The Current Ticketmaster has ‘broken’ the concert industry
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Mar 5, 2026 
Dean Budnick, Relics editor and concert-history author, and Vass Bednar, competition policy expert, dig into Ticketmaster and Live Nation. They discuss the Taylor Swift ticketing failures, alleged venue pressure and anti-competitive conduct, how vertical integration shapes pricing and resale, and the stakes for artists, fans and market policy.
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Live Nation's Vertical Integration Is The Legal Target
- The U.S. Department of Justice argues Live Nation has monopolized the live music industry by owning ticketing and venues, harming consumers.
- Vass Bednar highlights the core legal claim: abuse of dominance via vertical integration across venues, ticketing, and promotion.
Toronto Fans Describe Ticketmaster War Experience
- Fans in Toronto described Ticketmaster waits, crashed sites, and resale prices that felt like being "ripped off" while still wanting to attend concerts.
- Reported experiences included long queues, anxiety about losing seats, and calling the process "Ticketmaster War."
Monopoly Case Hinges On Abuse Not Just Market Share
- Proving a monopoly requires showing abuse of market dominance, not merely market share.
- Vass Bednar points to radius clauses and exclusive venue deals as mechanisms that limit artists' choices and distort competition.