Robbie Williams has spoken out in defense of Oasis following controversy surrounding dynamic ticket pricing for their 2025 reunion tour.
When Oasis’ huge comeback tour was announced earlier this year, fans scrambled to get tickets. During the tumultuous sale of shows in the UK and Ireland, some fans were disappointed to see huge price increases due to Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing policy when accessing ticket pages.
The ticketing platform’s “surge pricing” system, introduced in 2022, increases ticket prices based on demand. Ticketmaster previously clarified on its website that tickets are “market priced” and “may increase or decrease at any time, depending on demand.” It’s similar to how plane tickets and hotel rooms are sold.
Since then, fans and politicians have been frustrated by the policy – it recently led to a new bill being introduced in the House of Commons, encouraging more transparency when it comes to ticket purchases, on October 21.
In an interview with The face released earlier this month (December 3), the pop star and better man The actor opened up about his relationship with the Britpop group in the 1990s – such as spending his 1995 “hanging out with Oasis and going to shows and doing coke and going to The Groucho” – as well as touring in 2025.
The face interviewer Craig McLean brought up ticket prices for his upcoming tour – for example, a standing ticket costs £107.50, to which Williams replied: “It’s decent, isn’t it ?
McLean asked Williams if the affordable prices were a result of the Oasis ticketing spinoff or if he was eager to sell lots of tickets.
“Maybe a little of both,” Williams shrugged. “I think the whole music industry just learned something,” referring to the dynamic pricing debacle.
“By the way, I’ve never sat in a meeting: ‘How much do we charge the tickets?’ ” meeting. And I don’t believe Oasis did it either,” Williams continued.
“I don’t think Oasis knew that. Liam certainly didn’t know “this is how much the tickets are going to cost.” We’re going to do what’s called dynamic pricing. I only know about dynamic pricing from Oasis.
Williams believes the backlash has taught the music industry that it “can’t take the piss.” He added: “This whole dynamic pricing thing, it even made me say, ’Damn, I need to go to some kind of meeting.’ Or just say, “Don’t let this happen!” »
He noted that inflated ticket prices for his 2006 tour resulted in a “scalping guy buying a £1.5 million mansion by scalping my tickets”.
“I don’t know what you do, how you fix things, how you stop being greedy, how you figure out what you’re worth without extorting people,” he continued.
Williams also “loved” Liam’s response to the ticket controversy: “He just said, ‘Fuck you.’ That’s how they are. I was just like, “Yeah, well done, buddy. » I would never say that – I can’t. But Liam says this: “That’s why you’re you, and it’s awesome.” »
The Gallagher brothers will be depicted in the upcoming Williams biopic better manwith Liam played by Leo Harvey-Elledge and Noel by Chris Gun.
Williams previously stressed that his tour would coincide with Oasis’ reunion tour: “When Oasis gets back together, there won’t really be any competition,” he continued. “Unless I took a 20-year break, it would be a fair fight. »
“Oasis coming back together, I don’t think anyone could compete with that – including Taylor Swift, who is the biggest artist on this planet. So no, it’s not a competition, even if it is.
better mandirected by Michael Gracey (The greatest showman), tells the story of Robbie Williams’ life – from his early childhood to his early success with boyband Take That. Williams plays a reimagined CGI monkey version of himself.
Of course, it will also delve into Williams’ successful career as a solo artist, covering the record-breaking achievements he racked up with albums like 2000’s “Sing When You’re Winning” and 2002’s “Escapology.” better man is released in UK cinemas on December 26.
