Paul Heaton has said that artists need to “be in the room” making decisions about ticket prices if they want fans to have “a good deal” in light of recent dynamic ticket pricing controversies.
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Speaking to BBC Breakfast yesterday (October 10), the former Housemartins frontman said: “If you want a good deal for your fans you’ve got to be in the room”.
“Although I’m not blaming other artists, I think if you want control of that you have to be at the meeting,” he continued. “The meetings to decide ticket prices, the actual amount it costs, whether there’s dynamic pricing.”
“I represent myself and my musicians, but I also feel that fans aren’t represented there. So when I go there I always think of people I know, could they afford tickets?”
Today (October 11) sees the release of Heaton’s new solo album, ‘The Mighty Several’, which was produced by Lightning Seeds frontman Ian Broudie. In November, he’ll embark on a UK headline tour with The Zutons while Lightning Seeds will open for him in Manchester.
Earlier this week, Heaton announced a huge show in Sheffield at the Bramall Lane stadium, home to his beloved Sheffield United FC, set to take place on May 25.
Like the rest of his upcoming UK dates, tickets will be sold at fixed prices, with the stadium show going at £39.50 (plus booking fees) – you’ll be able to buy yours here. Alternatively, fans can access a pre-sale by signing up here.
Paul Heaton performs live. CREDIT: Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns/Getty
The topic of dynamic ticket pricing has surged in light of the upcoming Oasis reunion tour – many who made it through the multi-hour-long queues for UK tour date tickets were disappointed to find that they were listed for hugely inflated prices due to the “dynamic” pricing system.
Artists such as David Gilmour and Tom Walker have spoken out to say that artists can have a say in the matter, with the former saying that bands should “put a price on tickets and stick to it” while the latter stated that “if all artists said ‘No’ to that last-minute ticket inflation due to high demand, it wouldn’t be a thing”. Iron Maiden have also promised fans that “there will be no dynamic ticket pricing” for their forthcoming 2025 tour.
Ticket prices for Oasis’ US tour were then priced significantly lower than some of those offered to UK fans after the band confirmed the dynamic ticketing system would not be applied there.
On the other hand, Coldplay recently announced their ‘Infinity Tickets’ pricing scheme, where fans can purchase tickets to their ongoing ‘Music Of The Spheres’ world tour at affordable prices.
Their upcoming UK stadium shows – including a record-breaking 10-night run at Wembley – will see 10 per cent of the band’s profits going to the Music Venue Trust. Last month, Sleaford Mods announced they will be offering £5 tickets for their UK shows, specifically for those on low incomes.
In a 2022 interview with NME, the outspoken Heaton also spoke about the need to support the NHS, and that any attempt at privatisation should, instead, be directed elsewhere, like the Royal Family.
“If it’s such a good business model, then have it. Sell it off to the Japanese or Saudis or whatever,” he told NME. “You know what these capitalists do when they take over? They cut off all the unwanted staff and just leave one there…”
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