Take Action Now: Reject the Live Nation Settlement
A proposed antitrust settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and Live Nation could determine the future of the live music industry.
Unfortunately, the current proposal does not go far enough to fix the problems it was meant to address.
Independent venues, artists, and fans have spent years speaking out about the outsized power Live Nation and Ticketmaster hold over the live entertainment industry. The Department of Justice brought an antitrust case to address these concerns; but the settlement currently on the table risks preserving the same broken system instead of restoring real competition.
The proposed financial penalty that is being reported is so insignificant that Live Nation will make that amount in less than 5 days of operation. That's not even a slap on the wrist.
Even more troubling, the agreement was negotiated behind closed doors, without the transparency that such a consequential decision deserves.
Before the settlement becomes final, the public has a limited opportunity to speak up.
Read Up:
CNN: Judges Scolds Live Nation and Justice Department For Secret Settlement Talks
Bloomberg: Live Nation Can “Gouge” Fans on Fees, Ticket Directors Brag (Paywall)
Hollywood Reporter: Live Nation Employees Boast About “Gouging” Fans With Fees and Parking Costs in Private Exchanges: “Robbing Them Blind, Baby”
The Tenneseean: Why no one is happy about Live Nation-Ticketmaster settlement, including Tennessee
Ars Technica: U.S. Blindsides States With Surprise Settlement in Live Nation/Ticketmaster Trial
KSL: Utah, 37 other states to continue litigation against Ticketmaster, Live Nation despite settlement
Why This Matters for Independent Venues
Independent venues are where artists build their careers and where local music communities thrive. But consolidation in the live music industry has made it harder for independent venues and promoters to compete.
When one company controls major pieces of the ecosystem (promotion, ticketing and venues), it creates barriers that affect:
Independent venues and promoters
Touring artists
Local music scenes
Fans purchasing tickets
A weak settlement will not fix these structural problems.
Make Your Voice Heard
We have less than 24 hours to make an impact and let our voices be heard. NIVA has refreshed the Save Our Stages website with information and a simple FastAction form that makes it simple for fans, artists, and venue supporters to submit a comment opposing the settlement.
With just a few clicks, you can send a message directly to your attorney general. This works, and we need all of you to do this today!
👉 Submit your comment here: https://www.saveourstages.com
Why Your Comment Matters
We’ve done this before. Your voice and support helped land one of the largest pieces of federal legislation in history; Awarding nearly $16 billion dollars to live venues and events industry during the pandemic. Your voice matters.
If fans, artists, and independent venues speak up in large numbers, it sends a clear message:
The live music industry deserves real competition — not a settlement that protects the status quo.
Help Spread the Word
You can also help by sharing this action with others who care about live music.
Tell your friends, fellow music fans, and local artists to submit their comments before the deadline. It does not matter which state you are from;, this is a federal case. and input from every state is important.
Independent venues are essential to the cultural life of our communities. They are where artists grow, where fans discover new music, and where unforgettable moments happen.
But the future of those spaces depends on a fair and competitive industry.
Take action today and help protect independent music.
👉 Visit https://www.saveourstages.com and submit your comment now.