Radiohead link up with 'ethical' ticket exchange

Radiohead are currently on tour in the US

Radiohead have linked up with a site which allows fans to sell tickets for their forthcoming UK tour to other fans at face value.

The band said tickets sold via their fanclub will be exchangeable via theTicket Trustif a fan can no longer go.

It follows a Channel 4 documentary highlighting gig promoters selling tickets on secondary ticketing websites for inflated prices.

Radiohead's management said: "Secondary ticketing is wrong on so many levels."

In a statement, they added "the band's enjoyment of their own shows has been marred by the knowledge that a great many of their fans have been obliged to pay well over face value for their tickets".

Fans will be limited to purchasing two ticketsvia the fanclub, with names registered, and photo ID required for entry, "to ensure fans are treated fairly".

Tickets will still be available to buy from other ticketing websites.

Band reaction

On last week'sDispatches on Channel 4, fans were shown complaining that tickets were resold at higher prices on secondary ticketing websites within minutes of events selling out.

The documentary claimed promoters, including Live Nation and SJM, had allocated large numbers of tickets to sites such as Viagogo rather than making them directly available to the public.

Viagogo defended the practice and said it "doesn't discriminate" over who sells tickets on its site, as long as the tickets are legitimate.

The Concert Promoters Association (CPA) which represents promoters, including Live Nation and SJM, said it was necessary to combat touts selling fake tickets and to ensure "that some of the tickets available in the secondary are actually genuine ones".

But speaking toBBC Newsbeatat the NME awards on Wednesday, bands largely condemned ticket prices being inflated by secondary sellers.

Northern Irish band Two Door Cinema Club said: "You're taking money from the people who keep you in this business and keep you ticking over day to day, buy your records and actually come to your shows."

However the Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson was less critical: "If you want me to play for you, I'll play for you. I don't know the details about how the tickets get into your hand."

Joining Radiohead in supporting the Ticket Trust are The Eden Sessions in Cornwall, the Secret Garden Party, and artists including Elbow.