Music star Paul Heaton has been praised for capping the price of his and Jacqui Abbott's concert tickets at £30 - to battle back against "music industry greed". Paul and Jacqui were guests on BBC Breakfast in Salford on Friday when ticket pricing was discussed.
Paul said it was important to keep their gig prices low for fans and hopes that by taking the stance it well "set an example" to other music artists. Paul and Jacqui were guests on BBC Breakfast to discuss the release of their new album ahead of their eagerly-anticipated UK arena tour in November and December.
They were asked by BBC hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt about their stance on ticket pricing.
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Paul said: "It's really important through the coming months and possibly years that we tell the fans that we're getting paid enough and we want to keep it low for you. I think people are delighted.
"I'm very much against greed within the industry because I feel as though there is quite a lot. We're trying to just battle and say look we'll do it as low as we can. And you know set a bit of an example."
Fans watching the interview rushed to applaud Paul for his stance. Many pointed to the hugely expensive ticket prices for a host of big name artist gigs that have taken place this year, or have been announced for next year.
Ticket price increases are being blamed by the music industry partly on "increased demand" since lockdown restrictions eased, as well as the inflationary pressures seen across every element of delivering a live gig.
Responding to Paul's comments on Twitter, Gaz Lavine said: "What a man. Brilliant. Understands people are struggling and he’s making enough why can’t others think like that. TOP TOP MAN. PAUL HEATON."
Andy Gait added: "Love this. Hats off to them both. Concerts have become a massive rip off.
"Ridiculous pricing, daft fees for this and that. I'd like to think it will start a trend, but I'm not that naive."
Lesley Parr said: "Big respect for them. Just imagine if others adopted this mindset. Just yesterday, a friend was telling me about the cost of tickets for a panto.
"Prices from £25.50-£55.50! How can most people afford to take the kids to that?"
Kaiser Soothsays pointed to the vast price difference for the Paul and Jacqui gig compared to others - pointing to the newly-announced Depeche Mode gigs at Twickenham Stadium. He said: "£35.50 for a Manchester ticket. That’s the only price, wherever you sit. The top price ticket for @depechemode at #Twickenham is £365. However you try to dress it up, that is pure greed."
Paul turned 60 earlier this year - and delighted fans by putting thousands of pounds of his own cash behind the bar at 60 pubs across the UK for punters to help him celebrate.
Explaining why at the time, he said: "To celebrate my 60th birthday I’d originally intended to do another bicycle tour, visiting & performing at 60 pubs across the UK & Ireland.
"However, due to recording delays caused by the pandemic, I’ve had to shelve these plans for the time being.
"Instead, I’ve decided that the next best way to celebrate this coming of age is to handpick 60 pubs across the UK & Ireland and put a given amount of money behind the bar of each one. Then, both regulars and yourselves can enjoy a birthday drink on me (until the money runs out, or the bar runs dry!)"
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