Oasis ticket chaos sparks investigation

After a wave of backlash over the “extortionate” ticket prices for the Oasis reunion tour, the UK government has launched an investigation.

As fans around the world scramble to get their hands on Oasis tickets, an investigation has been launched into a rule that has seen prices more than double in a matter of days.

Fans criticised ticket sellers for raising prices as they queued for hours online, and now the UK government has confirmed it will be launching an investigation to the practice of “dynamic pricing”.

The UK’s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she wants to end “rip-off resales” and ensure tickets are sold “at fair prices”.

Oasis are set to perform a string of sellout shows next year, but many fans have been left bitterly disappointed. Picture: Supplied

In a statement, Nandy said it was “depressing to see” the inflated prices.

“After the incredible news of Oasis’s return, it’s depressing to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans from having a chance of enjoying their favourite band live.

“This government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of music.

“So we will include issues around the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, including the technology around queuing systems which incentivise it, in our forthcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales.

“Working with artists, industry, and fans we can create a fairer system that ends the scourge of touts, rip-off resales, and ensures tickets at fair prices.”

She confirmed that the British government’s already-planned review of ticket sales and consumer protection will include dynamic pricing.

Dynamic pricing on Ticketmaster, where tickets to the reunion tour were originally sold and where prices rise in line with demand, sparked criticism from many fans after some tickets rose to more than £350 ($678) when the sale began on Saturday.

English singer, songwriter and guitarist Noel Gallagher.

Shockingly, some were even listed for as much as £6,000 ($12,000) within minutes – over 40 times the listed value of a standing GA ticket.

Sadly it’s not the first time this has impacted fans, with many suffering a similar fate with other big international stars’ shows.

Ticketmaster, which is owned by the US entertainment giant Live Nation, defended its dynamic pricing model – similar to that used by hotels and airlines – and said it did not set any ticket prices.

The firm has argued that the system is designed to discourage ticket touts by setting prices closer to market value. It says the “in demand” fees are agreed in advance with artists and their management.

Originally published as Oasis ticket chaos sparks investigation