History of Live Nation Entertainment in Timeline

Live Nation Entertainment is a multinational entertainment company formed in 2010 through the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. It operates globally, promoting live entertainment events, managing ticket sales (primarily through Ticketmaster), owning and operating entertainment venues, and managing music artists' careers. Essentially, Live Nation controls a large portion of the live music ecosystem, from talent management and promotion to venue operation and ticketing.

2006: Deaths and Injuries at Live Nation Events Since 2006

Since 2006, Live Nation has been linked to at least 200 deaths and 750 injuries at its events in seven countries.

December 22, 2009: UK Competition Commission Reverses Decision on Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger

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

2009: Live Nation and Ticketmaster Agree to Merge

In 2009, Live Nation and Ticketmaster reached an agreement to merge. The new company received regulatory approval and was named Live Nation Entertainment. Michael Rapino, then CEO of Live Nation, became the new company's CEO, while Ticketmaster CEO Irving Azoff was named executive chairman.

January 25, 2010: U.S. Justice Department Approves Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger with Conditions

On January 25, 2010, the U.S. Justice Department approved the Live Nation and Ticketmaster merger pending certain conditions, including Ticketmaster selling ownership of Paciolan and licensing its software to Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG).

2010: Live Nation Entertainment Founded

In 2010, Live Nation Entertainment was founded following the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster to promote, operate and manage ticket sales for live entertainment internationally. It also owns and operates entertainment venues and manages music artists' careers.

2011: Mathew Knowles Sues Live Nation

In 2011, Destiny's Child manager Mathew Knowles unsuccessfully sued Live Nation, asserting that the company had spread false information about his business dealings with Beyoncé.

2012: Stage Collapse at Radiohead Concert

A 2012 stage collapse at a Radiohead concert killed one crew member. In June 2013, Live Nation was charged with violating Ontario health and safety laws.

2012: Live Nation Partners with Creativeman Productions

In 2012, Live Nation announced a partnership with Creativeman Productions, based in Tokyo, Japan.

June 2013: Live Nation Charged Following 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 that killed one crew member.

2013: Live Nation Acquires New Orleans Voodoo Music + Arts Experience

In 2013, Live Nation acquired the New Orleans Voodoo Music + Arts Experience.

2013: Live Nation Announces 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.

August 2015: Live Nation Forms Live Nation Germany

In August 2015, Live Nation announced it would form Live Nation Germany, in partnership with German promoter Marek Lieberberg, overseeing 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.

February 2016: Live Nation Acquires Union Events

In February 2016, Live Nation acquired Canada's largest independent concert promoter, Union Events.

March 2016: Live Nation Acquires Big Concerts International

In March 2016, Live Nation acquired Big Concerts International, South Africa's leading concert promoter.

2016: OSHA Violations for Live Nation

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

2016: Live Nation Acquires Founders Entertainment

In 2016, Live Nation acquired Founders Entertainment, the New York City-based 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 left 58 people dead and hundreds more injured. It is the deadliest mass shooting in US history. The shooter fired at attendees from the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay.

2017: Live Nation Entertainment Revenue in 2017

In 2017, Live Nation Entertainment reported revenue of $10.3 billion.

2017: Live Nation Announces Partnership with Mercury East

In 2017, Live Nation announced a partnership with New York City-based promotion company Mercury East in partnership with Michael Swier, which brought venues like Mercury Lounge and Bowery Ballroom under Live Nation's umbrella.

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.

April 2018: U.S. Department of Justice Investigates Live Nation

In April 2018, the United States Department of Justice launched an investigation following allegations by AEG that Live Nation pressured them into using Ticketmaster and intentionally avoided booking acts for AEG venues.

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

In May 2018, Live Nation Entertainment acquired a majority stake in Brazil's Rock in Rio festival, including from previous stakeholder SFX Entertainment, with Roberto Medina continuing to manage the festival.

2018: Live Nation Acquires Red Mountain Entertainment

In 2018, Live Nation acquired Red Mountain Entertainment.

2018: Live Nation Acquires Majority Stake in Frank Productions

In 2018, Live Nation acquired majority stakes in Wisconsin-based Frank Productions.

October 2019: Live Nation Acquires Majority 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, including LIV nightclub at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel.

2019: OSHA Violations for Live Nation

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

2019: Inquest Verdict on Radiohead Stage Collapse

In 2019, an inquest returned a verdict of accidental death regarding the 2012 Radiohead stage collapse. A British inquest found that inadequate technical advice and construction techniques caused the death.

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

In April 2020, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired a 5.7% stake in Live Nation, becoming its third-largest shareholder.

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

On April 28, 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, making the PIF Live Nation's third-largest shareholder.

2020: Live Nation Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, Live Nation was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the suspension of concerts and sporting events worldwide. The company faced lawsuits due to reluctance in offering full refunds to customers, but later amended its refund rules.

February 25, 2021: Live Nation Reports Financial Results for 2020

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

November 2021: Astroworld Festival Crowd Crushing Incident

In November 2021, a crowd crushing incident occurred at Astroworld Festival, resulting in 10 fatalities and nearly 5,000 injuries. Live Nation, Scott, and other parties have been named in over 387 lawsuits.

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.

2021: Live Nation Announces 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: Lawsuits Related to Astroworld Incident Consolidated

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

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

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

April 25, 2022: Live Nation Acquires Music Management International (MMI)

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

May 2022: Bill Pascrell Calls for Breakup of Live Nation

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

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

In November 2022, calls to break up Live Nation were repeated after the Taylor Swift (The Eras Tour) Ticketmaster controversy.

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January 2023: Judge Rejects Live Nation's Motion to Dismiss Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In January 2023, a judge rejected Live Nation's motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Drakeo the Ruler's family, ruling that the performing artists’ safety was a concern for the defendants and foreseeable to them.

August 2, 2023: Dynamic Ticket Systems Sues Ticketmaster and Live Nation

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

August 2023: Federal judge rules against Live Nation's arbitration changes.

In August 2023, federal judge George H. Wu ruled that Live Nation's unilateral changes to arbitration rules made the agreement unconscionable, allowing class action status to be certified. The judge found the rule changes potentially unfair, with New Era having unchecked power to group cases and impose limits that would prevent plaintiffs from proving their case. 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 states that the company has controlling interests in 338 venues globally and considers itself to be the "largest live entertainment company in the world," "the largest producer of live music concerts in the world," "the world’s leading live entertainment ticketing sales and marketing company," and "one of" the world's biggest artist management companies and music advertising networks for corporate brands.

2023: Antitrust class action lawsuit filed against Live Nation over arbitration practices.

In 2023, Live Nation faced an antitrust class action lawsuit filed by Ticketmaster customers alleging that in 2021, Live Nation switched its arbitration provider from JAMS to New Era ADR, a startup with rules more favorable to Live Nation. The lawsuit, Skot Heckman et al v. Live Nation, claimed the switch was unfair and New Era's rules were abusive, limiting filings, briefs, discovery, and evidence, hindering plaintiffs' ability to meet antitrust pleading standards.

May 2024: Ticketmaster Data Breach

In May 2024, Live Nation confirmed a 1.3 TB data leak at subsidiary Ticketmaster, potentially impacting over 500 million customers. The leak was attributed to ShinyHunters, who targeted the company's Snowflake infrastructure.

May 2024: Justice Department Sues to Break Up Live Nation

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

May 23, 2024: U.S. Department of Justice Sues Live Nation

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

2024: Irish Consumer Watchdog Rules Out Investigation into Ticketmaster

In August of 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.