A collective of over 40 prominent British musicians, including notable names such as Radiohead, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay, have voiced their concerns to the U.K. government regarding the issues surrounding “extortionate and pernicious” ticket resale websites. In a formal statement directed at Prime Minister Keir Starmer, artists including Sam Fender, PJ Harvey, and Iron Maiden called for urgent action against secondary ticketing platforms like Viagogo and StubHub, which they believe contribute to inflated ticket prices.
The musicians emphasized that the current resale landscape has allowed ticket touts to buy up concert tickets in bulk only to resell them at significantly increased prices, often leaving genuine fans with few options—either to pay exorbitant prices or forgo attending entirely. The artists’ statement highlights the detrimental impact this practice has on public trust within the live events sector, ultimately undermining efforts to make concerts and performances more accessible and affordable.
Among the requests outlined in the statement is the implementation of a strict cap on resale prices, aimed at countering the exploitative behaviors prevalent in the secondary ticketing market. Their concerns are supported by organizations such as UK Music, FanFair Alliance, and the Football Supporters’ Association. Coupled with this appeal is a study conducted by consumer advocacy group Which?, which suggests that eliminating for-profit resale would facilitate the identification of illegal practices and deter fans from turning to less-regulated resale sites.
Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert from Which?, stated that the current joint declaration signifies a unified stance against the flawed ticketing market that has allowed these resale practices to persist. She reiterated the importance of Starmer’s previously made promise to safeguard fans, advocating for the inclusion of a ticket resale price cap in the next King’s Speech. Webb also pointed out the necessity for further reforms, including ensuring that sellers possess legitimate ownership of the tickets they list and enhancing verification processes on resale platforms.
Despite the Labour government’s commitment during the last general election to implement a cap on ticket resale prices, concrete actions have yet to materialize. Earlier this year, the government initiated a consultation on potential cap limits, suggesting a permissible price increase ranging between zero to 30 percent above the original face value of tickets.
In response to the ongoing discussions, a government spokesperson reiterated their commitment to addressing ticket touting and emphasized future plans designed to prioritize fans’ interests in live events. Recent findings from Which? unveiled alarming evidence of inflated ticket prices for major U.K. events, with some tickets marked significantly higher, such as Oasis tickets listed for £3,498.85 on StubHub and a shocking £4,442 on Viagogo, while a ticket for the All Points East festival was listed at an astonishing £114,666 on Viagogo.
This concerted effort by both artists and advocates for fan rights illustrates a growing momentum towards reformation in the ticketing industry, aiming to ensure that true fans are not unfairly marginalized by the practices of touts. As discussions progress, there is hope that forthcoming legislative actions will lead to a fairer, more transparent ticketing system that uplifts fans and nurtures the live music culture.