A new report from the Business and Trade Committee has called for an investigation into potential market dominance by ticketing company Live Nation, raising concerns over its control of the UK live music industry. The report, published on Friday, highlights that Live Nation directly controlled 58% of the 23.1 million primary tickets sold in the UK last year, a figure that rises to 66% when sales through its affiliate companies are included.
Key Findings and Concerns
The committee's report also points to a lack of uptake on an industry-led levy on arena and stadium tickets intended to support the grassroots music sector. Additionally, many of those who provided evidence to the inquiry did so anonymously, citing fears of repercussions. Committee chair Liam Byrne described this as a 'climate of fear' that raises profound questions about competition in the market.
Previous CMA Investigation
The call for a new probe follows a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into Ticketmaster's sale of Oasis tickets in 2024. The CMA found that Ticketmaster failed to inform fans waiting in queues that standing tickets were being sold at two different prices, with prices jumping once cheaper tickets sold out.
Byrne stated: 'What particularly alarmed the committee was not just the scale of Live Nation's market position across promotion, venues and ticketing, but the climate of fear we encountered during this inquiry. A striking number of submissions requested anonymity because people were worried about the consequences of speaking openly.'
Reactions and Next Steps
A government spokesperson emphasised the importance of ticket pricing transparency and noted that the CMA's powers have been strengthened. A CMA spokesperson said the authority will carefully consider the committee's findings and set out next steps. Live Nation UK responded, calling the report 'misleading' and based on inaccurate data, asserting that the company competes in a highly competitive market.
The committee urges the CMA to launch a full market investigation before the end of the year to ensure fair treatment for fans, artists, and independent businesses.
