US looks to separate Live Nation from Ticketmaster after controversy over Taylor Swift tour management

queen of pop, Taylor Swift, He appears to be on the verge of triumphing in a venture in which the grunge elite failed, Pearl Jam, Exactly 30 years ago: Put Live Nation on the ropes, The largest concert promoter in the world and, thanks to its ticketing company Ticketmastershows and, increasingly, also number one in ticket sales for all types of events. Because Live Nation has been denounced before the US Justice Department by the US Department of Justice and two dozen states Abuse of dominant position and antitrust practices.

the purpose is Force the company to split into two -On the one hand, Live Nation, for concerts; on the other, Ticketmaster, for the sale of tickets – with each of them, in addition, subject to restrictions on the conditions they can impose on their customers, which include the owners of the venues where the shows are held, the artists and, of course, the public, whom, according to the Justice DepartmentTicketmaster fries with all kinds of extra commissions for no reason Being separated from increasing your income.

It is an accusation that would have been unthinkable if it were not the ‘Eras ​​Tour’, Taylor Swift’s world tour that has already broken all fundraising records and is coming to Madrid with two concerts at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday and Thursday. The crisis began in November 2022 when the tour was announced and the demand for tickets increased so much that Ticketmaster’s server collapsed.

Given Swift’s popularity, Joe Biden also called for greater transparency from the companies that manage concert ticket sales. Given that in the US, unlike Europe, Live Nation and Ticketmaster have a virtual monopoly in this area, it was clear who the president was talking about.

This action does not appear to be free from political motivation, as it has been initiated five and a half months before the elections Biden needs to garner youth votes Whose sympathy for the President has decreased significantly in recent years. This also explains why the world’s most boring man, Attorney General (equivalent to Justice Minister in Spain), Mark Garland, publicly announced the case. As might be expected, Live Nation has denied the allegations. This process will take years. Perhaps Taylor Swift’s next tour will still be managed by Live Nation and Ticketmaster.