Oasis blames management for dynamic pricing chaos

Oasis blamed their management for the dynamic pricing issue yesterday, despite Liam Gallagher’s fiancée being his agent. The band stated they were unaware the dynamic pricing system would be implemented, attributing the decision to meetings between Ticketmaster, promoters, and their management.

Debbie Gwyther, 40, who is Liam’s girlfriend and manager, was involved. She met Liam in 2013 as his personal assistant and now helps manage his career through her PR company with her sister Katie. Debbie is credited with organising the Oasis reunion tour, with Liam previously acknowledging she ‘saved him’.

Regarding Saturday’s chaotic ticket sale, Oasis commented: ‘Many buyers had well-reported complaints over dynamic ticketing. Oasis leaves ticketing and pricing decisions to promoters and management and had no awareness that dynamic pricing would be used.

At best @TicketmasterUK and @oasis dynamic pricing was unfair to fans but in reality it was quite simply bait and switch. The completely predictable IT issues just added to the pain. Fans deserve better. This isn’t rock and roll, it’s naked capitalism and they should be ashamed. pic.twitter.com/fHgyVxnZ2i

Related Articles

• 
  Mother sheds 15 stone fearing Covid-19 health risk

  30 mins ago
• 
  Grenfell tower inquiry: Demanding accountability for systemic failures

  4 hours ago

— marc (@marcrisby) August 31, 2024

‘Previous meetings between promoters, Ticketmaster, and the band’s management resulted in a positive ticket sale strategy, aimed at a fair experience for fans. This included dynamic ticketing to keep general prices down and reduce touting. However, the execution failed to meet expectations.

‘All parties involved endeavoured to deliver the best possible fan experience, but the unprecedented demand made this impossible.’ The band announced two additional dates for their reunion tour on September 27 and 28 next year. Tickets for these dates will be sold via a staggered, invitation-only ballot for fans who missed out over the weekend.

Debbie has been praised for Liam’s transformation in recent years, deemed a tamer of the rock legend. A source mentioned: ‘Debbie came in with fresh eyes and a cooler head after the band split up. She impressed everyone and played a crucial role in getting Liam back on stage with his brother. She has advocated for patching things up for years and loves Liam’s family, especially his mum, Peggy. It’s hard to imagine this happening without her.’

Debbie, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, grew up in a working-class family. She moved to Dalston, East London, in her late teens to find a job in the music industry. Debbie and Liam began their relationship after his divorce from All Saints singer Nicole Appleton in 2014 and got engaged in 2019.

Oasis expressed their fury over the dynamic pricing scandal, which saw some tickets soar to £350. Dynamic pricing increases ticket prices in line with demand, similar to Uber fares or airline seats. However, fans were shocked by the high costs, with some waiting up to eight hours only to find standing tickets priced over £350, far exceeding the expected £150. Others were kicked off Ticketmaster, accused of ‘being a bot’.

Announcing the new shows on social media, Oasis stated: ‘Two extra Wembley Stadium shows have been added due to phenomenal demand. Tickets will be sold by a staggered, invitation-only ballot process. Applications will first open to UK fans who were unsuccessful in the initial sale with Ticketmaster. More details to follow.’

Some fans, who paid over £350 for their tickets, reacted angrily to the announcement. One person posted: ‘Hope they’re being charged £400 a ticket for the same seats as me! #Dynamic pricing and I obviously paid way more than people in the ballot who are probably sat next to me as well.’

Another commented: ‘Need to scrap all tickets and start again – is the only way it can be fair. I was at the checkout for Heaton Park Fri 11th and the site kicked me back behind 230,000 people, need to start again.’

Others eagerly welcomed the chance for another ticket attempt, with one person posting: ‘Literally everything crossed for this… can’t go through another day like Saturday. So stressful.’

Another added: ‘Would be amazing to get ballot. It’s mine and my boyfriend’s anniversary next week and he was so gutted. We spent eight hours trying to get tickets. Would love to surprise him.’

Around 14 million people spent Saturday morning waiting in lengthy online queues, hoping to secure a spot at next year’s shows. Emma Munnelly, who queued since 8:30am on Saturday, said she spent three hours waiting to buy tickets for herself, her husband, and her daughter. She was disappointed when the standing tickets for Manchester, initially expected at £148.50, were priced at £355. She found this unaffordable and devastating for her daughter, who had been desperate to see Oasis.

Catherine Kremer said she reached the front after four hours of queuing but couldn’t buy a ticket, with in-demand tickets priced at £358.10 to stand. Heidi Tringe, who got up at 3:45am local time in Montpelier, USA, was horrified by the ‘In Demand’ prices when she finally reached the front after three and a half hours. She experienced technical issues and eventually lost her place in line. She expressed frustration over the inflated prices and the system’s failure to handle fan demand.

Celebrities also criticised the Ticketmaster fiasco. TV and radio presenter Dan Walker posted: ‘There has got to be a fairer, simpler, more efficient way of selling tickets that isn’t so open to touts, scammers, resellers & bots. #Oasis In the queue, out of the queue, refresh / don’t refresh, wait in line, back of the line, accused of being a bot… timed out.’ He later added: ‘How many times have you refreshed Ticketmaster?’

BBC journalist Victoria Derbyshire also expressed frustration, posting a screenshot of Ticketmaster at 11.23am, asking if anyone had managed to get a ticket.

Oasis has been contacted for comment.