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UK fans hit back at Oasis after key difference in North American tour tickets
They have every right to be annoyed.
Oasis fans here in the UK, i.e. the ones that helped send them into the stratosphere in the first place, have been left begrudged by the legendary Britpop band after a key decision has been made about their recently announced US tour.
The rock icons confirmed their inevitable run of North American dates, including one in Toronto, Canada and another in Mexico City, after weeks of rumours following the reunion breaking the internet.
However, it’s fair to say the news was more massive here in Britain (especially here in Manchester) than any other nation, no matter how much of a global following the band amassed back in the 1990s.
So, after UK and Irish Oasis fans recently learned that North America will be avoiding the same ‘dynamic ticket pricing’ mechanic that has seen them fork out hundreds for their tickets to see their favourite band’s comeback, they’ve naturally been left a bit miffed…
As you can see, there are countless fans from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland in the comments calling out the disproportionate treatment and prioritisation of those in the US, Canada and Mexico.
For context, some of those who stayed in the queue for Oasis tickets ended up paying well over £300 – the ‘in-demand’ rate after the initial ballot sold out – and Ticketmaster’s main claim is that it prevents ticket touting. Their statement says the aim is now to “avoid a repeat of the issues fans in the UK and Ireland experienced recently.”
The band’s Instagram post is littered with just as much backlash, with one person replying, “So just the UK fans that get mugged off then? Sound”; another adding, “Cool – so where’s the refund of the extortion charged for the UK fans then?”, and several going so far as to demand a public apology.
One commenter wrote: “So refunds for fans in the UK above face value? Of course not… A public apology from Live Nation, Ticketmaster and SJM [Concerts] is perhaps due, respectfully.
“There’s too many people not speaking out and it’s scalping artists on profits made as well as fans. The issues over these companies and [the] ticketing monopoly is 30+ years old now plus the recent ticketing issues is spitting in the face of entertainment.
“Do something about it please team up with the market of fans, artists and maybe help smaller venues in doing so. Thank you x”. It’s by no means the first time these kinds of inflated prices have been called out, as Robert Smith of The Cure took similar issue with the fleecing of his fans.
That being said, there are some trying to justify Oasis’ dynamic ticket pricing simply due to the sheer demand their reunion tour resulted in; others still believe it’s an excuse to simply “exploit loyalty” and that the US is getting a let-off over the fans from their homeland.
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One consumer group here at home has already suggested that fans be refunded after being forced to pay for in-demand ticket prices if they want to stand any chance of seeing Oasis live again.
The boys from Burnage have insisted they have nothing to do with the decision itself and “at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used” after they announced two additional Wembley dates, “but due to the unprecedented demand [avoiding it] became impossible to achieve.”
Regardless of how unfair it seems, there is sadly little we can do about it without artists leading the way to change the music industry and live ticketing, in particular.
Unfortunately, people will also continue to pay over the odds when backed into a corner like with the Oasis reunion because that’s what loving an artist so much can do to you – not that it makes it right in way, shape or fashion.
All we can say now is: you won, US Oasis fans – enjoy the tour, we hope it makes you happy. Dear lord, what a sad little life, North America…
You ruined our day completely so you could have the money and the tickets, and we hope now you can spend it on lessons in grace and decorum, because you have all the grace of a reversing dump truck without any tyres on. So America AND Oasis, take your money and get off our property…
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Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)
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Beloved British boy band Five are BACK in FULL for the first time in 25 years
Danny Jones
No, your eyes don’t deceive you: all five members of the beloved British boy band Five are set to reunite for the first time in a quarter of a century.
Formed way back in 1997 and dominating the charts throughout the period in and around the millennium, the iconic pop group was the UK’s answer to the Backstreet Boys and NSNYC, as well as a much-needed replacement for Take That just after their split.
And they did exactly that for a number of years, with hit tracks like ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Keep On Movin”, ‘Everybody Get Up’, ‘If Ya Gettin’ Down’ and more still firmly stuck in our memories.
It doesn’t matter how long it’s been, we still remember all the words and the dance moves to go along with them – and we’ll be able to prove it when the Five UK reunion tour comes to Manchester.
Although the London-formed group has reformed every now and again in different configurations over the years for special occasions, anniversary events, etc., this is the first time that the original lineup has been together for 25 whole years.
That’s right, Abz Love, J Brown, Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson and Sean Conlon will all be reuniting on stage for a limited UK arena tour – because anything less simply wouldn’t be enough to mark this throwback celebration.
More importantly, if you don’t think every single one of these massive rooms is going to sell out in a flash, then you clearly can’t count to five.
As for the Manchester crowd, fans will be welcomed inside the equally legendary AO Arena for the ‘KEEP ON MOVIN’ 2025’ Tour later this year and we can’t wait.
Fellow domestic DJ and producer Naughty Boy will also be joining them as the main support act. We’re rolling back all the memories this autumn.
You can see the rest of the tour dates below, including equally massive shows at The O2 in London, the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, a First Direct Arena date in Leeds and more.
Scott says: “This has been a long time coming and it really does feel right for all of us now – 25 years on and we’re so ready for it. Reconnecting as a 5 over the last year has been special and I know I speak for all the boys when I say we can’t wait to do this all over again. Hope you’re ready!”
Another fifth of the throwback boy band, Abz, added: “We really can’t wait to get back on stage together & see the fans, it’s gonna go OFF! Buzzing to have Naughty Boy on tour with us too… 5 bad boys and a naughty boy, that sounds like a lot of fun. Let’s gooooo!”
General admission for Five’s 2025 UK reunion tour goes live on Friday, 7 March from 10am but die-hards can access the exclusive pre-sale window on Wednesday, 5 March by signing up for the mailing list.
You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.
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Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)
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2000s indie rock icons The Enemy continue comeback trail with must-not-miss UK tour
Danny Jones
For fans of old-school indie and noughties contemporary rock, you do not want to miss the one because The Enemy are not just back making music but they’re heading out on a pretty big UK tour and, of course, they’ll be stopping right here in Manchester.
The Enemy first reformed back in 2022 for a limited run of shows, but it turns out the Coventry-formed trio were satisfied with a one-off reunion and a fifth studio album officially being worked on, the fierce Brit rock throwbacks have announced a series of pretty large UK tour dates.
Following on from some hugely successful comeback performances at TRNSMT, Isle Of Wight and a headline slot at Godiva Festival 2023, not to mention the instantly hit ‘Indie Til I Die’ shows last year – including an absolute stormer at Victoria Warehouse – they returning for more.
If you saw the scenes at that most recent gig, you’ll know that skipping this one just isn’t an option.
One of the few bands to make their way back to the live music circuit fully intact, with all three members still performing together, nothing has changed other than a few more grey hairs.
If you weren’t there at the outset, The Enemy’s debut LP We’ll Live And Die In These Towns (2007) was one of the most seminal domestic releases of its time, with songs like ‘You’re Not Alone’ going on to become indie anthems of the era.
To be honest, we’d argue their sophomore outing Music For The People just two years later is the better album, with tracks such as ‘Be Somebody’, ‘Elephant Song’ and ‘No Time for Tears’ still in plenty of our playlists to this day – but, you know, each to their own.
The point is, we’re very glad these lads are back and having played with everyone from Oasis and The Killers to even The Rolling Stones, we’d wager lots of other music lovers are too.
Set to play New Century Hall in Manchester as well as the legendary Leadmill in Sheffield, Beckett Students’ Union in Leeds, Rock City in Nottingham and more, it’s going to be a big tour.
Frontman Tom Clarke, who has put out two solo records of his own in past years, said of the announcement: “We’ve been working long days in the studio recording new material, so we’re really excited to get out on the road again.
“The plan is to experiment with some of the new tunes, maybe different ones on different shows to see how the crowds react and which ones connect with fans, and let that guide the track listing on the record which is nearing completion.”
Co-songwriter and bass player, Andy Hopkins, added: talking about the upcoming tour: “My favourite part of being in a band is having those nights with the fans where the atmosphere is electric – I think this tour is going to be really special for the 3 of us.
“It’ll be the first time we’ve been back to some of these cities in a long time, in venues we absolutely love and have been really important to us on the way up – Electric Ballroom was the first venue we ever played in London supporting The Fratellis, I drove us there with all the amps & guitars in my Fiesta!”
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The Enemy come to New Century, one of our favourite live music venues in all of Greater Manchester, on Saturday, 1 November.
Pre-sale has already been snapped up in the blink of an eye, which is no surprise whatsoever, but general admission will go live from 10am this Friday, 28 February.
You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Emilie Cotterill (supplied)/Audio North
