Neil Young rejects dynamic pricing for upcoming tour

By Johanna CampbellMarch 18, 20256 mins read

Following The Cure’s lead, Neil Young is taking a stand against ticket companies and putting fans first.

Neil Young has made it clear he won’t be using dynamic ticket pricing for his upcoming Love Earth tour with his band, the Chrome Hearts. The legendary musician cited The Cure’s Robert Smith as an influence in his decision, reinforcing a growing movement against inflated ticket prices that leave fans paying far more than face value.

Dynamic pricing, a system that adjusts ticket prices based on demand, has faced widespread backlash. It’s often marketed under terms like “platinum tickets,” but in practice, it can see prices surge to exorbitant levels. Ticketmaster, one of the primary users of this system, claims that artists and event organisers have control over whether it’s implemented.

Robert Smith has been one of the most vocal critics of dynamic pricing. In 2023, he bluntly called it “a greedy scam.” The following year, he doubled down on his criticism, stating:

“We didn’t allow dynamic pricing because it’s a scam that would disappear if every artist said, ‘I don’t want that!’ But most artists hide behind management. ‘Oh, we didn’t know,’ they say. They all know. If they say they do not, they’re either fucking stupid or lying. It’s just driven by greed.”

His words resonated with Neil Young, who recently expressed discomfort with the additional revenue generated from Ticketmaster’s so-called “Platinum” ticket system. As a result, he ensured that none of his tour dates would use the pricing model. Young expressed that, having read about Robert Smith’s stance, the frontman realised, “I have a choice to make and can make a difference for my music loving friends.”

“My management and agent have always tried to cover my back on the road, getting me the best deals they could,” Young continues. “They have tried to protect me and the fans from scalpers who buy the best tickets and resell them at huge increases for their own profits.”

The debate around dynamic pricing gained more traction as tickets for the long-awaited Oasis reunion went on sale – even prompting a government consultation on the matter. Ticket prices soared from £148.50 to £355.20 due to high demand, causing public outrage. Smith’s actions set a precedent – he not only banned dynamic pricing for The Cure’s own tours but also fought against excessive service fees, even securing partial refunds for fans in 2023.

Here are the dates for Neil Young’s 2025 Love Earth Tour:

June 2025: