Should dynamic pricing be banned after row over Oasis reunion tickets? Join The Independent Debate
Ticketmaster has faced criticism for driving up prices when demand surges, with ordinary fans forking out more. Now we want to know what you think...
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Oasis fans are livid after watching coveted reunion tickets slide away and out of their grasp.
The Manchester band, led by the famously feuding Gallagher brothers, sparked a social media frenzy with their reunion announcement last week.
However, when tickets went on general sale on Saturday, excitement quickly turned to outrage as prices soared due to Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing system.
Initially, tickets were listed between £75 and £135, depending on the venue. Yet, as demand surged, prices skyrocketed, with some fans reporting costs as high as £355.
To add insult to injury, many waited for hours in online queues, only to be kicked out and forced to start over
Dynamic pricing, a method where prices increase with real-time demand, has been criticised for pushing tickets beyond the reach of ordinary fans. Despite this, Ticketmaster defends the practice, claiming it helps align ticket prices with true market value, with extra revenue going to artists.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has said she wants to ensure tickets are sold “at fair prices,” pledging to look into the practice. She added it was “depressing to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans.”
Now we want to know what you think. Is dynamic pricing fair on music fans? And do you think the practice deters touts?
How can artists ensure their shows are accessible to fans from all backgrounds? What would your “Masterplan” to tackle issues in the live music industry include?
Share your thoughts by adding them in the comments — we’ll highlight the most insightful ones as they come in.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
All you have to do is sign up and register your details — then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here.
Join the conversation with other Independent readers below.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments