As many as 40% of ticket holders are not turning up to gigs, including shows that have been sold out for months.
While there always was a percentage of ticket holders that did not turn up to events, it has rocketed as the year has progressed.
Graeme Stewart, an artist manager, told the Guardian: “You always had people that didn’t turn up. It was around 5% normally, but you’re getting as much as 40% no-shows for some gigs now. It’s an enormous problem, and it’s happening for anything that’s ticketed.”
Not only are fans not attending a gig, but the founder and chief executive of Dice, Phil Hutcheon, said that customers are now more likely to ask for their money back compared to before the pandemic, if the show is postponed.
“People are returning tickets a lot more frequently now than pre-pandemic,” said Hutcheon. “The pattern we have seen is that each time a show is moved, the person who bought the ticket is a lot less engaged about attending.”
Further complications to discourage fans from turning up to gigs and shows include the recently introduced ‘Plan B’ Covid-19 rules from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Mask wearing is required at cinemas and theatres and Covid-19 vaccine passes will be enforced at concerts and night clubs in England from Wednesday.
The NHS Covid Pass on the NHS App will be needed by attendees to prove they have had two doses of the vaccine against coronavirus. Unseated indoor events with 500 or more attendees, unseated outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees, and any event with 10,000 or more attendees will require the COVID Pass for entry in England.
Image: Filip Andrejevic on Unsplash