The dynamic pricing ‘cash grab’ that saw thousands of Oasis fans facing sky-high ticket prices this weekend shows the band has forgotten its working-class roots.
Fans up and down the country joined huge online queues to access tickets when they went on sale over the weekend.
While promoters MCD said tickets would cost ‘from €86.50’, however, dynamic and in-demand pricing meant some fans spent over €400 for one standing ticket.
No Encore podcast host Dave Hanratty said he didn’t even try to get Oasis tickets on Saturday morning – and he’s “not surprised” by what happened.
“This was always going to be an absolute bloodbath, and that's exactly what happened,” he told Lunchtime Live.
“The dynamic pricing element, however, I think people have every right to be upset about – this wasn’t billed as an auction.”
He said Liam and Noel Gallagher “aren’t going to be too upset” over the high prices their fans paid – they'll be “counting their money”.
“This is plain and good old-fashioned simple greed,” he said.
“It's absolutely gouging people and [they’re] doing so during a cost-of-living crisis.”
Oasis in 'respective Ivory Towers'
The greed is ironic given Oasis’ working-class history, according to Mr Hanratty.
“For a long time, they would have been very reflective of working-class people, hardworking people who go out there and don't have that much money to spend,” he said.
“Of course, those days are long over – millions and millions of pounds later, the working class can’t be seen from Oasis’ respective Ivory Towers.
“You do have to question the motivations here beyond just the obvious cash-grab nature of this.”
Mr Hanratty said he is “sure” Noel Gallagher’s divorce is contributing to the motivation for having a reunion.
Oasis record signing at the Virgin Megastore, Oxford Street, London ahead of the release of their debut album Definitely Maybe, 29/08/2024. Image: James Boardman / Alamy Stock PhotoIrish Rock and Roll Museum Head Guide Alan Buckley said ticket prices are not “the central question facing humanity” - but it is “reflective of a trend in society”.
“Everything just becomes outpriced,” he said.
“One of the most important things in Irish culture and world culture is the ability for ordinary people to get to see live music.
“What's happening with dynamic pricing is you get people who have to make a choice between seeing their heroes from the 90s or not going on a family holiday – because that’s roughly what two Oasis tickets would have cost.”
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Politicians have called for the Consumer and Competition Protection Commission (CPCC) to investigate Ticketmaster’s pricing system.
Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has called for ‘uniform pricing’ legislation, noting there is a difference between making a profit and “having people robbed”.
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