Choosing a ticketing platform for music events in the UK is about more than just selling tickets. Promoters need fast scanning at the door, easy box office management, and -- ideally -- a platform that doesn't take a large slice of already-thin margins. Here's how the main options compare for music events specifically.
What music promoters need from a ticketing platform
Music events have specific requirements that differ from corporate events or charity fundraisers:
- Fast door scanning -- When 300 people arrive in a 20-minute window before doors close, your scanning system needs to be fast and reliable, even with poor mobile signal.
- Multiple ticket tiers -- Early bird, standard, VIP, guest list, and comp tickets are all common in music. Your platform needs to handle these without confusion.
- Box office integration -- Some venues sell tickets at their own box office. The platform should support manual ticket allocation without creating duplicates.
- Promoter-friendly payouts -- Music promoters often need cash flow before the event to pay deposits on venues, sound engineers, and artists. Platforms that hold funds until after the event can cause problems.
- Genre-appropriate audience -- Some platforms have built-in audiences that skew towards certain genres. This matters if you're relying on platform discovery.
Platform comparison for music events
Tickts
Tickts charges no booking fees at all. Ticket revenue goes directly to the promoter's Stripe account, which means instant access to funds. The platform supports multiple ticket tiers, promo codes, and QR scanning via a dedicated mobile app. For independent promoters and grassroots venues running regular gig nights, the zero-fee model means more money stays in the music ecosystem. The trade-off is that Tickts doesn't have the built-in discovery audience that larger platforms offer, so you'll need to drive your own traffic.
Skiddle
Skiddle is arguably the most music-focused ticketing platform in the UK. It has a large built-in audience, particularly for dance music, club nights, and festivals. The platform charges approximately £1.10 per ticket as a booking fee passed to the buyer. For promoters, Skiddle's event discovery and recommendation engine can genuinely drive ticket sales, especially for nightlife events. The platform also handles guest lists and promoter rep tracking well. If your event fits Skiddle's core audience -- electronic music, indie, club nights -- it's worth serious consideration.
DICE
DICE has built a strong reputation in the live music space, particularly in London. All tickets are mobile-only and non-transferable, which eliminates touting. DICE charges fees but absorbs them into the ticket price, so the buyer sees one clean number. The platform curates its listings, so not every event will be accepted. For promoters who get listed, DICE's audience is engaged and music-savvy. The downside is less control -- you can't easily export customer data, and the platform's curation process means it's not available to everyone.
Eventbrite
Eventbrite works for music events but isn't designed specifically for them. The fees (6.95% + 59p per ticket) are significant for music promoters operating on tight margins. However, Eventbrite's reach is enormous, and its SEO presence means your event page will likely rank well in Google. For genre-diverse events or events in areas where the specialist platforms have less reach, Eventbrite is a reliable choice.
WeGotTickets
WeGotTickets has deep roots in the UK grassroots music scene. Many independent venues have used it for years. The 10% commission is high, but the platform is trusted by both venues and fans. It's particularly strong for folk, acoustic, and small venue shows. The interface is functional rather than slick, but it gets the job done.
Fatsoma
Fatsoma targets the student and nightlife market. It offers team selling features where promoter reps get unique links and can track their sales. Fees are competitive, typically around 5-7%. For university town events and club nights aimed at younger audiences, Fatsoma's social features can be effective at driving word-of-mouth sales.
Key considerations for music promoters
Before choosing a platform, ask yourself these questions:
- Do you already have an audience? If you can sell tickets through your own channels, a zero-fee platform maximises your revenue. If you need help finding an audience, a platform with discovery features may be worth the higher fees.
- What genre are you promoting? Skiddle is strong for dance and electronic. DICE is strong for indie and alternative in major cities. WeGotTickets is strong for folk and acoustic. Match the platform to the audience.
- How often do you run events? If you promote weekly, even small per-ticket fees compound into significant amounts. A zero-fee model saves you thousands over a year of regular events.
- Do you need customer data? Some platforms share full customer data. Others restrict it. If you're building a mailing list for future events, this matters enormously.
The UK music ticketing landscape offers genuine choice. Take the time to run the numbers for your specific event size, ticket price, and promotional capacity. The right platform for a 50-capacity acoustic night is not the same as the right platform for a 2,000-capacity warehouse rave.
Curious how tickts compares? See our side-by-side comparison of tickts vs Skiddle: fees, payouts, and features for UK organisers.
