A recent study on the live music sector has urged an inquiry into potential market dominance by Live Nation, a major ticketing company. According to the Business and Trade Committee, Live Nation had direct control over 58% of the 23.1 million tickets sold last year, which increased to 66% when sales managed by its affiliates were considered. Concerns were also raised about the low adoption of an industry levy on arena and stadium tickets to support grassroots music.
Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, criticized the report, stating it misrepresented the UK live music industry by relying on inaccurate data and unfounded conclusions. The committee highlighted that many individuals who provided evidence for the report did so anonymously, prompting MPs to call for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to initiate a new investigation. This follows a previous CMA probe into Ticketmaster’s sale of Oasis tickets in 2024, which revealed discrepancies in ticket pricing disclosure.
Committee chair Liam Byrne expressed alarm over Live Nation’s significant market presence across promotion, venues, and ticketing. He emphasized concerns about a climate of fear among industry participants, leading to anonymity requests during the inquiry. The report raised questions about fair competition in the live music industry, impacting fans, artists, venues, and independent promoters.
Mr. Byrne called for a comprehensive market investigation by the CMA to ensure fairness for consumers, artists, and independent businesses. Government and CMA officials affirmed their commitment to transparency and fair competition in ticketing practices. Live Nation UK maintained that the industry debate should be grounded in evidence, emphasizing their willingness to engage in constructive processes benefiting artists, fans, and the overall industry.