Crosstown Concerts and See Tickets Try Out Proposed Unique Ticket Numbers

Tickets for the upcoming 30th anniversary concert series by the Pixies at London’s Roundhouse will carry a unique ticket number (UTN), as suggested in the latest UK consumer law update.

Joel Ryan / Invision / AP – Pixies
Joey Santiago and Black Francis of Pixies perform at the British Summertime Festival in London’s Hyde Park July 6.

The Pixies are playing five nights at the Roundhouse in London Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, promoted by Crosstown Concerts and ticketed by See Tickets. Both companies claim the gigs are the first use of unique ticket numbers, as proposed by the UK government earlier this year.

Crosstown Concerts’ Paul Hutton said, “The Pixies are used to being trailblazers on the music scene and are keen to protect their fans. The Pixies have clearly stated on See’s website that they have undertaken the UTNs to protect their fans from being ripped-off from unfair and misleading practices in the secondary market and tickets stay in the hands of their fans. Crosstown is really happy that See and the Roundhouse are so receptive to this approach.”

See Tickets CEO Rob Wilmshurst said, “We are proud to help the Pixies protect their fans through the implementation of UTNs. We are open to using any initiatives to combat touting.”

While the Pixies have appointed Twickets as the official reseller for the concerts, tickets have unsurprisingly already appeared on Viagogo. Since Crosstown and See chose to give each ticket a unique number, resellers need to provide that number as well, so buyers can identity their seats. Tickets currently on Viagogo only show the row but no seat or UTN number.