Olivia Dean, the rising star and Grammy nominee, has successfully negotiated partial refunds for her fans from Ticketmaster and AXS, following her condemnation of the exorbitant prices on the secondary ticket market. Last week, Dean expressed her outrage as resale tickets for her North American tour were listed at up to 14 times their original face value, prompting her to label the practices as “exploitative.”
In a statement shared on her social media channels, Dean emphasized the importance of making live music “affordable and accessible.” She criticized major ticketing platforms, stating that Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and AEG were providing a “disgusting service.” Dean called for immediate change, asserting that the resale prices were “vile” and contrary to the sentiments of artists and fans alike.
Refund Agreement and Future Changes
On Thursday, Dean announced that Ticketmaster and AXS would refund the price difference to fans who had paid above the original ticket price. Additionally, they committed to capping resale prices at face value for the North American leg of her tour. Dean remarked, “Every artist and their team should be granted the option to cap resale at face value ahead of on sale, to keep the live music space accessible for all.”
Dean further criticized the secondary ticket market, describing it as “an exploitative and unregulated space.” She urged the industry to take responsibility in protecting fans and the community. “Thank you for your patience, and I’m looking forward to seeing all you real humans at the show,” she concluded, highlighting her connection with her audience.
The move comes in the wake of broader discussions around ticket resale practices. According to BBC News, Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, expressed support for Dean’s initiatives, stating, “We share Olivia’s desire to keep live music accessible and ensure fans have the best access to affordable tickets.” Rapino acknowledged the limitations of enforcing resale preferences across different marketplaces but echoed the call for improvement.
Government Action Against Ticket Scalping
This development aligns with recent governmental efforts in the U.K. to combat ticket scalping. The government announced plans last week to prohibit the resale of concert and sports tickets above face value, aiming to protect fans from being exploited. Lisa Nandy, the U.K. culture secretary, pointed out the issue of ticket touts who have profited from fans by utilizing automated bots to purchase tickets in bulk and resell them at inflated rates. Nandy noted, “They’ve become a shadow industry on resale sites, acting without consequence.”
The British government estimates that the new regulations could save fans approximately £112 million (around $146 million) annually. Prominent artists, including Coldplay and Dua Lipa, have voiced their support for these measures, further emphasizing the need for change in the current ticketing landscape.
As Olivia Dean continues her ascent in the music industry, her commitment to fan accessibility and criticism of exploitative practices may set a precedent for other artists to follow.
