Dan Smith tackles unfair ticket touting as Bastille prepares for tour

In the UK, Bastille's frontman Dan Smith has voiced strong concerns about ticket touting practices as the band gears up for their major arena tour, set to commence on November 6, 2025, in Plymouth. This tour, titled 'From All Sides – Songs From the First 15 Years,' will feature a total of nine shows across the country, culminating at London's O2 Arena on November 18. Alongside the concert announcements, Smith and his bandmates will contribute to Youth Music's 'Rescue the Roots' campaign, which aims to support grassroots music initiatives. Smith has urged fans to participate in a government consultation focused on creating fairer ticket pricing, particularly in light of recent controversies involving inflated resale prices witnessed during high-demand events featuring major artists like Taylor Swift and Oasis. Many concertgoers consider these inflated prices fundamentally unfair, as they prevent genuine fans from accessing tickets at reasonable rates. Smith, age 38, shared his own frustrations from previous experiences trying to purchase tickets, often facing long queues filled with individuals primarily set on reselling tickets for exorbitant profit rather than attending the event. This situation has been described as 'galling' and frustrating for artists who strive to maintain low ticket prices to keep concerts accessible for all fans, especially considering the events' costs involving travel and personnel. The O2 Arena has joined the call for reforms, advocating for a 10% price cap on resale tickets after their research revealed that ticket touts were costing music fans an extra £145 million annually. Smith elaborated on how it is disheartening to witness individuals profit off the hard work of those who organize and support live shows while the artists themselves are committed to making their concerts affordable and accessible. In addition to Smith's efforts, the UK government is actively encouraging feedback on ticket pricing practices in the live events sector, including controversial practices like 'dynamic pricing,' which adjusts ticket prices based on market demand. Ticketmaster’s UK managing director, Andrew Parsons, denied the company's involvement with dynamic pricing during a recent governmental inquiry, further emphasizing the need for transparency within the ticketing industry. To facilitate the government consultation, O2 is establishing a 'Consultation Station' at its venue from April 1 to 3, where fans can share their opinions on combatting ticket touts. As the government consultation remains open until April 4, music lovers are urged to engage in this vital dialogue aiming to ensure that the voices of honest fans resonate in the industry and that steps are taken to curtail the profit-driven behaviour of ticket touts. With Bastille's upcoming tour at the forefront, the ongoing ticketing debate underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and accessibility within the live music experience, balancing both the economic realities faced by artists and the rights of fans to enjoy performances without excessive financial burden.