Live Nation also allegedly threatened concert venues and promoters who considered choosing rivals, according to the complaint.
“The real world, practical costs of Live Nation’s strategy are well-known. Public frustration with concert ticket pricing and sales is a constant drumbeat. The fees that must be paid to attend a live concert in America far exceed fees in comparable parts of the world,” the DOJ said. “Any fan who has logged onto Ticketmaster’s website to buy a concert ticket knows the feeling of shock and frustration as the base cost of the ticket increases dramatically with the addition of fees.”
While the DOJ itself is not seeking financial penalties, some of its state attorneys general partners are under their respective authorities, which could put a hefty price tag on any finding of liability.
The new lawsuit joins private volleys lobbed against Live Nation, which has been battling litigation from investors and concertgoers.
Customers accuse Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary of charging exorbitant prices for concert tickets ever since the platforms merged. The customers say the consolidation allowed the companies to use their concert promotion business, which books musical acts at the country’s largest venues, to maintain and reinforce their market dominance.
