mb8 Long queues, limited OTC tickets, faulty handlers frustrate Livies
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Filipino Livies expressed their frustration over long queues and limited over-the-counter tickets (OTC) sold on Sept. 29 for the Filipino American pop star Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts World Tour on Oct. 5.
Fans took over X (formerly Twitter) to share their experience—the most common of which was camping out for almost 30 hours only to go home empty-handed.
Many have since urged organizers to make Rodrigo’s Manila leg a two-day affair for those who missed their chances of getting tickets both during the online ticket sales and OTC sales.
“We need Day 2, @oliviarodrigo. Some of your fans waited over 30 hours for OTC, but the tickets were sold out in less than 30 minutes. Also, @livenationph and @smtickets can’t handle the issues, haven’t released a statement, and are giving your fans false hope,” one X user said in a tweet.
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@teacherljreyes Because I love numbers, let’s do the math for the tickets sold over the counter for Olivia Rodrigo’s concert here in the Philippines. Imagine… 115 outlets ng SM Tickets… kung tig isang tao lang nakabili at maximum 4 tickets… 115×4=460 tickets lang yun out of 55k. Less than 1%! Check nyo ilan nakabili per outlet… bilang ng daliri! Kahit ipagpalagay natin tig 10 tao per outlet ang nakabili, 4600 tickets lang yun out of 55k. Less than 10% of total capacity ng Philippine Arena. #OliviaRodrigoPH #GutsWorldTourPH ♬ original sound – Teacher LJ
The concert handlers, Live Nation PH and SM Tickets, did not specify the number of available tickets for the concerts during the OTC ticket selling, driving fans to frustration.
However, fans were quick to notice some faults with the ticket handling system—late announcements of sold-out tickets only to reopen the online ticket-selling portal hours later.
“And that’s why transparency and updates are important, which you clearly lack,” another X user lamented.
Meanwhile, fans let off steam all over X due to unfair queuing lines during the first day of ticket redemption for online ticket sales, Sept. 28, with some organizers accommodating first those who were not in line.
Since the concert is a Silver Star Show, all tickets were priced at P1,500, including taxes, and the seats were revealed during ticket redemption.
While some Livies flexed their VIP tickets, some were unable to redeem tickets that were sold during the online selling due to “detected questionable activities” and no vouchers/e-tickets appearing in the portal despite successful payment.
Ticket scalpers took advantage of the situation, selling them at unreasonable prices.
@thereseriveraa SM!!! why am i not surprised 😭 anu yun 1 ticket per branch sksksk first and last camping experience 💔 #gutsworldtourmanila #gutstour #oliviarodrigo #oliviarodrigoph #gutstoursph ♬ original sound – *ੈ♡ig: aqua.nna_🪐༘⋆ – aquanna
The whole ticketing situation, despite a sold-out show, reflects the ticket corruption in the country, defeating the whole purpose of Rodrigo’s Silver Star Show.
READ: What are the ‘Silver Star Tickets’ for Olivia Rodrigo’s upcoming Manila show?
“Ticket corruption in the Philippines is absolutely disgusting. The purpose of the silver star show is for tickets to be affordable enough for more people to afford & for Liv’s fundraising,” an X user said.
“I’d actually be so upset if I see celebrities, rich people and nepo babies on the VIP standing pit because there’s just no way. And the whole point of the tix being sold at random sections is to give everyone a chance istgmb8,” another X user exasperated.