Photo credit: Brett Sayles
The UK House of Commons Business and Trade Select Committee has published a landmark report calling on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate Live Nation. The report concludes that the entertainment giant meets the threshold for market dominance across multiple sectors of the UK’s live music supply chain, including promotion, venues, and ticketing.
Committee Chair Liam Byrne MP expressed particular alarm over a “climate of fear” in the industry, noting that many respondents requested anonymity for fear of reprisals. The report argues that Live Nation’s vertical integration makes it difficult for independent promoters and rivals to compete fairly, potentially locking consumers and suppliers into a single ecosystem.
Live Nation has hit back at the findings, stating that the report “misrepresents” the industry using “inaccurate data.” While the company maintains it operates in an “incredibly competitive market,” the committee has requested a full investigation be launched before the end of the year to ensure a fair deal for fans and artists.
