The first pair of tickets for Coldplay's Big Noise Sessions homecoming concert to be sold on Internet site eBay have gone for more than ten times the original price, according to Exeter's online newspaper Express & Echo this morning. The latest discussion on this is at the Coldplay Live forum, where you can read the latest comments here onwards.
There has been anger that more than five per cent of the 500 tickets that were made available for the Mencap event on Saturday are being sold on eBay. None of the profit will go to the intended charity. The first tickets to reach the end of their alloted auction time at 5pm yesterday were sold for £1,020 — dwarfing the £50 they were originally bought for. Others are currently for sale for several hundred pounds with several days or hours to go.
Excitement is mounting ahead of the gig, which will see Lily Allen and La Roux supporting Coldplay. But organisers have warned they could not guarantee entry to anyone who uses eBay to purchase a ticket which was originally sold through the official Little Noises website.
Ebay said it had a policy with charity gigs to donate at least 20 per cent of profits if tickets were resold in this way. However, a spokesman said Mencap had not alerted it to this particular event so it was not able to put the policy in place on the sales. As a result, none of the profit made by the sellers looks set to benefit Mencap. A spokesman for the event said: “It is very disappointing. The reason we do these gigs is that Mencap desperately needs funds and the money we raise goes directly to the people Mencap supports.” A spokesman for eBay said: “We work with thousands of charities and are delighted to support them but we cannot be held accountable if we are not told about it or approached about it by Mencap.”
Just 500 tickets were available for the charity gig at Exeter Castle on Saturday, December 19. Chris Martin and his band will be joined during the evening by singers Lily Allen and La Roux. Radio One DJ Jo Whiley has helped organise the event. Those who missed out on buying tickets have voiced their anger on the Echo’s website. Karen, from Plymouth said: “In my opinion it is not fine to make hundreds and hundreds of pounds out of a charity — in the season of goodwill. I hope HMV have the sense to cancel all tickets and put them up for resale to genuine fans.” Becky, from Exeter said: “I am really disappointed with those selling their tickets on ebay. I think those tickets up for sale on ebay should be cancelled and resold to those who would really like to enjoy the concert.”
David, from Exeter said: “In the first place, the self-print tickets have the holder’s name printed on them. They say ID checks may be implemented. If they really want to stamp out this sort of profiteering they should put out a statement that there will be such checks right now.” But Tony, from Exeter disagreed. He said: “The charity sold all tickets available and therefore could not have made any more money. What would you say if I sold two tickets on ebay for £1,000 and gave half of it to back to Mencap, would you criticise me?”
Coldplay are due to return to the UK for a small scale charity show - taking place at Exeter Castle on December 19th the date is in aid of Mencap's Big Noise Sessions. The band will play inside a marquee which will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland, with Coldplay set to be joined by La Roux, Jo Whiley and Lily Allen. Meanwhile, Mencap related, a reminder that a small number of official tickets for Coldplay's homecoming gig for Mencap in Exeter this Saturday have been made available by Seatwave. This previously reported by Anchorman:
Good afternoon. The tickets for Coldplay's intimate Big Noise Session gig for Mencap in Exeter on Saturday, 19th Dec week sold out in record time (thanks to everyone who bought some). If you missed out, then you do have one last chance to get tickets, as the final five pairs are now being auctioned. The five highest bidders by 12noon on Friday, 18th Dec will each get a pair of tickets to the show, which will also feature Lily Allen and La Roux. The proceeds will go directly to Mencap's amazing work with people with a learning disability in the UK. Click here if you'd like to join the bidding.
Online comments to the eBay sales of Mencap charity tickets:
i think its sad that charity tickets are being allowed to be sold for profit on ebay.....surely ebay can pull the plug on these sales??? [kate, devon]
If glastonbury can reduce touts by putting names and the picture of the person purchasing the ticket on each one for over 100,000 punters, how come our local organiser can't do this for 500 people? It really isn't that hard is it, type the name and date of birth on the ticket when purchased, and ask for photo ID on the gate. Problem sorted. [sG, exeter]
Why didn't Coldplay book out Westpoint for a few nights? They could of sold the tickets at a reasonable price,raised far more for charity and people would not of had to camp out for tickets. When bands do these intimate gigs they just encourage touts. I would rather buy a dvd to be honest, with not too much of Oldplay's later work. [buster Cornfield, Drewsteignton]
A smaller venue is much better. if it was staged at westpoint. you would not get such a good view. playing at the castle is much more audience friendly, i cant wait. [samantha Keen, Green Gables]
Latest Coldplay photos from the studio:
Right now, the band are in the studio, sorting out/signing the items for the End of Decade Clearout
Still sorting the auction. This is Jonny's first pedal board!
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