Tánaiste Micheál Martin has described the recent price increases for Oasis concerts in Dublin as “shocking” and indicative of “a kind of runaway inflation.” The remarks come amid growing backlash over the use of “dynamic pricing” for the band’s reunion tour.
The pricing strategy, implemented by Ticketmaster, led to dramatic ticket price increases. Initially set at €176 (£148) during pre-sale, some standing tickets for the August concerts at Croke Park surged to over €400 (£337) due to high demand.
Martin, speaking to RTÉ on Sunday, suggested that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) should investigate the situation. He noted, “There are a lot, a lot of disappointed people out there from the perspective of what they would see as price gouging.”
The Tánaiste urged the organizers to “reflect on what had happened,” emphasizing that there remains an opportunity for “redemption” from the event organizers.
The CCPC has stated that, according to Irish consumer law, consumers should be informed of the full price, including any additional fees, before making a purchase. The commission’s role includes ensuring that pricing and related charges are clearly communicated to consumers.
Dynamic pricing, a system where ticket prices fluctuate based on demand, has been a point of contention. Schellion Horn, competition economist at Grant Thornton, explained on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that while dynamic pricing adjusts prices to match supply and demand, it was the lack of transparency that caused frustration. “People were not aware that dynamic pricing was in operation and so there was a lack of transparency,” Horn said.
Ticketmaster defended the practice, stating that it does not set ticket prices but rather follows the pricing set by the event organizers. Jonathan Brown, chief executive of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers, praised ticketing websites for handling the high demand but reiterated that ticket prices were set by the band.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed concern over the inflated prices, labeling the situation as “depressing” and pledging to review the transparency and application of dynamic pricing. A consultation into ticket resale websites is expected to begin this autumn.
Belfast South MP Claire Hanna criticized the dynamic pricing model, arguing it “prices ordinary fans out of music events” and is “more than a bit unfair.” She voiced support for efforts to achieve a fairer outcome for music fans.
Oasis and their promoter have yet to respond to the controversy surrounding the ticket pricing.
