Olivia Dean Condemns Ticketmaster Over “Vile” Resale Prices for 2026 Tour

British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean publicly slammed major ticketing companies on Friday. She called out Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and AEG for allowing excessive resale prices for her newly announced 2026 tour. The artist took to Instagram to express her fury, stating the practice is “completely against our wishes.”

Her strong statement highlights a growing conflict between artists and the ticketing industry. Dean’s concern centers on making live music affordable for her fans.

Ticketmaster Pledges Face-Value Cap Following Artist Outcry

Dean’s “Art of Loving” tour tickets went on sale Friday morning. Within hours, fans reported tickets being resold for hundreds of dollars above face value. According to Rolling Stone, Stubhub listings for some shows reached over $500.

This immediate markup caused significant fan frustration. Dean initially urged caution before issuing her stronger condemnation.

Ticketmaster responded on social media just one hour after Dean’s critical post. The company pledged to cap resale prices on its platform at the original face value. They also expressed hope that other resale marketplaces would adopt the same policy.

Broader Industry Impact of Artist-Led Pricing Protests

This incident is part of a wider artist-led movement for fair ticketing. Major names are increasingly using their platforms to challenge industry norms. The goal is to reclaim control over how their tickets are sold and priced.

For consumers, these public disputes shed light on the often opaque secondary ticket market. Dean’s stance reinforces that high resale prices are not artist-endorsed. It puts pressure on all platforms to improve transparency and fairness.

The clash over Ticketmaster resale prices underscores a critical moment for live entertainment. Artists like Olivia Dean are demanding a system that truly serves the fans.

Thought you’d like to know-

What did Olivia Dean say about ticket prices?

She called the service “disgusting” and the resale prices “vile.” Dean stated that live music should be affordable and accessible for all fans.

How did Ticketmaster respond to Olivia Dean?

The company pledged to cap resale prices on its site at face value. It also urged other resale platforms to follow its lead in this policy.

Were Olivia Dean’s tour tickets sold out?

Some dates, like her Madison Square Garden show, were reported as sold out. Other venues still had primary tickets available directly from the vendor.

What is the “Art of Loving” tour?

It is Olivia Dean’s upcoming 2026 North American concert tour. The tour is named after her latest studio album.

Why are ticket resale prices so high?

High demand and automated buying software, or “bots,” can quickly acquire tickets. These are then resold on secondary markets at a significant profit.