29 States Team Up With Federal Government to Challenge Live Nation's Power in Concert Industry

Twenty-nine states and Washington, D.C. have joined the federal government in a lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment. They're concerned that Live Nation controls too much of the concert business. Think of it like one company owning the concert venues (where shows happen), the artists' representation (who negotiates deals for performers), and the ticket-selling system all at the same time. This gives Live Nation unfair power over prices and choices in local concert markets across the country. This new lawsuit is separate from an older rule put in place in 2010 when Live Nation first merged with Ticketmaster. The new case could lead to bigger changes, such as forcing Live Nation to sell off some of its businesses to reduce its control over the industry.