Bruno Mars concert highlights trend of audio-only tickets

The music industry is increasingly utilizing a controversial ticketing strategy where fans pay to attend concerts without being able to see the stage. This practice was recently highlighted during Bruno Mars’s performance at Wembley Stadium, where Ticketmaster offered “No View / Audio Only” tickets priced at approximately 58.35 pounds (nearly 70 euros). These tickets allow entry to the venue to hear the performance, but provide no visibility of the stage or screens.

This is not an isolated incident but a growing trend among major artists. Beyoncé utilized a similar “listening only” model during her 2023 Renaissance World Tour, with tickets located behind the stage costing around 157 dollars. Taylor Swift also implemented a similar approach during the final stages of The Eras Tour in Vancouver, offering listening-only options for approximately 15 Canadian dollars.

Industry analysts suggest this is a strategic move to monetize remaining capacity when standard tickets sell out, allowing fans to experience the atmosphere of the event even without a direct view of the artist.