Has ticket row taken the shine off Oasis reunion?

The excitement surrounding the reunion of the iconic band Oasis has been overshadowed by a significant controversy regarding ticket prices. Many fans were thrilled at the prospect of seeing the band perform again, but their enthusiasm quickly turned to disappointment when they encountered ticket prices that had skyrocketed. One dedicated fan, John, shared his experience of trying to secure tickets for his family. He was at work in Burnley, using both his phone and iPad, while his wife and son were at home in Cumbria, and his daughter was in Leeds, all trying to buy tickets simultaneously. After spending six long hours in the online queue, John ultimately gave up, but his wife managed to secure tickets at an astonishing price of £355 each. John expressed his outrage, stating, 'I find that just disgraceful. ' He felt that Oasis, a band that has always prided itself on its connection with everyday people, had betrayed its working-class fans. 'They've broken their contract with the working class,' he lamented, adding, 'They're pretty dead to me now. ' This sentiment was echoed by many other fans who felt similarly exploited by the ticket pricing system. The issue at hand is known as 'dynamic pricing,' a practice that allows ticket prices to fluctuate based on demand. Fans were shocked to see that standard standing tickets, initially advertised at £135, were suddenly relabeled as 'in demand' and priced at £355. John voiced the frustration shared by many, saying, 'You can't spend your whole day online trying to buy tickets expecting to pay one price, and you get to the front of the queue and it more than doubles. It's outrageous. ' Another fan, Nicholas from Macclesfield, described the situation as 'greed, purely and simply,' and called for accountability from the band. Ticketmaster, the platform selling the tickets, stated that they do not set the prices; instead, it is the event organizers who determine the pricing based on market value. This means that the promoters and managers of the band are ultimately responsible for the ticket prices. While some artists choose to avoid dynamic pricing, such as Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, others have found themselves caught in the system without their knowledge. Robert Smith of The Cure has publicly criticized dynamic pricing, labeling it 'a greedy scam. ' He emphasized that artists have the option to opt out of this pricing model, and if all artists chose not to participate, it would cease to exist. In the past, some bands, like Crowded House, have expressed their surprise at the higher ticket prices, stating they had no prior knowledge of the 'In Demand' tickets and requested refunds. Live Nation, the company behind the ticket sales, has been pushing for dynamic pricing to become more common, particularly in the United States. The practice faced backlash during Bruce Springsteen's 2022 tour when ticket prices briefly soared to $5,000 before dropping again. Springsteen later defended the pricing strategy, arguing that the money should go to the artists rather than scalpers who resell tickets at inflated prices. He stated, 'I know it was unpopular with some fans. But if there’s any complaints on the way out, you can have your money back. ' The CEO of Live Nation has also claimed that dynamic pricing helps combat ticket scalping, as promoters and artists want to ensure they receive fair compensation for their work. The Oasis concerts sold out quickly, indicating a strong demand for tickets. Schellion Horn, an economist, explained that for some fans, attending an Oasis concert is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and they are willing to pay a premium for it. However, many fans were left feeling frustrated and misled, as they had anticipated lower prices. After investing hours in the online queue, they were faced with a difficult decision to pay the higher prices within a short time frame. Music journalist John Robb criticized the price fluctuations, stating, 'The price should be the price. ' He suggested that there should be regulations in place to control dynamic pricing. The recent uproar over Oasis ticket prices has prompted the government to consider reviewing ticket resale practices. Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the unfairness of the situation, stating, 'There are a number of techniques going on here where people are buying a lot of tickets, reselling them at a huge price, and that's just not fair. ' The controversy surrounding the ticket prices may have an impact on Oasis's reputation, but with the concerts still months away, fans may eventually move past the issue and focus on enjoying the music.