29 h. ago The best gig I ever saw cost £4. Spiralling concert prices are a cultural disaster | John Harris

Tickets for big tours have vastly outstripped inflation, while smaller artists and venues struggle. The magic is in danger of being snuffed out entirelyThe 21st century may be a time of human estrangement, but the pleasures of watching our favourite band or singer play live surely unite millions of us. There is something about the whole ritual that crystallises what popular music fundamentally is: a profoundly democratic artform that will always soundtrack the lives of just about everybody.But perhaps all that is on its way out. When it comes to big names, gig-going is becoming absurdly expensive. The ticket market is now both byzantine and hierarchical, often carving up audiences into no end of tiers. Thanks to the exploitative absurdity of “dynamic pricing” and resale websites, it also charges people much more than even the original face-value ticket prices. To track what’s going on in terms of average price rises can therefore be very difficult. But in the face of an ongoing cost...

Economics

59 h. ago Victory for concert goers as UK Goverment plans crackdown on ticket touts

Record View says he resale price cap is to end an era of huge fortunes for selfish scalpers.

Politics

4 d. ago Welsh band overtakes Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande in the UK charts

The Newport-born band has already worked with huge names in the industry

Politics

6 d. ago Cynthia Erivo and Doechii among list of 2025’s most influential fashion figures

The stars join the coveted Business of Fashion’s BoF 500, an annual index of people who are shaping and influencing the global fashion industry.

Politics

6 d. ago Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater hit 'difficult patch' as he 'reunites with ex

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater fell in love after meeting on the set of Wicked, although sources claim the Spongebob actor 'wonders if he should have stayed in his quieter world'

Events

8 d. ago Dodgy broadband 'ruining phone sex and funerals' as Brits complain of bad wifi

Bad wifi has left more than half of Brits struggling, with some left missing out on once-in-a-lifetime concert tickets, job opportunities, phone sex sessions - and even family funerals

Politics

9 d. ago White House fumes at Ariana Grande after she asks MAGA if their lives are better under Trump

The White House issued a sharp response to a post on Ariana Grande’s Instagram story, incorporating several of her own song titles in the reply

Politics

9 d. ago White House erupts at Ariana Grande after singer torches Trump's record on immigrants and trans rights

Ariana Grande has drawn the ire of Donald Trump 's White House after sharing a rare political statement with her 523 million Instagram followers.

Events

1 week ago Ariana Grande blasts Donald Trump for causing 'widespread suffering' and asks voters 'has life gotten better?'

The 32-year-old singer called out Trump’s treatment of immigrants and trans people and claimed free speech is ‘on the brink of collapse’

Politics

1 week ago Ariana Grande lashes out at Trump supporters in scathing Instagram post

The 32-year-old pop star voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and Bernie Sanders in the 2020 presidential election

Politics

1 week ago Country singer sets new record for largest ticketed concert in US history

The concert at the Michigan Stadium also set a new record for merchandise sales

Culture

2 w. ago Wicked wars: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo face off in epic and FINAL Oz showdown

Oh, and more chaos as Dorothy makes her debut in Oz

Events

2 w. ago Ticketmaster 'must make changes' after investigation into Oasis tour ticket sale

Ticketmaster must now make a series of changes to the way it sells concert tickets

Economics

2 w. ago Ticketmaster forced to change pricing and sales tactics after Oasis row

Company must be clearer about what fans will pay and avoid ‘misleading’ labels about ticket quality, says CMABusiness live – latest updatesTicketmaster has been forced by the competition watchdog to change how it advertises concert tickets – including ending “misleading” information about the seats they are buying – after a fan backlash over its handling of the Oasis reunion tour.After a year-long investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Ticketmaster had agreed to make changes to its sales tactics, in a move welcomed by the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Wicked: For Good's final trailer sees Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's characters face off in dramatic showdown as fans are treated to teaser of new music while Dorothy arrives in Oz

The sequel sees the return of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.

Culture

2 w. ago Wicked For Good final trailer leaves fans with 'goosebumps' as Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo return

The final trailer for Wicked: For Good has been released and fans are "not OK"

Sport

2 w. ago Wicked For Good fans 'not OK' as 'electrifying' final trailer drops

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande shine in the final teaser as the story reaches an emotional conclusion.

Sport

2 w. ago Ariana Grande UK tickets may be sold out on Ticketmaster, but are available elsewhere

Tickets for the gigs went on sale last week and sold out quickly at Ticketmaster

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: For Coldplay’s finances, the stars have truly aligned

Now in their 25th year, the British band has set a new record for the most-attended tour in history, with each ‘Music of the Spheres’ earning a cool £5 million – but the four-piece would struggle if they were starting out today, says James Moore

Politics

2 w. ago The moment Princess Charlotte forgot to curtsy to Queen Camilla during the Coronation Concert

Held outside Windsor Castle on May 7, 2023, 10,000 lucky members of the public got their hands on free tickets to the two-hour concert, which was viewed by more than 10million people at home.

Politics