A recent study focusing on the live music sector has urged an inquiry into potential market dominance by Live Nation, a prominent ticketing company. According to the Business and Trade Committee, Live Nation held a direct stake in 58% of the 23.1 million tickets sold last year, with this figure rising to 66% when considering sales controlled by its affiliated entities. Concerns were also raised about the lack of support for grassroots sectors through an industry-led levy on arena and stadium tickets.
Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, rebutted the report’s findings, alleging that it misrepresents the UK live music industry by relying on flawed data and unfounded conclusions. The committee expressed unease over the anonymity of many sources providing evidence, leading them to call for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to initiate a fresh investigation. This development follows a previous CMA probe into Ticketmaster’s ticket sales tactics for an Oasis concert in 2024.
Committee chair Liam Byrne highlighted the committee’s concerns about Live Nation’s substantial market presence and the atmosphere of fear encountered during the inquiry. He emphasized the need for fair competition within the industry to benefit fans, artists, venues, and independent promoters. The call for a comprehensive market investigation by the CMA was echoed by Mr. Byrne, underscoring the importance of ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders.
Government officials emphasized the need for transparency in ticket pricing to ensure fairness for consumers, artists, and businesses, with the CMA empowered to take action against any breaches of competition and consumer laws. The CMA, in response to the committee’s report, pledged to carefully consider the findings and relevant developments to determine the next steps, potentially undertaking further market analysis in the sector.
In a statement, a Live Nation UK spokesperson dismissed the report’s conclusions, stating that the company competes vigorously in a challenging market for tours, venues, and artists. They expressed willingness to engage constructively in processes benefiting the industry but stressed the importance of evidence-based discussions rather than unfounded allegations.
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