Olivia Dean Takes Aim at Ticketmaster and AEG Over 'Disgusting' Secondary Ticket Market

15 hours ago7 min read2 comments

Fresh from a career-high streak that includes a US Top 5 hit and a Best New Artist Grammy nomination, British pop sensation Olivia Dean is using her platform to confront a major industry pain point. Dean has publicly condemned the 'disgusting' state of ticket resale, directly calling out live entertainment titans Ticketmaster and AEG.This move places her among a growing cadre of artists challenging the systems that often price out their most dedicated fans. The issue of exorbitant secondary market prices and controversial dynamic pricing models has become a defining frustration in modern live entertainment, creating a stark contrast to the organic connection artists like Dean strive to build.From the stadium-level chaos of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour to the more intimate-scale grievances, this pattern has become a familiar and painful ballad for concertgoers. For an artist in a breakthrough moment, these inflated resale costs represent a direct betrayal of the artist-fan relationship.The companies involved frequently cite market dynamics, but for the fan at their screen, the process feels less like a transaction and more like an extortionate shakedown. This moment underscores the evolving role of artists, who are increasingly expected to act as advocates for their audience's experience.By speaking out, Dean aligns herself with a movement of musicians determined to ensure that the commerce of live events does not corrupt the art and community they are meant to foster. The industry's response will be a critical indicator—will it be mere lip service or a catalyst for genuine, systemic reform? For now, Olivia Dean is amplifying a tune every music lover knows all too well: the blues over the cost of seeing live music.

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#Olivia Dean

#Ticketmaster

#AEG

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