U.K. Trade Committee Urges Investigation of Live Music Market
A parliamentary committee called for an urgent review of competition in the U.K. live music industry. The panel cited Live Nation’s share of ticket sales and anonymous evidence submissions.
koreatimes.co.krThe House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has recommended that the Competition and Markets Authority open a full market investigation into the U.K. live music industry. The committee released its report after an inquiry that began last December. Ticketmaster and Live Nation appeared before the panel in February and June.
The report states that Live Nation directly sold 58 percent of the 23.1 million tickets sold in 2025. When sales by affiliate companies are included, the figure rises to 66 percent. A large share of written submissions requested anonymity, which the committee attributed to fear of reprisal primarily from Live Nation.
The panel expressed concern over long-term agreements and exclusivity terms that link artist participation in festivals to venue access. It also noted that independent promoters and venues reported limited access to larger artists and facilities. Last month a New York federal jury found that Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster held monopoly power in the ticketing market.
Live Nation has indicated it intends to appeal. The committee chair stated that the evidence points to questions about whether competition is working fairly for fans, artists, venues, and independent promoters. The panel urged the Competition and Markets Authority to begin its review before the end of this year.
Transparency
Reported by a single outlet. This score reflects source tier and factual specificity — corroboration is limited with one source.
Story details
Related Stories
Fox NewsJustice Department Abandons $1.8 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress the department will not proceed with the fund. A separate agreement shielding President Donald Trump and his businesses from past IRS claims remains in place.
**Trump Administration Scraps $1.8 Billion Compensation Fund**
The Justice Department will not create a planned $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate people who say they were improperly targeted by federal law enforcement. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers the department is abandoning the program entirely.
The HillPentagon Appoints Elias Irizarry, Who Participated in January 6 Capitol Riot at Age 19, to Special Operations Office
Elias Irizarry, who pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building during the January 6, 2021, Capitol events, has been named to a position in the Office of Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict.