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Oasis announce extra Wembley Stadium dates

The group have also issued their first public response to the dynamic ticket pricing row that erupted following Saturday's onsale

By James Hanley on 04 Sep 2024

Oasis

image © Simon Emmett

Oasis have added two further concerts at Wembley Stadium amid the ticketing controversy over their sold out UK reunion tour.

In addition to their 17 previously confirmed July/August dates across the UK and Ireland, the Gallagher brothers will now play the London venue on 27-28 September 2025 due to “unprecedented” demand.

According to the band’s team, the Oasis Live ‘25 Tour was the biggest concert launch ever seen in UKI, with more than 10 million fans from 158 countries attempting to buy tickets for the group’s first shows since 2009. The European exclusive dates are being promoted by SJM Concerts, Live Nation, DF Concerts and MCD Productions.

In an effort to “make amends” for the frustrations experienced by many fans, a special invitation-only ticket ballot has been devised for the two shows, with applications open first to those who were unsuccessful in the initial on sale with Ticketmaster.

“Inevitably, interest in this tour is so overwhelming that it’s impossible to schedule enough shows to fulfil public demand,” says a statement. “But this ticket sale strategy will make the process far smoother for fans by reducing the stress and time it takes to obtain one of the hottest tickets of our time.”

The group have also issued their first public response to the dynamic ticket pricing row that erupted in the wake of Saturday’s onsale, saying they were unaware the system would be employed for the shows. There was widespread media coverage of fan anger after ticket buyers were offered tickets for more than twice the advertised face value after queuing for several hours.

“Oasis leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management, and at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used”

“It needs to be made clear that Oasis leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management, and at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used,” adds the statement. “While prior meetings between promoters, Ticketmaster and the band’s management resulted in a positive ticket sale strategy, which would be a fair experience for fans, including dynamic ticketing to help keep general ticket prices down as well as reduce touting, the execution of the plan failed to meet expectations.

“All parties involved did their utmost to deliver the best possible fan experience, but due to the unprecedented demand this became impossible to achieve.”

The controversy prompted the UK government to announce it will be investigating dynamic pricing for concert tickets as part of its consultation into the resale market in the autumn, with the Guardian reporting the European Commission is also set to examine Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing model following the fallout.

Prime minister Keir Starmer commented on the row during today’s Prime Minister’s Questions.

“It’s great that Oasis are back together,” said the Labour leader. “But it is depressing to hear of price hikes. I’m committed to putting fans at the heart of music and end extortionate price resales and we’re starting a consultation to work out how best we can do this.”

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news|04 Sep 2024