Olivia Dean has successfully negotiated partial refunds for fans from Ticketmaster and AXS, following her criticism of their ticket resale practices. The Grammy nominee expressed her outrage last week after discovering resale tickets for her North American tour were priced at up to 14 times their original face value. Dean’s comments have sparked a broader conversation about ticket affordability and accessibility in the live music industry.
In a statement shared on social media on March 7, 2024, Dean stated, “Live music should be affordable and accessible and we need to find a new way of making that possible. BE BETTER.” She condemned the practices of Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and AEG, calling the resale prices “vile” and contrary to the wishes of artists and fans alike.
Industry Response and Refund Agreement
Following Dean’s public outcry, Ticketmaster and AXS agreed to refund the difference to fans who purchased tickets above face value. Furthermore, they committed to capping future resale prices at face value during the North American leg of her tour. “Every artist and their team should be granted the option to cap resale at face value ahead of on sale, to keep the live music space accessible for all,” Dean emphasized in her statement.
Dean’s advocacy aligns with a growing concern about the secondary ticket market, which she described as “exploitative and unregulated.” She highlighted the industry’s responsibility to protect fans and foster a community where live music remains accessible.
In response to Dean’s statements, Michael Rapino, CEO of Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, acknowledged her concerns, stating, “We share Olivia’s desire to keep live music accessible and ensure fans have the best access to affordable tickets.” He noted that while Ticketmaster cannot mandate other marketplaces to adhere to artists’ resale preferences, they are committed to leading by example.
Government Action and Industry Support
Dean’s actions come as the U.K. government announced plans to ban the resale of concert and sports tickets above face value, aiming to curb ticket scalping. Lisa Nandy, the U.K. culture secretary, remarked, “For too long, ticket touts have ripped off fans, using bots to snap up batches of tickets and resell them at sky-high prices.” This initiative is expected to save fans approximately £112 million (about $146 million) annually.
Several prominent artists, including Coldplay and Dua Lipa, have expressed their support for this legislative move, reinforcing the call for a fairer ticketing system.
Dean’s initiative not only highlights the pressing issues surrounding ticket resale practices but also illustrates the potential for artists to influence industry standards. As the live music landscape continues to evolve, her efforts may pave the way for increased accountability and fairness in ticket pricing.
