The U.K. Competition Watchdog Investigates Oasis Concert Ticket Sales
LONDON – The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into the ticket sales for the highly anticipated reunion concerts of the iconic 1990s Britpop band Oasis scheduled for next year.
The CMA stated that they will specifically focus on “dynamic pricing,” a method where ticket prices can fluctuate rapidly based on market conditions. Many fans who tried to purchase tickets online through Ticketmaster, a unit of Live Nation Entertainment, expressed dissatisfaction after ending up paying more than double the face value of the tickets due to dynamic pricing.
The investigation will assess whether Ticketmaster’s sale of Oasis tickets might have violated consumer protection laws and involved unfair business practices.
Oasis, fronted by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, released a statement claiming they had no knowledge of the dynamic pricing strategy, as ticketing matters are typically handled by their management team.
Formed in Manchester in 1991, Oasis was a powerhouse in the 1990s British music scene, known for hits like “Wonderwall,” “Champagne Supernova,” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” The band’s success was fueled by catchy rock anthems and the contentious relationship between songwriter-guitarist Noel Gallagher and vocalist Liam.
Following a split in 2009, Noel Gallagher left the band after a heated confrontation with his brother at a festival near Paris. Though the Gallaghers, now in their 50s, have not shared the stage since, both continue to perform Oasis tracks at their individual shows while exchanging public jabs in the media.
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