As BLACKPINK announces their Asia leg of the world tour, covering key cities like Singapore, Bangkok, and Manila, fans across Southeast Asia are eager to secure tickets. The region’s ticketing landscape and broader market dynamics warrant attention—especially in light of ongoing concerns around scalping and fair access.
The Bigger Picture: Live Nation–Ticketmaster and Market Control
Live Nation’s 2010 merger with Ticketmaster promised increased efficiency and streamlined concert experiences worldwide. Yet, it also consolidated control over promotion and ticketing, sparking concerns that independent promoters and emerging artists may lose opportunities, and that fans could face higher prices or fewer choices.
This consolidation is especially relevant in Asia, where major tours rely on powerful global promoters like Live Nation to bring blockbuster acts. Local governments may offer venue subsidies or support, but the organization, concert promotion, touring decisions and ticket sales are handled by these entertainment giants.
Lessons from Lady Gaga’s Singapore Tour
Take the example of Lady Gaga’s Mayhem shows in Singapore. The initial ticket frenzy saw scalpers wildly marking up VIP packages to nearly S$30,000, in the secondary market —exploiting consumer data to inflate prices already set high for the same experience, a practice the America has been actively trying to curb. Though, as some shows remained unsold close to the event, these scalpers drastically slashed prices, sometimes even below the original face value, creating a last-minute buyer’s market.
This pattern shows that scalpers often try to profit by pushing prices up early, but market realities eventually catch up, especially with official platforms releasing remaining tickets late and pricing them more fairly.
Importantly, this tour was brought in by Live Nation, not the Singapore government, which provided subsidies for venue use. This highlights how ticketing and promotion are driven by large entertainment companies, that employ tens of thousands worldwide, via a decentralised structure, and not local authorities.
How Fans in Asia Can Protect Themselves from Scalpers at BLACKPINK Shows
- Buy Only from Official Channels — Avoid third-party sites or resale platforms where prices and authenticity can’t be guaranteed.
- Use Presales and Verified Fan Programs — Take advantage of presale windows tied to fan clubs, credit cards, or official apps to secure tickets before general sales.
- Be Patient Near Show Dates — Similar Lady Gaga’s Singapore concerts, scalper prices often drop close to the event. If you missed early sales, waiting can help fans save money, for the same experience—though this carries the risk of tickets selling out. Alternatively, read the refund policies, to see if you can get the best value for your monies.
- Beware of Fake Tickets — Only buy from trusted sources to avoid counterfeits. If unsure, contact the official ticket provider’s customer support for verification.
- Plan Travel Early — For fans outside the announced cities, booking flights and accommodation early can save costs and reduce last-minute scramble risks.
While the Live Nation–Ticketmaster merger brings efficiencies that enable spectacular tours like BLACKPINK’s Asia leg, fans should stay informed and cautious to avoid overpaying or falling victim to scalpers. As seen in Singapore’s Lady Gaga concerts, patience and official channels remain the best ways for fans wanting to enjoy live music responsibly, without breaking the bank.
Image credit: Ming Jia Teo (Live Nation Singapore)
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