photo_cameraLiam Byrne MP
Industry
UK MPs Push for Live Music Competition Probe
A UK parliamentary committee is urging the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to launch a full investigation into the country`s live music market before the end of 2026, citing concerns over Live Nation`s dominance across promotion, venues, festivals and ticketing.
The Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee has renewed its call for regulatory action following a report published in May that raised concerns about competition in the UK live music sector.
The report identified what MPs described as a "climate of fear" surrounding dominant companies, suggesting that market concentration could restrict opportunities for artists, managers, independent promoters and grassroots venues.
The Committee has been pressing the CMA to examine the market since controversy surrounding ticket sales for Oasis` reunion tour brought wider attention to competition and ticketing practices. Despite the findings presented by MPs, the CMA has yet to announce a full market investigation.
Concerns Over Live Nation`s Market Position
The Committee`s report highlighted the scale of Live Nation`s vertically integrated operations, covering concert promotion, venue management, festivals and ticketing through Ticketmaster.
According to the report, Live Nation directly controlled 58% of the 23.1 million primary tickets on sale in the UK in 2025. That figure increased to 66% when sales controlled by affiliated companies were included.
MPs also raised concerns about long-term agreements containing restrictive exclusivity provisions, including arrangements that allegedly linked access to venues with participation in festivals.
The Committee argued that Live Nation`s extensive network made it difficult for artists and managers to operate independently of the company`s services.
Further concerns focused on ticketing data, with MPs suggesting that Live Nation`s control of ticketing infrastructure enabled it to retain customer information, including data generated through competing promoters` events, for use in marketing, promotion and event operations.
The report also addressed the limited implementation of the voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets intended to support grassroots music venues. The Committee said the industry`s slow adoption of the scheme had widely been attributed to Live Nation`s failure to introduce the levy.
Committee Seeks CMA Timeline
The Committee is now writing to the CMA requesting details of its next steps and a timeline for potential regulatory action.
Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Committee, said:
"Britain`s live music industry should reward talent, not simply market power. We found a climate of fear, barriers for artists and grassroots venues missing out. It`s clear to us that the CMA must launch a full investigation for the simple reason that fans and performers deserve a fair deal - and they deserve it now."
The renewed call adds to ongoing scrutiny of competition and market concentration in the UK live music sector, with the Committee seeking a formal investigation into whether existing industry structures are restricting competition and limiting opportunities for independent operators.