Live music industry news

US Justice Department requests more information in Live Nation investigation

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Live Nation • 2 min read

US Justice Department requests more information in Live Nation investigation

Competition regulators at the US Department Of Justice continue to investigate allegations of anti-competitive conduct made against Live Nation and have reportedly sent new information requests as part of that investigation, which could still result in legal action…

Chris Cooke • 06 Feb 2024

Setlist Podcast: Universal and TikTok accuse each other of “bullying” and “greed”

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TikTok • 4 min read

Setlist Podcast: Universal and TikTok accuse each other of “bullying” and “greed”

The collapse of licensing talks between Universal Music and TikTok, UK Parliament's 'Misogyny In Music' report that calls for new legislation to end the cycle of harassment and abuse in the "boys' club" industry, and more…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 02 Feb 2024

AIF Sounds Alarm for VAT Reduction on Festival Tickets with '5% For Festivals' Campaign

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Association Of Independent Festivals • 1 min read

AIF Sounds Alarm for VAT Reduction on Festival Tickets with '5% For Festivals' Campaign

The Association Of Independent Festivals is ramping up its calls for the UK government to reduce VAT on ticket sales with a new campaign launched at Festival Congress. Launching ‘5% For Festivals’, CEO John Rostron says that without urgent action we will see more festivals go out of business in 2024…

CMU • 02 Feb 2024

Night & Day noise battle is a “declaration of war” on Manchester’s night time industry

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Night & Day • 2 min read

Night & Day noise battle is a “declaration of war” on Manchester’s night time industry

Manchester City Council and music venue the Night & Day Café returned to court this week in their continuing battle over a noise abatement notice handed down in 2021. The venue’s lawyer said that it was an “unjustified” attack that could negatively affect the city’s entire night time economy…

Andy Malt • 01 Feb 2024

Misogyny remains “endemic” in “boys’ club” music industry says UK parliamentary report

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Industry Issues • 4 min read

Misogyny remains “endemic” in “boys’ club” music industry says UK parliamentary report

UK Parliament’s Women And Equalities Committee has published a damning report on misogyny in the music industry. It found that harassment and abuse frequently go unreported, with some companies actively suppressing such claims, and makes numerous proposals for new legislation to tackle the issue…

Andy Malt • 30 Jan 2024

Coldplay partners with MIT to study the live music industry’s carbon footprint

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Coldplay • 1 min read

Coldplay partners with MIT to study the live music industry’s carbon footprint

Academics at MIT have announced a study into the environmental impact of the live music industry backed by Coldplay alongside their label Warner Music and promoter Live Nation - it follows Coldplay’s bid to reduce the carbon emissions of their tours by 50%…

Chris Cooke • 30 Jan 2024

East London residents hit out at increase in number of Victoria Park festivals

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Victoria Park • 2 min read

East London residents hit out at increase in number of Victoria Park festivals

Tower Hamlets Council last year approved a plan to allow more major events to be staged in East London’s Victoria Park - currently home to AEG’s All Points East festival - but last week local residents hit out at the plan, presenting a petition to the local authority…

Chris Cooke • 29 Jan 2024

StubHub accused of consistently underestimating its own fees in new lawsuit

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StubHub • 2 min read

StubHub accused of consistently underestimating its own fees in new lawsuit

Secondary ticketing website StubHub has been accused of misleading customers by consistently underestimating its own fees on its US website. That allegation has been made in a lawsuit that seeks to hold the resale site liable for fraud and unjust enrichment…

Chris Cooke • 29 Jan 2024

Latest plea for government support as another festival cancels in 2024

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Barn On The Farm • 2 min read

Latest plea for government support as another festival cancels in 2024

Barn On The Farm has become the latest UK festival to cancel its 2024 edition due to increasing costs and the threat of financial losses. The Association Of Independent Festivals has once again reiterated its plea to government to reduce VAT on ticket sales to aid the sector’s post-COVID recovery…

Andy Malt • 26 Jan 2024

Precedent-setting Night & Day dispute back in court next week, with Manchester's music city credentials on the line

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Night & Day • 3 min read

Precedent-setting Night & Day dispute back in court next week, with Manchester's music city credentials on the line

Supporters of the Night & Day venue in Manchester say they hope a court hearing next week will finally resolve a legal dispute with the city’s council over a noise abatement order, with the Music Venue Trust stating that the case is “precedent-setting”…

Chris Cooke • 26 Jan 2024

Nottingham's Splendour festival cancelled because of delays in council tendering process

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Splendour Festival • 2 min read

Nottingham's Splendour festival cancelled because of delays in council tendering process

Nottingham’s Splendour festival will not go ahead this year. Not because of the cost of living crisis or COVID losses, but because the local council made organisers go through a “hugely frustrating” tendering process that took so long there’s now not enough time to organise the event…

Chris Cooke • 24 Jan 2024

Two grassroots venues close down every week, according to new report from Music Venue Trust

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Music Venue Trust • 2 min read

Two grassroots venues close down every week, according to new report from Music Venue Trust

The Music Venue Trust has published its annual report, finding that in 2023 UK grassroots venues generated £500 million in revenues but just £2.5 million profit. MVT has again called for a levy on the top end of the live industry to provide financial support for small venues and promoters…

Chris Cooke • 24 Jan 2024

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