Ticketmaster forced to change marketing after Oasis backlash

Ticketmaster has been ordered to change how it advertises concert tickets after a fan backlash over its handling of the Oasis reunion tour.

- Rob Davies

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said yesterday the company had agreed to make changes to its sales tactics, in a move welcomed by the government.

The practices to be scrapped include increasing prices while customers are in a digital queue and offering “platinum” tickets at twice the price of ordinary seats but with no extra benefits.

The CMA opened the investigation last year after complaints from Oasis fans. The shows, arranged after a rapprochement between Noel and Liam Gallagher, the brothers who lead the Mancunian band, were initially advertised at £148.50.

By the time fans reached the front of online queues, after hours of waiting, some had only minutes to decide whether to buy at a much higher price, in some cases more than £350.