Why Your Concert Ticket Suddenly Costs $300

Today the antitrust trial of Live Nation and Ticketmaster is entertaining closing arguments at a Manhattan federal courthouse. The Justice Department filed its lawsuit against the company back in 2024, accusing it of anticompetitive practices in artist management, concert promotion, venue ownership, and ticketing. Last month the Justice Department reached an out-of-court settlement with Live Nation, which agreed to certain changes—like curbing service fees and allowing venues to work with competing platforms—without admitting wrongdoing. But the legal fight wasn’t over. More than two dozen states rejected the deal, arguing it did not go far enough, and pressed on with the trial, which is now reaching its conclusion.

For Tommy Dorfman, an independent promoter who filed his own suit against Live Nation 15 years ago, the stakes are personal. Dorfman, known for putting on incredible concerts in the 2000s, says Live Nation not only destroyed his career but also reshaped the music industry in ways that hurt artists and fans alike.

The FP's Poppy Damon visited Dorfman’s office in New Jersey to discuss his long-running legal fight against Live Nation, and why he believes the company’s greed has driven the independent music business to extinction, fueled soaring ticket prices, and made it harder than ever for music lovers to experience live events.