Oasis fans around the world have been eagerly anticipating the band’s reunion tour, and the excitement reached a fever pitch as tickets went on sale for the highly anticipated shows. The Gallagher brothers, Noel and Liam, confirmed the long-awaited reunion on Tuesday, declaring that “The great wait is over.”
The demand for tickets was overwhelming, with fans facing technical difficulties and long virtual queues to secure their spots at the Oasis Live 25 tour. Tickets for all 17 shows across London, Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Dublin sold out within hours of being released, leaving many fans disappointed and frustrated.
Technical Challenges and Website Crashes
The frenzy for tickets began well before the scheduled sale time at 9am (8am for the two Dublin gigs), as fans encountered issues with Manchester-based promoter SJM Concerts’ website Gigs and Tours, Ticketmaster, and See Tickets. Visitors were instructed to wait for the page to refresh to join a virtual queue, but within minutes, online queues swelled to over 500,000 people.
Both Gigs and Tours and See Tickets experienced issues from 8.30am until around 12.30pm, causing frustration among fans who were eager to secure their tickets. Despite reports of website crashes and error messages, a spokeswoman for Ticketmaster denied any technical problems, while fans shared screenshots showing otherwise.
Ticketmaster’s Response and Fan Frustrations
Some fans reported being “suspended” by Ticketmaster UK and Ireland for suspected bot activity. The company advised customers to use only one tab, clear cookies, and avoid VPN software to improve their chances of securing tickets. However, many fans still faced challenges accessing the ticketing websites and joining the virtual queue.
For those lucky enough to secure tickets, excitement was palpable as they eagerly awaited the live shows. One fan, Olivia Bridge, expressed her elation after securing tickets for the Manchester show, saying that the countdown to the event had begun and she was ecstatic at the prospect of seeing Oasis perform live once again.
Accessibility Challenges and Ticket Pricing Concerns
Fans trying to obtain accessible tickets for the London shows at Wembley Stadium faced difficulties, with some describing the process as an “impossible task.” Frances Mobbs shared her frustration in trying to secure tickets for her son and his companions, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals requiring accessible seating options.
In addition to the technical issues, fans were also outraged by reports of dynamic pricing, which resulted in a surge in ticket prices shortly after they went on sale. Standing tickets that were initially priced at £150 rose to £350 due to high demand, prompting criticism from fans who described the pricing strategy as a “scumbag move” and an “absolute disgrace.”
Ticketmaster clarified that they do not set prices and referred fans to their website, where it was explained that costs can be either fixed or market-based. The company emphasized that ticket prices are typically determined by promoters, not the artists themselves.
Resale Concerns and Ticket Validation
As tickets quickly sold out, concerns arose about resale platforms like Viagogo and StubHub, where tickets were listed for exorbitant prices. Oasis issued warnings that tickets purchased from these platforms would not be accepted, as they were being resold at inflated rates, reaching thousands of pounds.
Ticketmaster assured fans that the queue was moving steadily as tickets were being purchased, despite the high volume of traffic on their site. Fans were advised to remain patient, use only one tab, clear cookies, and avoid VPN software to enhance their chances of successfully securing tickets.
In Conclusion
The demand for Oasis reunion tour tickets was unprecedented, causing technical challenges and frustrations for fans attempting to purchase them. Despite the obstacles, many dedicated fans were able to secure their spots for the highly anticipated shows, eagerly counting down the days until they can witness the legendary band perform live once again. As the excitement continues to build, fans are reminded to be vigilant against ticket resale scams and to support ethical ticketing practices to ensure fair access to live music events.
