Outcry on the sale of tickets for Oasis reunion live shows put the highlight on the trade as stress mounts for the competitors authority to analyze
Oasis followers have been thrilled by the reunion – however not by the best way tickets have been offered (Picture: AP)
An investigation into Britain’s music reside trade has sounded the alarm a couple of “tradition of concern” that makes individuals reluctant to talk out. Outrage on the excessive price of tickets for landmark live shows triggered an inquiry by Westminster’s enterprise and commerce committee. It’s now urging the Competitors and Markets Authority (CMA) to launch a full investigation into the trade earlier than the top of the 12 months.
There was public anger in 2024 over the advertising and marketing of tickets for the Oasis reunion live shows. The CMA discovered Ticketmaster offered “platinum” tickets for practically 2.5 instances the usual worth, despite the fact that there was no profit over common tickets in some areas of the venue. Each representatives of Ticketmaster and its mum or dad firm, Reside Nation, have been grilled by MPs. The committee said it was “left with critical issues concerning the state of competitors within the reside music trade within the UK”. It discovered Reside Nation “immediately managed 58% of the 23.1 million tickets on sale in 2025, growing to 66% if gross sales managed by its affiliate corporations are included”.
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you have consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may occasionally embrace adverts from us and third events primarily based on our understanding. You possibly can unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Liam Byrne, the previous Chief Secretary to the Treasury who chairs the committee, set out his issues, saying: “Britain’s reside music scene is one in all our nice nationwide success tales, from grassroots venues nurturing new expertise to world-class enviornment and stadium excursions that appeal to international audiences. However the proof we obtained throughout this inquiry factors to deep issues about whether or not competitors within the trade is now working pretty for followers, artists, venues and unbiased promoters.”
He continued: “What notably alarmed the Committee was not simply the size of Reside Nation’s market place throughout promotion, venues and ticketing, however the local weather of concern we encountered throughout this inquiry. A putting variety of submissions requested anonymity as a result of individuals have been fearful concerning the penalties of talking brazenly. That alone raises profound questions concerning the well being of competitors available in the market. The CMA ought to now launch a full market investigation, earlier than the top of this 12 months, so there might be correct scrutiny of whether or not customers, artists and unbiased companies are getting a good deal.”
The investigation was advised Reside Nation’s enterprise mannequin made it “troublesome for artists and managers to function independently of its ecosystem”. Smaller and unbiased festivals additionally discovered “entry to expertise more and more difficult”.
When showing earlier than the committee, Phil Bowdery, government president of touring at Reside Nation, disagreed that the corporate had a “dominant” place.
He mentioned: “We’re excellent at what we do. Due to this fact, there’s curiosity from the key artists to be with Reside Nation.”
The MPs have been advised Reside Nation makes use of “long-term agreements with restrictive exclusivity phrases that make entry to its venues contingent on participation in its festivals (or vice versa), incentivising artists to consolidate touring preparations with the corporate and decreasing alternatives for competing promoters and occasions”.
A spokesperson for Reside Nation UK mentioned: “This report misrepresents the UK reside music trade by counting on inaccurate information and unsupported conclusions. Reside Nation competes day by day for excursions, venues and artists in a extremely aggressive market. We are going to have interaction constructively with any course of that advantages artists, followers and the broader trade, however debate concerning the sector have to be primarily based on proof, not allegation and rumour.”
Liam Byrne has led high-profile investigations by the enterprise and commerce committee (Picture: -)
Rocio Concha of client organisation Which? mentioned: “This report raises critical competitors issues within the reside music sector. The size and scope of Reside Nation’s vertical integration, and their management of ticket gross sales, seem to have created an ecosystem that squeezes out competitors. The upshot is that followers get a uncooked take care of excessive costs and few options. The CMA ought to severely contemplate the committee’s name for a full market investigation.”
A Ticketmaster UK spokesperson mentioned: “Venues, artists and promoters select Ticketmaster for the reliability of our know-how and repair, and followers use our market as it’s easy-to-use, clear and safe. Since 2018, Ticketmaster UK has capped resale costs at face worth. Ticketmaster helps stronger guidelines to guard followers, together with a universally adopted resale worth cap. Ticketmaster will proceed working with Authorities, regulators, artists and occasion organisers to make ticket-buying clearer, safer and extra dependable.”
Labour peer Lord Brennan, who chaired a “fan-led” assessment of reside and digital music, mentioned: “I welcome the committee’s conclusions on competitors within the reside music sector which echoes the issues expressed to me by gig-goers throughout the UK throughout my fan-led assessment of reside music. I hope the CMA will now act upon these suggestions.”
Leave a Reply