High-stakes Opening
The Live Nation antitrust trial just cleared a critical hurdle. A federal judge refused to toss the Justice Department’s sweeping case, ensuring the Live Nation antitrust trial now heads to a jury in March. The ruling preserves core claims that go to the heart of live music’s power dynamics.
Case Narrowed, Core Intact
Judge Arun Subramanian declined to dismiss accusations that Live Nation leveraged its amphitheater portfolio to coerce artists into its promotion services. He also let stand claims that venues were pressured into exclusive Ticketmaster deals, potentially choking off rival ticketers. The court noted “evidence of coercion,” citing instances where access to artists allegedly hinged on picking Ticketmaster. Some claims fell away, including broader assertions about a nationwide fan market and a booking-services monopoly across both arenas and amphitheaters.
Live Nation Responds
Live Nation says the ruling narrowed the case meaningfully. Dan Wall, the company’s regulatory chief, argues the trimmed claims undercut any basis for a breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. He maintains the government still lacks proof of monopoly power and illegal conduct, setting a combative tone for trial. The DOJ declined comment, with jury selection set for March 2.
The Flywheel Question
At stake is the government’s “flywheel” theory: Ticket revenue fuels artist deals, which then pressure venues into exclusive ticketing, reinforcing dominance. Judge Subramanian’s decision suggests a jury should weigh whether exclusivity stems from coercion or venue preference. That distinction matters for antitrust law and for a live ecosystem where scale often dictates fate.
Industry Ripples
For artists and venues, the outcome could reshape leverage across tours, guarantees, and routing. If jurors find unlawful tying or exclusivity, remedies could open space for competing ticketers and promoters. That might nudge fees, data access, and service levels, while complicating the efficiencies that come with an integrated giant. The Live Nation antitrust trial also lands amid a broader tech and ticketing scrutiny wave, where market power, consumer costs, and transparency are under the microscope.
What Comes Next
After more than a year of discovery, both sides say the record favors them. Live Nation calls the government’s case a “molehill,” while DOJ points to concrete threats linking artist access to ticketing choices. A jury will now decide whether those practices reflect hardball business or illegal tying. However it breaks, the verdict will echo through summer routing, venue strategies, and the future architecture of live music.
