Live Nation faces tough questions in US Congress

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including Live Nation and Ticketmaster coming under fire from both sides of the political spectrum, as the US Senate Judiciary Committee staged a session looking at ticketing following the problems that occurred last year when tickets for Taylor Swift’s upcoming tour went on sale via Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan system, plus one US venue company’s decision to stop taking a cut of income when artists sell merch at gigs. SECTION TIMES 01: Live Nation (00:07:53) 02: Merch fees (00:29:12) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Live Nation’s market dominance in the spotlight at Congressional hearing • US venue owner axes merch commissions following artist’s testimony in Congress • Artists welcome progress on venue merch commissions, but call for more venues to drop their merchandise fees ALSO MENTIONED • Rick Astley says Yung Gravy track infringed his publicity rights • Clyde Lawrence’s full statement to US Congress (judiciary.senate.gov) MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights’ Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune