The government is facing urgent calls to ban the resale of concert tickets above face value, a key recommendation emerging from a parliamentary review into the live and electronic music sectors.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which commissioned the review, has pressed for this measure to be implemented “without delay”.
Beyond ticket touting, the report also advocates for the creation of a Government and industry-backed Music Fan Association, drawing parallels with existing structures for football supporters.
Furthermore, it insists on a commitment to a comprehensive fans’ charter, outlining 50 recommendations aimed at improving the overall live music industry.
Speaking at a launch event at the Le Pub live music venue in Newport, south Wales, review chairman Lord Brennan said: “Over the last year we’ve given a voice to fans of all different music types and genres from across the country, and they’ve told us loud and clear that often they feel neglected and ripped off.
“Sharp commercial practices and impersonal service are now all too prevalent in the music world and point to an industry that fails to treat its fans, the lifeblood of the sector, with respect.
“Our new fans’ charter sets out a practical and achievable way ahead that everyone, from ticketing platforms to venues, from artists to promoters, from managers to councils, can sign up to, to help secure the long-term future of live music.
“From establishing a proper representative body to give fans more clout and ending the ticketing rip-off, to improving access for disabled gig goers and venue safety, it’s time for all involved in music to turn the volume dial up to 11 in favour of the fans.”
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Recommendations in the charter include that the Government ensures tiered ticket pricing is “clearly communicated in advance and applied transparently”, and that the industry continues to “resist the introduction of dynamic surge pricing”.
The report read: “Fans across the review had a negative perception… of major online ticketing platforms. They felt that the big agencies did not treat fans fairly, that ticket prices were too high, and that little was being done to deal with bots and online ticket touts.”
A survey conducted as part of the review found changing ticket prices led to fans feeling “heightened levels of stress, fear of missing out and pressure to make unaffordable decisions”.
It also said the Government should insist on “clear, upfront information” from sellers on ticket refund policies, introduce a mandatory levy on larger events to benefit grassroots venues, festivals, promoters, and upcoming artists; while venues should be required to provide free earplugs and drinking water.
Venues were also told they should publish clear start and finish times for sets as standard to ensure fans are able to plan their journeys to and from concerts in advance, and the review told promoters and venues to explore the demand for daytime live music events.
The review said venues should work towards allocating a minimum of 2% of their total capacity to wheelchair accessible spaces, called for fans and venues to establish a code of conduct for behaviour at gigs, and told the Government to establish an annual, rotating live music roadshow.
It said the Government should commission an annual music fans’ survey from 2027 to provide ministers, industry and other stakeholders with regular insight into live and electronic music fans.
The review was one of the recommendations from the committee’s report on grassroots music venues, which raised the concerns of venue operators, touring artists and independent promoters regarding the financial state of the grassroots music sector.
When the Government did not take up the recommendations of the report, the committee asked Lord Brennan to conduct the independent review, which took on the views of thousands of music fans through a national survey and nationwide engagement events.
