This week, a group of Democratic members of congress held a spotlight forum on the Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly, and the Department of Justice’s settlement of antitrust action against the company. Two members of the National Independent Venues Association (NIVA) spoke to the issue on behalf of venue owners and promoters. And Franz Nicolay of the Hold Steady testified eloquently to working artists’ view of the problem. All applauded ongoing efforts by state Attorneys General to continue antitrust actions, despite the DOJ settlement.
But another issue facing musicians emerged from Franz’s testimony, one which needs a different solution.
“I have… witnessed the shift from an industry in which live performance - touring - was a loss leader meant to promote record sales, to a contemporary one in which albums are given away, practically speaking, for free on streaming services, to promote our shows. Our business today lives and dies on ticket sales, and the merchandise we sell at those c…
