The controversial practice of bands charging fans to attend ‘meet-and-greet’ sessions has come under fire, with several prominent UK musicians deriding the concept as extortionate, greedy and unnecessary.

A Daily Mail article last year lambasted several high profile pop acts for charging extortionate prices for fans to meet them, with Justin Bieber, One Direction, Madonna and Beyonce (who supposedly has a strict ‘no hugging’ policy) among the named culprits. Typical indulgent diva behaviour then, but surely ‘real bands’ would never do such a thing?

It seems that at least some of them would, as last month post-punk act 30 Seconds To Mars came under fierce criticism for supposedly charging fans up to £575 for the opportunity to meet them. US rockers Hawthorne Heights have also been named and shamed for offering fans the opportunity to spend time with them on their upcoming tour – for a £100 price tag.

Talking to NME, Ben Jonhston, drummer for Biffy Clyro called the practice, ‘absolutely appalling’, claiming that talking with fans was ‘just part of the job’ and adding, ‘What’s five minutes to shake someones hand?’

Among the other detractors are folk-punk artist Frank Turner, who said that he felt uncomfortable with the idea of making his time a commodity, with White Lies members stating that the practice was ‘like prostitution’.

Arguments made by some industry professionals state that, since digital piracy has minimalized artists income from record sales, other means of revenue have to be explored. And while it’s easy to profess a desire to simply chat to anyone after a show, this surely becomes complicated for any band with more than a very small group of fans.

That said, there seems to be a time honoured way to deal with this – offer meet-and-greet passes for free in competitions, or simply allocate a time slot at a signing tent – a growing concept at festivals – and the fans who get there first get to meet the band. Can paying £200+ to shake someone’s hand and tell them you loved their last album really be dressed as anything but extortion?