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Olivia Dean Secures Partial Refunds from Ticketmaster and AXS After Resale Price Criticism
What Happened?
Grammy-nominated singer Olivia Dean has reached an agreement with Ticketmaster and AXS resulting in partial refunds for fans affected by inflated resale ticket prices for her North American tour, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The artist publicly criticized the ticketing services last week, labeling them “exploitative” due to resale prices reaching up to 14 times the original face value.
The Controversy: Resale Prices and Artist Control
Dean expressed her outrage on social media, stating that resale tickets for her sold-out North American tour were being listed at prices 14 times their original cost. She directly called out Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and AEG, accusing them of providing a “disgusting service” and allowing “vile” resale prices that contradicted her wishes. Her statement emphasized the importance of affordable and accessible live music, a sentiment resonating with many fans and artists.
“Live music should be affordable and accessible and we need to find a new way of making that possible. BE BETTER,” Dean stated. This public condemnation sparked a wider conversation about the power dynamics between artists, ticketing companies, and the secondary ticket market.
Ticket Resale: A Growing Problem
The issue of inflated ticket resale prices is not unique to Olivia dean. Numerous artists have spoken out against the practice, which often allows brokers to profit significantly from events while pricing out genuine fans. The problem is exacerbated by the dominance of Ticketmaster and Live Nation, which control a ample portion of the primary and secondary ticket markets.
In February 2023,the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment, alleging that the company illegally maintains a monopoly over the live entertainment industry. The lawsuit claims Live Nation’s control over ticketing and venue management stifles competition and harms consumers.
| Ticketing Company | Market Share (Primary Ticketing) – 2023 (estimate) | Market Share (Secondary Ticketing) – 2023 (Estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Ticketmaster/Live Nation | 60-70% | 60-80% |
| AXS | 10-15% | 5-10% |
| Other | 15-25% | 10-20% |
