KUALA LUMPUR – The requirements issued by Coldplay concert organisers Live Nation Malaysia for concertgoers are neither new nor extraordinary in terms of similar events organised globally.
A spokesman within the concert organisers’ circle said strict requirements, including the need to present personal identification documents, have always been the norm for concerts of such magnitude.
“The problems that often come with such concerts are ticket scalping. For instance, a friend may have bought a concert ticket legitimately from the organiser, and he or she may sell it to you.
“What guarantees are there that the person will not print the same ticket and sell it to four other people?
“This is a common occurrence. So organisers must put a stop to ticket scalpers.
“Clearly, (as organisers), one would have to implement strict conditions to ensure that concertgoers are able to attend the show smoothly and without much hassle,” the industry spokesman, who requested anonymity, told Scoop when contacted today.
He was asked to respond to the outcry on social media by those with tickets for Coldplay’s concert next Wednesday at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here over ticket redemption requirements.
The spokesman further explained that Live Nation Malaysia had provided ample time in issuing the requirements seven days before the scheduled event.
When asked about the decision to ban concertgoers from bringing political and LGBT banners, as well as a host of other prohibited items, the spokesman said this is in line with similar concerts organised worldwide and is done for practical reasons.
“If a concertgoer brings or smuggles in a politically charged flag amidst the audience, it is not just courting controversy but is also blocking other concertgoers from getting a proper view.
“It’s that simple, to be honest.”
In addition to requiring valid personal identification as part of ticket redemption procedures, Live Nation Malaysia also said in a post that Infinity e-ticket redemptions should be done at the box office or ticket counter at Axiata Arena from 12pm to 10pm on concert day.
Infinity tickets refer to a limited number of low-priced tickets released for every Coldplay show in their Music Of The Spheres World Tour, where they must be bought in pairs.
Live Nation Malaysia said fans without valid identification will not be able to redeem their tickets.
It added that third-party ticket holders who are representing those unable to attend the concert are required to prepare a copy of their identification card, driving licence or passport that matches with the name on the e-tickets, as well as supporting documents for the reason the tickets were handed over.
At around 11am today, the organiser posted short videos on its social media accounts including Instagram, Facebook and X, detailing do’s and don’ts, in response to concerned concertgoers.
On Instagram, the organiser clarified that there are no physical tickets for the event, and that e-tickets in general can only be scanned one time during entry and that tickets may be deemed invalid if scanned previously, or if the QR code is invalid, or duplicates are detected.
It added that negligence by ticket buyers is not the responsibility of the promoter or ticket partner, and incident reports may be filed at the box office.
It also said general e-ticket holders are to retrieve their tickets from their GoLive account or registered email, and screenshot or download the tickets with the QR codes onto their mobile phones.
Live Nation Malaysia tweeted previously that tickets are only valid from the authorised vendor, which is GoLive Asia.
It cautioned members of the public against purchasing tickets from unauthorised sellers or third-party websites such as Viagogo, Carousel or other similar platforms.
It said that by purchasing tickets through these non-authorised points of sale, buyers take on the risk that the validity of the tickets cannot be guaranteed, with no refunds possible. – November 17, 2023