Kingston University students are finding themselves increasingly pushed out of arts and culture due to the rapid rise of gig ticket prices.
Research conducted by marketing agency Dark House found that concert prices have risen by a staggering 237% in the last 20 years. This statistic far outpaces the rate of inflation, which has sat between 3-5% in the last two decades.
The rapid increase has out-priced university students from the concert experience. Chichi Odor, a fourth-year pharmaceutical science student at Kingston University said: “I have seen an increase in prices, what used to be £70 is now over £100, so sometimes I have to miss out.”
Many other students like Odor say they have to cut costs within their budget or risk going into debt to afford tickets. The rise of cost of living post-pandemic, and the cuts in Student Finance England (SFE) loans have left students in financial strain. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) reported that loans have only risen 2.3%, which left students from income backgrounds with a real wage income reduction of £1,200.
Safiya Farooq, a first-year pharmacy student said: “I’m really struggling with my finances because my SFE has not given me enough money, I’m struggling, going to things like concerts are out of budget , it’s just too expensive.”
Without having the financial access to concerts, students are losing yet another much-needed outlet to blow off steam following periods of intense study.
“I’m really struggling with my finances because my SFE has not given me enough money, I’m struggling, going to things like concerts are out of budget, it’s just too expensive.”
Safiya Farooq
The increase in concert ticket prices has been exacerbated by resellers with the increase in the cost-of-living. People have found other ways to make money and some touts bulk buying tickets and reselling them at a higher price. Katie Attia, a frequent concert-goer said: “Arena tours are always ridiculously priced but what doesn’t help are resellers.’’
Resellers are just one issue that students have an issue with ticket-selling sites, such as Ticketmaster. The retailer is a fan’s go-to for tickets, some have reported issues affecting the pricing of tickets such as dynamic pricing.
Dynamic pricing is where tickets increase in price due to higher demand. Recently, the Oasis Live reunion tour 2025, where fans reported that standard standing tickets originally priced at £135-148 rapidly increased to £300 during the sale