Oasis ticket sale chaos in London, first gigs in 16 years

The recent ticket sale for Oasis concerts in the UK and Ireland has been marred by significant issues, leading to widespread frustration among fans. Thousands attempted to purchase tickets through platforms like Ticketmaster, GigsAndTours, and See Tickets, only to face long virtual queues and inflated prices that soared into the hundreds of pounds. Many fans were unable to secure tickets at all, highlighting the inadequacies of the current ticketing system. Matt Drew, a senior executive at Viagogo, criticized the ticketing process, describing it as 'broken' and unfit for purpose. He pointed out that the system's reliance on pre-queues and dynamic pricing creates a chaotic environment for consumers. Drew emphasized that the lack of competition in the ticketing market allows for price manipulation, which ultimately harms both fans and artists. The situation has drawn political attention, with former minister David Davis labeling the ticket sale as an example of corporate malpractice. He has reached out to the Competition and Markets Authority, urging a review of the existing rules governing ticket sales and resales. Davis expressed hope that regulatory changes could improve transparency and protect consumers from being exploited. In response to the outcry, the government has announced plans to include discussions on dynamic pricing and queuing technology in their upcoming consultation on consumer protections. This indicates a potential shift towards greater accountability in the ticketing industry, aiming to prevent similar chaos in future sales.