After singer Olivia Dean criticized ticketing companies for allowing the resale of tickets to her upcoming shows at exorbitant prices, Live Nation and Ticketmaster have announced measures to address the issue. They stated that resale prices for Dean’s upcoming tour will be capped at face value, ensuring that tickets cannot be sold for more than their original purchase price. Additionally, fans who have already purchased resale tickets will receive partial refunds for the price difference between what they paid and the face value of the ticket.
The response from Live Nation and Ticketmaster comes after Dean raised concerns about the pricing of resale tickets for her 2026 tour on Instagram. She highlighted the issue of ticket reselling and pricing, calling out Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and AEG Presents for allowing tickets to be resold at inflated prices contrary to her wishes for affordable and accessible live music experiences.
In a unique move, Ticketmaster will absorb the refund costs for fans who purchased resale tickets above face value, demonstrating their commitment to addressing the concerns raised by Dean and fans. Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino expressed support for Dean’s vision of keeping live music accessible and emphasized the company’s steps to lead by example in response to the pricing discrepancies.
Experts in the music industry, such as Catherine Moore from the University of Toronto, noted that Ticketmaster’s public response and willingness to refund ticket price differences represent a notable departure from past practices. Ticketmaster’s Face Value Exchange program, which aims to minimize scalping and ensure tickets are sold at prices set by artists, has been utilized by artists like Oasis, Billie Eilish, and Hozier in the past.
The recent developments with Ticketmaster and Live Nation come amid increased scrutiny on ticket resale practices and efforts by governments to regulate the secondary ticket market. Both companies have faced criticism for allowing resellers to profit at the expense of genuine fans, prompting calls for better regulation and transparency in ticket sales.
Overall, the actions taken by Live Nation and Ticketmaster in response to Olivia Dean’s concerns reflect a shift towards prioritizing fair ticket pricing and accessibility in the live music industry.
