Ticketmaster has taken steps to address concerns raised by British singer Olivia Dean about ticket reselling practices for her North American tour. She criticized ticketing companies for allowing resellers to sell tickets at prices up to 14 times higher than their original value.
After tickets sold out within minutes on November 21, many ended up on resale sites, prompting Dean to call out Ticketmaster and others on Instagram. She expressed her frustration, stating that their practices were “disgusting” and made live music less accessible. “Live music should be affordable,” she insisted, urging companies to find a better way to handle ticket sales.
In response, Ticketmaster acknowledged the issue and said it would cap resale prices on its platform at face value. The company’s CEO, Michael Rapino, echoed Dean’s concerns, emphasizing the importance of keeping live music affordable for fans. He noted that while Ticketmaster can’t enforce these rules on other marketplaces, they aim to set an example.
Dean continued the conversation, emphasizing the power artists have over ticket sales. She urged fellow musicians to advocate for fair resale practices, underscoring that touts negatively impact both artists and fans.
Recently, the UK government announced plans to outlaw the resale of tickets for more than their original price. This move follows pressure from major artists like Coldplay and Dua Lipa, who share concerns about ticket accessibility.
Dean has emerged as a leading artist this year, with multiple singles in the UK Top 20 and her album, The Art of Loving, enjoying significant success. This incident highlights broader issues in the ticketing industry, sparking discussions about fairness and accessibility in live entertainment.
For more on the UK government’s plans regarding ticket reselling, check out this Guardian article.
