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How ticket scalping hurts Indonesia’s concert industry
Massive markups by resellers can be a spoiler for businesses and fans alike.
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South Korean girl band Blackpink performs at Gelora Bung Karno in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on March 11, 2023. Concertgoers in Indonesia have complained about scalpers buying up tickets for popular events. (Antara/Rianti)
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oncert organizers have enjoyed a revival of their business since pandemic-related activity curbs were lifted early last year. But large-scale reselling of tickets is creating a chasm between what fans must fork out and what stagers take in.
When concert tickets are in high demand, they can be resold for a massive profit. Tickets for top seats at a Coldplay concert later this year, initially sold for Rp 11 million, have since changed hands at more than twice that.
Tickets to Suga's Agust D event sold like hotcakes ahead of the concert last month.
A VIP ticket for the event was listed at Rp 4 million on ticket.com, but the price may be marked up to Rp 5 million or more.
Harming the industry
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno has voiced his disappointment over ticket scalping and scams in Indonesia.
"This [taints] the image of the entertainment business in Indonesia," he said on May 22 during his weekly press briefing.
