After ‘AI bots’ swamp Raye’s London show sign-up, Sam Fender delays UK homecoming presale over ‘sophisticated bot attack’
Sam Fender delayed the presale for his two Newcastle homecoming shows after promoters reported a “sophisticated bot attack” on ticketing site Gigantic. The disruption is part of a wider run of bot-related problems at major concert sales, raising concerns about whether genuine fans can access tickets fairly.
The Newcastle presale, originally scheduled for 9.30am on Wednesday 28 October, was moved to the same time on Thursday, ahead of general sale the following day. A “very limited number” of fans bought tickets before the site crashed, and those tickets will be honoured; presales for the rest of Fender’s tour went ahead on other platforms. Separately, Garth Brooks cancelled a Kansas City matinee after his team said most of more than 90,000 people in its queue were bots, while earlier this month Raye reported bots swamping sign-ups for her Royal Albert Hall show.
In short
- Sam Fender moved the Newcastle presale after a bot attack on Gigantic.
- Tickets bought before the site crashed will be honoured.
- Garth Brooks also cancelled a show after bot activity disrupted sales.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Delaying the Newcastle presale gives the promoter time to protect the sale from automated buyers and offer genuine fans a fairer chance at tickets. With the site reportedly overwhelmed and only a very limited number sold, restarting it may be more reliable than proceeding under conditions that could skew access.
The case against
A delay disrupts fans who planned around the announced sale and leaves them uncertain about whether they will secure tickets. Since presales for the rest of the tour proceeded on other platforms, critics could reasonably ask whether postponing this one sale is the fairest response, or whether stronger bot controls and clearer communication could have kept it on schedule.
Explained simply
Presales give selected fans an early chance to buy tickets before general sale, often through a promoter or ticketing website. High demand for popular concerts can attract automated programmes, known as bots, which can enter queues or sign-up forms much faster than people.
Sam Fender is a singer from Newcastle, and the two shows are part of his return to play in his home city. Ticketing sites and promoters manage sales, while fans may also use separate platforms for other dates on a tour.
Bot activity has been reported at several recent concert sales, including sign-ups for Raye’s Royal Albert Hall show. The issue matters because it can make it harder for genuine fans to get tickets and has prompted questions about how sales are protected.