There’s an ongoing investigation into Live Nation’s monopoly on festivals

[News]

Throughout 2018 our raging festival seasons have been stacked with stellar international headliners and a huge appreciation for the talent on the mainland but does there come a time where we question if it’s worth coughing up the hundreds of dollars, the time and effort to catch the same artists, just in a different location?

The question arises from the newly released information from the UK’s Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) who’ve spoken out against the big dogs of Live Nation seen to be dangerously and increasingly dominating the control of large music festivals both within the country and globally i.e Australia.

Why so dangerous, you ask?

Right now the alph-male Live Nation owns or controls around 25 per cent of UK festivals with a capacity of more than 5,000, meaning that those artists are locked into exclusive deals where they can only play in Live Nation controlled events. Ultimately reducing the amount of choice and value for money for us, the music fans.

Although competition watchdogs, Competition and Markets Authority have yet to deal with the matter, the AIF is launching a Stamp of Independence that will allow potential ticket buyers to easily identify an independent festival and understand where the money they spend at events ultimately ends up.

There’s not talk whether this will be rolling out in Australia yet but the topic then this ties back to our country’s current situation in the music scene.

Sure it’s great that we’re seeing a bunch of Aussie artists thrive off the recognition they deserve but does it not seem like festivals are hyping us up, giving us the opportunity to buy presale tickets without a line up release to then just recycle the same artists we’ve seen multiple times this year?

Of course if you’re a dedicated fan to artists there’s no issue, but the music industry shouldn’t be favouring only popular enough to sell their tickets. We want to discover, celebate and appreciate all those creating music.

Live Nation Australia throw events like Splendour In The Grass and Falls to name a couple, so tell us what you think, is their dominance a little dangerous?

[Via: Dancing Astronaut]

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