Oasis fans divided over invite-only ballot to extra Wembley shows

Virgin Radio

9 Sep 2024, 11:11

Fans left frustrated and fuming as invite-only ballot for Wembley gigs divides loyal followers.

Oasis fans are seemingly annoyed after the band’s latest ticketing drama for their extra Wembley shows.

What should have been a celebration of more opportunities to see Liam and Noel Gallagher back on stage has instead left fans divided.

------------------------------------

DON'T MISS:

Married at First Sight UK finally gets a 2024 start date - all the details

Celebrity Race Across the World fans ‘thrilled’ with episode 4 checkpoint results

Call the Midwife series 14 gets major new update as filming continues

------------------------------------

After all, for a band that once belted out Don’t Look Back in Anger, there’s certainly plenty of it going around.

The band’s Live ‘25 tour, which sold out pretty much instantaneously, has now added two extra dates at Wembley Stadium.

But instead of giving everyone a chance to secure tickets, Oasis introduced an invite-only ballot system – and not everyone was feeling Supersonic about it.

Last Saturday, Oasis took to their social media channels, announcing that invites to a private ballot for the remaining Wembley shows had been sent out to 'eligible fans.'

These were the lucky few who logged into Ticketmaster on August 31 and waited in line for tickets, but came away empty-handed.

The post read:“Keep an eye on your inbox... and don’t forget to check your junk mail.” Junk mail? Talk about adding insult to injury – the last thing fans need after queuing for hours is to sift through spam to find out if they’ve struck gold.

One frustrated fan took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their fury, writing: "To say I’m fuming is an understatement. No code in the first ballot, then 2500 in the general sale on Saturday, and STILL no ticket.

"The wife and I have seen Oasis over 20 times. F****** livid.” Clearly, for some, patience isn’t an Acquiesce virtue.

Others echoed similar frustrations, with one fan ranting: "I was logged in, was in the queue, and still didn’t get an email. Are you joking me? #Oasis."

Another added: “No email then… 6 hours in a queue, kicked off twice, and unable to check out when I finally got in.

"Been coming to see Oasis since I was 15 in 1995 – easier to get tickets then without all this online s***! Not sure how much more disappointment I can take.”

Oasis might have sold out gigs across the UK and Ireland, but for many fans, it feels like the real sell-out is the process itself.

The dreaded dynamic pricing models have caused havoc, with ticket prices soaring, bots taking over the queue, and many people left in limbo.

And now, after a torturous wait, fans feel even more alienated by the new ballot system.

While some are fuming, others remain cautiously optimistic.

One fan told the Irish News: “I’m happy that I’ve had the opportunity to sign up to the ballot, as for many people I’ve seen, this is not the case. Now I will have to wait and see what happens.

"I’m staying hopeful but after missing out the first time round, I’m not expecting anything.” Well, if you want to be “Live Forever,” perhaps optimism is the way forward.

However, not everyone has had such smooth sailing. A second fan noted they’d received their ballot email at 3 a.m., signed up, and waited several hours for confirmation.

With emails coming at all hours of the night, it’s starting to sound less like a gig and more like a late-night game of musical chairs.

For some, the emotional toll has been too much. One fan shared his heartbreak at missing out after queuing 'all day' during the original sale.

Adding: “I’m really disappointed, especially as I thought they’d never tour again. What’s The Story (Morning Glory) was the second album I ever bought. When I saw that there was going to be an invite-only ballot, I was glad I’d get another chance. But despite meeting the pre-set criteria, I’ve not received an invite.”

Another fan, who has followed Oasis since the early ’90s, added a particularly poignant message.

They said: “I’ve been a fan since I was a teenager and could never afford to see them back then. Then I got sick with lupus and couldn’t go anywhere.

"Now I’m in a good place health-wise and financially, and I STILL can’t go to their gigs because tickets are impossible to get.”

It seems the Oasis reunion tour – one that some believed might never happen – has turned into a nightmare for many die-hard fans. As they wait in limbo for ballot results or dream of more opportunities to see the Gallagher brothers belt out those iconic tunes, all that’s left to say is: “Maybe… you’re gonna be the one that saves me.” Or maybe not.