Olivia Dean has emerged as a powerful advocate for fans following her criticism of exorbitant resale prices for tickets to her North American tour. The singer is responding to the disturbing reports surrounding resale tickets. Some were priced at over 14 times their original price, rocketing well over $1,000 (£750). To fight back against this exploitative practice, Dean composed an open letter to the ticketing companies. He described it as “disgusting” and “vile.”
In her enforcement letter, Dean encouraged ticketing companies to do better. As a consumer advocate, she was repelled by the unregulated crushing nature of the secondary ticket market. She added that the concert industry has a duty not only to keep fans safe, but to safeguard the communities in which they operate. “Just as touts steal money from artists, they steal money from fans,” she said, calling for transparency in ticket sales.
By Last Wednesday, with mounting pressure on Ticketmaster, the company finally did the right thing. They even declared a ceiling on future resale prices for tickets to Dean’s tour. In addition, the company is issuing refunds to fans who were gouged by resellers on its platform. Other artists, like Coldplay and Dua Lipa, have already urged the UK government to address “extortionate and pernicious” ticket prices. Answering these calls from activists, the government has taken this bold step.
The UK government recently reiterated its intention to make ticket resale illegal where the resale price exceeds that of the original purchase. This decision backs Dean’s push for fair pricing. Companies such as Ticketmaster and AXS have provided platforms for artists to engage resale price cap technologies. This option has already been known to be immensely successful for artists like Hayley Williams and Chappell Roan.
Dean, recognized as part of the BBC Sound Of 2024, has gained significant attention after her performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. She’s passionate about delivering unforgettable moments for fans. It’s a unique experience to really feel like you are being listened to and comprehended, she stated. This sense of connection between artists and their audiences is truly unique.
Dean shined a light on the bigger picture behind ticket pricing. He announced, “The secondary ticket market is a predatory and unregulated environment… As an industry, we have to have a responsibility for people and our community.” She added that fans are often left feeling like they’re totally powerless in these conversations. “We think that we got no option,” she mentioned, “but there’s at all times an area to ask why, and it’s at all times your proper to make a no!
Live Nation’s Michael Rapino, the company’s CEO, followed Dean by promising to keep live music accessible. “We share Olivia’s desire to keep live music accessible and ensure fans have the best access to affordable tickets,” he said.