A new report on the live events industry is calling for the immediate implementation of a ban on reselling gig tickets above their original price. The report highlights how music fans often miss out on attending events due to ticket touts using automated software to snatch up tickets rapidly.
While the government pledged to enforce the ban last year, no official start date has been announced yet. The report, commissioned by the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee, recommends introducing legislation to prohibit ticket resale above face value promptly and ensuring strict enforcement.
In addition, the report introduces a Fans’ Charter with 50 recommendations to enhance the live music sector. One key recommendation is for ticket pricing to be transparently communicated in advance. The report also discourages the use of dynamic surge pricing based on demand.
Furthermore, the report criticizes major online ticketing platforms for unfair treatment of fans, high ticket prices, and inadequate actions against bots and online touts. Venues are advised to provide clear event timings, free earplugs, and drinking water for attendees.
The report advocates for the establishment of a Music Fan Association and emphasizes the importance of respecting fans as the backbone of the industry. The review, initiated in response to concerns raised by venue operators, touring artists, and promoters, aims to address the financial challenges faced by grassroots music venues.
In a statement, Lord Brennan, the review chairman, emphasized the need to prioritize fan satisfaction and industry sustainability. The report urges all stakeholders, from ticketing platforms to venues, to commit to the Fans’ Charter for the long-term benefit of live music.
Various industry figures, including a Department for Culture, Media, and Sport spokesperson and consumer law expert Lisa Webb, have expressed support for the recommendations. The government is set to release a Music Plan to support the music industry, including measures to combat ticket touting and enhance fan experiences.
