Live Nation news

Entrapment, disgusting employees and saying no to Adele: Rapino testifies in Live Nation lawsuit

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Live Nation • 5 min read

Entrapment, disgusting employees and saying no to Adele: Rapino testifies in Live Nation lawsuit

The Live Nation antitrust trial continues in New York, and yesterday boss man Michael Rapino took to the witness stand. He insisted that his company does not operate an unlawful monopoly, but admitted that a staff member’s Slack post calling ticket buyers “stupid” was “disgusting”…

Chris Cooke • 20 Mar 2026

“We’re robbing them blind, baby!” ticketing exec takes to the witness stand in Live Nation antitrust trial

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Live Nation • 2 min read

“We’re robbing them blind, baby!” ticketing exec takes to the witness stand in Live Nation antitrust trial

The Live Nation antitrust trial continues in New York, where more than 30 US states accuse the live music company of anticompetitive conduct. On Tuesday lawyers questioned Benjamin Baker, the Live Nation ticketing exec who once said of ticket buyers in a Slack post, “we’re robbing them blind, baby!”…

Chris Cooke • 19 Mar 2026

DoJ’s Live Nation settlement “proof Trump Administration cannot be trusted to protect American consumers”, says new Senate report on Ticketmaster

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Live Nation • 3 min read

DoJ’s Live Nation settlement “proof Trump Administration cannot be trusted to protect American consumers”, says new Senate report on Ticketmaster

US senator Richard Blumenthal has slammed the settlement reached between Live Nation and the US DoJ, insisting that it won’t address any of the competition issues raised. In a new report, he urges the US states still pursuing an antitrust case to push for a break-up of Live Nation and Ticketmaster…

Chris Cooke • 17 Mar 2026

“Robbing them blind, baby - that’s how we do it”, boast Live Nation execs about “so stupid” ticket-buyers

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Live Nation • 3 min read

“Robbing them blind, baby - that’s how we do it”, boast Live Nation execs about “so stupid” ticket-buyers

The Live Nation antitrust trial may be on hold after it reached a settlement with the US Department Of Justice, but that didn’t stop the release of court papers that include messages between Live Nation execs bragging and joking about randomly hiking up ancillary fees at amphitheater venues…

Chris Cooke • 13 Mar 2026

Live Nation antitrust trial judge says individual US states should seek direct settlement with live music giant

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Live Nation • 3 min read

Live Nation antitrust trial judge says individual US states should seek direct settlement with live music giant

The US government settled its antitrust lawsuit with Live Nation yesterday, but 27 US states, which also accuse the live giant of anticompetitive behaviour, are not part of that deal. The judge has told the states to see if they can agree their own settlement. If not, the antitrust trial will resume…

Chris Cooke • 10 Mar 2026

Live Nation settles DoJ antitrust lawsuit - but state lawsuits may continue

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Live Nation • 3 min read

Live Nation settles DoJ antitrust lawsuit - but state lawsuits may continue

One week after the antitrust trial against Live Nation got underway, the live giant has secured an out-of-court settlement, agreeing to new restrictions on Ticketmaster and $280 million in damages. That will settle federal law claims, though some US states may continue the legal battle…

Chris Cooke • 09 Mar 2026

Taylor Swift and Barclays Center ticketing controversies prove monopolist Live Nation is damaging live music, DoJ tells jury

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Live Nation • 4 min read

Taylor Swift and Barclays Center ticketing controversies prove monopolist Live Nation is damaging live music, DoJ tells jury

The Live Nation antitrust trial got properly underway yesterday, with lawyers for the US Department Of Justice and the live giant - both called Dave - delivering their opening statements. Ticketing dramas involving Taylor Swift and New York’s Barclays Center were a key part of the proceedings…

Chris Cooke • 04 Mar 2026

Live Nation is an illegal monopoly and needs to be held to account, says California Attorney General as DoJ lawsuit kicks off

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Live Nation • 3 min read

Live Nation is an illegal monopoly and needs to be held to account, says California Attorney General as DoJ lawsuit kicks off

The US government’s antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation has reached the courtroom, with the live giant’s attempts to pause the trial having failed. One of the state attorney generals involved says Live Nation has illegally manipulated the market and “we look forward to holding them accountable”…

Chris Cooke • 03 Mar 2026

Judge looks set to tell Live Nation to quit dilly dallying as DoJ gears up for its day in court

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Live Nation • 3 min read

Judge looks set to tell Live Nation to quit dilly dallying as DoJ gears up for its day in court

The big US antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation is due to get to trial next week. However, Live Nation wants to delay the proceedings by appealing a recent ruling made in the case. But the judge overseeing the legal battle, Arun Subramanian, says he’s inclined to deny Live Nation’s request…

Chris Cooke • 26 Feb 2026

Why did Live Nation delete a bombastic article written by its top lawyer attacking the DOJ?

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Live Nation • 11 min read

Why did Live Nation delete a bombastic article written by its top lawyer attacking the DOJ?

Live Nation’s top lawyer Dan Wall wrote a rant about the DoJ’s big antitrust lawsuit against the company last week. It was published on Live Nation’s investor portal, only to be yanked down shortly after. Live Nation didn’t want people to see it - but why?…

Sam Taylor • 24 Feb 2026

Judge says he won’t throw out Live Nation antitrust lawsuit - but will trim US government’s claims

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Live Nation • 3 min read

Judge says he won’t throw out Live Nation antitrust lawsuit - but will trim US government’s claims

The US judge overseeing the big antitrust litigation against Live Nation and Ticketmaster has declined to dismiss the case, though he has trimmed down the lawsuit, removing some of the legal claims in it. It now goes to trial next month, unless Live Nation can agree an out-of-court settlement first…

Chris Cooke • 19 Feb 2026

Will the US states keep up antitrust pressure on Live Nation if live giant’s MAGA mates force DoJ to settle?

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Live Nation • 2 min read

Will the US states keep up antitrust pressure on Live Nation if live giant’s MAGA mates force DoJ to settle?

Amid speculation that the US DoJ will settle its antitrust lawsuit with Live Nation, the state-level attorneys general also involved in the case will meet this week. If the DoJ does settle under pressure from Live Nation’s MAGA mates, the live giant’s critics hope state-level action will continue…

Chris Cooke • 18 Feb 2026