The return of the British group Oasis to the stage is causing a wave of enthusiasm mixed with palpable frustration among fans. As ticket sales for their summer tour in 2025 opened with sales quickly turning into chaos, organizers announced the cancellation of thousands of tickets purchased on unauthorized resale sites.
Bros Liam and Noel Gallagher, after fifteen years of separation, had brought together their fans on August 31 for the much-anticipated ticket sale opening. However, this day was marked by a massive influx of buyers facing endless virtual queues and several reported malfunctions on Ticketmaster. According to the organizers, about 4% of the sold tickets were already found on these dubious platforms.
A controversial cancellation
The spokesperson for the organizers confirmed that Ticketmaster and See Tickets will soon begin the systematic cancellation of these illegally resold tickets. These canceled tickets will be put back on sale via the official site in the near future. Officials also warn about the risks associated with purchases from unofficial agencies: “Some of them may be fraudulent and prone to cancellation,” he warns.
This chaotic situation only adds to the concerns surrounding Ticketmaster. The competent British authority (CMA) is opening an investigation into its business practices following massive complaints about the “dynamic pricing” applied during this explosive sale — allowing ticket prices to increase dramatically based on observed demand.
Dynamic pricing: ethical issues
Dynamic pricing is not without raising ethical questions; it had caused a staggering rise in the initial cost, reaching up to £350 for some tickets originally offered much lower. In response to this controversial system, Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, emphasizes that this could violate laws protecting consumers if they are pressured to make a quick purchase without adequate information.
The investigation will also look into the overall balance and will likely indicate whether the market is free enough or subject to a quasi-monopoly favoring certain companies like Live Nation Entertainment—the parent company behind Ticketmaster—which has largely dominated the sector since its merger with ticketnet.fr a few years ago.
Lasting impacts
Beyond the immediate uproar related to the concerts planned in several major British cities such as Manchester and London, but also during an upcoming international tour (United States, Canada), these events also initiate a deep reflection on the current business model used by Ticketmaster that is already starting to grind a few teeth among both artists and their fervent admirers.
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This topic will undoubtedly continue to fuel debates between enthusiasts and professionals about the imminent evolution coexisting between modern live music and fair business practices.
