Robert Smith Criticizes Ticketmaster's Dynamic Pricing and Advocates for Fair Ticket Costs

In recent years, Robert Smith of The Cure has been quite vocal about the changing landscape of touring and ticket sales. In 2023, he took a stand against “unduly high” fees charged by Ticketmaster, successfully convincing the company to offer partial refunds to fans who bought tickets for their Songs Of A Lost World tour. The band made an effort to keep ticket prices low for their U.S. shows, with some priced at just $20. However, many fans found that the additional fees often surpassed the ticket cost itself.

In a recent interview with The Times, Smith shared his thoughts on Ticketmaster’s practices, particularly their controversial dynamic pricing model. He expressed his shock at the sheer amount of profit generated from ticket sales, saying, “I thought, ‘We don’t need to make all this money.’ My fights with the label have all been about how we can price things lower.” He emphasized that if a band believes they will continue to perform, they should aim to make shows accessible, encouraging fans to spend on drinks and merchandise instead of inflating ticket prices. “There is goodwill; they will come back next time,” he added. “It is a self-fulfilling good vibe, and I don’t understand why more people don’t do it.”

Smith also criticized the dynamic pricing model, calling it a scam that could vanish if more artists refused to participate. “It was easy to set ticket prices, but you need to be pig-headed,” he remarked. He accused many artists of hiding behind management, claiming they either don’t know or are ignoring the truth. “If they say they do not, they’re either f—king stupid or lying. It’s just driven by greed,” he said.

The Cure is set to release their first album in 16 years, Songs Of A Lost World, on November 1, accompanied by shows in London during the release week. So far, the band has unveiled two tracks from the album: the haunting opener “Alone” and the poignant “A Fragile Thing.”

Smith's comments come shortly after the controversial ticket sales for Oasis’ reunion tour in 2025, which also used dynamic pricing for their 19 stadium dates in the U.K. and Ireland. This led to ticket prices increasing, forcing fans to make quick decisions on inflated prices. The backlash from fans prompted the U.K.’s Competition and Market Authority to investigate this sales tactic. While Oasis will perform globally next summer, they’ve chosen to forgo the dynamic pricing model for their North American shows, which went on sale earlier this month.

Ticketmaster introduced dynamic pricing in 2022 as a way to tackle scalping and the secondary ticket market. The company maintains that ticket prices are set by the bands and promoters, with dynamic pricing implemented only with the artist's team’s approval. Smith’s outspoken stance is part of a broader conversation about fair ticket pricing in the music industry, highlighting the need for change in how tickets are sold and the costs associated with attending live shows.