Tickets for five Arcade Fire shows in London next year went on sale last week and sold out in a matter of minutes. As you’d probably expect, tickets were available on Ebay not long after that. What you might not expect is the fervent response from the band themselves, who have urged fans not to buy tickets from touts, saying that they will try to find ways for fans to get hold of tickets legitimately and at reasonable prices.

The Arcade Fire say that more tickets will be released for the shows, and where possible tickets on sale via Ebay will be cancelled. Also, if necessary, the band say they will stage an extra concert to meet demand.

A statement from the band reads: “Due to the overwhelming demand for The Arcade Fire London shows, we would like to advise fans that we will be releasing some tickets for sale prior to doors opening for each London show. There will also be extra shows announced soon giving more people the opportunity to see the band perform. Please don’t encourage the touts. Wherever we have email addresses and ticket numbers for sellers we will cancel the tickets and put them back up for sale on show day. Please don’t buy from them and risk your tickets being cancelled.”