Robert Smith from The Cure has lashed out at artists who shift the blame onto ticketing sites for the high prices, particularly amidst the recent controversy surrounding Oasis ticket costs. The lead singer expressed his dismay over the ongoing practice of artists pointing fingers at ticketing platforms for inflated prices and suggested that artists should take responsibility for fair pricing.
Speaking out against Ticketmaster’s “dynamic pricing” system, Robert Smith highlighted the need for transparency in the music industry regarding ticket costs. Smith’s criticism comes in the wake of the Competition and Markets Authority launching an investigation into Ticketmaster over their handling of Oasis ticket sales in the UK and Ireland.
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Smith expressed his shock at the high profits involved in modern ticketing, stating, “We don’t need to make all this money.” The musician emphasised the importance of setting reasonable prices for gigs and creating goodwill among fans. Smith recalled a previous incident where The Cure faced backlash over high ticket fees, leading him to negotiate refunds for disappointed fans.
Robert Smith emphasised the importance of setting ticket prices based on building a loyal fan base rather than solely focusing on maximising profits. He criticised the practice of dynamic pricing and called it a “scam” that could be eliminated if more artists took a stand against it. Smith encouraged artists to prioritise the overall concert experience and cultivate goodwill among fans through reasonable pricing strategies.
Following the uproar over ticket prices for their UK and Ireland tour, Oasis decided against using dynamic pricing for their upcoming North American tour dates. The British band, comprised of brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, announced their reunion tour, marking the first time they will perform together since their infamous fallout in 2009 at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.
In conclusion, Robert Smith’s stance on fair ticket pricing and his criticism of artists who fail to take responsibility for pricing decisions shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding ticket costs in the music industry. The call for transparency and fair pricing practices serves as a reminder to artists and ticketing platforms alike to prioritise the fan experience and uphold ethical pricing standards.