Lekzy DeComic Says He Gave Out Free Tickets to Prevent Empty Seats at His Show

Ghanaian stand-up comedian Lekzy DeComic has candidly admitted that he and other event organisers sometimes distribute large numbers of complimentary tickets to fill up venues—especially when attendance falls short of expectations.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z with Kwame Dadzie, Lekzy revealed that the decision to give away tickets is often driven by the need to maintain the appearance of a full house, particularly when the event is being filmed for television or commercial purposes. According to him, visuals of a sparsely attended auditorium simply won’t do.

“Yes, it has happened before. If you are shooting the event for television, or for other commercial reasons, you can’t shoot an event in a half-empty auditorium. You still have to fill up,” he explained.

Citing a real-life example, Lekzy recalled preparations for OB Amponsah’s comedy show at the Bukom Boxing Arena. Just two days before the event, ticket sales were disappointing, and the team decided to distribute free tickets in order to ensure the venue appeared full on the day.

“When we checked ticket sales two days to the event, it wasn’t encouraging. So we had to find a way to give some of the tickets out,” he said. “People had bought tickets, but not as much as we expected.”

Lekzy also addressed the hidden costs of media promotion, noting that complimentary tickets are frequently demanded by television and radio production teams during promotional tours. These requests, he said, quickly add up.

“If I’m doing interviews at 10 television stations and 10 radio stations, each production team will likely ask for tickets. Just those media rounds can take up about 50 tickets. Those are seats I could have sold,” he explained. “But when you consider the airtime they’re giving me, it’s fair—they’re also offering something of value.”

Beyond media-related giveaways, Lekzy pointed out that free tickets are often extended to sponsors, friends, and family. He suggested this is one reason many organisers claim losses, even when events appear to be sold out or “packed to capacity.”

“There are so many tickets you have to give away—media, sponsors, friends, family. At the end of the day, even with a full house, the financial outcome might not reflect what people assume,” he said.

Lekzy’s remarks shed light on a common but rarely discussed reality within Ghana’s live event and entertainment industry. While full venues project success, the behind-the-scenes economics often tell a different story. His honest revelations underscore the delicate balance artists and promoters must maintain between perception, promotion, and profitability.