‘I flew to Luxembourg to watch the gig there instead!’: Music fans talk about how they’re coping with high UK ticket prices | music

“to“Live music is my passion, but over the last two years, prices have gone up like crazy,” says Amy Low, 35, a New Zealander living in London. “I used to go to concerts every week, but I haven’t done that since June.”

Amy, an EDM fan, says it was quite normal for her to pay £15-£20 to see a DJ at Electric Brixton before the Covid pandemic. “This week I decided not to see Lost Frequens there because they were over £50. Fifty pounds! I’m frustrated because he’s my favorite DJ at the moment. It’s a shame because gigs are a great communal experience and an outlet for life’s frustrations. We’re wasting so much.”

Watching live music has become increasingly expensive across the UK, thanks in part to the cost of living crisis, as well as the rise of resale sites and some artists and promoters deploying dynamic ticket pricing. It’s leading some fans to rethink their work habits.

“I go a lot less these days,” Amy says. “We were particularly spoiled in London. I was keen to see Lorde at the O2 in November, but I couldn’t justify it.”

Amy took matters into her own hands and booked a flight to Luxembourg to see Lorde perform there for €50 (£43.62). “Flights were around £18 each way. With accommodation, it puts me above a London ticket – but I’m seeing a whole new country for that amount of money.”

Mark Rushton, 65, from Bury, says the extra fees that come with big gigs have put him off going to see shows in Manchester. “It’s the exorbitant prices, plus the booking and parking fees. There are bigger venues than ever, but availability is limited. I can’t take my daughter to some shows as they can cost hundreds of pounds for a night out.”

Rushton cites Ticketmaster for “enabling” high fees, and the company recently agreed to change its sales tactics after angry Oasis fans complained about its handling of the band’s 2025 tour. At the request of the Competition and Markets Authority, Ticketmaster must now notify fans if there are multiple prices for the same type of ticket, and give them More information about ticket prices while they’re queuing online. . (Ticketmaster told The Guardian in a statement: “In the highly competitive UK market, Ticketmaster fees have remained largely unchanged – averaging around 11% – for nearly a decade. These fees advance the technology, security and customer support that enable millions of fans to discover, purchase and enjoy live events safely every year.”)

“As prices went up, and as Ticketmaster became the biggest platform, I cut back on the number of gigs,” Rushton says. “I saw Bruce Springsteen at Co-op Live in May. I got my ticket [ticket resale site] Tickets for £150, which was discounted because I made an offer on it – but you still get the transaction fee. In 1981, I saw it at the Apollo Hotel in Manchester for £6.50 – about £25 today.

Nathan Maddison, 57, a finance technician from Newcastle, says he will cut back on big gigs – a big deal for him as a rock and metal fan. “I turned down an opportunity to see Iron Maiden in June because it wasn’t financially possible,” he says.

“I will travel to concerts, but you have to take into account transportation and accommodation costs.” These have become more expensive too: since the 2000s, rail prices have risen faster than wages in the UK.

Eileen, 48, from London, says she has recently become a ‘solo’ party-goer. “These exorbitant ticket prices have kept me from going to see someone I’ve seen before and love, like Lady Gaga recently.

She says the prices of food and drink at larger venues “also make you feel robbed. It takes away the joy of going to see live music.”

Eileen decided to see bands in smaller venues from now on. “I recently had the pleasure of seeing a fantastic concert by Brandi Carlile at Haven in London which was just £24 per ticket. It was a great night to discover her music at an affordable price.”

Mark Woolard, 51, a facilities manager from London, says he has also embraced smaller parties in the past few years. “I choose to spend money on up-and-coming artists. It’s been great to experience really intimate gigs in popular venues. Tickets are £16 or £17. You often end up bumping into the artists themselves selling their wares after their shows, which is another nice aspect.”

“My recent favorites are Prima Queen, Honeyglaze and Coming Up Roses. I’ve also seen the reunion concerts – not the Oasis tour, but smaller bands revisiting their 20-year discography.”

Mark’s fresh approach has broadened his musical horizons. “I’m actually seeing more offers,” he says. “I’ve always been interested in finding new artists, but in the last couple of years I’ve actively gone out looking for these small gigs.”