Now this is a cage match I'd love front row seats to. If this goes to trial and a jury hears arguments, I'd be very surprised if they were sympathetic to Live Nation.

The hubris from this company is appalling but right on brand. They see ticket buyers as moronic mouth breathers and after raking each and every one of them over the coals, extracting as much money as possible, the buyer then becomes a liability. One for which they now need to honor the agreement with.

Not on trial for this but...

Live Nation does more to kill live music than help it flourish.

If I sound bitter, it's because I am. This is all too reminiscent of my years playing professionally and being controlled by another monopolistic organization (management company) Sam Feldman and Associates. Feldman controlled almost every room (100s) across Western Canada. If you wanted to play, you played by their rules and that meant - NO ORIGINALS! Feldman put bands on the road with a budget liability of a small tour. 5-ton truck to haul a mini concert set up, PA, lights and backline. After paying the crew, the truck, gas etc, the bands were left with a few hundred dollars, from a $6000 a week gig. Meanwhile Sam Feldman and Associates took 15% off the top from every band booked into every room all the while killing original/independent music. Parasitic behavior like this and that of Live Nation needs to be wiped out.

The DOJ might be a start but it's also incumbent on us. We might need to make some tough choices and if that means not seeing a favorite act in protest of the abhorrent practices Live Nation enforces, then it at least signals a vote with our wallet. Instead of paying top dollar + service charges for a Live Nation show, take a friend to your local independent club. The price will wash. You aren't feeding the beast and you're supporting the true champions of live music and the players who earn their living through door receipts and merch.