Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said on Mar. 9 that her office will continue its antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, despite a settlement announced by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The decision highlights ongoing concerns about competition and consumer protection in the live entertainment industry. Campbell said she believes the federal settlement does not go far enough to address alleged harms caused by Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
“For years, Live Nation’s illegal monopoly has driven up prices, squeezed out competition, and left consumers with few choices and little recourse. The DOJ’s settlement falls far short of protecting consumers, artists, and venues from the harms that Live Nation and Ticketmaster have caused,” Campbell said. “As Attorney General, my job is to uphold the law and protect Massachusetts residents from companies that rig the market against consumers. That’s why I’ll continue to pursue litigation against Live Nation and keep fighting to protect consumers, restore competition, and hold Live Nation accountable for its illegal behavior.”
In 2024, Campbell joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 other attorneys general in suing Live Nation and Ticketmaster for allegedly monopolizing the live entertainment industry. The coalition’s lawsuit claims that these practices led to higher fees for consumers, fewer choices in ticketing services, and less innovation within the industry.
The complaint alleges that Live Nation forced venues into exclusive long-term agreements with Ticketmaster, threatened venues with loss of access to tours if they used other ticketing services, used its network of amphitheaters to pressure artists into working with them as promoters instead of rivals, threatened rival promoters attempting entry into the U.S. market, and acquired competitors to eliminate competition.
Live Nation reportedly owns or controls more than 265 concert venues in North America—including several major Massachusetts locations—and manages over 400 musical artists while controlling roughly 80% or more of primary ticketing for major concert venues through Ticketmaster.
Campbell confirmed she will continue litigation seeking a complete divestiture of Ticketmaster alongside attorneys general from multiple states including Arizona, California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, among others.
