The Ticketmaster wars: Stressed, scared and sleep deprived

Ticketmaster was created to test our sanity. You have to be mentally, physically and emotionally geared up for the Ticketmaster “war”. In this case, I was determined to grab my well-deserved tickets for Tame Impala Deadbeat’s Tour.

When my wifi dropped out at eight AM on Friday morning, I knew I was in trouble. Not because I was destined to complete any of my uni work for the day – that wasn’t my priority of course – but because I knew the struggle ahead of me. The chances of success are slim, but the victory is always worth the sleep deprivation.

“You’re in the queue…” 

I thought I was prepared: Pre-sale codes, ready. Phone on “do not disturb”. Three browser tabs open. And a lecture that I’d completely sacked off. 

By the looks of the online chaos (and the clear reminder that there were over 2000 people ahead of me in the queue) I wasn’t the only person manifesting greatness for that morning. Thankfully the Gods were on my side because very soon the numbers had decreased – to a more manageable 447 people – where I actually felt a wave of relief knowing that these tickets were a possibility.

Within minutes, the floor tickets (the cheapest) were sold out. Then quickly followed by the mid-priced tickets. One guy on TikTok posted that he’d gained tickets (not a good sign for me) and that they were $792 for one. (Also not a good sign). So I wasn’t in the best of moods. 

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What was happening in these moments felt less like concert excitement and more like trying to get into a digital fortress guarded by bots, corporate greed, and of course the man himself, Kevin Parker. 

The Tame Impala vibe: Why we put up with this

Photo via @tameimpala Instagram

Tame Impala concerts aren’t just concerts – they’re experiences. The kind where you don’t talk much to your concert partner, mainly because you’re too busy being hypnotised by the lights or the ambience of the room. Where the strangers you’re around are all collectively singing “da da dadadada” for the beat drop in “Let It Happen”.

The music itself hits a strange emotional sweet spot for me – it’s dreamy, sad, nostalgic, hopeful. It makes you feel like you’re living inside your own memory. With all this anticipation, crossing my fingers, manifesting the night before, this Ticketmaster nonsense almost feels worth it (if I’m successful). 

This new tour – based on the upcoming Deadbeat album – is still a bit of a mystery. There’s been a few singles teased (“Loser”, “Dracula”, “End Of Summer”) and they fit the usual vibe of previous albums that they’re famous for. I’m not sure how many songs I’ll know, but I wasn’t letting anything stop me from getting my ticket.

So, was it worth it?

Absolutely. Everything fell into place when I finally secured my tickets: Seated, under £100 for two. I have my concert partner planning our coordinating outfits and booking the train and hotel to go to London for the event. 

The stress was worth the future enjoyment. When “The Less I Know The Better” finally plays and the crowd lights up like a neon campfire with strobe lights electrifying the room, I’ll remember why I fought so hard. 

Featured image via @tameimpala Instagram