Olivia Dean, the rising star and Grammy nominee, has successfully negotiated partial refunds for her fans from Ticketmaster and AXS after condemning the exorbitant prices of resale tickets for her North American tour. Last week, Dean expressed her outrage on social media, revealing that some resale tickets were listed at a staggering 14 times their original price.
“Live music should be affordable and accessible,” Dean asserted, urging the industry to adopt better practices. She criticized the major players in the concert ticketing market, stating that Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and AEG “are providing a disgusting service.” Her statements highlight a growing concern among artists and fans regarding the exploitative nature of the resale market.
In a statement released on social media, Dean announced that Ticketmaster and AXS would refund the difference for fans who paid above face value for tickets. Additionally, the companies have agreed to impose a cap on future resale prices, ensuring they do not exceed the original ticket costs during the North American leg of her tour. Dean emphasized, “Every artist and their team should be granted the option to cap resale at face value ahead of on sale, to keep the live music space accessible for all.”
Industry Response and Government Action
Dean’s comments come in the wake of a broader conversation about ticket pricing and accessibility within the music industry. Michael Rapino, CEO of Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, responded positively to Dean’s initiative, stating, “We share Olivia’s desire to keep live music accessible and ensure fans have the best access to affordable tickets.” He noted that while Live Nation cannot mandate other marketplaces to follow suit, they are committed to improving the situation.
Historically, Live Nation has allowed artists like Hayley Williams and Chappell Roan to cap resale prices for their tours, although it remains unclear whether Dean’s team was able to utilize this option.
The conversation around ticket resale practices is especially pertinent as the U.K. government announced plans to ban the resale of concert and sports tickets above face value. Lisa Nandy, the U.K. Culture Secretary, stated, “For too long, ticket touts have ripped off fans, using bots to snap up batches of tickets and resell them at sky-high prices.” The government anticipates that this legislation will save fans approximately £112 million (around $146 million) annually.
Artist Advocacy and Community Support
Dean’s advocacy aligns with a growing movement among artists to address the challenges posed by the secondary ticket market. Notable figures such as Coldplay and Dua Lipa have also voiced their support for measures aimed at curbing ticket scalping.
As the live music industry continues to evolve, the actions taken by artists like Dean and the responses from major ticketing companies may pave the way for a more equitable environment for fans. Dean concluded her statement by thanking her supporters and expressing her excitement for the upcoming shows, stating, “Thank you for your patience and I’m looking forward to seeing all you real humans at the show.”
This ongoing dialogue highlights the need for continued reform within the ticketing landscape, ensuring that live music remains both accessible and enjoyable for fans around the world.
