We understand the cynicism, but take heart! We haven’t even gotten to the penalties part of the trial yet; it’s entirely possible the company will be broken up! This is a moment to be excited and engaged!
IDEA #3: give artists more control. Dynamic pricing or platinum tickets should never be used without explicit permission of the artists.
IDEA #2: Cap resale at or near face value. The trial produced tons of evidence that Ticketmaster has low-key been adopting policies that push inventory into the secondary market where they can triple dip on fees. Price caps are the simple solution and they’re working well in the rest of the world.
What are the next steps to take on Ticketmaster beyond the antitrust remedies? We have three ideas!
IDEA #1: The current FTC rule is too weak so Ticketmaster has just shifted fees around, which is exactly what we predicted would happen. But states and Congress can go further!
Huh! From March 2021, when Live Nation's stock was at all-time high despite Covid shutdowns:
pitchfork.com/thepitch/why...
Our statement on the Live Nation verdict.
Patience please!
Our statement on the Live Nation verdict.
It often is although…not a lot of enforcement happening under this administration. In the meantime, it would be ripe for states to start pursuing under what are called “little FTC“ acts.
Also, possibly a Crash Test Dummies cover?
Accidental pocket skeeting or mental state as we all await Live Nation verdict? You decide!
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Raises the question of whether people are doing this with pitchfork user reviews now!
AI is profoundly unpopular. A recent NBC News poll found that among 18-34 year-olds, AI's net favorability rating is -44. *Negative 44*. Those are basically serial killer numbers. It's not much better among women 18-49. (Men over 50 and upper class are the only ones who like AI, and just barely.)
Penalties up to $51,744 per violation!
Many would argue that “industry plant” is the wrong frame here, but artists should be aware that a paid UCG campaign that isn’t disclosed is likely a violation of the FTC‘s endorsement guidelines.
The plaintiffs’ attorney Jeffrey Kessler skillfully wove together all the different elements of the story: exclusive deals, extractive practices, degraded service; it added up to a compelling case. Notably, he included the frustrations artists face in facing limited choices.
The true administration of justice is
The firmest pillar of good government
Yesterday in NYC, FMC’s Kevin Erickson was in the room for closing arguments in the Live Nation trial.
If it’s getting posted to Internet Archive that means that it’s going to be used for AI training that none of these artists have approved, even those who are happy to have fans sharing recordings. Wish there was a version of Internet Archive not soaked in weird ideology.
Excellent reporting on the community level cost of Live Nation’s monopoly. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/a...
They not like us.
Live Nation typically blames venues for high ticket fees. But they neglect to mention that often they own and operate the venues! This too is something that's come out in the trial evidence.
Oh so now copyright matters.
CBP 2: Electric Boogaloo?
Or maybe The CBP Strikes Back?
Also, unfortunately, the CPB doesn’t exist anymore. It would be possible for Congress to authorize the creation of something new.
It’s Trans Day of Visibility. Trans people are a crucial part of music’s past present and future.
Here's what Live Nation's CEO says about artists who push for fan friendly ticketing practices: "The Pjam [Pearl Jam] small % of artists have caused us a lot of pain [...] while not really achieving any bus [business] objectives."
Astra Taylor helpfully anticipated some of these conversations in her 2014 book the People’s Platform as well
It’s especially interesting in light of Doctorow’s frustrating habit of describing himself as an ally to creative workers while consistently demeaning and misrepresenting worker groups’ public policy suggestions when they conflict with his priors.
This includes harms to creative workers, specifically.