Featured Image: Oasis
UK Ministers are reportedly set to look into the use of dynamic pricing in concert ticket sales, following the Oasis onsale over the weekend.
The government had already revealed that it would launch a ticketing resale consultation in the autumn.
As expected, hundreds of thousands of fans queued for the chance to purchase tickets to the reunion tour across the UK and Ireland next year, which was announced by brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher last week.
Dynamic pricing sees the cost of tickets rise in line with demand. The Oasis onsale drew criticism over the practice from fans, as prices for tickets that originally started at £135 (€160/$180) rose to more than £350.
This is a PR disaster for Oasis. The reunion tour should've sold out in minutes, but six hours on from tickets going on sale, Ticketmaster is showing every gig still has availability – because fans now reaching front of the queue can't afford to buy any due to dynamic pricing. pic.twitter.com/1onrN0xotu
— Robyn Delvey (@Robyn_Delvey) August 31, 2024
While dynamic pricing is not a new practice and is allowed under consumer protection laws, the UK’s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she wanted to ensure tickets to events were sold “at fair prices” according to reports.
Nandy also said that she wanted to end “rip-off resales”, and that the review will look at “issues around the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, including the technology around queueing systems which incentivise it”.
While fans that missed out on tickets will inevitably be disappointed, festivals and live music tours such as the Oasis reunion are crucial for the UK economy according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).
NTIA chief executive Michael Kill commented: “Events and festivals are vital to the recovery of our towns and cities, estimated to generate an impressive return of over £4 for every £1 spent.
“Events like Oasis, TRNSMT, On The Beach with Carl Cox, Beautiful Days, Reading and Glastonbury and many more don’t just bring people together; they drive economic recovery, supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and revitalising our communities. We need to champion these events and encourage more to happen across the UK.”
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