Oasis has declared two additional performances at Wembley Stadium following the swift sell-out of their tour over the weekend and has responded to the controversy surrounding ticket sales for the first time.
Both Noel and Liam Gallagher, alongside Ticketmaster, faced considerable backlash related to the initial ticket launch, as fans endured lengthy waits in virtual lines, leading to some tickets costing more than twice their original price due to “in-demand” pricing for the reunion tour.
In the midst of the uproar regarding prices, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an “urgent review” of dynamic pricing to guarantee fair treatment for consumers, while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy vowed to initiate a governmental review and the European Commission also indicated it would investigate the matter.
Oasis has now revealed two additional dates for Wembley Stadium in September. According to the band, there will be a staggered “special invitation-only ballot ticket sale strategy” designed “as a small step toward rectifying the situation”.
The brothers captured in 1994. Pic: Paul Slattery
They emphasized that it must be “made clear” the band “entrusts decisions regarding ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management, and were never informed that dynamic pricing was slated for use”.
The opportunity to join the ballot for the September performances will first be provided to fans who were unsuccessful in the initial sale, according to their announcement.
“Inevitably, the interest in this tour is so immense that it’s unfeasible to arrange enough performances to satisfy public demand,” the band’s statement added. “However, this ticket sale strategy aims to streamline the process for fans by alleviating the stress and time needed to secure one of today’s most sought-after tickets.”
Previous discussions among promoters, Ticketmaster, and the band’s management “culminated in a positive ticket sale strategy,” which would have provided a fair experience for fans, they stated – this included dynamic ticket pricing “to help keep general ticket prices manageable and mitigate scalping”. Nonetheless, “the implementation of that plan did not meet expectations”.
They remarked: “Every party involved exerted their utmost efforts to provide the most positive experience for fans, but due to the unparalleled demand, achieving this became impossible.”
The scramble for tickets to the initial concerts commenced long before they officially went on sale at 9 am (8 am for the two shows in Dublin) on Saturday, with Manchester-based promoter SJM Concerts’ websites Gigs and Tours, Ticketmaster, and See Tickets all informing visitors that they would need to wait for the page to refresh in order to enter a queue.
After the sale commenced, tickets originally priced at £148 were seen listed for £355 on Ticketmaster mere hours after their release, as a result of the dynamic pricing systems that can elevate costs based on high demand and limited supply.
Ticketmaster stated they do not determine prices, noting that the “event organizer” establishes “these tickets based on their market value”.
Behind-the-scenes images from the initial photo shoot were released following the announcement. Pic: Simon Emmett
Established in the early 1990s, Oasis ascended to prominence with tracks like Supersonic, Cigarettes & Alcohol, and Live Forever, before their second album (What’s The Story) Morning Glory produced their first number-one single, Some Might Say, the following year.
With an array of other hits, including Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back In Anger, Stand By Me, Lyla, and The Importance of Being Idle, they cemented their place as one of the most influential bands in British music history.
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Tensions between the Gallagher brothers were often intense, and Noel ultimately departed from the band prior to a show in Paris in 2009, stating he “simply could not continue working with Liam any longer”.
The rivalry persisted over the years, with the duo trading barbs publicly but reportedly never engaging in direct conversation.
Fans longed for a reunion – and at last, it seems the brothers have managed to reconcile their differences.
Even though those who secured tickets were delighted to confirm their attendance at the concerts, the dispute surrounding sales has somewhat overshadowed the long-anticipated reunion announcement.
