Get ready to cheer, because some of your favorite UK music stars are teaming up for an epic cause! Over 40 artists, including the legendary Radiohead, the chart-topping Dua Lipa, and the iconic Coldplay, have turned up the volume on an important issue. They've signed a powerful statement to the U.K. government, calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to tackle those pesky websites that are making it hard for us to catch our favorite live shows!
Imagine this: you’re stoked to see your heroes live on stage and suddenly, boom! The tickets are already scooped up by resellers who jack up the prices. Well, artists like Sam Fender, PJ Harvey, and the legendary Robert Smith of The Cure aren't having it. They want the government to clamp down on sites like Viagogo and StubHub that allow this to happen.
In their fiery letter, the artists let everyone know they’re done with “touts” who bulk buy and upsell tickets, leaving true fans out in the cold. They’re demanding a “hard cap” on resale prices to stop the madness. This isn't just about concerts; they want to protect theater and sports events too!
Backing them up are groups like UK Music, FanFair Alliance, and even the Football Supporters' Association. A study by consumer group Which? showed these high-priced tickets aren’t just a pain—they’re also sketchy! Ending for-profit resale could make it way easier to spot criminals trying to fool us.
Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert from Which?, is on the frontline of this battle, saying a ticket price cap would be a huge win for fans. But there's more work ahead. For real change, she says sellers need to prove they actually own the tickets they're listing, and platforms need to verify who is selling these tickets. Can you say drama?
Now, it’s time for Starmer's Labour government to act. They promised to cap ticket resale prices ages ago, but we’re still waiting for them to deliver. They even launched a consultation to set a limit on how much prices can jump, but come on, we need action!
A government spokesperson teased that they’ll be revealing plans soon to put fans back in the heart of live events. Meanwhile, the latest survey by Which? uncovered some major overpricing on platforms like Stubhub and Viagogo. Seems like more than just a few people are overpaying for their live music experience!
Stay tuned for more info and keep your fingers crossed for change. Because who doesn't love a good concert at a fair price? Let’s hope our favorite artists can turn the tide!