Allegations of Deceptive Oasis Ticket Practices - Currently, the Prime Minister is shifting gears.
The United Kingdom's Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer (62), has commented on the ongoing controversy surrounding the ticket sales for Oasis' comeback tour. The "dynamic pricing" strategy, which led to a public outcry, prompted Starmer to advocate for a ticket price that's "affordable for the people". He also expressed his intent to "take charge of the situation" and suggested potential legislative adjustments to protect fans from being negatively affected.
The ticket sale for the summer tour starting on Saturday morning was met with a massive surge of demand. However, as prices for performances by Liam (51) and Noel Gallagher (57) along with their bandmates skyrocketed, due to high demand, numerous fans found themselves in a desperate situation. Calls to ban this "dynamic pricing" practice for concerts grew louder.
Sir Keir Starmer: "A broader issue"
As reported by "The Sun", Starmer stated there were "various steps we can and should take" to address the issue, which he believed was "not an Oasis-exclusive problem". He explained, "It's a problem that occurs when people rush online to buy tickets as soon as they become available, only to find that all the tickets are sold out within seconds or minutes, resulting in prices skyrocketing, making it impossible for many people to afford them."
If no action is taken now, "entire families will no longer be able to attend" or "will have to spend a small fortune on tickets."
Minister of Culture Lisa Nandy: "Put fans first in music"
Minister of Culture Lisa Nandy (45) also announced that the government would review "the dynamic pricing policy and queueing technology" that encourages such practices, following her observation of the inflated Oasis ticket prices. "This government is committed to prioritizing fans in music," Nandy said.
Standard ticket prices for the tour on the Ticketmaster website on Saturday increased significantly, increasing from approximately £150 to £350 - roughly €180 to €420.
Among those affected by the sudden price hike was the Chair of the House of Commons and Manchester Central MP, Lucy Powell (49), who was forced to pay double the initially advertised price for a ticket.
The band and Ticketmaster confirmed at 7 pm on Saturday that all tickets had been sold.
Other political figures referred to the pricing as "scandalous" and called for a "turning point" and an official investigation into the use of "dynamic pricing". The Liberal Democrats' culture spokesperson, Jamie Stone (70), stated, "The Oasis ticket debacle must serve as a turning point, leading to an official investigation, either by the regulator or a parliamentary committee."
The Reunion Tour
On August 27, the British music group put an end to rumors of a reunion with a post and the words "It's happening, it's real". They announced the "OASIS LIVE '25" tour, which begins on July 4 at the Cardiff Principality Stadium.
The band was formed in 1991 and disbanded in 2009 due to ongoing disputes between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. Since then, Oasis reunion speculation has persisted.
In light of the Oasis ticket controversy, Sir Keir Starmer, the Minister for Education, proposed that the government should take steps to address this issue, as he believed it's not merely an Oasis-related problem but a wider issue affecting fans in general. Meanwhile, the Minister of Culture, Lisa Nandy, announced that the government would review the dynamic pricing policy and queueing technology used in concert ticketing.
