Oasis may soon be under government scrutiny regarding the ticket prices for their upcoming tour, following revelations that the authorized vendor, Ticketmaster, employed ‘surge pricing’ due to overwhelming demand.
Popularized by Uber, surge or dynamic pricing increases the cost of tickets as demand rises. Ticketmaster has faced considerable backlash from Oasis fans, with ticket prices soaring from an initial estimate of £150 to over £300, prompting the government to consider taking action.
On Sunday night, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed disappointment over the soaring ticket prices for Oasis’ upcoming tour, stating: “After the incredible news of Oasis’ return, it’s disheartening to see such inflated prices making it difficult for ordinary fans to enjoy their favourite band live.”
Nandy assured us that the government would prioritise fans in the music industry. She announced that the forthcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales will address transparency and the use of dynamic pricing, including the technologies behind queuing systems that drive up prices. “By collaborating with artists, the industry, and fans, we aim to establish a fairer system that eliminates scalping and overpriced resales, ensuring tickets are sold at fair prices.”
In addition, MP Charlotte Nichols criticized Oasis, accusing the band of ‘scalping’ their fans—where inflated prices are charged by touts either at events or online. She argued, “This exploitative practice is largely enabled by Ticketmaster’s near-monopolistic market position.”
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Liberal Democrats’ culture spokesperson Jamie Stone also condemned Ticketmaster’s practices, calling them “scandalous.”
Oasis, alongside Blur, was a key player in the Britpop movement during Tony Blair’s 1990s government. Despite a longstanding feud between bandmates Liam and Noel Gallagher following their split, the news of their reunion and upcoming tour has generated significant interest and high demand for tickets.
House of Commons leader and Lord President of the Council Lucy Powell shared that she purchased two tickets for £350 each for a July show at Heaton Park, despite the original price being £148.50 plus a £2.75 booking fee. Reflecting on the situation, Powell remarked, “It is the market and how it operates.”
A Ticketmaster spokesperson responded to the controversy, stating that the company does not set ticket prices itself. This defense follows Ticketmaster’s previous scrutiny in 2022 when ticket prices for a Bruce Springsteen concert reached $5,000.
