Bowery Ballroom has apologised after tickets for Yo La Tengo’s annual Hanukkah benefit concerts sold out rapidly and appeared on resale sites at inflated prices. The backlash matters because the shows are charity fundraisers, leaving fans concerned that ticket touts may profit from an event intended to support good causes.

The band will play eight consecutive shows at the New York venue from 4 to 11 December. Presale tickets sold out before general sales began, while a limited number of fee-free tickets will be sold in person at Record Grouch in Brooklyn, with a limit of two per show; the venue said it was working to redistribute tickets and urged fans not to use resale sites.