A PETITION to stop rising concert ticket prices has hit 25,000 signatures.

Northwich resident Lana Hughes launched a petition on change.org with the aim of tackling the rising cost of gig tickets.

Having been to more than 400 shows since 1984, she has grown fed-up with the recent ‘steep increase’.

She said: “This hike in costs has out-priced many genuine fans, restricting ticket availability essentially to the wealthy.

“Concert-going is a cultural experience that should be accessible to all, not a luxury that only the affluent can afford.

“In the wake of the Covid pandemic, the average ticket price has jumped dramatically, further alienating long-time fans and newcomers alike.”

She added: “A love for music and live performances should not be hampered by unsustainable prices; concerts need to be an inclusive environment once again.

“It is critical that we urge ticket vendors and concert promoters to implement and enforce fair pricing structures.

“Advocate for equitable prices in the live music industry. Sign the petition; let's make concerts accessible and affordable for all.”

Lana fears concerts are being restricted to the wealthy Lana fears concerts are being restricted to the wealthy (Image: Pixabay)

Lana’s petition is directed at ticketing service Ticketmaster and promoter Live Nation, both part of Live Nation Entertainment.

As of Friday (August 30), the petition been signed by 25,777 people.

Dan Wall, Live Nation Entertainment’s executive vice president for corporate and regulatory affairs, argues claims that Live Nation and Ticketmaster ‘keep prices high’ and ‘just flat wrong’.

“Anyone with a basic understanding of the industry knows this,” he adds.

“Those who perpetuate this falsehood are cynical at best. 

“They do a disservice to consumers and to rational political discourse.”

Mr Wall explains that neither Ticketmaster or Live Nation are responsible for setting prices.

He says that ticket prices are high primarily due to supply and demand.

Demand for the top five to 10 per cent of touring artists ‘regularly well in excess of the supply of tickets’.

Furthermore, ‘experience goods’ such as concerts have become increasingly popular, partially as a result of social media.

Additionally, artists have come more dependent on touring income over the last 25 years, with streaming having ‘drastically lowered’ record sales.

Mr Wall added: “In that environment, concerts could no longer be loss leaders to sell albums.  They became the artist’s principal source of income, and priced accordingly.”