Live Business

17 posts

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Ticketmaster pauses ticket transfers on Taylor Swift shows following disappearing tickets problem

There has been a flurry of reports in US media recently of concert-goers seeing digital tickets disappear from their Ticketmaster accounts as hackers use transfer tools to steal those tickets. Ticketmaster has now paused ticket transfers for Taylor Swift shows until three days before the concert…

Chris Cooke • 08 Oct 2024

BookMyShow boss questioned by police following Coldplay ticket touting controversy in India

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BookMyShow • 3 min read

BookMyShow boss questioned by police following Coldplay ticket touting controversy in India

Tickets to Coldplay’s 2025 shows in India sold out in minutes last month before appearing on resale sites at significantly marked up prices. There were allegations primary seller BookMyShow had connections to the resellers, something it denies. Though its CEO has now been questioned by Mumbai police…

Chris Cooke • 02 Oct 2024

The Great Escape drops Faroe Islands as lead country partner following protests

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Great Escape Festival • 2 min read

The Great Escape drops Faroe Islands as lead country partner following protests

The announcement last week that the Faroe Islands would be lead country partner at 2025’s Great Escape prompted criticism from the Sussex Dolphin Project because of the islands’ involvement in whaling. In response, TGE has decided to “withdraw the Faroe Islands as our lead country partner”…

Chris Cooke • 25 Sep 2024

Two festivals sue over unpaid ticket revenue following collapse of Lyte

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Lyte • 2 min read

Two festivals sue over unpaid ticket revenue following collapse of Lyte

US ticketing platform Lyte went offline earlier this month following the departure of founder and CEO Ant Taylor. It’s not clear how many promoters have been impacted, but two festival organisers have already sued in a bid to secure the hundreds of thousands they say they are owed…

Chris Cooke • 24 Sep 2024

Live Nation says antitrust lawsuit is already “complicated enough” without the DoJ adding “legal theories”

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Live Nation • 3 min read

Live Nation says antitrust lawsuit is already “complicated enough” without the DoJ adding “legal theories”

Live Nation has made another filing with the New York court where it has been sued by the US government over allegations of anticompetitive conduct. It wants two elements of the lawsuit dismissed, saying “this case will be complicated enough” without having to deal with claims that are defective…

Chris Cooke • 23 Sep 2024

Liberal Democrats pass “Fair Deal For Musicians” conference motion

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Liberal Democrats • 3 min read

Liberal Democrats pass “Fair Deal For Musicians” conference motion

The UK’s Liberal Democrats have passed a motion at their annual conference calling for greater support for the music sector, including ticketing reform, music education funding, planning policy around venues - and says the government must introduce a ticket levy to support grassroots live sector…

Sam Taylor • 20 Sep 2024

NTIA urges “thorough review” of Martyn's Law as it’s introduced into Parliament

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Martyn’s Law • 2 min read

NTIA urges “thorough review” of Martyn's Law as it’s introduced into Parliament

Martyn’s Law, which sets out new rules to ensure the public is “better protected from terrorism” when in venues, prompted by the 2017 attack on the Manchester Arena, was introduced in Parliament yesterday. The NTIA supports the objectives but says “feasibility and fairness” must also be considered…

Chris Cooke • 13 Sep 2024

Live Nation boss insists concerts are “incredibly affordable”, especially when compared to sport

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Live Nation • 3 min read

Live Nation boss insists concerts are “incredibly affordable”, especially when compared to sport

Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino was interviewed at a Goldman Sachs conference earlier this week. With the fallout from the Oasis shows in the UK, it was interesting to see what he had to say about ticket prices. Live music is “incredibly affordable”, he argued, especially when compared to sport…

Chris Cooke • 12 Sep 2024

UK consumer rights champion ‘Which?’ tells Oasis “do the right thing and refund fans”

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Oasis • 2 min read

UK consumer rights champion ‘Which?’ tells Oasis “do the right thing and refund fans”

Oasis should have warned fans about dynamic ticketing price gouge and failure to do so may be a breach of Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading regulations, says Which? Because fans could face a “lengthy and arduous road” to get compensation, Oasis should “do the right thing” and issue refunds…

Chris Cooke • 10 Sep 2024

The 1975 respond to Malaysian festival promoter’s lawsuit

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The 1975 • 2 min read

The 1975 respond to Malaysian festival promoter’s lawsuit

Back in July The 1975 were sued by the promoter of the Malaysian festival that was shutdown last year after Matty Healy criticised the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws during their performance. The band have responded saying that rules they are accused of breaking were actually just guidelines…

Chris Cooke • 06 Sep 2024

Oasis dynamic pricing backlash escalates as UK competition regulator launches formal investigation

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Oasis • 4 min read

Oasis dynamic pricing backlash escalates as UK competition regulator launches formal investigation

The fallout from the sale of tickets for the Oasis reunion shows continues. The Competition & Markets Authority has announced a formal investigation into the use of dynamic pricing. Meanwhile the band have issued a statement blaming all the problems on their promoters and management…

Chris Cooke • 05 Sep 2024

Concessions for UK artists touring EU “impossible” say EU officials, in blow to Labour government’s manifesto commitment

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European Union • 3 min read

Concessions for UK artists touring EU “impossible” say EU officials, in blow to Labour government’s manifesto commitment

Prior to this year’s General Election, the Labour Party said that “helping our touring artists” would be a key priority in future talks with the EU. However, internal documents say that EU officials have already ruled out any deal to remove the hurdles British performers now face when touring Europe…

Chris Cooke • 05 Sep 2024