On Saturday, September 14, 2024, fans of American singer-songwriter and actress Olivia Rodrigo flocked online in hopes of securing tickets to her upcoming concert in the Philippines.
The much-anticipated concert, part of Olivia's GUTS World Tour, is scheduled for October 5, at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
Filipino fans were both surprised and thrilled to learn that ticket prices for the concert were uniformly set at an affordable PHP1,500, inclusive of taxes and fees.
Moreover, proceeds from the ticket sales will go to Fund 4 Good, a non-profit organization, backed by Olivia herself, that aims to "build an equitable and just future for all women, girls, and people seeking reproductive health freedom."
Ticket prices for both local and international acts, particularly those of popular contemporary artists, have frequently sparked debate among netizens, many of whom feel that prices have soared in the post-pandemic era.
FANS CAME IN DROVES TO BUY TICKETS
As expected, fans flocked in droves the moment ticket sales opened online.
24 Oras Weekend reported on Saturday evening that 700,000 users waited in queue online to purchase tickets.
On Sunday, September 15, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their ticket-buying experiences.
Some happily announced securing tickets to the concert, while others questioned whether the tickets had sold out or if the system was glitching, as they encountered difficulties completing their purchases.
Meanwhile, some netizens have posted extra tickets for sale, with some offering them at the original retail price, while others have avoided listing prices and are asking potential buyers to send direct messages for more information.
Another round of ticket sales will open on September 29, allowing fans to purchase tickets over the counter at SM Tickets outlets.
OLIVIA RODRIGO: THE HITMAKER
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter had her first hit single in 2021 with the song, "Drivers License."
She has released two albums to date, Sour (2021) and Guts (2023), both under Geffen Records.
Olivia Rodrigo has won three Grammy Awards and seven Billboard Music Awards, among other accolades.
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Born in California, Olivia has Filipino heritage and is well-versed in Philippine traditions and practices.
Olivia's great-grandfather immigrated to the United States from the Philippines as a teenager.
"My dad grew up in a house where they were always making Filipino food, his grandpa always spoke Tagalog. All of those traditions have trickled down to our generation. Every Thanksgiving, we have lumpia, and things like that," she said in a 2018 interview with the Center for Asian American Media.