Smith Slams Ticketing Greed

In a recent interview, Robert Smith, the iconic frontman of The Cure, voiced his frustrations over artists who blame ticketing companies for skyrocketing prices that fans face. His comments came in light of the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) investigation into Ticketmaster regarding its controversial handling of Oasis' UK and Ireland ticket sales.

Smith, a long-time critic of Ticketmaster’s “dynamic pricing” model, expressed disbelief at the exorbitant profits generated by modern ticketing systems. “I was shocked by how much profit is made,” he noted. He shared his belief that there’s no need for artists to inflate prices to such extremes, saying, “We don’t need to make all this money.” His ongoing battles with record labels often revolve around finding ways to offer more affordable ticket prices.

Last year, Smith took action after fans of The Cure reported significant additional fees that doubled ticket prices for their Lost World tour. He successfully negotiated a partial refund for affected customers, highlighting the potential for goodwill between artists and their supporters.

He further emphasized the importance of pricing tickets reasonably, asserting, “If people save on the tickets, they buy beer or merch. There is goodwill, they will come back next time.” Smith advocates for a sustainable approach to ticket pricing that prioritizes fan loyalty over immediate profits.

The conversation around ticketing practices gained traction after Oasis faced backlash for their high prices during their reunion tour, leading the band to announce they would forgo dynamic pricing for their upcoming North American dates. In a notable moment for fans, Liam and Noel Gallagher will share the stage again next year, marking their first performance together since their infamous fallout in 2009 at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.