Twenty One Pilots Fans Lash Out at Ticketmaster For Overpriced Tickets
Twenty One Pilots are hitting the road this fall to commemorate their forthcoming seventh studio album, but once fans caught a glimpse of the ticket prices this week, they began to feel “Stressed Out.”
An artist presale for the “Clancy World Tour” kicked-off on Tuesday, April 2. After the presale kicked-off via Ticketmaster, fans took to social media to share their frustrations, noting that general admission tickets were going for over $200. Many were outraged with the price tag, and some even compared the price to previous Twenty One Pilots gigs to show the stark increase.
I PAID $112 FOR 2 FOR THE ICY TOUR DUDE
— mykayla (@SANRlH03) April 2, 2024
bring back the days of £29 twenty one pilots tickets pic.twitter.com/nf824ZsMaS
— Zara Albro (@ZaraAlbro) April 2, 2024
I remember paying like 65€ in 2019 😔
— nina ⎕ (@cherieenina) April 2, 2024
the total price of two twenty one pilots tickets 7 years ago compared to the price of one during presale today (same venue too) pic.twitter.com/rKUmr6WQwb
— s 🍂 (@sophiespamlmao) April 2, 2024
Dozens of fans were quick to post memes — poking fun at the exorbitant ticket prices.
just sold my kidneys to some guy on the black market so i can afford twenty one pilots tickets! pic.twitter.com/0V5Ewt8L0l
— greycin ✺ ᶜˡᵃⁿᶜʸ (@BanditoGrey) April 3, 2024
me after buying twenty one pilots tickets pic.twitter.com/D0Iz909GLn
— Ren ♏️ (@renmerc94) April 2, 2024
me trying to make excuses for myself after my mom finds out about the twenty one pilots tickets i bought and how much each one cost me pic.twitter.com/tUWLWS6GLS
— mads☆ (@madisonxcintron) April 2, 2024
my meal plan after buying these twenty one pilots tickets 😵 pic.twitter.com/lIxCqBRTrr
— emo nite (@emonitela) April 3, 2024
While some lashed out at the duo for allowing these prices, many turned the blame on Ticketmaster, calling out the ticketing giant for its usual chaotic ticket-buying process and inflated fees.
ticketmaster wtf are these prices for twenty one pilots be soooo fucking fr pic.twitter.com/dd8QXjMMeF
— 🧸🎀 (@J4KEHOLE) April 2, 2024
i just want to be clear. any tweets are either satire or anger directed towards ticketmaster. the price paid is well worth it for the show that twenty one pilots puts on. i’m angry at the outrageous fees and predatory pricing scales by ticketmaster
— greycin ✺ ᶜˡᵃⁿᶜʸ (@BanditoGrey) April 2, 2024
anyone else that didn’t get twenty one pilots tickets for amsterdam because ticketmaster kept fucking them over with giving only error messages everytime you select the tickets?? i’m so done with their bs
— 𐙚 georgina ⊹ ࣪ ˖ (@fairyhqwl) April 3, 2024
seats would not unlock so i had to leave on the computer and rejoin the queue on my phone. thanks @Ticketmaster. after trying for 40 minutes i finally got 2 pit tickets. i wish i was more excited but $450 for 2 tickets? @twentyonepilots what are you doing pic.twitter.com/v4DiN9qLCd
— jɇn (@tylersfIoof) April 2, 2024
Over the past year in particular, fans across all genres are feeling the burn of the rise in ticket prices.
From Bad Bunny and Olivia Rodrigo to Morgan Wallen and Sleep Token, fans are all experiencing the same scenario with Ticketmaster’s ticket-buying process — leading to either being kicked-out of the onsale queue or placed in the infamous waitlist — just to reach a checkout page and find unattainable prices. Most notably, Swift’s Eras Tour presale was so chaotic that it sparked an investigation by the Department of Justice into Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s 2010 merger, pointing to monopolistic and alleged anticompetitive practices.
| READ: Concert Ticket Pricing Surge Fueled By Artists, Promoters |
The post-pandemic era in the music industry is one reason for these inflated prices; after years of chaos, concertgoers want to feel that sense of unity again — and they’re willing to pay high prices. On the other hand, ticket prices are also increasing simply because artists want them to. According to Dave Brooks, senior director of live and touring for Billboard, “tours are finding out they can charge more.”
Promoters are also a part of the problem, as they have the ability to use algorithmic pricing tools like dynamic pricing. These tactics allow Live Nation and Ticketmaster to surge pricing based on market demands.
Artists, fans, and legislators have spoken-out regarding Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s control of the industry. Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson spoke of the ticketing industry, expressing that ticket prices have “gone through the roof,” while Kid Rock called Ticketmaster and Live Nation “monopoly,” noting that he’s talked to some of the elected officials in Tennessee regarding legislation to break-up the ticketing giant.
