Issues With Ticket Sites And Skyrocketing Prices Leave Oasis Fans Disappointed
Tickets for Oasis's highly anticipated reunion tour sold out within ten hours on Saturday, but not without significant frustration from fans. Many encountered technical glitches, long waits, and ultimately, disappointment.
The tour marks the first time the band will perform live in 16 years, sparking enormous demand for the 17 UK and Ireland shows scheduled for 2025.
Fans report problems with ticket sites
Fans reported problems with the three main websites selling tickets—Ticketmaster, See Tickets, and Gigsandtours—where they faced error messages and were sometimes kicked out of the queue before completing their purchases.
While Ticketmaster insisted that its website did not crash and that the queue was moving steadily, fans were less than satisfied with the experience.
Dan Walker, a British TV presenter, echoed the frustrations of many on social media, saying, "There has got to be a fairer, simpler, more efficient way of selling tickets."
Dynamic pricing sends ticket prices skyrocketing
Adding to the frustration was the issue of dynamic pricing, where ticket prices surged dramatically as demand increased. What started as tickets priced at £135 quickly escalated to over £350 for some, leaving fans feeling priced out.
The practice of dynamic pricing, which adjusts prices based on demand, was introduced by Ticketmaster in 2022 to combat ticket scalping and ensure more revenue goes to artists. However, the system has been met with criticism, especially as some Oasis tickets appeared on resale sites for as much as £8,000 shortly after selling out.
Ticketmaster defended the practice, stating that prices are set by the event organisers and that the system is intended to reflect the true market value of tickets.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called the situation "depressing," and pledged to include dynamic pricing in a government review of the secondary ticket sales market.
She emphasised the need to ensure that tickets are sold at fair prices, saying, "This government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of music."
Government plans to review ticket sales practices
The government’s planned review will not only look at dynamic pricing but also at the transparency of ticket sales and the technology used in queuing systems that can contribute to such issues.
Nandy expressed hope that by working with artists, the industry, and fans, a fairer system could be established that prevents "rip-off resales" and ensures ordinary fans can access tickets at reasonable prices.
The controversy has put a damper on what should have been a celebratory moment for Oasis fans, who have been eagerly awaiting the band's reunion after their split in 2009. Despite the frustration, the tour is expected to be a significant boost to the UK and Ireland’s hospitality sectors, with millions likely to be spent by fans travelling to attend the shows.
As the debate over dynamic pricing continues, it remains to be seen whether changes will be made to protect fans from soaring ticket prices.
