Chappell Roan’s Manchester Show: Fans Left Disappointed Due to Ticket Resale Issues
Fans of rising American pop star Chappell Roan were left disappointed in Manchester as resold tickets failed to materialize, despite queuing for over ten hours outside the Manchester Academy. The anticipation was palpable as eager fans arrived before 8am on Friday morning to secure their spots for the evening show.
The tickets for Chappell Roan’s European tour, which went on sale in March 2024, were initially priced between £20 and £35. However, the artist’s viral success with singles like “Good Luck, Babe” and “Hot To Go” has led to a surge in demand for tickets on resale websites in recent months. This spike in popularity has unfortunately created an opportunity for ticket touts to exploit fans, resulting in inflated prices and unreliable transactions.
One fan, Sara von Roenn, traveled all the way from Kentucky to see Chappell Roan perform in Berlin, only to have the show canceled. In a desperate attempt to still catch the artist in action, she purchased a ticket on the exchange website Viagogo and flew to Manchester, only to find herself waiting in vain for her ticket in the queue. Expressing her disappointment, Roenn shared, “I traveled just for this, I flew in on Thursday at midnight and I arrived at the queue at 7:30am. The Berlin gig was canceled while I was on the plane ride over, so I panicked and brought a ticket for this one in Manchester.”
The frustration was evident among fans like Sam Millard, who had resorted to platforms like Stub Hub to secure tickets. Despite paying a hefty sum of £450, he found himself still without a ticket on the day of the show. Millard lamented, “I have spent £650 with accommodation, five hours commuting, and I don’t even know if I have a ticket. Worst-case scenario, I will have to go down the line to see if anyone has any spare tickets with them and offer them my 2nd place in line.”
The issue of ticket resale has been a longstanding concern in the entertainment industry, with fans often falling victim to exorbitant prices and fraudulent transactions. Freya Dilon, who had experienced difficulties obtaining tickets for a previous show, highlighted the challenges faced by genuine fans. She remarked, “When I tried to get tickets for the London show last year, it was either bots who were scamming people or it was genuine tickets but for way too much money. I think the tickets for this show in Manchester are reselling for over £300, and we bought ours in the presale for £35.”
As fans continue to grapple with the repercussions of ticket resale practices, the Government has taken steps to address the issue. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds announced plans to introduce consumer protections on ticket resales, with a public consultation scheduled to take place in the Autumn. In a video statement, Reynolds emphasized the need to combat ticket touting and protect the interests of consumers, businesses, artists, and sports players.
Despite the challenges faced by fans in Manchester, Chappell Roan’s European tour is set to continue with upcoming shows in Glasgow, Dublin, and London. The artist’s dedicated fan base remains eager to experience her live performances, underscoring the enduring appeal of her music. As the debate around ticket resale practices continues, fans and artists alike hope for a fair and transparent ticketing system that prioritizes genuine fans over profit-seeking touts.