Live Nation faces antitrust lawsuit from DOJ

Ticketmaster Antitrust Lawsuit — Ticketmaster tickets and gift cards are shown at a box office in 2009. The Justice Department has filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, accusing the companies of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America and squelching competition.

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The DOJ is suing Live Nation. Here’s what that could mean for music in Chicago.

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, calling the company a “monopoly.”

Ticketmaster tickets and gift cards are shown at a box office in 2009. The Justice Department has filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, accusing the companies of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America and squelching competition.

Paul Sakuma/AP Photo

By Max Lubbers

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Live Nation, an events promoter and venue operator, alleging that the company has created a “monopoly” over U.S. ticket prices.

With this suit, the DOJ is aiming to break up Live Nation and Ticketmaster, after approving a merger between the two companies back in 2010.

Live Nation argues that the company is not a monopoly.

Reset checks in with an independent venue owner and Chicago musician to hear how this lawsuit could impact the local music scene.

GUESTS: Robert Gomez, owner of Subterranean and Beat Kitchen

Rhymefest, Chicago rapper and songwriter