Harry Styles' tour has been blasted as fans complain about high ticket prices – with one saying she can’t pay rent after spending almost £700 to see the singer.
The additional Love on Tour dates had been music to Harry’s adoring followers' ears when the announcement came this week, but fans have been left bitterly disappointed by the prices amid the cost-of-living crisis.
His tour kicks off in Coventry in May next year with the cheapest ticket price starting at £50 before rising to around £80 for standing - with premium 'pod' tickets priced around £215, for those who want to get close to the singer.
They are available via Ticketmaster and through LiveNation - although the latter will require an account.
Some fans have hit out at Ticketmaster after being stung by what they've slammed as a 'dynamic pricing system'.
One fan in particular is now seeking a refund after accidentally splashing out £697 on two tickets on Ticketmaster – after claiming they were originally advertised at £155.
The ticket pricing has been compared to Uber’s ‘surge’ mode – if an event is becoming increasingly popular, the price will increase.
The same method has been applied for gigs by artists including Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and Drake.
It caused similar backlash and Ticketmaster were forced to make a statement.
“The promoters and artist representatives determine the specific pricing for their shows," they told The i.
“The biggest factor that drives pricing is supply and demand. When there are far more people who want to attend an event than there are tickets available, prices go up.”
Niamh, 25, logged onto Ticketmaster this morning at 10am to grab the presale tickets and, having saved up with her pal, clicked the £155 option.
She rushed to the checkout with her standing pod tickets as thousands of Styles fans tried to do the same – activating the increased price.
Without knowing, Niamh processed the order and upon looking at the confirmation, she realised just how much money she had spent.
After beating 200,000 in queue, she had spent £697.45 - an amount she says is “absolutely not fair”.
“I would not have paid that amount willingly as I can’t afford it,” she told Birmingham Live.
“At this price, I’m now going to struggle with basic things like grocery shopping and covering my rent. The prices are absolutely not fair in the current cost of living crisis.”
Niamh, who works in exhibitions in London, has seen Harry twice before, but will now be campaigning for a refund after accidentally overspending.
Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing system hasn’t gone down well with fans on social media – with some calling it “illegal”.
“The dynamic pricing is such a rip off and completely unnecessary,” blasted one person on Twitter.
Another said: “How is it even legal to use ‘dynamic pricing’ like tickets should stay the same price regardless of how many people are buying them.”
One angry Styles fan said: “God I f***ing hate Ticketmaster. There’s a special place in hell for whoever came up with this dynamic pricing bull***t."
Another added: “Dynamic pricing by ticketmaster is a c**t. Got through for Harry Styles tickets and front pitch was £250?!?! What’s the f*****g point.”
The Mirror approached Ticketmaster for a comment.
