Oasis: The Ticketmaster Backlash

Elena Chiujdea

---

On Tuesday 27th August, Oasis announced their reunion tour dates. The ‘dynamic ticket pricing’ on Ticketmaster outraged fans.

Liam and Noel Gallagher were the phenomenon of the 90s. They separated in 2009 due to an ongoing family feud, much to the devastation of fans worldwide.

However, that has all changed. The band took to their social media platforms to announce their comeback tour.

“This is it, this is happening. The stars have aligned,” they wrote.

The ticket backlash led the Gallagher brothers to release two more London tour dates – on 27th and 28th September 2025 – on the Wembley Stadium. Liam and Noel Gallagher took to X to explain. They said:

“Tickets will be sold by a staggered, invitation-only ballot process. Applications to join the ballot will be opened first to the many UK fans who were unsuccessful in the initial on sale with Ticketmaster.”

Ticketmaster Under Investigation

The Ticketmaster tickets were originally priced at approximately £100. On Saturday 31st August, Ticketmaster increased OASIS ticket prices from £148 to £350 due to ‘high demand’. The BBC said: “The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has received 450 complaints about Ticketmaster adverts for the Oasis gigs.”

The band’s management team released a statement, saying: “It needs to be made clear that Oasis leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management.”

Public Reacts To Oasis ‘Dynamic Pricing’

The Gallagher brothers – born and raised in Manchester – started their band in 1991. After eighteen years together, Oasis grew a worldwide fan base with millions following their concerts around the globe. But their comeback is bitter sweet for Oasis fans after tickets became unattainable for the average person.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the ‘dynamic pricing’ at Westminster. Starmer said: “Probably half the country is cueing for tickets over the weekend but it is depressing to hear of price hikes. I’m committed to putting fans at the heart of music and end extortionate price resales.”

Waiting for tickets in online queue is hopeless for some. Ticketmaster can place you in line with 98819 others. Louise Mills told MailOnline about the huge sum her husband spent on tickets to see his favourite band live. She said: “I regret my husband spending that much per ticket – it’s just ridiculous and disgusting that this is what happens if you’re a fan.”

‘The ticket price is £350 each for four tickets, which is the cost of a small holiday!”

“As he is such a fan, he bought them, but I was under the guise that they would be £85 so I was shocked when after waiting on 4 different computers to get through the queue, he paid what he did.”

Rebecca Smith spent six hours in an online queue to get her hands on tickets for the gig. She told MailOnline:“I absolutely regret buying four standing tickets at £1,400 to include the insurance in case they split up”. Similarly, Olivia Bridge told Sky News: “The countdown is on now until next year, [I am] just ecstatic. It has not even quite sunk in yet.”

What Now?

This is not the first time the Ticketmaster platform has received complaints from fans about dynamic prices on tickets. Taylor Swift’s 2023 Eras Tour tickets also reached sky-high prices, with fans voicing similar complaints over long wait times and astronomical fees.

Will Ticketmaster look to address these issues in the future? Or is this now the kind of experience music fans must endure if they wish to see their favourite artists performing live?

Read next:

• SHORT N’ SWEET: ARE AFFORDABLE CONCERT TICKETS HISTORY?

• IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING: THE ERAS TOUR CONCERT FILM

• LEAKS AND LOSSES: THE GROWING CRACKS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

---

Featured image courtesy of Bob Coyne on Unsplash. No changes made to this image. Image licence found here.