Pop stars Dua Lipa and Coldplay are joining forces to urge the UK government to take action against ticket touts, who are fleecing fans by reselling tickets at inflated prices. The artists, along with other renowned musicians like Sam Fender, Radiohead, and The Cure, have signed a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, demanding that he uphold his election promise to protect fans from online ticket touts. The government launched a public consultation in January, aiming to tackle touts who buy up tickets on the primary market and resell them at exorbitant prices. However, seven months later, no legislation has been introduced, leaving fans vulnerable to price gouging.
A recent study by Which? magazine revealed that tickets for an Oasis concert at Wembley Stadium this summer were listed for a staggering £4,442. Analysis by the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) confirms that tickets sold on the resale market are typically marked up by over 50%. In response, the government proposed a price cap of up to 30% in January. Dan Smith from Bastille expressed frustration, questioning why fans are not protected from price hikes, especially when countries like Ireland and Australia have implemented caps on ticket resales. He believes that with government support, a fairer system can be achieved, where fans are not ripped off by touts and genuine fans can resell tickets at their original price.
The artists' letter, co-signed by consumer organizations, emphasizes the need for swift action. They urge the government to respond to the consultation promptly and commit to including legislation on a price cap in the next King's Speech. This move, they argue, will restore faith in the ticketing system and democratize public access to the arts. The letter also highlights the issue of prolific sellers from Brazil, Dubai, Singapore, Spain, and the US, who are bulk-buying tickets for popular US events and reselling them at inflated prices on platforms like StubHub and Viagogo. These findings echo a BBC investigation that uncovered similar practices by overseas workers buying tickets for UK concerts.
However, resale sites like Viagogo and Stubhub argue that a price cap could drive customers towards unregulated sites and social media, increasing the risk of fraud. In contrast, the Premier League, where resales are forbidden due to stricter laws, has seen a black market for match tickets emerge, with some tickets exchanging hands for tens of thousands of pounds. The artists and consumer organizations are determined to bring about change, but the government's response remains uncertain, leaving fans to wait and see if their rights will be protected.
