Welcome to Part 3 of this short series of podcasts brought to you by TicketSwap, the safest and fairest way to buy and sell tickets online.
In this episode, we speak with Phil Simpson, a passionate concert-goer and sports fan whose calendar is packed with gigs, festivals and football matches across Europe. From intimate club shows and forest festivals to major arena tours and international sporting events, Phil represents the modern event consumer: informed, enthusiastic and increasingly conscious of the challenges facing live entertainment.
Our conversation begins with the emotional side of live events and why music and sport continue to play such an important role in people's lives. Phil reflects on the unique connection that comes from experiencing artists live, the growth of concert tourism, and the sense of community that can emerge when thousands of strangers come together around a shared passion. Whether travelling to Madrid for a concert or attending matches closer to home, he explains why live experiences remain a central part of his lifestyle.
We also explore how rising ticket prices are changing consumer behaviour. Phil discusses becoming more selective about the events he attends, the growing cost of following favourite artists, and the difficult balance between affordability and the desire to experience live music. From arena tours and football matches to smaller independent shows, he shares how price increasingly shapes decisions about where, when and how often fans can attend events.
A major focus of the discussion is ticket resale. Having used TicketSwap for more than a decade, Phil explains why safety and trust matter so much to buyers, particularly when purchasing tickets for sold-out events. We discuss the risks of fraud, the value of verified resale platforms, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing a ticket is genuine before arriving at the venue.
The conversation also tackles the ethics of the resale market. Phil argues that tickets should not be treated as investment assets and shares his frustration with excessive mark-ups that put events out of reach for genuine fans. We discuss why capped resale models appeal to many consumers, whether tickets should be governed purely by supply and demand, and how organisers, artists and platforms can help keep events accessible.
Along the way, we examine some of the biggest frustrations facing ticket buyers today, from online queues and overwhelming demand to hidden fees and a lack of transparency around where ticket revenue ultimately ends up. Phil also reflects on what he would like to see change in the future, including fairer pricing, greater transparency, more opportunities for genuine fans to access tickets, and stronger support for community-driven events and independent artists.
For anyone who has ever sat in a virtual queue, searched desperately for a sold-out ticket, questioned why attending live events has become so expensive, or wondered what fair ticketing should look like, this episode offers an honest and relatable look at the ticketing ecosystem from the perspective that matters most: the fan.
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