UK Music Stars Demand Action on Ticket Resale Crackdown

Top UK musicians are demanding government action on ticket resales. Over 40 artists have signed a joint statement to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They want him to honor his pledge to tackle exploitative resale websites.

The call for a ticket resale crackdown comes from major names like Dua Lipa and Coldplay. These artists say fans are being priced out of seeing live events. The issue has gained momentum with new data from consumer groups.

Artists Unite Against Secondary Ticketing Giants

Signatories include Radiohead, Sam Fender, and Iron Maiden. They specifically named platforms like Viagogo and StubHub. The statement calls these sites “extortionate and pernicious.”

According to the artists, resale platforms allow touts to bulk-buy tickets. This forces genuine fans to pay massively inflated prices. The practice erodes trust across the entire live events sector.

The consumer group Which? supported this effort with a new study. Their research found alarming examples of price gouging. One Oasis ticket for Wembley was listed for nearly £3,500.

Proposed Solution: A Hard Cap on Resale Prices

The coalition proposes a strict cap on resale prices. This would prevent tickets from being sold far above their face value. The Labour government had previously consulted on a cap between zero and 30 percent.

Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert at Which?, emphasized the need for legislation. She stated that a price cap is a critical step forward. Further reforms are needed to verify sellers and ticket ownership.

A government spokesperson told the BBC that plans would be set out shortly. They reaffirmed their commitment to putting fans first. The consultation period concluded earlier this year.

This concerted push for a ticket resale crackdown represents a significant moment for the UK’s live music industry. With major artists and consumer groups aligned, the government faces mounting pressure to deliver on its promises and protect fans from exploitative practices.

Thought you’d like to know

Which artists are leading this campaign?

The campaign includes Radiohead, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay. It also features Robert Smith of The Cure and Iron Maiden. Over 40 prominent UK musicians have signed the statement.

What specific action are they requesting?

They are demanding a hard cap on ticket resale prices. This would legally limit how much above face value a ticket can be sold. The goal is to stop extreme price inflation.

How bad is the ticket price inflation?

Consumer group Which? found an Oasis ticket listed for £3,498.85. A festival ticket headlined by Raye was priced at £114,666. These examples highlight the severe nature of the problem.

What has the government said about this?

A government spokesperson said they are committed to clamping down on touts. They have considered evidence from a consultation and will reveal plans soon. The statement was reported by the BBC.

Would a price cap solve the problem?

A cap is seen as a critical first step. It must be paired with other reforms like seller verification. This combined approach would make the market fairer for fans.