U.K., Oct. 18 -- UK Parliament issued the following news:
The Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee is pressing the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to launch a full market investigation into the UK’s live music industry before the end of the year.
Read the report
In a May Report, the Committee set out extensive concerns about Live Nation’s dominance across promotion, venues, festivals and ticketing, and identified a “climate of fear” around dominant firms in the industry.
MPs have been pursuing the issue with the CMA since widespread fan dismay over ticket sales for Oasis’ reunion tour. Despite the evidence presented by the Committee, the CMA has yet to announce a full market investigation.
The Committee is now repeating its call for urgent action to ensure fair competition and a live music industry that works for performers, grassroots venues and fans.
Its report found that:
Concerns about Live Nation’s position raised red flags against all three of the CMA’s factors for assessing market dominance.
The scale and integrated nature of Live Nation’s business made it difficult for artists and managers to operate independently of its network.
Live Nation used long-term agreements with restrictive exclusivity terms, making access to its venues contingent on participation in its festivals.
Live Nation directly controlled 58% of the 23.1 million primary tickets on sale in 2025, rising to 66% when sales controlled by affiliated companies were included.
Its control of ticketing infrastructure allowed it to retain customer data, including from competitors, for use across promotion, marketing and event operations.
Limited uptake of the voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support grassroots music was widely attributed to Live Nation’s failure to implement it.
The Committee is writing back to the CMA asking for details and a timeline of their next steps.
Chair comment
Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Committee, said:
“Britain’s live music industry should reward talent, not simply market power. We found a climate of fear, barriers for artists and grassroots venues missing out. It’s clear to us that the CMA must launch a full investigation for the simple reason that fans and performers deserve a fair deal - and they deserve it now.”
Further information
About Parliament: Select committees
Visiting Parliament: Watch committees
Business Innovation, Science and Trade Committee
Image: Adobe stock
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
