Taylor Swift: The US Department of Justice should investigate the concert chaos against the parent company of Ticketmaster

The US Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster’s parent company and will investigate whether Live Nation Entertainment abused its power in the live music industry.

The antitrust investigation comes amid the recent chaos that ensued after the ticket seller’s website crashed as Taylor Swift fans attempted to purchase advance tickets to her 2023 Eras Tour.

This led to the cancellation of general ticket sales on Friday (November 18), to which Swift reacted angrily.

But according to a new report by The New York Timesthe investigation precedes the final fiasco.

For the past few months, members of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division have spoken to music venues and industry workers about Live Nation’s practices, amid requests for anonymity.

The Independent has reached out to Live Nation and the Department of Justice for comment.

In 2010, the Justice Department approved a merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster, creating the gargantuan powerhouse whose power has remained unrivaled in the entertainment business.

Before the start of the 2020 pandemic, Live Nation’s annual report showed it sold 485 million tickets for its 40,000 events worldwide in the past fiscal year.

Prior to the approved merger, the Justice Department entered into a 10-year settlement with Live Nation, which lasts until 2020, barring the company from denying venues access to their tours if those venues choose other ticket providers.

However, following an investigation in late 2019, the Justice Department found that Live Nation had repeatedly violated the settlement.

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The settlement was then extended to 2025, with the agreement clarifying what the company was allowed to do when negotiating ticketing deals with venues.

A source who claimed knowledge of the matter told the outlet that members of the Department of Justice have questioned Live Nation whether or not the company is complying with the agreement.