The resurgence of Oasis serves as a noteworthy prompt for administrative action
In the past few years, the return of Britpop band Oasis has sparked some of the most excitement among fans. Swift ticket sales and soaring prices on secondary ticketing sites shortly followed. Both the UK and Irish governments have since launched probes into this situation.
Prices tripled from 135 pounds to 350 pounds on secondary ticketing sites, prompting concerns over dynamic pricing practices in Oasis concert tickets. Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled it as a significant concern and stated, "Tickets frequently sell out in seconds or minutes, leaving prices skyrocketing, making them unaffordable for many people. This needs to cease."
CULTURE Minister Lisa Nandy referred to the increase in prices as disheartening, as some fans find themselves unable to attend due to the cost hike. The government will examine issues related to pricing transparency and the usage of dynamic pricing, such as the technology behind queueing systems that provide incentives for price raises, announced Nandy. Similar concerns were raised by Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris, who questioned whether a single company could maintain a monopoly on ticket sales.
Tickets vanish fast
Initial ticket prices for Oasis's 17 UK and Ireland concerts in the summer of 2025 were estimated around 135 pounds (around 160 euros). However, due to dynamic pricing tactics on the ticketing vendor's website, prices escalated to as high as 350 pounds (around 415 euros). British law permits adjustments in pricing based on demand.
According to Cabinet Member Lucy Powell, she was forced to spend double the initial price for her tickets after paying much more than she had anticipated. She voiced her criticism of dynamic pricing but recognized the role it plays within market dynamics. Tickets quickly sold out.
Before the Oasis ticket pre-sale on Sunday, the government had already pledged to look into online platforms that facilitate ticket reselling. These platforms often draw criticism for reselling tickets at prices much higher than the original.
The heightened excitement for The entertainment provided by Oasis led to swift ticket sales, causing prices to triple on secondary ticketing sites. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed concern over this dynamic pricing situation, stating that it frequently results in tickets being unaffordable for many people.
