Musicians Against Live Nation–Ticketmaster
Live Nation–Ticketmaster controls nearly every corner of the US live music business, from ticketing to touring. In Portland, Maine, a coalition of venues, musicians, and art workers rallied the city against the industry’s most powerful monopoly.
In line with intensifying wealth inequality across the music industry, a small number of superstar artists benefit from rising ticket costs, but the vast majority of musicians and venue workers have seen stagnant or declining wages. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images)
On August 11, Portland, Maine’s independent music community scored a first-of-its-kind victory against industry giant Live Nation–Ticketmaster.
After months of organizing led by the Maine Music Alliance (MEMA) — a coalition of local independent venues, musicians, music workers, and arts organizations — the Portland City Council voted 6-3 to impose a moratorium blocking construction of a Live Nation venue. For now, Portland remains one of the few cities in the United States without a Live Nation foothold. The company is notorious among artists and fans for driving up ticket prices, suppressing wages, and destroying arts communities.
The fight is far from over, but this was a landmark win for Portland and the Maine Music Alliance. It’s the most significant municipal victory for working musicians in recent memory and it offers a blueprint for local arts organizing in cities across the country.
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