History of Live Nation Entertainment in Timeline

Live Nation Entertainment is a multinational entertainment company formed in 2010 from the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. It's involved in promoting and operating live entertainment events globally, including managing ticket sales. Additionally, the company owns and operates various entertainment venues and provides artist management services for musicians, covering a broad spectrum of the live entertainment industry.

2006: Incidents Linked to Live Nation Events

Since 2006, Live Nation has been linked to at least 200 deaths and 750 injuries at its events across seven countries, reflecting safety concerns at its organized events.

December 22, 2009: UK Competition Commission Approves Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger

On December 22, 2009, the United Kingdom's Competition Commission reversed its initial decision and approved the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

2009: Live Nation and Ticketmaster Agree to Merge

In 2009, Live Nation and Ticketmaster reached an agreement to merge. Following regulatory approval, the new company was named Live Nation Entertainment, with Michael Rapino as CEO and Irving Azoff as executive chairman.

January 25, 2010: US Justice Department Approves Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger with Conditions

On January 25, 2010, the U.S. Justice Department approved the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, requiring Ticketmaster to sell its self-ticketing company, Paciolan, and license its software to Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). Additionally, Live Nation Entertainment was placed under a 10-year court order.

2010: Live Nation Entertainment Founded

In 2010, Live Nation Entertainment was founded following the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The company promotes live entertainment, operates venues, and manages artists.

2011: Mathew Knowles Sues Live Nation

In 2011, Destiny's Child manager Mathew Knowles unsuccessfully sued Live Nation, alleging false information about his business dealings with Beyoncé.

2012: Live Nation Partners with Creativeman Productions

In 2012, Live Nation announced a partnership with Creativeman Productions, based in Tokyo, Japan, to expand its presence in the Japanese market.

2012: Radiohead Stage Collapse

In June 2013, Live Nation was charged with violating Ontario health and safety laws following a 2012 stage collapse at a Radiohead concert, which resulted in the death of a crew member.

June 2013: Live Nation Charged After Radiohead Stage Collapse

In June 2013, Live Nation was charged with violating Ontario health and safety laws following a 2012 stage collapse at a Radiohead concert, which resulted in the death of a crew member.

2013: Live Nation Acquires Voodoo Music + Arts Experience

In 2013, Live Nation acquired the New Orleans Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, adding to its portfolio of music festivals.

2013: Live Nation Forms Joint Venture with Insomniac Events

In 2013, Live Nation announced a joint venture with Insomniac Events, a promoter focused on electronic dance music.

2014: Live Nation Acquires C3 Presents

In 2014, Live Nation acquired C3 Presents in Austin, Texas, further expanding its presence in music promotion and festival production.

August 2015: Live Nation Announces Live Nation Germany

In August 2015, Live Nation announced it would form Live Nation Germany, in partnership with German promoter Marek Lieberberg, with oversight over events in Austria and Switzerland.

2015: Live Nation Acquires Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

In 2015, Live Nation acquired Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee, one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the United States.

February 2016: Live Nation Acquires Union Events

In February 2016, Live Nation acquired Canada's largest independent concert promoter, Union Events, strengthening its presence in the Canadian market.

March 2016: Live Nation Acquires Big Concerts International

In March 2016, Live Nation acquired Big Concerts International, South Africa's leading concert promoter, expanding its reach in the African market.

2016: OSHA Violations and Lawsuits Against Live Nation

From 2016 to 2019, Live Nation was cited for at least ten OSHA violations, fined for serious incidents, and sued civilly for a concert incident.

2016: Live Nation Acquires Founders Entertainment

In 2016, Live Nation acquired Founders Entertainment, the parent company of the Governors Ball Music Festival.

October 1, 2017: Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting

On October 1, 2017, the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas resulted in 58 fatalities and hundreds of injuries, marking it as the deadliest mass shooting in US history. Victims settled for $800 million.

2017: Live Nation Entertainment Reports Revenue of $10.3 Billion

In 2017, Live Nation Entertainment reported revenue of $10.3 billion, reflecting its financial performance for that year.

2017: Live Nation Announces Partnership with Mercury East

In 2017, Live Nation announced New York City-based promotion company Mercury East in partnership with Michael Swier, bringing venues such as Mercury Lounge and Bowery Ballroom under Live Nation.

2017: Live Nation Invests in Music Festivals and Promoters

In 2017, Live Nation continued to invest in music festivals and promoters, purchasing a controlling interest in BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival, Salt Lake City-based concert promoter United Concerts, and CT Touring.

2017: Live Nation Purchases Controlling Interest in 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, expanding its global network of promoters.

April 2018: US Department of Justice Investigates Live Nation

In April 2018, the United States Department of Justice launched an investigation into Live Nation following allegations by AEG that Live Nation pressured them into using Ticketmaster. Live Nation denied the allegations.

May 2018: Live Nation Acquires Stake in Rock in Rio Festival

In May 2018, Live Nation Entertainment acquired a majority stake in Brazil's Rock in Rio festival, taking over from SFX Entertainment.

2018: Live Nation Acquires Red Mountain Entertainment

In 2018, Live Nation acquired Red Mountain Entertainment, expanding its reach in live entertainment promotion.

2018: Live Nation Acquires Stake in Frank Productions

In 2018, Live Nation acquired majority stakes in Wisconsin-based Frank Productions, expanding its presence in the Midwest.

October 2019: Live Nation Acquires Stake in Groot Hospitality

In October 2019, Live Nation acquired a majority stake in David Grutman's Groot Hospitality, which includes nightclubs and restaurants in Miami.

2019: OSHA Violations and Lawsuits Against Live Nation

From 2016 to 2019, Live Nation was cited for at least ten OSHA violations, fined for serious incidents, and sued civilly for a concert incident.

2019: Inquest Verdict on Radiohead Stage Collapse

In 2019, an inquest returned a verdict of accidental death in the Radiohead stage collapse, citing inadequate technical advice and construction techniques.

April 2020: Saudi Arabia's PIF Acquires Stake in Live Nation

In April 2020, it was disclosed that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired a 5.7% stake in Live Nation, valued at nearly $500 million.

April 28, 2020: Saudi Arabia's PIF Investment in Live Nation Valued

On April 28, 2020, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) investment in Live Nation was valued at just shy of $500 million.

2020: Live Nation Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, Live Nation faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the suspension of concerts and sporting events. The company was sued for its refund policies, but later amended them. Revenues fell by 84%.

February 25, 2021: Live Nation Reports 84% Revenue Drop in 2020

On February 25, 2021, Live Nation reported its full-year 2020 financial results, showing an 84% decrease in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 2021: Astroworld Festival Crowd Crush

In November 2021, a crowd crushing incident at the Astroworld Festival in Houston, organized and headlined by Travis Scott and promoted by Live Nation, resulted in 10 fatalities and nearly 5,000 injuries. Lawsuits were filed against Live Nation and other parties.

December 2021: Congressional Investigation into Astroworld Incident

In December 2021, the United States Congress House Oversight Committee announced a bipartisan investigation into Live Nation's role in the Astroworld incident.

2021: Live Nation Acquires Majority Stake in Veeps

In 2021, Live Nation acquired a majority stake in streaming entertainment company Veeps, expanding its presence in the streaming market.

2021: Live Nation Forms Joint Venture with Duke Concept

In 2021, Live Nation announced a joint venture with Duke Concept, a concert promoter specializing in African artists, to support touring Afrobeat artists.

January 2022: Astroworld Lawsuits Consolidated

In January 2022, over 387 lawsuits related to the Astroworld incident were consolidated into a single case.

February 2022: Drakeo the Ruler's Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In February 2022, the family of Drakeo the Ruler filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Live Nation after the rapper was killed at the Once Upon a Time in LA music festival, alleging negligence in security measures.

April 25, 2022: Live Nation Acquires Music Management International

On April 25, 2022, Live Nation acquired Philippines-based promoter Music Management International (MMI) to establish its local branch.

May 2022: Bill Pascrell Calls for Break Up of Live Nation

In May 2022, Representative Bill Pascrell called for Live Nation to be broken up, citing its safety record and other issues.

November 2022: Calls for Live Nation Break Up Repeated After Taylor Swift Controversy

In November 2022, calls for Live Nation to be unwound and broken up were repeated after the Taylor Swift "The Eras Tour" Ticketmaster controversy.

January 2023: Judge Allows Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Live Nation to Proceed

In January 2023, a judge rejected Live Nation's motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Drakeo the Ruler's family, allowing the suit to continue.

August 2, 2023: Ticketmaster and Live Nation Sued for Patent Infringement

On August 2, 2023, Dynamic Ticket Systems, LLC. sued Ticketmaster and Live Nation for patent infringement.

August 2023: Federal Judge Rules Against Live Nation in Arbitration Case

In August 2023, federal judge George H. Wu ruled that Live Nation's unilateral change of arbitrators made the arbitration agreement unconscionable. He found that New Era had unchecked power and the rule changes were potentially unfair. The judge also noted that Live Nation was often the only option for events in certain regions, forcing patrons to accept their terms.

2023: Live Nation's Scale in 2023

As of early 2023, Live Nation's annual shareholders report stated that the company has controlling interests in 338 venues globally and considers itself the largest live entertainment company, the largest producer of live music concerts, the leading live entertainment ticketing sales and marketing company, and one of the biggest artist management and music advertising companies.

2023: Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Live Nation over Arbitration Practices

In 2023, Live Nation faced an antitrust class action lawsuit filed by four Ticketmaster customers. The lawsuit alleged that in 2021, Live Nation changed its arbitration provider from JAMS to New Era ADR, a startup with rules more favorable to Live Nation. The plaintiffs claimed this switch was unfair and that New Era's rules were abusive and hindered their ability to present their case effectively, especially regarding Live Nation's inflated ticket prices.

May 2024: Ticketmaster Data Leak

In May 2024, Live Nation confirmed reports of a 1.3 TB data leak at Ticketmaster, potentially impacting over 500 million customers. The breach was attributed to the ShinyHunters hacker group and has led to a class action lawsuit.

May 2024: Justice Department Sues Live Nation

In May 2024, the Justice Department and a coalition of states sued Live Nation over antitrust violations, seeking to break up the company.

May 23, 2024: US Department of Justice Sues Live Nation

On May 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it was suing Live Nation Entertainment over alleged anti-competitive practices, joined by 29 states and the District of Columbia.

2024: Consumer Watchdog Rules Out Investigation

In 2024, Ireland's consumer watchdog ruled out an investigation into ticket pricing "after some tickets jumped in price by over 400 per cent on Ticketmaster within minutes" and failures of their website during sales of upcoming concerts for the band Oasis.

2025: Oasis Concerts

In 2024, Irelands's consumer watchdog ruled out an investigation into ticket pricing "after some tickets jumped in price by over 400 per cent on Ticketmaster within minutes" and failures of their website during sales of upcoming concerts for the band Oasis to be performed in August of 2025.