Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. is a global entertainment conglomerate formed in 2010 through the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. Specializing in live entertainment, it handles event promotion, operation, and ticket sales worldwide. Beyond these services, Live Nation Entertainment owns and manages entertainment venues and provides artist management services.
2006: Live Nation linked to concert deaths and injuries
Since 2006, there have been at least 200 deaths and 750 injuries at Live Nation events across seven countries.
December 22, 2009: UK Competition Commission Reverses Merger Decision
On December 22, 2009, the United Kingdom's Competition Commission reversed its initial provisional ruling against the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, allowing the merger to proceed.
2009: Merger Agreement Between Live Nation and Ticketmaster
In 2009, Live Nation and Ticketmaster reached an agreement to merge, forming a new company named Live Nation Entertainment. Michael Rapino became the CEO of the merged entity, while Ticketmaster CEO Irving Azoff was appointed executive chairman.
January 25, 2010: U.S. Justice Department Approves Merger with Conditions
On January 25, 2010, the U.S. Justice Department approved the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, with stipulations including the sale of Ticketmaster's self-ticketing company, Paciolan, and licensing its software to AEG. Additionally, Live Nation Entertainment was placed under a 10-year court order to prevent retaliation against venues opting for competing ticket contracts.
2010: Founding of Live Nation Entertainment
In 2010, Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. was founded following the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The new entity manages ticket sales and promotes live entertainment on an international scale while also operating venues and managing music artists' careers.
2011: Mathew Knowles sues Live Nation
In 2011, Mathew Knowles, the manager of Destiny's Child, filed a lawsuit against Live Nation. He alleged that the company had spread false information about his business dealings with his daughter, Beyoncé.
2012: Radiohead stage collapse
A stage collapsed at a Radiohead concert, leading to the death of a crew member. This incident later resulted in Live Nation facing charges for violating health and safety laws.
2012: Partnership with Creativeman Productions
In 2012, Live Nation announced a partnership with Tokyo-based Creativeman Productions.
June 2013: Live Nation charged in Radiohead stage collapse
In June 2013, Live Nation faced charges of violating Ontario's health and safety laws following a stage collapse at a Radiohead concert in 2012. The incident resulted in the death of one crew member.
2013: Joint Venture with Insomniac Events
In 2013, Live Nation announced a joint venture with Insomniac Events, a promoter focused on electronic dance music.
2013: Acquisition of Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
In 2013, Live Nation acquired the New Orleans Voodoo Music + Arts Experience.
2014: Acquisition of C3 Presents
In 2014, Live Nation acquired C3 Presents, an Austin-based music festival organizer.
February 2016: Acquisition of Union Events
In February 2016, Live Nation acquired Canada's largest independent concert promoter, Union Events.
March 2016: Acquisition of Big Concerts International
In March 2016, Live Nation acquired Big Concerts International, South Africa's leading concert promoter.
2016: OSHA violations and fines
From 2016 to 2019, Live Nation faced scrutiny for at least ten OSHA violations. The company incurred fines for several serious incidents and faced at least one civil lawsuit related to a concert incident during this period.
2016: Acquisition of Founders Entertainment
In 2016, Live Nation acquired Founders Entertainment, the parent company of the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City.
2016: Acquisition of AC Entertainment
In 2016, Live Nation acquired Knoxville-based concert promoter AC Entertainment.
October 1, 2017: Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting
On October 1, 2017, a mass shooting occurred at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, resulting in 58 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. The shooter fired on attendees from the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay, marking this event as the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
2017: Partnership with Mercury East
In 2017, Live Nation announced a partnership with New York City-based promotion company Mercury East, bringing several former indie clubs under its umbrella.
2017: Acquisition of Blue Stone Entertainment and Cuffe & Taylor
In 2017, Live Nation purchased a controlling interest in Israeli promoter Blue Stone Entertainment and the United Kingdom's Cuffe & Taylor.
2017: Live Nation Reaches $10.3 Billion in Revenue
In 2017, Live Nation Entertainment reported a significant revenue milestone, reaching $10.3 billion.
2017: Investment in Multiple Music Festivals
In 2017, Live Nation continued its investment in music festivals and promoters by purchasing controlling interests in BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival, United Concerts, and CT Touring.
April 2018: DOJ Investigation into Live Nation's Business Practices
In April 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into allegations that Live Nation pressured AEG into using Ticketmaster and avoided booking acts for AEG venues. Live Nation defended its venue selection decisions as being based on size and management, not punitive measures.
May 2018: Acquisition of Rock in Rio Festival
In May 2018, Live Nation acquired a majority stake in Brazil's Rock in Rio festival, with founder Roberto Medina continuing to manage operations.
2018: Acquisition of Red Mountain Entertainment
In 2018, Live Nation acquired majority stakes in Red Mountain Entertainment.
2018: Acquisition of Frank Productions
In 2018, Live Nation acquired majority stakes in Wisconsin-based Frank Productions.
October 2019: Acquisition of Groot Hospitality
In October 2019, Live Nation acquired a majority stake in David Grutman's Groot Hospitality, which includes several nightclubs and restaurants in the Miami metropolitan area.
2019: End of OSHA scrutiny period
This year marked the end of a period where Live Nation was cited for at least ten OSHA violations between 2016 and 2019.
2019: Inquests into Radiohead stage collapse
Two inquests were conducted in 2019 regarding the Radiohead stage collapse from 2012. The first, held in Ontario, concluded that the death was accidental. The second, a British inquest, determined that inadequate technical advice and construction methods were responsible for the fatality.
April 2020: Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Acquires Stake in Live Nation
In April 2020, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund acquired a 5.7% stake in Live Nation, valued at nearly $500 million, making it the company's third-largest shareholder.
April 28, 2020: Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Acquires Stake in Live Nation
On April 28, 2020, it was disclosed that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund acquired a 5.7% stake in Live Nation, valued at nearly $500 million, making it Live Nation's third-largest shareholder.
2020: Impact of COVID-19 on Live Nation
In 2020, Live Nation was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly all concerts and sporting events on hold. The company faced lawsuits over its initial reluctance to offer full refunds, leading to amended refund rules.
February 25, 2021: Live Nation's Financial Results Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
On February 25, 2021, Live Nation released its full-year 2020 financial results, reporting an 84% revenue decline due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had put a halt to most concerts and sporting events worldwide.
November 2021: Astroworld Festival crowd crush
A crowd crushing tragedy took place at the Astroworld Festival in Houston during a performance by Travis Scott. The event, promoted by Live Nation, resulted in 10 deaths and almost 5,000 injuries. Consequently, Live Nation, Travis Scott, and other involved parties faced over 387 lawsuits.
December 2021: Congressional investigation into Astroworld
The U.S. Congress House Oversight Committee launched a bipartisan investigation into Live Nation's role in the Astroworld Festival crowd crush incident that occurred in November 2021.
2021: Joint Venture with Duke Concept
In 2021, Live Nation announced a joint venture with Duke Concept, a concert promoter specializing in African artists. The venture aimed to support Afrobeat artists' tours, with Duke Concept handling production and logistics and Live Nation providing venue support.
January 2022: Astroworld lawsuits combined
Over 387 lawsuits filed against Live Nation, Travis Scott, and others involved in the Astroworld Festival tragedy were consolidated into a single case in January 2022.
February 2022: Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Live Nation
Drakeo the Ruler's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Live Nation in February 2022. The lawsuit, brought before the Los Angeles County Superior Court, followed the rapper's backstage homicide at the Once Upon a Time in LA music festival held at BMO Stadium. The suit alleged Live Nation's negligence in providing adequate security measures at the event. Live Nation sought dismissal, arguing the incident was unpredictable and unusual, but their request was rejected by Judge Yolanda Orozco in January 2023.
April 25, 2022: Acquisition of Music Management International
On April 25, 2022, Live Nation acquired Philippines-based promoter Music Management International to establish its local branch.
May 2022: Congressman Bill Pascrell Calls for Live Nation Breakup
In May 2022, Representative Bill Pascrell issued letters to the FTC and DOJ calling for Live Nation to be broken up, citing its safety record and other factors. This call was reiterated in November 2022 after the Taylor Swift Ticketmaster controversy.
November 2022: Renewed Calls for Live Nation Breakup After Taylor Swift Ticket Controversy
In November 2022, following the Ticketmaster controversy over Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour,' Representative Bill Pascrell renewed his call for Live Nation to be broken up.
January 2023: Live Nation's motion to dismiss Drakeo the Ruler lawsuit rejected
Judge Yolanda Orozco dismissed Live Nation's motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Drakeo the Ruler's family. The judge's ruling stated that the need for security at the event was evident and that ensuring the safety of performing artists was a foreseeable concern for the defendants.
August 2, 2023: Patent Infringement Lawsuit Filed Against Live Nation
On August 2, 2023, Dynamic Ticket Systems, LLC sued Ticketmaster and Live Nation for patent infringement.
2023: Live Nation's Global Dominance in 2023
As of early 2023, Live Nation's annual shareholders report highlighted its controlling interests in 338 venues globally. The company claimed to be the largest live entertainment and live music concert producer, a leading ticketing sales and marketing firm, and one of the biggest artist management companies and music advertising networks.
May 2024: Antitrust Lawsuit Against Live Nation
In May 2024, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit to break up Live Nation over allegations of antitrust violations.