A new report has found that some 91% of live music fans believe that dynamic/surge pricing should be illegal in the UK when buying tickets to see their favourite bands.
Additionally, 82% said they disagreed with the use of dynamic/surge pricing even if the terms of sale were clearly communicated.
The data comes from the recently published Music Fans’ Voice survey, which polled more than 8,000 fans across the UK. The survey was commissioned by local authorities in eight UK cities, with the data collected between February 3 and March 4 this year.
“Dynamic ticketing is extremely effective in creating a moment of high stress where your fear of missing out can push you into buying tickets at inflated prices that you can’t afford. It is hugely irresponsible, unfair and I believe it should be banned,” said one respondent.
Of the 8,000 surveyed, 97% of music fans believed that face value resale of tickets should be permitted, but 91% said that legislation was needed to combat ticket reselling at a much higher price. In addition, 97% said that more should be done to prevent automated ticket purchasing and resale (bots).
Elsewhere, 93% of UK music fans would be supportive of a £1 ticket levy that would help protect the future of grassroots music venues.
Breaking it down further, 43% of respondents to the Music Fans’ Voice survey said that this £1 should be included in the face value of the ticket price, while 8% felt that it could be in addition to the ticket like a service charge. Of those surveyed, 49% said they would be open to either option.
Almost all respondents agreed that live music events were an important part of the UK’s culture, and 95% felt that these events were important in relation to the UK’s international reputation. Around 68% believed that the UK was a world leader in live music events.