Pressure mounts on Government to intervene following Oasis ticket fiasco

Pressure continues to mount on the Government to put measures in place that would control Ticketmaster’s “exclusionary” practices.

This has been a hot topic among politicians, the media and the public in the wake of the recent Oasis concerts announced for Croke Park next year.

Labour Councillor Marie Tuohy brought the matter before Laois County Council at their latest monthly meeting this week.

Cllr Tuohy called on Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, and Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary, to review the pricing strategies employed by Ticketmaster in regard to concert and event ticket sales.

“Ticketmaster use the Dynamic Pricing Strategy,” Cllr Tuohy said. “Demand goes up, and so does the price.

“In my opinion it is a cynical form of marketing in an area where Ticketmaster pretty much have a monopoly.

“Oasis tickets were advertised for €86.50, they went to €106, and then to more than €400.

“There should be more transparency; consumers should be fully informed of the full price of what they’re going to buy. It causes stress and financial stress.”

Cllr Tuohy went on to say it would be appropriate for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate the matter, citing legislation signed in 2021 to ban the resale of tickets above face-value.

“Ticketmaster seem to be the ticket touts now, and consumers are the ones that are losing out,” the Labour councillor said. “It’s exclusionary and it’s just wrong.”

There was strong support from Sinn Féin Councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley and Independent Councillor Aisling Moran.

Cllr Dwane Stanley said there is also scope to to investigate hotel pricing during times of big events, such as the Oasis concerts.

Cllr Moran said “it’s an absolute joke,” adding “something has to be done.”

In something of a slap in the face to Irish and British fans, Oasis – who chose to opt in to Ticketmaster’s Dynamic Pricing Strategy – said they will not be employing the strategy when tickets go on sale for their North American tour.

Other artists who opted in to Ticketmaster’s Dynamic Pricing Strategy include Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen and Harry Styles.

Notably, Taylor Swift chose to opt out.

SEE ALSO – Council chaos as Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil accused of ‘not wanting transparency’