Bastille Announce 15th Anniversary Tour, Dan Smith Slams "Galling" Ticket Touts

Bastille's 15-Year Celebration and Stand Against Touting

Bastille is set to embark on a significant UK arena tour, titled "From All Sides – Songs From the First 15 Years," commencing in November 2025. This tour marks a major milestone, celebrating the band's extensive career with shows planned across the UK, including Plymouth, Cardiff, Nottingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, and culminating at London's O2 Arena. Alongside the celebration, the tour carries a charitable element, with donations supporting Youth Music’s ‘Rescue the Roots’ campaign aimed at bolstering grassroots music initiatives for young people.

However, the announcement is coupled with strong words from frontman Dan Smith regarding the persistent issue of ticket touting. Smith described his own frustrating experiences trying to buy tickets online, knowing many in the queue are resellers aiming for profit. He labelled the practice "fundamentally unfair" and "really galling," particularly as the band strives to keep their ticket prices accessible. He emphasized that the inflated profits from resale do not benefit the artists, crew, venues, or the numerous people involved in putting on a show.

Efforts to Combat Unfair Pricing

In response to these challenges, Bastille has teamed up with O2 to launch "Stamp It Tout," an information hub designed to educate fans and help them avoid exploitative resale practices. O2 is actively campaigning for a 10% price cap on resold tickets, backed by research indicating that touting costs UK music fans an estimated £145 million extra each year.

This coincides with a UK government consultation examining ticket buying and pricing practices, including controversial "dynamic pricing." While Ticketmaster UK has denied using dynamic pricing in recent inquiries, the consultation provides a platform for industry-wide reform. O2 is facilitating fan input by setting up a "Consultation Station" at The O2 arena from April 1st to 3rd, ensuring fan voices contribute to the official consultation response.

Potential Tour Highlights

Looking ahead to the "From All Sides" tour, fans can anticipate a setlist spanning Bastille's career. Music commentators suggest potential inclusions ranging from their debut single "Flaws," the iconic global hit "Pompeii," the hopeful anthem "Glory," the storytelling track "Emily & Her Penthouse In The Sky," to the massively popular "Good Grief," possibly presented with fresh arrangements reflecting their musical journey.

When and where is Bastille's new tour?

The "From All Sides – Songs From the First 15 Years" tour runs through November 2025, visiting 9 UK arenas: Plymouth, Cardiff, Nottingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, and London (O2 Arena).

Why is Dan Smith speaking out against ticket touts?

He finds it deeply unfair and frustrating that resellers exploit genuine fans by buying tickets solely to resell them at vastly inflated prices, with none of the extra profit supporting the artists or the live music ecosystem.

What actions are being taken against ticket touting?

There's an ongoing government consultation. Bastille has partnered with O2 on the "Stamp It Tout" information hub, and O2 is advocating for a 10% cap on ticket resale prices. Fans can also share their views via O2's Consultation Station.

What are your experiences with buying tickets for popular events? Have you encountered issues with touts? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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