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Statement Regarding Department of Justice Antitrust Lawsuit Against Live Nation

Posted on by darion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For media inquiries, please contact: Reggie Rucker, ILSR Director of Communications

ILSR applauds the Department of Justice’s decision to “finally end Live Nation’s control over the live music industry.”

WASHINGTON (May 23 2024) – Ron Knox, senior researcher and writer at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), made the following statement in connection with today’s announcement of the U.S. Department of Justice’s federal antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation:

“We applaud the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s decision to finally end Live Nation’s control over the live music industry. The Department of Justice’s case regarding the division of Live Nation has been ongoing for a long time. Since it was allowed to merge with Ticketmaster a dozen years ago, Live Nation has used its control over artist management, tours, venues and ticket sales to steal from concertgoers, manipulate artists, undermine independent venues and exclude competing ticketing companies. Live Nation’s multi-faceted monopoly has done untold damage to the music industry, which is the primary source of money for most bands and artists today. Even megastars like Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen are subject to its dictates.

“Independent properties were particularly susceptible to Live Nation’s monopolistic tactics. The company has documented history forcing small, independent venues to use Ticketmaster or risk having to forgo lucrative tours by artists represented by Live Nation – exactly the type of abuse the Justice Department seeks to put an end to in this lawsuit. Independent concert venues deserve the right to use any ticketing service they choose without having to be blacklisted by Live Nation artists and tours. By ending these monopolistic abuses, the Department of Justice will open the door to competitive ticketing services that respect artists and independent venues and provide a better fan experience.

“While the court will ultimately decide how best to address Live Nation’s monopoly power, we believe that breaking up and separating Live Nation’s distinct business lines is the best solution that will allow venues, artists and fans to truly benefit from competition in the industry. “

Additional resources from Ron Knox on corporate concentration in the music industry:

  • “Big music needs to be broken up to save the industry.” Wire
  • “Radicalizing the Swifts – Step 1: Turn angry Taylor Swift fans into antitrust hipsters. Step 2: Break up with Ticketmaster”, Slate

Ron has appeared on CBC, KEXP’s Sound and Vision, WBEZ’s Sound Opinions, WNYC and others discussing monopoly power in the music industry and, in particular, the dominance of Live Nation.

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