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In a notable shift influenced by The Cure’s Robert Smith, Neil Young has announced that he will discontinue the sale of ‘Platinum’ tickets for his upcoming concerts.
This decision follows an interview Smith gave to The Times in October 2024, where he expressed his desire to keep ticket prices as affordable as possible, often around $20, in light of increasing concerns regarding dynamic pricing—a topic that had gained traction after a recent Oasis discussion.
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In the interview, Smith voiced his astonishment at the profits generated from ticket sales, questioning the necessity of such high revenue. “We don’t need to profit this much,” he stated, underscoring the artistic struggle against the financial motives of record labels. He pointed out that ticket price increases usually stem from artists’ fears of not being able to sell merchandise in the future.
He emphasized his decision to avoid dynamic pricing, labeling it as a deceptive practice that could easily be dismantled if artists collectively rejected it. “Most artists conceal themselves behind management excuses,” Smith claimed. “If they say they’re unaware, they are either deceived or being dishonest. It all boils down to greed.”
Following Smith’s remarks, Young took to his own Neil Young Archives website to share how these insights motivated him to reevaluate his own ticketing practices.
Describing the widespread issues in concert ticketing, Young remarked, “This story helped me realize that I have the power to influence and make a positive impact for my audience.” He acknowledged that while his management typically strives to secure favorable deals to protect him and his fans from scalpers, the introduction of ‘Platinum’ tickets by Ticketmaster has often aligned with scalpers’ demand for high-priced tickets, which felt misaligned with his values.
Young affirmed, “I’ve decided to step back and let the audience navigate this situation. If you want to secure tickets, it’s important to act quickly upon their release; otherwise, prices may skyrocket in the resale market.”
His upcoming tour, which will feature the Chrome Hearts band, includes performances from longtime collaborator Spooner Oldham on keyboards and members of Promise of the Real, such as Micah Nelson, Corey McCormick, and Anthony LoGerfo. The ensemble recently released a new single titled “Big Change” and has plans for their first album later this spring.
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www.billboard.com