MPs press competition watchdog to probe live music industry’s ‘dominant’ firms

A government committee has urged the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate the UK's live music industry, focusing on the "dominant firms," according to a report from 18 October. This call follows the committee's initial concerns in a May report, when they initially requested the CMA to investigate the live music industry before the end of 2026. The committee is particularly worried about the market dominance of Live Nation, the parent company of ticketing platform Ticketmaster.

The MPs expressed their concerns after ticket sales for Oasis' reunion tour were reported to have reached thousands of pounds. Despite the committee's earlier presentation of evidence, the CMA has not yet announced a full market investigation. The committee is now reiterating its call for urgent action to ensure fair competition and a live music industry that benefits performers, grassroots venues, and fans.

Live Nation's market position raised "red flags" according to all three factors used by the CMA to assess market dominance. The firm controlled 58% of the 23.1 million primary tickets on sale in 2025, and this percentage increased to 66% when tickets controlled by affiliated companies were included. Liam Byrne, MP and chair of the committee, stated that Britain's live music industry should reward talent, not market power, and that the CMA must launch a full investigation to ensure a fair deal for fans and performers, emphasizing that they deserve it now.