Fans of Sam Fender have labelled Ticketmaster a “shambles” following the release of tickets for his tour.
The star recently announced his upcoming arena tour, which includes a Glasgow date, and while followers of his music were initially disappointed over the cost of tickets, it appears that not everyone could secure them.
Fans have been left fuming as they took to social media to share their frustration, with many being booted out of the virtual waiting rooms, while others were left in the same spot, with the queue not changing at all. Sam’s People Watching Tour stops by in Glasgow at the OVO Hydro for one night on Monday, December 16.
It will be his first headline tour since 2022; the Geordie singer last played the Hydro in March 2022 and headlined TRNSMT Festival in 2023.
Tickets for the tour went on sale at 10am but Sam’s fans signed up to the official Sam Fender Social Club only received the email with links at 10.27am, almost half an hour after general sale.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan of the White Privilege musician said: “Has anyone else’s number in Sam Fender Ticketmaster queue not change for like 5 mins.”
A second added: “Why is Ticketmaster/any ticket experience a shamblessss! ! at the front on Ticketmaster for Sam Fender and it’s completely froze? ? ? ” Did you find yourself struggling to get tickets for Sam’s tour?
One disgruntled fan said: “I was 1000th in the queue for Sam Fender and they were all sold out meaning they sold at least 12,000 tickets in the presale that’s so ridic.”
Another frustrated customer tweeted: “Imagine joining the waiting room early, being in a good position in the queue and then @TicketmasterUK freezing and you not getting Sam Fender tickets on presale AND general sale. Ticketmaster is an absolute scam.”
Some even claimed that it was easier to get tickets for Oasis’ 2025 reunion tour than it was for Fender’s concerts. “Why is Sam fender harder to get tickets for than Oasis, I was in the queue from 9am number 2,000 in queue yet no tickets available what so ever when I got in, AXS and Ticketmaster you need to sort your s**t out.”
“How the f**k did I bag Oasis tickets but not Sam Fender? ? This whole sale has been a s**t show.”
The 30-year-old also confirmed that £1 from every sale will be going to help the survival of UK grassroots music venues, reports the Mirror.
The pricing for Sam’s tickets has also sparked controversy, with many noting the huge increase in cost following his last tour. For the People Watching tour, depending on where you want to sit, or stand in a venue, there are different price brackets.
Seating options range from £65.87 to £88.37 and standing tickets cost £82.75. Disgruntled fans took to social media to express their dismay, with one saying: “3 years ago it was £31.50 for a Sam Fender standing ticket. You can’t justify charging fans £80+ for standing this time round. Grim.”
Another fan lamented: “Love you Sam Fender but can we go back to 2019 when the tickets were 20 quid with no hassle getting them.”
A third comment read: “Don’t get me wrong I love Sam Fender but it’s ironic he goes on about the working class and how the North East is deprived and then goes on to charge £80 for a ticket to his gig.”
The tour announcement follows news that Fender has completed and “mastered” his third studio album. He had teased fans with snippets of new music online and released a live version of “People Watching,” which he first performed at an intimate show earlier in the month.
In a previous interview with NME, Sam described his new music as “very pretty” and noted a strong “singer-songwriter” influence. He explained his approach, saying: “If I try and force myself to write stadium songs, we could end up f***ing it I think. Instead, I want to write about the stories that I have and the place that I’m mentally at in my life at this point. And I’ve had a lot to write about.”
Tickets on sale here.
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