Live music industry news

Live Nation could be facing antitrust lawsuit from US government as soon as next month

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Live Nation • 2 min read

Live Nation could be facing antitrust lawsuit from US government as soon as next month

The market dominance of Live Nation and Ticketmaster - already in the spotlight in American political circles - could also be scrutinised in court with the news that the US Department Of Justice is planning on filing an antitrust lawsuit against the live giant, maybe as soon as next month…

Chris Cooke • 16 Apr 2024

Endeavor shareholders goes legal over proposed $13 billion deal to take the business private

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WME • 1 min read

Endeavor shareholders goes legal over proposed $13 billion deal to take the business private

Earlier this month the owner of the WME talent agency, Endeavor Group Holdings, announced a plan to delist from the New York Stock Exchange via a deal led by its biggest shareholder Silver Lake Capital. However, another investor is now seeking to block that plan through the US courts…

Chris Cooke • 16 Apr 2024

Viagogo boss does the UK media rounds, insists touting price cap won't work

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Viagogo • 4 min read

Viagogo boss does the UK media rounds, insists touting price cap won't work

The boss of Viagogo spoke to UK media last week insisting that the Labour Party’s plan to introduce a price cap on ticket touting won’t work. It won’t work for Viagogo, of course, but Cris Miller argues it will also result in an increase in ticket fraud, a claim anti-touting campaign FanFair denies…

Chris Cooke • 15 Apr 2024

Superstruct owner could start taking bids for the company this month

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Superstruct Entertainment • 1 min read

Superstruct owner could start taking bids for the company this month

Superstruct, which operates festivals including Sonar, Benicàssim, Bluedot and Boardmasters, is up for sale - with current owner Providence reportedly getting ready to take bids for the company. Investment funds Blackstone, CVC, KKR and EQT could be among those who make a bid…

Chris Cooke • 12 Apr 2024

Live Nation sued over shooting at 2023 Beyond Wonderland festival

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Live Nation • 1 min read

Live Nation sued over shooting at 2023 Beyond Wonderland festival

A lawsuit has been filed in relation to a shooting that occurred at the US music festival Beyond Wonderland last summer. Families of two festival-goers who were killed in the shooting incident accuse promoters Live Nation and Insomniac of having lax security protocols at the festival…

Chris Cooke • 12 Apr 2024

Live Nation boss to sit for deposition in Astroworld litigation

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Live Nation • 3 min read

Live Nation boss to sit for deposition in Astroworld litigation

Lawyers involved in the lawsuits filed following the Astroworld tragedy in 2021 have been trying to force the boss of promoter Live Nation to sit for a deposition and answer questions under oath. Despite push back from the live giant, a judge has now ordered for that deposition to take place…

Chris Cooke • 08 Apr 2024

Coachella secures preliminary injunction against Moechella festival

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Coachella • 2 min read

Coachella secures preliminary injunction against Moechella festival

Coachella owner Goldenvoice has convinced a judge to hand out a preliminary injunction blocking the use of the name Moechella by a Washington DC-based festival. The company originally sued in early 2023, but last month argued that the infringement of its trademark had only increased since then…

Andy Malt • 08 Apr 2024

An unexpected late night is not a “cognizable injury”, says Madonna in response to lawsuit over her slack timekeeping

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Madonna • 2 min read

An unexpected late night is not a “cognizable injury”, says Madonna in response to lawsuit over her slack timekeeping

Madonna and Live Nation have told a court that any reasonable concertgoer knows that when a show officially starts at 8.30pm that doesn’t mean they should expect the headline act on stage at that time. This is in response to a lawsuit filed over a late start at a Madonna show in New York last year…

Chris Cooke • 05 Apr 2024

NTIA clarifies minimum wage statement: “we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring fair wages for workers within the industry”

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NTIA • 3 min read

NTIA clarifies minimum wage statement: “we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring fair wages for workers within the industry”

The NTIA has again called for more government support for the night-time sector, stating that any benefit from the recent extension of business rates relief will be absorbed by the increase in the minimum wage that went into effect this week, meaning further support is required…

Chris Cooke • 04 Apr 2024

Vivendi announces deal to sell See Tickets to Eventim

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See Tickets • 1 min read

Vivendi announces deal to sell See Tickets to Eventim

CTS Eventim is buying the live music assets of Vivendi, which includes ticketing company See Tickets. Confirming that a provisional deal had been agreed, Eventim boss Klaus-Peter Schulenberg said that the acquisition “supports our internationalisation strategy”…

Chris Cooke • 03 Apr 2024

New guide published on best practice crowd management

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Live industry news including ticketing, venues, festivals and more • 1 min read

New guide published on best practice crowd management

A new guide has been published on best practice crowd management aimed at venues and other hospitality businesses with capacities below 5000. It has been produced "in response to several high-profile incidents resulting in loss of life or serious injury"…

Chris Cooke • 02 Apr 2024

Setlist Podcast: Make big shows fund grassroots music, politicians told

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Setlist • 3 min read

Setlist Podcast: Make big shows fund grassroots music, politicians told

UK politicians hear possible solutions to the grassroots venues crisis, Nirvana logo dispute back in court…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 29 Mar 2024