Radiohead fans who missed out on tickets to the group’s European tour say it’s “like going through a breakup.”
Dozens of fans were left disappointed after not receiving a code for the AXS ticket sale. Those who did receive a code were warned that this did not guarantee them a ticket to any of the twenty shows Radiohead will perform in November and December this year. To access a code, hopeful attendees had to validate a phone number and email address to be in with a chance of receiving access to the sale. Those who did manage to get into the sale were then afforded the chance to buy a ticket. Disappointment from those who did not managed to bag a ticket is only natural, but some were left heartbroken after missing out on the band’s first tour in eight years.
One fan who missed out on tickets took to the r/Radiohead subreddit and said it was a “heartbreak” moment, which they never wished to experience again. They wrote: “Not getting a ticket actually feels like I’m going through a breakup.
“I’ve never experienced heartbreak before but I think this must be what it is. I can’t eat or make myself do anything, just rotting in bed and crying at people celebrating on this subreddit (happy for you though). I’m not giving up though, I’ll find away to get there.”
Some fans attempted to comfort the devastated fan, while others noted crying alone in bed was the “true Radiohead experience.” One fan joked: “Maybe not getting a ticket is the true Radiohead experience.” Another added: “Break-ups are involuntary restructuring of your daily life, friendships, emotional support structures, regular thought patterns, etc.
“This isn’t remotely comparable, man. You’re just behaving like a kid in Wonka’s factory who wants something that they can’t have.” Not everyone was keen to mock the heartbroken fan though, as others said they too had cried after missing out on tickets.
One person wrote: “Same. I cried for two hours after the ‘unfortunately’ email. As much as I hate resellers, I can’t miss out on this, so if anyone has any advice on how not to get scammed…” Their grief comes as other fans who managed to successfully purchase tickets had their orders randomly refunded.
A post to the r/Radiohead subreddit saw some fans who made it through the extra steps of the ticket sale lottery, and successfully bought tickets, say their passes to the show were now void.
One furious fan wrote: “Fuck this whole fucking process. No Waste sale. Stupid code registration that does NOTHING to prioritise fans. AXS crashing and glitching all morning.
“Still manage to get tix somehow? NOW THEY’RE CANCELLED. I’m done. Fuck this whole process. And fuck artists who think ANY of these companies give even half a shit about real fans. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY WE HAD WASTE PRESALES BEFORE. To say I’m livid is the understatement of the year.” The fan’s rage was reasonable, and a copy of the AXS email can be found below.
It reads: “Please be advised that we recently reviewed your ticket purhcase for Radiohead at The O2 on our site. Upon review of your order, we were unable to verify aspects of the transaction, and thus the order was cancelled.
“A full refund has been issued to the payment method originally used. Please alow 4-6 working days for this process.” Other fans who successfully bought tickets are now worried their tickets too shall be void ahead of the tour in November. All tickets for the Radiohead shows across Europe in November and December are sold out, the band confirmed.
