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Indian police close Coldplay ticket investigation

Police in India have closed an investigation into promoter BookMyShow (BMS) over the ticket sale for Coldplay’s recent concerts in Mumbai after finding “no irregularities”.

The band played three 55,000-cap dates at Mumbai’s DY Patil Sports Stadium on 18-19 & 21 January as part of their Music of the Spheres World Tour.

Tickets, priced between 2,500 rupees (€27) to 12,000 rupees (€129), sold out within 30 minutes last September, only to quickly reappear on secondary ticketing platforms at up to 40x face value.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police launched a preliminary inquiry after lawyer Amit Vyas filed a criminal complaint against BMS and others, accusing the company of using bots to manipulate the sales process and colluding with resale sites to scalp tickets on the black market.

“Scalping and black marketing of tickets is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India and BookMyShow vehemently opposes this practice”

BMS, which said 13 million people attempted to buy tickets, denied any association with unauthorised secondary ticketing platforms and lodged a formal First Information Report (FIR) with law enforcement agencies.

“Scalping and black marketing of tickets is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India and BookMyShow vehemently opposes this practice,” it said at the time. “We have not only filed a complaint with the police authorities but are also proactively working with them to provide complete support in the investigation of this matter in any manner that may be required.”

The Hindustan Times reports that the EOW has now dropped the case, having found no evidence of ticket manipulation.

The week after their three Mumbai dates, Coldplay performed to 111,000 fans a night – the biggest shows of their career –at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on 25-26 January. The two gigs also set a record as the largest stadium concerts of the 21st century.

 


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UK government pledges to ‘tackle greedy touts’

The UK Government has launched its much-anticipated consultation into the secondary ticketing market with a pledge to “tackle greedy touts and give power back to fans”.

A new cap on the price of resale tickets are among measures that will be considered, alongside plans to limit the number of tickets resellers can list to the maximum they are allowed to purchase on the primary market.

In addition, there are proposals to increase the accountability of ticket resale websites and apps, creating new legal obligations so that they can be held responsible by Trading Standards and the Competition and Market Authority for the accuracy of information they provide to fans.

The Government says it will also review existing legislation to strengthen consumer protection, including stronger fines and a new licensing regime for resale platforms.

Launching the consultation, UK Government Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The chance to see your favourite musicians or sports team live is something all of us enjoy and everyone deserves a fair shot at getting tickets – but for too long fans have had to endure the misery of touts hoovering up tickets for resale at vastly inflated prices.

“As part of our Plan for Change, we are taking action to strengthen consumer protections, stop fans getting ripped off and ensure money spent on tickets goes back into our incredible live events sector, instead of into the pockets of greedy touts.”

“For too long fans have had to endure the misery of touts hoovering up tickets for resale at vastly inflated prices”

The consultation marks a significant milestone for the UK live music industry, which has long-campaigned for additional restrictions on the secondary market.

According to analysis by the Competition and Market Authority, typical mark-ups on tickets sold on the secondary market are often more than 50 per cent and investigations by Trading Standards have uncovered evidence of tickets being resold for up to six times their original cost. Research by Virgin Media O2 indicated that ticket touts cost music fans an extra £145 million per year.

The CMA has estimated the value of tickets sold in 2019 through secondary ticketing platforms to be about £350 million, with around 1.9 million tickets sold on these platforms. 1.9 million tickets accounted for around 5 to 6% of the number of primary tickets sold in 2019.

Adam Webb, Campaign Manager at FanFair Alliance, said: “These suggested measures are potentially game-changing. Other countries, notably Ireland, have demonstrated how legislation to prevent the resale of tickets for profit can massively curb the illegal and anti-consumer practices of online ticket touts and offshore resale platforms. The UK simply needs to follow their example.”

The industry looks certain to weigh in strongly behind the Government’s proposals, though IQ understands that as yet there is no agreement on the level of resale uplift the industry will recommend, with the Government asking for views on a range from 0% to 30%.

In previous statements the Government indicated that it would be looking at resale cap at 10% above face value.

A spokesperson for Ticketmaster said they were “committed to making ticketing simple and transparent”.

They added: “Since 2018, our resale has been capped at face value, providing fans a safe place to sell tickets they can’t use at the original price set by artists and event organisers. We support proposals to introduce an industry-wide resale price cap. We also urge the government to crack down on bots and ban speculative ticket sales.

“Ticketmaster welcomes any action to protect fans and give them the best chance of getting tickets to the events they love.”

“These suggested measures are potentially game-changing”

Jon Collins, Chief Executive of LIVE, the UK live music trade body, said: “LIVE welcomes this positive step to put fans back at the heart of live music by tackling ticket touting. We have been a long-term and vociferous advocate for regulation of the secondary market, supporting the great work of the FanFair Alliance, and are pleased to see government delivering on its manifesto commitment in this area.

“We are delighted that measures which permit responsible and fair fan-to-fan resale, while eliminating third-party profiteering, will be brought forward. This will reduce the incentive for touts to squeeze fans out of the primary sale and highlights the need to set the cap on resales at or near the original price.

The secondary ticketing industry is expected to lobby strongly against new resale curbs. A spokesperson for viagogo told IQ: “We will continue to constructively engage with the Government and look forward to responding in full to the consultation and call for evidence on improving consumer protections in the ticketing market.”

The government had initially said the consultation would be published in the Autumn of 2024 but the timing was pushed back, with industry sources fearful it had been derailed by the furore surrounding the Oasis ticket onsale. Last August, millions of fans found themselves in an hours-long queue, with some then served tickets priced much higher than originally expected, leading to a media and political outcry.

In response to that, alongside the formal consultation the government has launched a “call for evidence into pricing practices in the live events sector, such as dynamic pricing”.

The government says it is looking for views “on how the ticketing system in the live events sector is working for fans and whether the current system provides sufficient protection from unfair practices”.

It will also consider “whether there is potential for new harms to consumers to arise from emerging business trends including the use of new technologies and dynamic pricing”.

The consultation will be open until 4 April 2025, with full details here.

IQ will be publishing a deep dive on secondary ticketing regulation across Europe in the next issue of the magazine.

 


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Philippines senator tables anti-touting bill

A Philippines senator has tabled a new bill promising stiff penalties for ticket touts including fines and jail terms

The Southeast Asian country hosted gigs by Coldplay and Dua Lipa in 2024, as well as Filipina-American singer Olivia Rodrigo’s biggest show to date, drawing more than 2.1 million fans across 154 concerts overall.

But senator Mark Villar warns that the increased demand has led to challenges “including the proliferation of ticket scalping or the practice of reselling admission tickets at an inflated or predatory price”.

Villar says the trend undermines “the consumers’ right to fair access to entertainment scenes” as well as “encouraging price gouging”, and has filed the Anti-Ticket Scalping Act. The bill seeks to prohibit touting in the country “to protect consumers from exploitation and guarantee fair access to events of their favourite artists or performers”.

Under the legislation, resale of tickets for more than 10% above face value would be banned.

“We filed this bill to stop or curb the worsening scalping in the country that is taking advantage of our fellow concertgoers or avid fans,” says Villar. It is no longer reasonable for these scalpers to charge inhumane prices for concert and event tickets.

“Our goal is to provide fair access to fans and concertgoers who truly desire to go to concerts at a reasonable price. They do not deserve the unrestrained exploitation of scalpers. Every fan and every Filipino deserves to enjoy concerts without being extorted by scammers.”

“These scalpers are scammers and we will not allow them to increase in number and continue to deceive Filipinos”

There is currently no specific law criminalising touting in the Philippines at a national level. However, the bill aims to prohibit the “offering, hoarding, selling, distributing, buying, dealing in, disposing of, or otherwise acquiring admission tickets for entertainment events, without written permission from the authorised event producer, organiser, and distributor”.

In addition, financing, managing, or operating ticket scalping activities “on a large scale” will also be penalised.

“As a prevention measure, event ticketing, event production and event service entities will also be required to publish or post reminders against scalping on their premises or websites,” says Villar. “They are also ordered to adopt and implement internal policy guidelines and mechanisms to prevent scalping activities among their employees, contractors and agents.”

According to the bill, anyone convicted of ticket scalping will be fined Php 100,000 (€1,673) and/or six months in prison for the first offence. The punishment could then increase to Php 500,000 (€8,364) and/or three years’ jail for the third and subsequent offences.

“In addition to the company, directors, members, officers and employees involved in scalping can also be held liable,” adds Villar. “We will actively promote and fight for the enactment of this bill against these scalpers and to give our countrymen fair access to concerts and events. These scalpers are scammers and we will not allow them to increase in number and continue to deceive Filipinos.”

An in-depth report on secondary ticketing regulation around the world will appear in the upcoming ILMC edition of IQ Magazine.

 


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Indian cyber police demand stricter touting rules

Indian cyber police have issued a directive to BookMyShow (BMS), urging the ticketing platform to implement stricter rules on touting in the wake of recent controversies.

Police launched an investigation after tickets sold for Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh concerts sold out in minutes via official partners BMS and Zomato Live, only to quickly appear on resale platforms at prices well above face value.

Some tickets sold on the black market also turned out to be fake, prompting an onstage apology by Dosanjh at his Jaipur show last weekend.

“If anyone has fallen victim to a ticketing scam, I apologise to that person,” he said, as per India Today. “We have not done this. Authorities are currently investigating the matter.”

India’s Directorate of Enforcement said it seized “incriminating” material after carrying out a series of raids across five states last month in connection with the matter.

“We look forward to collaborating with the government to provide support and assistance in the reduction and prevention of illegal ticket sales”

The fallout has led Maharashtra Cyber Wing to deem the current ticketing safeguards inadequate and ask BMS to implement measures including names on tickets and verification against government-issued IDs on the day of a show, reports the Hindustan Times.

BMS, which has denied allegations that it colluded with resale sites to scalp tickets for the Coldplay shows, vows to work with the government to “proactively fight” against touting, having already lodged a formal First Information Report (FIR).

“In addition to the FIR filed by BookMyShow on the black marketing and scalping of tickets for recent high-demand live entertainment experiences, we have also provided all requisite information and details to law enforcement agencies in their investigations and will continue to proactively fight against scalping and black marketing of tickets – practices that are condemned and punishable by law in India,” says a spokesperson for the Mumbai-based company.

“We strongly believe that it is critical for all stakeholders to come together and engage proactively in this matter, to find best methods to minimise these ticketing malpractices. We look forward to collaborating with the government to provide support and assistance in the reduction and prevention of illegal ticket sales for such marquee, high-demand live entertainment experiences.

“BookMyShow has always worked towards offering the best experiences to India’s entertainment-loving audiences. With Coldplay’s India tour, Maroon 5’s upcoming India performance, Lollapalooza India and many such acts in the pipeline, we remain committed to bringing the biggest and most marquee global events to Indian consumers who we firmly believe deserve the best.”

 


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Raids carried out over ‘illegal’ ticket touting

India’s Directorate of Enforcement (ED) says it seized “incriminating” material in a series of raids across five states in connection with the “illegal” touting of Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh tickets.

Police are investigating after tickets sold for the artists’ upcoming concerts in the country via official ticketing partners BookMyShow (BMS) and Zomato Live sold out in minutes only to quickly appear on resale platforms at exorbitant prices. A number of fans also discovered the tickets they bought on the black market were counterfeit.

ED, New Delhi subsequently launched investigations in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Bangalore on Friday (25 October) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002.

“Following the rapid sellout, numerous reports have emerged of individuals being deceived/cheated through fraudulent ticket sales,” says a spokesperson for the government agency. “Many fans have discovered that they were sold fake tickets or charged exorbitant prices for legitimate ones.”

It carried out search operations at more than 13 locations and seized “several incriminating materials such as mobile phones, laptops and sim cards allegedly used in the scam.

“This action was aimed to investigate the illegal sales of tickets and the financial networks supporting these scams and to trace the proceeds of crime generated”

“This action was aimed to investigate the illegal sales of tickets and the financial networks supporting these scams and to trace the proceeds of crime generated from such illegal activities,” adds the spokesperson. “Searches and investigation conducted by ED has revealed information regarding multiple individuals known for providing such tickets including fake tickets through social media using Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram.”

Further investigations are ongoing.

Dosanjh, who recently became the highest-selling South Asian artist at The O2 in London, is bringing his Dilluminati Tour to several Indian cities in November and December, while Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres Tour touches down at Mumbai’s DY Patil Sports Stadium on 18, 19 & 21 January next year.

BMS has threatened to void tickets sold on the black market for the Coldplay shows and lodged a formal First Information Report (FIR) with Mumbai police urging authorities to investigate “the unauthorised resale of tickets by individuals and platforms”.

Public interest litigations (PIL) have also been filed across India calling for strict guidelines on the secondary sector in the wake of the controversies, with a wider hearing slated for 18 February 2025. A PIL lodged  by lawyer Amit Vyas at Bombay High Court alleges “several irregularities and illegalities” during the sale of tickets and accuses resellers of violating consumer protection rules.

 


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BookMyShow lodges complaint over Coldplay resale

Indian ticketing giant and promoter BookMyShow (BMS) says it may cancel tickets sold on the black market for Coldplay’s upcoming Mumbai run.

The British band are bringing their Music of the Spheres Tour to the city’s DY Patil Sports Stadium for three sold out nights in January 2025. However, police are investigating an alleged touting scam in relation to the shows after tickets – priced between 2,500 rupees (€27) to 12,000 rupees (€129) – quickly reappeared on secondary ticketing platforms at huge mark-ups.

Lawyer Amit Vyas subsequently filed a criminal complaint against BMS and others, accusing the company of colluding with resale sites to scalp tickets, while Mumbai police’s Economic Offences Wing reportedly questioned an executive from BMS’ parent firm Big Tree Entertainment as part of a preliminary inquiry.

BMS denies any wrongdoing, maintaining its opposition to illegal ticketing practices, and says it has lodged a formal First Information Report (FIR) – a written document prepared by police when they receive information about a criminal offence.

“This action follows our initial complaint filed proactively with the Mumbai Police on September 23, 2024, addressing these concerns much before any formal complaint was raised against us,” a spokesperson for the firm tells IQ. “BookMyShow’s FIR filed with the Mumbai police also urges authorities to investigate the unauthorised resale of tickets by individuals and platforms.

“We have provided details of all resellers that have come to our attention, including independent individuals reselling tickets for this tour across social media platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp and beyond, as also digital platforms such as Viagogo, StubHub Holdings and more, to aid authorities in a thorough investigation.

“We remain vigilant in monitoring such instances of ticket reselling for this tour through black market channels and will continue to share all relevant information with the authorities to ensure appropriate action is taken. BookMyShow is assessing potential cancellation of such tickets that are being sold unethically.”

“BookMyShow vehemently condemns and opposes ticket reselling which is deemed illegal and is punishable by law in India”

Viagogo has also insisted it is not working with the Mumbai-headquartered firm, which says that “emotions ran high” after 13 million people attempted to buy tickets for the Coldplay gigs, which sold out within minutes of going on sale last month.

“Our stance remains clear and unchanged – BookMyShow vehemently condemns and opposes ticket reselling which is deemed illegal and is punishable by law in India,” the BMS statement adds. “BookMyShow has no association with any such unauthorised ticket selling/reselling platforms and/or any third party individuals/platforms for the purpose of reselling Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India.

“We are working closely with the police and regulatory authorities, to provide complete support and cooperation in the investigation of this matter in any manner that may be required right from the start. Our authorised representatives and senior management have been available whenever required by the authorities, ensuring full transparency in sharing all necessary information with the EOW (Economic Offences Wing).”

The company also dismisses rumours that had circulated online suggesting the concerts would be cancelled, asserting they are “proceeding as planned”.

“Reports contrary to this are factually incorrect,” it continues. “As the promoter and official ticketing platform bringing Coldplay to India, we at BookMyShow have worked hard to ensure every fan had a fair chance to secure tickets, by pricing them affordably as also capping purchase at four tickets per user across all shows, providing clear, step-by-step booking guides and maintaining transparent communication through all our official channels.

“We remain committed to ensuring a fair and genuine experience for all our consumers.”

 


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Indian police probe alleged Coldplay ticket scam

Police in India are investigating an alleged ticket touting scam relating to Coldplay’s forthcoming concerts in Mumbai.

The British band will perform their first full-length gigs in the country since 2016’s Global Citizen Festival when their Music of the Spheres Tour stops at Mumbai’s DY Patil Sports Stadium on 18, 19 & 21 January next year.

Indian ticketing giant BookMyShow (BMS) said 13 million people attempted to buy tickets for the gigs, which sold out within minutes of going on sale last month. However, tickets, which were priced between 2,500 rupees (€27) to 12,000 rupees (€129), quickly reappeared on secondary ticketing platforms at huge mark-ups – leading to a public outcry.

Lawyer Amit Vyas filed a criminal complaint against BMS and others, accusing the company of colluding with resale sites to scalp tickets on the black market.

“The sale of the concert tickets was controlled by BookMyShow in such a manner that the genuine customers… were intentionally logged out of the platform seconds before… the time when the tickets went live, or were not allowed to access the platform to buy tickets for the concert,” reads the allegation.

“However, simultaneously, the tickets were made available to Viagogo in bulk, which started black-marketing these tickets at very high prices.”

BMS has denied the claim, saying: “BookMyShow has no association with any such unauthorised ticket selling/reselling platforms including but not limited to Viagogo and Gigsberg or third-party individuals for the purpose of reselling Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India.

“Scalping and black marketing of tickets is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India and BookMyShow vehemently opposes this practice”

“Scalping and black marketing of tickets is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India and BookMyShow vehemently opposes this practice,” it continues. “We have not only filed a complaint with the police authorities but are also proactively working with them to provide complete support in the investigation of this matter in any manner that may be required.”

Viagogo has also rejected accusations of collusion, with a spokesperson telling the Indian Express: “Viagogo is not working with BookMyShow. Tickets listed on Viagogo come from a range of sources, including multinational event organisers, corporate ticket holders, season ticket holders, sponsors and fans who simply can no longer attend an event.”

According to local media reports, Mumbai police’s Economic Offences Wing questioned an executive from BMS’ parent firm Big Tree Entertainment about the case for several hours yesterday (30 September) as part of its preliminary inquiry.

India was one of a number of new territories – alongside Hong Kong, UAE and South Korea – to be added to the all-conquering Music Of The Spheres World Tour after ticket sales for the epic trek sailed past 10 million.

Launched in March 2022, the run was recently confirmed by Billboard Boxscore to have grossed more than $1 billion and is already the biggest rock tour of all time. Coldplay, who are represented by Wasserman Music’s Marty Diamond and Larry Webman in North America and WME’s Josh Javor for the rest of the world, will also play 10 nights at London’s Wembley Stadium next summer – a record for a single tour.

The band have pledged that 10% of proceeds from the 2025 UK dates, which also include two nights at Hull’s Craven Park Stadium, will be donated to the Music Venue Trust.

 


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Ticket touts ‘costing UK gig-goers £145m a year’

Ticket touts are costing music fans in the UK an extra £145 million (€174m) a year, according to new research by O2 and YouGov.

O2 has shared data based on a recent online survey of 2,044 adults, which reveals that approximately one in five tickets end up on a resale platform, while almost half (48%) of music fans who have attended live music events find it difficult to identify a secondary ticketing site.

In addition, O2, which sold 1.4 million tickets via its Priority customer reward platform in 2023, says it stopped more than 50,000 suspected bots from entering the platform over a six-week period, and is calling on the government and online platforms to do more to protect consumers.

“We are tired of professional ticket touts abusing the ticket marketplace and stealing tickets out of fans’ hands, only to immediately re-list them at inflated prices,” says Gareth Griffiths, director, partnerships and sponsorship at O2. “Music fans deserve the chance to buy tickets at a price set by their favourite artist, but all too often they are forced to pay a price decided by a stranger on the internet. Consumers deserve more protection and better information about the tickets they’re paying for.”

The £145m figure was calculated using data from UK Music’s Here, There and Everywhere 2023 report and YouGov survey data.

“We will not stop until we are fully confident in the fairness of the UK’s ticketing industry”

O2, which is a longtime supporter of UK-based FanFair Alliance, which campaigns against industrial-scale ticket touting, says better legislation, clearer information and clearer identification is required to help combat confusion in the marketplace.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has previously pledged to introduce new legislation to cap ticket resale, with the UK government currently preparing to launch a consultation into the secondary ticketing market. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy told the Labour Party conference earlier this week: “We’re taking action on rip-off ticket touts because culture belongs to everybody.”

Labour MP Sharon Hodgson, who is chair of the APPG for ticket abuse, adds: “I have fought tirelessly alongside FanFair Alliance to end ticketing abuse and ensure that my constituents, and people across our country, have fair access to the events that bring us together, without falling victim to exploitative touts.

“These new insights serve to further demonstrate the desire amongst music fans for change and we look forward to collaborating with O2 and the music industry to bring that change about. We will not stop until we are fully confident in the fairness of the UK’s ticketing industry.”

Last week in the US, the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), alleging widespread violations of the BOTS Act by ticket resellers. The advocacy group’s complaint is backed by dozens of signatories including Red Light Management, Q Prime, Arrival Artists, Ground Control Touring, Mint Talent Group and Paladin Artists.

 


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Labour wins landslide UK election: The biz reacts

The UK live music business has warmly welcomed Labour Party’s historic landslide general election triumph.

Labour will form a government under the leadership of new prime minister Keir Starmer, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.

Requiring 326 seats for a majority, Starmer’s party has claimed 412 seats to the Rishi Sunak-led Conservatives’ 121 – the worst defeat in the latter’s parliamentary history.

“The change begins right here,” said Starmer. “Because this is your democracy, your community and your future. You have voted. It is now time for us to deliver.”

Labour included multiple references to the live music business in its manifesto ahead of yesterday’s (4 July) vote, pledging to cap ticket resale and improve EU touring for UK artists by “tearing down unnecessary barriers to trade”.

“Having worked closely with the party in opposition, LIVE looks forward to working with the incoming Labour government to deliver on its ambitions of making the creative industries central to national renewal, economic growth and boosting the UK’s reputation on the world stage,” says Jon Collins, CEO of trade body LIVE. “The live music sector generated over £6 billion in 2023, with one gig held every four minutes, but this growth has not been uniformly experienced across the sector.

“It is critical that the incoming Labour government delivers on the Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee’s recommendations for an urgent review of reintroducing a lower rate of VAT on live music tickets and finding other ways to support grassroots music.”

“We hope Labour will work with our whole industry to boost opportunities, increase the talent pool and offer a wider range of live music experiences”

Collins continues: “We also look forward to working closely with the Labour government on our shared manifesto proposals to enable UK artists to tour internationally more easily and clamp down on ticket touts.

“We hope Labour will work with our whole industry to boost opportunities, increase the talent pool and offer a wider range of live music experiences to music fans up and down the UK.”

David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), also offers his congratulations to the incoming government.

“It’s especially important that we can pick up on unfinished business from the previous parliament and quickly deliver the much-anticipated reforms to music streaming alongside greater support for the live music ecosystem,” he adds. “Music and culture should play a key role in the UK’s future success, so it’s vital that the foundations of our business are reset on a sound and artist-friendly footing.”

Music Managers Forum (MMF) chief executive Annabella Coldrick says the result should serve as a “watershed moment” for the music business.

“We look forward to helping the new Labour government deliver their manifesto commitments on international touring and online ticket touting, both areas on which the MMF has led through the #LetTheMusicMove and FanFair Alliance campaigns,” she says. “For the sake of artists and fans, we all want to see quick progress on both these issues.”

“Our call to Sir Keir and to the incoming culture secretary will be for urgent lowering of VAT on festival ticket sales to 5%”

Labour has vowed to introduce new consumer protections on ticket resale “to put fans back at the heart of events”. The move would include restricting the resale of tickets at more than a small, set percentage above face value, and limit the number of tickets individual resellers can list.

In addition, it would make platforms accountable for the accuracy of information about tickets they list for sale and ensure the Competition and Markets Authority has the powers that it needs to take action against platforms and touts, to protect consumers.

“The Labour Party manifesto reiterated their commitment to capping ticket resale prices and protecting fans from exploitation, and everyone involved with FanFair Alliance will now look to support the new government in achieving that goal as quickly as possible,” says Adam Webb, campaign manager for anti-touting group FanFair Alliance.

Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) CEO John Rostron took the opportunity to resume the organisation’s calls for a VAT reduction on tickets. AIF states that a reduced VAT from 20% to 5% on ticket sales for the next three years will give festival promoters the space they need to rebuild.

“Our call to Sir Keir and to the incoming culture secretary will be for urgent lowering of VAT on festival ticket sales to 5% to mitigate independent festival closures in the UK and sow seeds for growth in 2025,” says Rostron. “We hope, also, that this government will take forward the recommendations of the CMS inquiry into grassroots music venues.”

Lisa Nandy, formerly shadow cabinet minister for international development, has been promoted to culture secretary

There is some disappointment, however, that shadow culture secretary Thangham Debbonaire lost her Bristol Central seat to the Green Party, while musicians Tom Gray of Gomez and Dave Rowntree of Blur, who both stood for Labour, failed in their bids to become MPs.

“We’re sorry to see Thangham Debbonaire lose her seat – she has been excellent in the role of shadow secretary of state for culture,” adds Rostron. “We hope all incoming MPs will now be able to relax for a short while and celebrate at this summer’s array of independent festivals.”

Lisa Nandy, formerly shadow cabinet minister for international development, has been promoted to culture secretary by Starmer. She succeeds former Conservative MP Lucy Frazer in the role. Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd says the group “warmly welcomes Nandy’s appointment”.

“Lisa arrives into the role at a critical time for live music in our communities, with the opportunity to deliver real, positive, long lasting change that can protect, secure and improve the nation’s grassroots music venues,” he says. “We look forward to meeting with her as soon as possible so we can begin the work of getting British music back to its rightful position as the beating heart of our towns and cities.”


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Paradiso cancels 2,400 tickets on secondary market

Amsterdam’s Paradiso cancelled more than 2,400 tickets being sold on resale platforms at inflated prices for a large number of upcoming shows.

The Dutch club has resold the tickets at their original prices via a waiting list system introduced in 2022.

Paradiso’s head of ticketing Erik Luyten says the venue was compelled to act after seeing tickets for gigs by acts such as Air and PinkPantheress being advertised online at several times’ face value.

“At some popular concerts, 10 to 15% of the tickets are bought up and resold at a higher price,” Luyten tells Parool. “Black marketers operate in a very sophisticated manner. As a result, they often remain under the radar for a long time. Through extensive research, we were able to understand various practices of these individuals or groups, identify the suspicious orders and void their purchases.

“They use many different names and email addresses, but we were able to match them to specific people or parties by searching our data by bank account number or IP address. We hope to hit a number of major players on the secondary market with this action.”

“It is very bad that people who would like to go to a concert cannot now come for a normal price”

People whose tickets have been invalidated will not be refunded by Paradiso and have been advised to contact the relevant resale site.

No anti-touting legislation currently exists in the Netherlands, although a motion for legal measures was adopted by the House of Representatives in 2022.

Luyten adds that Paradiso is keen to keep concerts accessible to a large audience by keeping ticket prices as low as possible.

“These people and groups take advantage of this,” he says. “It is very bad that people who would like to go to a concert cannot now come for a normal price.”

The 1,500-cap venue has upcoming concerts with the likes of Lucinda Williams, Tricky, Róisín Murphy, Griff, Pixies, Echo & the Bunnymen, Thundercat and Declan McKenna.

 


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