tickets and to list them at “face value” to avoid cancellation by the promoters. The band’s promoters, Manchester-based SJM Concerts, Irish MCD, and Scottish DF Concerts & Events, have yet to comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has also weighed in on the debate, linking the issue of dynamic pricing to broader concerns about pricing practices in other sectors, such as travel companies and airlines, particularly during school holidays. Phillipson acknowledged that dynamic pricing is an area that requires further consideration, especially given its impact on families. However, she stressed the importance of ensuring children attend school regularly, warning that missing days at the start of the term can set a negative pattern for the future.
As the Government prepares to launch its review, fans and industry stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see whether new regulations will be introduced to curb the excesses of the current ticketing system. The aim is to create a fairer marketplace that puts fans first and protects them from the exploitative practices of touts and price surges, ensuring that live music remains accessible to all.
