In a surprising turn of events, Ticketmaster, the world’s largest ticketing company, has announced that it will offer refunds to fans who purchased tickets for The Cure’s shows this year. This move comes after a dispute between the band and Ticketmaster over the resale of tickets for the band’s upcoming tour. The Cure’s frontman Robert Smith had previously criticized Ticketmaster for allowing scalpers to buy tickets and then resell them at exorbitant prices, leading to frustration and disappointment for fans. This refund offer is being seen as a significant victory for the band and a step towards fairer ticketing practices.
Robert Smith of The Cure has won a pyrrhic victory over Ticketmaster, the ticketing giant. He accused the firm of levying fees that were “unduly high” and adding up to more than the price of a ticket. In response, Ticketmaster has promised refunds to US tour ticket holders. The company described the refund as “a gesture of goodwill” and confirmed that the fees had been too high: it will repay $10 per ticket for the lowest priced tickets, and $5 per ticket for more expensive tickets. Smith, meanwhile, has promised a lower fee structure for tickets purchased in future.
Ticketmaster’s reputation for business practices has taken a series of batterings recently. Tour tickets have been sold at astronomical prices due to dynamic ticketing and scalpers, a system which allows individual tickets to reach prices in the thousands. Musicians including Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift have used the dynamic pricing system. Swift was recently quoted as describing her dealings with Ticketmaster as “excruciating”.
Meanwhile, Ticketmaster has come under fire on several fronts. It is currently the defendant in multiple lawsuits and the subject of government inquiries, a situation which has prompted calls for its break-up by congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She referred to the company’s merger with Live Nation in 2010 as a “monopoly”.
The Cure, meanwhile, is soon to commence its 30-date US tour, its first since 2016. The band plans to release its 14th studio album, “Songs of a Lost World”, later this year.
Robert Smith expressed his disgust in a tweet directed at Ticketmaster. The CEO of Ticketmaster has not yet responded to the controversy; the firm, however, has issued a statement confirming the situation and offering refunds.
This latest development highlights once again the difficulties faced by those wanting to tour and sell their music. Musicians often have no say over ticket pricing, with the price set by the seller (in this case, Ticketmaster) working in collaboration with upstream parties such as Live Nation.
Despite the problems, however, the situation is slowly improving. Bands such as the Rolling Stones and Pearl Jam have used their market clout to force markets and sellers to reduce fees. Adele, meanwhile, took the controversial step of selling tickets in-house in order to avoid the high fees levied by ticket sellers. Ultimately, the lesson for performers is that if they wish to change the market, they must be prepared to use their pulling power – and their most valuable assets: their music and their fans.
In conclusion, the battle between The Cure and Ticketmaster highlights the ongoing struggle for fair ticketing practices in the music industry. While The Cure’s decision to cancel their shows due to high ticket prices may have disappointed fans, Ticketmaster’s offer of refunds is a positive step towards addressing this issue. As fans, we hold the power to demand transparency and fairness in the ticketing process, and it is important that we continue to speak up and hold companies accountable. With continued efforts from both artists and fans alike, we can work towards a future where attending live events is accessible and affordable for all.
