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Mar 5, 2026
They dig into SXSW’s shrinking music footprint and why some industry folks are skipping the festival. They walk through the Live Nation antitrust trial and the history behind it. Ticketing reform efforts and a Senate-backed coalition get attention. There’s also a nostalgic Gorillaz segment featuring a Murdoc audio clip and tour talk.
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SXSW Shrinking From Its Music Roots
- South by Southwest has contracted from its music-centered roots into a broader festival, then shrunk back, reducing the music footprint and attendee incentives.
- Lars Murray notes the festival now feels less essential, with last-minute headliner additions like Jack Johnson and Alanis Morissette failing to restore the event's prior centrality.
Live Nation Trial Framed As Modern Trust Busting
- The Live Nation antitrust trial is being framed as a major trust-busting moment reminiscent of the Gilded Age efforts to break monopolies.
- Lars Murray summarizes reporting from J.R. Lind, Billboard, and Digital Music News showing the DOJ alleging monopolistic ticketing practices while Live Nation claims it's a humble servant.
Push For Ticketing Reform Continues
- Lawmakers and industry groups are pushing ticketing reform to prevent future debacles regardless of the trial outcome.
- Lars Murray points to the Fix the Tix coalition led by NIVA, backed by A2IM and SoundExchange, sending letters to senators including Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell.