Only 8% of Singapore residents admit to buying scalped concert tickets; 61% want scalping to be made illegal: Survey
Most respondents welcome Singapore being a major concert destination, and are willing to spend up to $300 to see their favourite artistes live.
SINGAPORE — A recent survey found that most Singapore residents are supportive of the city-state being a major concert destination, but there is a growing concern that some of them are openly admitting to buying tickets via scalpers or unofficial channels.
With concerts resuming in full swing post-COVID pandemic, Singapore-based research firm RySense conducted a poll from their online panel, HappyDot.sg, on 1,060 residents aged 15 and above in December 2023, in order to obtain insights into their concert-going sentiments.
The firm said in a media statement on Thursday (18 January) that nearly 85 people, of 8 per cent of the respondents, admit openly that they purchased resale tickets from scalpers or unofficial channels.
Meanwhile, 943 of the respondents (89 per cent) expressed that it is great for Singapore to be a major concert destination. The top reasons cited for this enthusiasm include the economic boost to Singapore (74 per cent), the anticipation of increased tourist arrivals (67 per cent), and the belief that it makes Singapore more dynamic and exciting (60 per cent).
Fans ready to invest up to $300 for live performances, favouring Western artists
As fans eagerly anticipate spending up to $300 to witness their favourite artistes live, the survey reveals that Western pop stars such as Coldplay, Sam Smith and Taylor Swift, are the most sought-after, with 32 per cent of the survey respondents willing to pay for their concerts.
Chinese and Taiwanese pop stars follow closely at 29 per cent, while Korean stars saw 15 per cent of respondents willing to pay for their concerts.
13 per cent willing to travel beyond Singapore for concerts
In addition, 13 per cent of respondents are willing to go the extra mile, travelling overseas to catch a live performance by their favourite artist.
However, such enthusiasm has led some fans to questionable practices, as 8 per cent admitted to purchasing tickets from scalpers or unofficial channels.
While 61 per cent of respondents call for scalping to be made illegal, 11 per cent of them argue against the move, fearing it may hinder their chances of securing popular tickets. About 28 per cent remain neutral on the matter.
Majority's refusal to engage with scalpers
For the 92 per cent who refrained from buying tickets from scalpers, the top reasons cited are the fear of scams (70 per cent), the perceived ridiculous markup in prices (53 per cent), and a collective belief of not supporting scalpers (49 per cent).
Apart from scalping concerns, opinions are divided on the possibility of reserving concert tickets exclusively for local residents. While 40 per cent express hope for organisers to reserve tickets solely for Singaporeans, 25 per cent argue against exclusivity, and 35 per cent remain undecided.
As more renowned artists gear up for upcoming concerts in Singapore, the survey highlights the need for a more orderly and transparent ticketing system to contribute to a better overall concert experience and enhance Singapore's reputation as a concert destination.
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