Live music industry news

Government confirms it has issued drug-testing licences to “some of the leading festivals in the UK”

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Live industry news including ticketing, venues, festivals and more • 2 min read

Government confirms it has issued drug-testing licences to “some of the leading festivals in the UK”

Drug testing at festivals will be more widely available again this summer, as the UK government issues more licences. Services to check illegal substances were reduced last year, after the Home Office insisted licences were required - something festival organisers said had never been the case before…

Andy Malt • 30 May 2024

Campaigners respond to “astounding” report on the “sinister” lobbying plans of ticket touts

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Secondary Ticketing • 3 min read

Campaigners respond to “astounding” report on the “sinister” lobbying plans of ticket touts

A group of ticket touts recently met in London to plot a campaign against the Labour Party’s plan to put a 10% price cap on the resale of tickets, with the support of a US lobbying group. Anti-touting campaigners in the UK say those efforts could backfire and aid their bid to get the cap into law…

Chris Cooke • 29 May 2024

Live Nation faces class action that could involve millions of ticket buyers

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Live Nation • 3 min read

Live Nation faces class action that could involve millions of ticket buyers

Having been sued by the US government over alleged anticompetitive conduct, Live Nation is also facing a class action that seeks to represent millions of ticket buyers. The new lawsuit also claims Live Nation abuses its market dominance, though the impact on secondary ticketing is a particular focus…

Chris Cooke • 28 May 2024

Culture select committee urges the next Parliament to continue its work on streaming and grassroots venues

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CMS Select Committee • 3 min read

Culture select committee urges the next Parliament to continue its work on streaming and grassroots venues

With a UK General Election now set for July, Parliament will be officially dissolved on Thursday. Ahead of that, the culture select committee Chair has written an open letter calling on future MPs and the next government to build on its recent work around music streaming and grassroots touring…

Chris Cooke • 28 May 2024

The Leadmill team claim legal win following adjournment of eviction case

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The Leadmill • 3 min read

The Leadmill team claim legal win following adjournment of eviction case

Sheffield venue The Leadmill yesterday declared on social media that it has “won its first battle in court”, after eviction proceedings being pursued by landlord The Electric Group in a Leeds court this week were adjourned. However, its thought the case could be back before a judge later this year…

Chris Cooke • 24 May 2024

Live Nation monopoly is “anticompetitive” and must be broken up says DoJ lawsuit

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Live Nation • 4 min read

Live Nation monopoly is “anticompetitive” and must be broken up says DoJ lawsuit

The US Department Of Justice has sued Live Nation over allegations of anticompetitive conduct. It follows the government department’s most recent investigation into the live giant’s dominance in tours, venues and ticketing. The lawsuit asks the court to force Live Nation to sell Ticketmaster…

Chris Cooke • 23 May 2024

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The Leadmill • 3 min read

Leadmill eviction battle in court

The Electric Group was in court yesterday seeking to enforce its eviction order against the current management team at Sheffield’s The Leadmill. It owns the building and wants to directly run the venue. The current team raised logistical and human rights objections to the forced change in management…

Chris Cooke • 21 May 2024

Live industry welcomes ticket tout prison sentences

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Ticket Touting • 3 min read

Live industry welcomes ticket tout prison sentences

The live music industry has welcomed the prison sentences handed to four people found guilty of operating a fraudulent ticket resale business. Stuart Camp - who manages Ed Sheeran - said he hoped it would set “an important precedent in the live music industry”…

Andy Malt • 20 May 2024

Viagogo will ditch FOMO panic pop-ups after EU pressure

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Viagogo • 2 min read

Viagogo will ditch FOMO panic pop-ups after EU pressure

Viagogo has agreed to make changes to its website across Europe to deal with some common customer complaints. The changes are the result of talks between the ticket resale site and the European Commission…

Chris Cooke • 17 May 2024

TICKET Act passed by US House Of Representatives

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TICKET Act • 2 min read

TICKET Act passed by US House Of Representatives

The TICKET Act - which mandates all-in pricing and bans speculating selling in the US ticketing market - has been passed by the House Of Representatives. It’s “an important step towards restoring trust in the ticketing ecosystem” says Fix The Tix Coalition…

Chris Cooke • 16 May 2024

MPs set September deadline for ticket levy to support grassroots venues and shows

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Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee • 7 min read

MPs set September deadline for ticket levy to support grassroots venues and shows

The culture select committee in the UK Parliament has published its report on grassroots music venues. It says a system for charging a levy on arena shows to support the grassroots community should be in place by September, and that the government should instigate a temporary VAT cut on tickets…

Chris Cooke • 13 May 2024

Music Venue Properties announces purchase of The Ferret in Preston

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Music Venue Properties • 2 min read

Music Venue Properties announces purchase of The Ferret in Preston

A second venue has been acquired by Music Venue Properties, the charitable community benefit society set up as part of Music Venue Trust’s Own Our Venues initiative. It means The Ferret in Preston will now have a landlord that exists to support local grassroots music communities…

Chris Cooke • 10 May 2024