Oasis Band Speaks Out Against Ticketmaster's Dynamic Pricing

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ICARO Media Group
News
04/09/2024 19h02

In a recent controversy surrounding ticket sales for their upcoming shows, Oasis has voiced their dissatisfaction with Ticketmaster's "dynamic pricing" strategy. Many fans were left shocked and disappointed when they were asked to pay significantly more than the advertised prices for tickets. A row erupted as fans were charged as much as £200 more per ticket due to high demand.

In a statement issued to PA Media, Oasis made it clear that ticketing and pricing decisions are solely in the hands of their promoters and management. The band expressed their lack of awareness about the use of dynamic pricing during the initial ticket sale. They emphasized that it was never their intention to subject their fans to such high costs.

Amidst the controversy, Oasis announced two additional live shows at Wembley Stadium on September 27 and 28, 2025. In an effort to ensure a fair experience for fans, tickets for these new dates will be distributed through a "staggered, invitation-only ballot process." Eligibility for the ballot will be limited to those who were unsuccessful in the initial Ticketmaster sale.

Acknowledging that the ticket roll-out over the weekend did not go as planned, Oasis revealed that prior discussions between promoters, Ticketmaster, and the band's management had focused on implementing a ticketing strategy that would keep prices reasonable and minimize touting. However, due to unprecedented demand, the execution fell short of expectations, making it impossible to achieve the desired fan experience.

During the ticket sales, fans grappled with website issues and were even mistakenly identified as bots, resulting in many missing out on tickets. To their dismay, those fortunate enough to secure tickets were confronted with unexpectedly inflated prices, with standard tickets soaring from £148 to £355, thanks to Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing mechanism.

The exorbitant prices paid by many fans pose a significant risk to Oasis' reputation as the band was once hailed as working-class heroes during their heyday in the 1990s. Following the controversy, the European Commission has announced an investigation into dynamic pricing practices, and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has received 450 complaints regarding the Oasis gigs' advertisements. The complainants argue that the adverts made misleading claims about availability and pricing.

As for the reunion tour, Oasis will now be performing a total of seven concerts at Wembley, in addition to shows in Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Dublin. These concerts will mark the band's comeback since their breakup in 2009.

While Ticketmaster claims that artists and promoters establish pricing policies, this recent incident has shed light on the blurred lines within this division. As fans eagerly await updates, it remains to be seen how Oasis and Ticketmaster will address the aftermath of the controversy.

In the interim, fans are left wondering about the dates for Oasis' reunion tour, the concept of dynamic pricing, and the availability of tickets.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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