In a move inspired by The Cure’s frontman Robert Smith, Neil Young has announced that he will discontinue the sale of Ticketmaster’s “platinum tickets” for his upcoming concerts. This decision comes amid growing criticism of dynamic pricing models that often lead to inflated ticket costs for fans.
“It’s the story of the bad thing that has happened to concerts world-wide. It’s this story that really helped me to realize that I have a choice to make and can make a difference for my music loving friends,” Young explained. “My management and agent have always tried to cover my back on the road, getting me the best deals they could.
“They have tried to protect me and my fans from the scalpers who buy the best tickets and resell them at huge increases for their own profits. Ticketmaster’s High priced Platinum tickets were introduced to the areas where scalpers were buying the most tickets for resale. The money went to me. That did not feel right.”
“I have decided to let the people work this out,” Young added. “Buy aggressively when the tickets come out or tickets will cost a lot more in a secondary market.”
Robert Smith has been a vocal critic of dynamic pricing, referring to it as a “greedy scam” driven by artists’ and promoters’ desire for higher profits. He has urged fellow musicians to reject such pricing strategies to protect fans from exorbitant costs. Smith’s advocacy gained significant attention during The Cure’s 2023 North American tour, where the band implemented measures to keep ticket prices affordable, including rejecting dynamic pricing and ensuring tickets could only be resold at face value. These efforts led to the cancellation of over 7,000 tickets listed for resale on secondary markets.
Inspired by Smith’s stance, Neil Young reflected on his own ticketing practices. He acknowledged that while his management and agents had attempted to shield fans from scalpers by introducing higher-priced platinum tickets, the additional revenue ultimately went to him, a situation he found uncomfortable. Young expressed that this realization, influenced by Smith’s actions, led him to eliminate platinum tickets for his shows.
Neil Young’s decision to discontinue platinum tickets aligns with a broader movement among artists advocating for fairer ticket pricing. By rejecting dynamic pricing models and platinum tickets, these musicians aim to make live performances more accessible, fostering goodwill and loyalty among their fan base. Young’s actions, influenced by Smith’s advocacy, highlight the potential for artists to effect change within the industry by prioritizing the fan experience over additional profits.
