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UK fans hit back at Oasis after key difference in North American tour tickets

They have every right to be annoyed.

Danny Jones - 1st October 2024

Oasis fans here in the UK, i.e. the ones that helped send them into the stratosphere in the first place, have been left begrudged by the legendary Britpop band after a key decision has been made about their recently announced US tour.

The rock icons confirmed their inevitable run of North American dates, including one in Toronto, Canada and another in Mexico City, after weeks of rumours following the reunion breaking the internet.

However, it’s fair to say the news was more massive here in Britain (especially here in Manchester) than any other nation, no matter how much of a global following the band amassed back in the 1990s.

So, after UK and Irish Oasis fans recently learned that North America will be avoiding the same ‘dynamic ticket pricing’ mechanic that has seen them fork out hundreds for their tickets to see their favourite band’s comeback, they’ve naturally been left a bit miffed…

Just fuck us then yeah
— Kath On Reception (@KathOnReception) September 30, 2024

Also dynamic pricing doesn't combat touts it makes you the touts.
— PintsO’Guinness (@PintsO_Guinness) September 30, 2024

As you can see, there are countless fans from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland in the comments calling out the disproportionate treatment and prioritisation of those in the US, Canada and Mexico.

For context, some of those who stayed in the queue for Oasis tickets ended up paying well over £300 – the ‘in-demand’ rate after the initial ballot sold out – and Ticketmaster’s main claim is that it prevents ticket touting. Their statement says the aim is now to “avoid a repeat of the issues fans in the UK and Ireland experienced recently.”

The band’s Instagram post is littered with just as much backlash, with one person replying, “So just the UK fans that get mugged off then? Sound”; another adding, “Cool – so where’s the refund of the extortion charged for the UK fans then?”, and several going so far as to demand a public apology.

One commenter wrote: “So refunds for fans in the UK above face value? Of course not… A public apology from Live Nation, Ticketmaster and SJM [Concerts] is perhaps due, respectfully.

“There’s too many people not speaking out and it’s scalping artists on profits made as well as fans. The issues over these companies and [the] ticketing monopoly is 30+ years old now plus the recent ticketing issues is spitting in the face of entertainment.

“Do something about it please team up with the market of fans, artists and maybe help smaller venues in doing so. Thank you x”. It’s by no means the first time these kinds of inflated prices have been called out, as Robert Smith of The Cure took similar issue with the fleecing of his fans.

That being said, there are some trying to justify Oasis’ dynamic ticket pricing simply due to the sheer demand their reunion tour resulted in; others still believe it’s an excuse to simply “exploit loyalty” and that the US is getting a let-off over the fans from their homeland.

overcharged how? there was demand which makes prices go up, and people paid those prices. just cause it was too expensive for you so you’re upset. not their problem
— seb (@stinkyseb99) September 30, 2024

It's unreal that they're trying to maintain that falsely inflating the prices by more than 100% is actually a tool to combat touting, rather than a tool to exploit fans loyalty… 🤷
— CölümbîãByOåsïß (@BlunderbussHB) September 30, 2024

One consumer group here at home has already suggested that fans be refunded after being forced to pay for in-demand ticket prices if they want to stand any chance of seeing Oasis live again.

The boys from Burnage have insisted they have nothing to do with the decision itself and “at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used” after they announced two additional Wembley dates, “but due to the unprecedented demand [avoiding it] became impossible to achieve.”

Regardless of how unfair it seems, there is sadly little we can do about it without artists leading the way to change the music industry and live ticketing, in particular.

Unfortunately, people will also continue to pay over the odds when backed into a corner like with the Oasis reunion because that’s what loving an artist so much can do to you – not that it makes it right in way, shape or fashion.

All we can say now is: you won, US Oasis fans – enjoy the tour, we hope it makes you happy. Dear lord, what a sad little life, North America…

You ruined our day completely so you could have the money and the tickets, and we hope now you can spend it on lessons in grace and decorum, because you have all the grace of a reversing dump truck without any tyres on. So America AND Oasis, take your money and get off our property…

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Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)