Lady Gaga tickets at $1500? The crazy demand for stars’ gigs in Australia

When pop superstar Lady Gaga revealed intentions to tour Australia, the excitement among fans and casual listeners alike was obvious.

Gaga announced the Live Nation-promoted Australian leg of The MAYHEM Ball tour last week, marking the 14-time Grammy Award-winner’s first appearance in the nation in 11 years – her previous gigs were for 2014’s ArtRave: The ARTPOP Ball.

However, supporters were kept in the dark about pricing information and only discovered them at presales on Monday, when they faced exorbitant costs, with some VIP tickets fetching more than $1500. So, how much will it cost to get Gaga tickets, and why has it been so controversial?

When will Lady Gaga tickets go on sale?

The Vodafone and Mastercard presales took place at 11 a.m. on Monday. The Live Nation presale began at noon on Wednesday, and regular sale tickets will be available to the public at 1pm on Thursday.

Concertgoers can join the queue on ticket connections 30 minutes before the on-sale start times.

How much do they cost?

Ticket prices range from $120 for nosebleed seats to $1588 for the “Mastercard Priceless Experience,” which includes an onstage picture opportunity, a Q&A with a Lady Gaga crew member, and pre-show access for passionate Little Monsters.

There are four more VIP ticket categories, ranging from $620 to $977.

Standing tickets cost $212 to $314, while seated tickets range from $120 to $622.

Where will Lady Gaga perform in Australia?

Gaga will be performing in Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on December 5, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on December 9, and Sydney’s Accor Stadium on December 12.

Due to high demand, an additional event at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on December 6 was added on Tuesday.

Why is there such uproar online?

Fans have voiced displeasure, accusing Ticketmaster, a US-based corporation controlled by Live Nation Entertainment, of dynamic pricing, in which the price of concert tickets fluctuates dependent on demand. Because there are only a limited number of seats available at a concert, the stronger the demand, the higher the ticket price.

This masthead does not imply that dynamic pricing has occurred, and Ticketmaster has been contacted for comment.

What is Live Nation?

Live Nation Australia is no stranger to controversy, having been in the limelight for a few years. A Four Corners report in October accused the firm of charging customers secret fees, “robbing” artists, and “misusing” its market dominance.

Ticketmaster, controlled by Live Nation, received harsh criticism in September for selling tickets for the Australian leg of American punk band Green Day’s tour for as much as $500.

Following a public outcry, the Australian government announced plans in October to prohibit the practice at concerts and sporting events.

Source: The Age