Olivia Dean Takes a Stand Against Sky-High Resale Ticket Prices

British pop sensation Olivia Dean has become a vocal advocate for her fans after taking aim at the exorbitant resale prices of her tour tickets, securing refunds for those who had been overcharged. Speaking at a Soho Sessions and Grammy Museum event on Monday, 15 December, the singer revealed that it was a single mother’s plea that spurred her to action.

Dean recounted how, while monitoring social media posts tagged to her, she came across a video of a struggling parent who desperately wanted to attend one of her shows. “She said she connected so much to my album, The Art of Loving, but couldn’t afford a ticket,” Dean recalled. “She could only manage gas money and a babysitter. And I thought, she’s exactly the person who should be coming to the show.”

This incident ignited Dean’s outrage against Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and AEG, whose resale prices she described as “disgusting” and “vile.” Following her social media post calling out these companies, Ticketmaster announced it would provide partial refunds and cap resale prices at face value for Dean’s tour. Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino confirmed the changes, stating: “We share Olivia’s desire to keep live music accessible and ensure fans have the best access to affordable tickets.”

Dean’s intervention is part of her rapid ascent in 2025, following the release of The Art of Loving in September. Her American tour, which went on sale in November, was met with instant demand, highlighting the challenges many fans face in affording live music experiences. The pop star emphasised the importance of accessible live events: “It was unfair the way that the operation was running. I thought, ‘Let me have a go and see what I can do.’ And we did something. Ticketmaster are going to refund everybody their money, which totals around $2 million.”

Looking ahead to her 2026 tour, Dean is set to perform at iconic arenas such as Madison Square Garden in New York and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Her advocacy for fans and skyrocketing success have also earned her a nomination for Best New Artist at next year’s Grammy Awards.