BILLY Joel fans have slammed Ticketmaster over the new UK tour ticket prices, calling it an ‘absolute joke.’
Billy Joel is returning to UK soil for two exclusive concert dates for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Billy Joel fans have slammed Ticketmaster over the new UK tour ticket prices, calling it an ‘absolute joke’[/caption]
Billy will perform in Edinburgh and Liverpool[/caption]
The Uptown Girl hitmaker will perform a one off show in Edinburgh on 7th June at Scottish gas Murrayfield and later on 21st June at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool.
Scottish Gas Murrayfield hosts over 50 major events per year, including the Scottish leg of Taylor Swifts sell out Eras Tour.
With a capacity of 67,000, sponsors clearly believe that the US musician can pull in the crowds, as he limbers up for this first concert in Scotland in 46 years.
But as fans went to get their hands on tickets, they’ve been left horrified over the prices.
On social media, one person penned: “£200 for restricted view tickets and seats, plus all these standing tickets for £250? Are you not aware most of your fans would prefer to sit down? Another s*** show from Ticketmaster.
“When will some other fair agencies be able to get some tickets to sell to fans at better prices? Let’s introduce proper competition now!”
Another person penned: “How is £197 for an obstructed view justifiable? It’s beyond my budget.”
A third person wrote: “Why have we normalised concert tickets of £150 for standing at the back of a pitch? Live music is a privilege for people now and not accessible for most people.”
Someone else added: “Billy Joel tickets are an absolute joke. £160 for not even a good seat and then £19.50 service fee on each ticket. Needless to say I passed.”
In agreement, another fan said: “£150 to stand at the back of the pitch for Billy Joel?? Erm, nope.”
Someone else said they were quoted nearly £400 for two tickets, and called it “insane.”
The latest fiasco comes after Ticketmaster’s ‘dynamic pricing system’ sparked outrage, with prices for Oasis’ tour tickets soaring as high as £355.
Fans have taken to X to voice their outrage at Ticketmaster, describing the ticket-buying experience as a complete ‘joke.’
In August, Oasis fans were also left furious with Ticketmaster after facing soaring prices and limited availability during the much-anticipated ticket release.
The ‘dynamic pricing’ system, which increases ticket prices as demand rises, led to widespread frustration, with many fans finding themselves priced out of the event in real-time.
Social media was flooded with complaints, labelling the system exploitative and unfair.
Widely considered to one of the greatest musicians of all time, Joel has sold 160 million records worldwide, many of his songs becoming cultural and personal touchstones for people.
Indeed the late Princess Diana selected Joel’s Uptown Girl to accompany an impromptu 3 minute dance duet with Wayne Sleep, as a surprise for Prince Charles at the Royal Opera House in 1985.
As well as being an accomplished pianist, Joel wrote all this own songs, including his signature tune, Piano Man, Uptown Girl, Just the way you are and The Longest time and many more.
Known for his work ethic and passion for touring, the 75-year-old recently finished a residency at Madison Square Gardens in New York, which he’s held since 2014.
After releasing new material in 2007, he appeared to give up on writing songs, saying that he was done with composition. But in February of this year he returned with a new track- Turn the Lights Back On, co-written and produced by Freddie Wexley.
As fans went to get their hands on tickets, they’ve been left horrified over the prices[/caption]
