Opinion piece
‘Together, together’? More like ‘overdraft, overdraft’
(Image: Getty Images)
By Aubyn Rodgers | January 2026
Twelve shows at Wembley Stadium and tickets are still outrageously priced. For something meant to bring fans together, the cost feels more like a financial burden than a celebration.
Growing up as a One Direction fan, concerts were never cheap. But since the band went on hiatus in 2015 and its members began releasing music separately, prices have climbed even higher. Now, seeing Harry Styles charge nearly £725 for Kiss and Disco Pit tickets takes things to a new extreme. At that point, it feels less about music and more about exclusivity.
Even his former bandmate, Zayn, took a dig at the high-ticket prices following the release of the Together, Together tour tickets. At one of his own shows in Las Vegas, he said, “Could’ve been anywhere but you decided to see spend your night with me,” before pausing and adding, “Hopefully the ticket prices weren’t too high.”
For that amount, you would expect more than a £1 levy towards grassroots venues. As a loyal fan who hasn’t missed a single tour since the start of his solo career, even £145 for rear standing tickets felt steep, especially when I paid the same price to be front row at an Oasis reunion concert.
Stadium tours are increasingly becoming luxury experiences for the wealthy rather than accessible events for lower-income fans who helped build and support these artists’ careers. For younger fans, particularly those following Harry Styles, funding a tour at these prices is simply unrealistic. Many of his fans who grew up with One Direction are now navigating rising rent, student loans, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Fans spend years following, collecting albums, learning lyrics, and waiting for the chance to see their favourite artists live. From my own perspective, it feels as if all that support isn’t valued when a ticket to see Harry Styles costs almost a grand. The prices for the Together, Together tour are nearly double what I paid for his previous tour, where I saw him in the same section for less than £100.
At £725 a ticket, you could cover over a month’s rent, several weeks of groceries, or even buy a plane ticket to another country. And that is just the face value from Ticketmaster. The secondary market is far worse, with sites like Viagogo charging double or triple the original price. Concerts that are meant to be shared experiences are turning into financial challenges.
Music should unite, not divide by income. The ‘Together, Together’ tour title feels ironic when so many loyal fans are effectively excluded. Until artists, promoters, and venues consider affordability, stadium tours will remain a privilege rather than a celebration. Fans deserve access, not overdraft, overdraft.
News piece
Harry Styles Faces Backlash Over £725 Wembley Tickets for ‘Together, Together’ Tour
(Image: Harry Styles)
By Aubyn Rodgers | January 2026
Harry Styles returns back to the stage for the first time since July 2023.
Fans have flooded social media following the announcement of Harry Styles’ Together, Together tour, with Disco and Kiss pit tickets at Wembley Stadium priced at nearly £725. Despite the high cost, shows are selling quickly, reflecting the strong demand for the pop star’s upcoming performances. Styles, who took a two-year break from touring and creating music, described the hiatus as necessary. His long-awaited return has caused excitement among fans online, which may be helping drive the high demand for tickets.
Styles has announced twelve shows at Wembley Stadium as part of the tour. The ticket prices for Kiss and Disco Pit sections are significantly higher than his previous solo tours, where similar sections were available for just over £100. Fans have expressed frustration over the cost, with one posting on X, “Idc how much u love Harry Styles the ticket prices are insane.”
Stadium tours include booking fees, processing charges, and taxes, but some fans feel these costs do not fully justify the high-ticket prices. Comparisons with other major artists performing at Wembley show lower pricing: Coldplay’s 2025–2026 tour, for example, is priced between £57 and £195, far below the £725 for some of Styles’ premium tickets.
Large-scale productions require substantial funding to cover crew, sound and lighting, catering, musicians, backing dancers, transport, tour management, and other production costs. Despite the high prices, demand for the Together, Together tour remains strong. Ticketmaster reported that the tour generated the largest number of artist presale registrations ever seen for a residency run.
Similar situations have occurred with other high-profile tours. During Oasis’ reunion tour, dynamic pricing led some fans to pay up to £1,000, with basic tickets rebranded as “in-demand” and resold at double or triple the original price. Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour also saw VIP tickets exceed £700, creating discussion about accessibility and affordability in live music.
Despite the high prices, the Together, Together tour is selling out quickly, with fans purchasing tickets costing hundreds of pounds and, in some cases, attending multiple shows.
Live review
Review: The Vaccines live in Leeds: 10 years of What Did You Expect?
(Image: The Vaccines)
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
By Aubyn Rodgers | 11th March 2026
On the 9th of March 2026, The Vaccines returned to the stage as part of the 15-year anniversary tour for their debut album What Did You Expect from the Vaccines? delivering a nostalgic yet electric performance that celebrated the band’s journey since their debut. A large, illuminated sign reading “The Vaccines” hung above the stage, setting the tone for a night dedicated to the band’s legacy and the music that first launched their career.
The band took to the stage wearing sunglasses to loud applause from fans before launching straight into songs from their debut album. Opening with the record that started it all felt fitting for an anniversary show, and fans immediately responded by shouting every lyric back at the stage. The energy in the room was undeniable from the very first note, as longtime followers relived the songs that first established the band within the indie scene.
The setlist moved into a collection of the band’s greatest hits, each sung with just as much excitement as the last. One of the standout moments of the night came with the tour debut of “The Dreamer”, a track from their latest album and a surprise addition to the setlist. Throughout the night, Justin Young, the band’s lead singer, led the crowd effortlessly, encouraging fans to sing along while dancing across the stage.
After an energetic set, the band briefly left the stage to loud applause before returning for the encore. The highlight of this final section was a deep cut from the B-sides of their debut album, “We’re Happening”.
Before closing the night, Justin paused to address the audience, thanking fans for sticking with the band for the last 15 years. He ended with a hopeful message: “I believe our best is yet to come.” With that, the band launched into a brand-new song titled “Ten Years Too Far”, giving fans a glimpse into their next record. He also announced that the band had finished writing the upcoming album.
Blending nostalgia from their debut with fresh material, the show proved that even 15 years later, The Vaccines remain capable of capturing the same excitement that first drew fans to them. And if their final words of the night are anything to go by, the band is far from finished.
Interview
Matilda Grace on the struggles of being an independent artist and her upcoming music
By Aubyn Rodgers | 31st March 2026
Speaking during a Zoom call on 31 March 2026, Matilda Grace describes the release of her latest single as a defining moment. “I just released one of my favourite songs,” she says. “So, I am feeling very excited and happy about it.” The track marks another step forward as she continues to develop her identity as an artist.
Rising pop rock artist Matilda Grace builds her music around honesty. “All my lyrics are incredibly honest and raw,” she says, describing a songwriting process that often feels closer to confession than composition. “I try not to filter what I write… it is the best way to connect with people.”
Based in London, her sound blends pop with a rock edge and is often compared to artists such as Lily Allen, Olivia Rodrigo and Blondie. Her music moves between sharp, catchy tracks and more emotional, stripped back moments, with a clear focus on honest, unfiltered lyricism.
Her inspiration is often rooted in real life experiences. Early tracks were taken from personal journals, with her first single written using entries from an old diary. At the same time, she draws from books and television, using storytelling to explore ideas outside of her own experiences. This balance between personal and imagined narratives is something she is continuing to develop in her upcoming EP.
Matilda Grace’s interest in music began in childhood when she started singing lessons. She began recording demos at 14, marking a shift from a hobby into something more serious. That early commitment quickly became routine. “I would write songs at my producer’s studio every weekend and go to school during the week,” she explains, describing the balance between education and developing her craft from a young age. She later moved to an arts focused school, and after finishing her studies, she began performing live and releasing her own material.
Her influences reflect both pop and rock. Alongside the lyricism of Lily Allen, she draws inspiration from artists such as David Bowie and Bob Dylan, as well as bands including The Killers, Green Day and The Clash. As both a drummer and a vocalist, rhythm plays an important role in how she connects with music.
Like many emerging artists, she is open about the challenges of breaking into the industry. Building an audience requires constant effort, particularly across social media, where metrics such as views and streams are difficult to ignore. She discusses the emotional impact of the industry. “The highs are very high, but the lows are also very low,” she says, highlighting the importance of staying grounded while continuing to pursue long-term goals.
Beyond writing and performing, much of her work happens behind the scenes. From organising shoots and planning releases to managing promotion and coordinating live shows, the role of an independent artist extends far beyond music. Maintaining consistency while balancing these responsibilities remains one of the biggest challenges at this stage in her career. This level of independence also means constantly thinking ahead. “You have to be two months ahead at all times,” she explains, outlining the level of planning required behind the scenes of each release.
Live performance, however, remains a key highlight. Her first gig, opening for a friend, was an introduction to performing, which she describes as “the perfect gig to rip off the band aid,” while her first headline shows with a full band marked a significant step forward. Supported by friends and family, these moments have become an important part of her journey as an artist.
Looking ahead, she is preparing to release her debut EP, with a focus on building a project that combines music, visuals and identity. She describes each release as part of a wider body of work, with multiple EPs already planned over the next year.
When it comes to future collaborations, she points to Bruno Mars as a dream choice, citing his songwriting and production as a major influence.
With a growing catalogue of music and a clear creative direction, Matilda Grace is already establishing herself as an artist to watch.
Appendix
