Olivia Dean says she wants people to ‘be able to afford’ her shows
By Lauren Del Fabbro, Press Association Entertainment Reporter
Grammy-award winner Olivia Dean has said she wants people to be “able to afford” to see her shows.
The 27-year old singer, known for the hit song Man I Need, previously called out the ticket resale market as “exploitative” after some tickets for her The Art Of Loving tour were reportedly put on platforms by individual resellers above face value.
After the singer spoke out in November, ticketing platform Ticketmaster said it would issue partial refunds for fans who already purchased a resale ticket, reflecting the difference between the original price and the price charged by the individual reseller, and cap future resale tickets for her tour.
Speaking to Elle magazine, Dean said: “There is no way that I’m going to get up on that stage and sing my heart out while somebody sits at home and makes 500 dollars or 600 dollars off of me and you.
“I want people to be able to afford to come to the show.
“I don’t think you need to be someone who’s got loads of money to enjoy your favourite album. Full stop.”
It came after ministers confirmed plans to make it illegal for tickets to concerts, theatre, comedy, sport and other live events to be resold for more than their original cost.
Dean has triumphed this year, picking up a number of accolades including her first Grammy for best new artist – followed by four Brit awards where she was named artist of the year, while her record The Art Of Loving won album of the year.
Speaking about her music and songwriting, she added: “My purpose in music is to help people, myself included, find compassion and a deeper connection with one another.
“I believe people are hungry for something more honest and meaningful, something that feeds the soul.
“I’m attempting to provide space where that kind of connection, conversation, and joy can happen.”
Following her Grammy win, the singer said she deleted all her social media from her phone and has opted to live in “sweet ignorance” of the online noise about her.
She said: “Even though the love has been overwhelming, even that is not healthy sometimes.
“I don’t think you’re supposed to know everyone’s opinion about you. And I’ve decided I want to live in sweet ignorance.
“I find a lot of internet discourse and those things so unproductive.
“I know who I am, and I know that I’m performing and creating from a pure place. You can’t please everybody. And I have such peace in that.”
