Live Nation hits back at ‘inaccurate and unbalanced’ Four Corners investigation
With Four Corners set to target one of Australia’s biggest media companies, Live Nation, on an upcoming episode, the live events giant has hit back at the ABC.
On Thursday, the national broadcaster announced that this coming Monday’s Four Corners look into Live Nation, claiming it is “squeezing out local competition by acquiring smaller independent operators”.
“Over 1,300 venues have shut down and major festivals have been bought out, cancelled, and closed. Now, a Four Corners investigation reveals how the corporation — and its ticketing arm Ticketmaster — are maximising profits at the expense of both consumers and artists,” a press release read.
In a statement given to Mumbrella, Live Nation slammed the show and the ABC.
“Four Corners on ABC Television has published a promotional video for its upcoming episode this Monday, in what we are expecting is an inaccurate and unbalanced story about Live Nation,” the statement reads.
“Despite our best efforts to engage with Four Corners and present them with facts about the live entertainment industry, the promotional video contains a range of falsehoods and unsubstantiated allegations.
“To understand the Four Corners agenda, it’s important that you know we provided Four Corners written responses to all of their questions at 5pm on Wednesday 9 October, and three hours later Four Corners posted the promotional video for the program on YouTube. The program was obviously fully formed without any input from Live Nation.”
Live Nation also rejected a number of “inaccuracies” promoted in the episode, including comments made by iconic Australian frontman Peter Garrett that “they misuse their market power”.
“Australia’s live entertainment industry is highly competitive evident by the fact that Live Nation is one of many promoters with TEG and Frontier among the top, while Ticketek is the largest ticketing agent in the country, and Live Nation operates less than 1% of music venues in the country (6 out of the approximately 2,700 venues),” Live Nation said.
“The economics of our business follow the same industry models as these other players. We are proud our Live Nation Australia team is operated by local Australians who live and work here to bring in some of the world’s biggest acts to local fans while championing Australian talent and fuelling growth in the live music sector.”
Read the full statement below.
The episode comes as Australia’s live industry reels from a number of major festival cancellations, some of which are run by Live Nation, including Splendour in the Grass, Spilt Milk and Harvest Rock.
Mumbrella has contacted ABC for comment.
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Statement from Live Nation Australia on Four Corners
Four Corners on ABC Television has published a promotional video for its upcoming episode this Monday, in what we are expecting is an inaccurate and unbalanced story about Live Nation.
Despite our best efforts to engage with Four Corners and present them with facts about the live entertainment industry, the promotional video contains a range of falsehoods and unsubstantiated allegations.
To understand the Four Corners agenda, it’s important that you know we provided Four Corners written responses to all of their questions at 5pm on Wednesday 9 October, and three hours later Four Corners posted the promotional video for the program on YouTube. The program was obviously fully formed without any input from Live Nation.
Based on the promotional video, it’s clear that the program contains inaccuracies, including:
- Comments from a member of the band Bad Dreems complaining about their gross from a recent tour and blaming Live Nation for this.
That tour was promoted by a company called Love Police which is a competitor to Live Nation.
- Comments about inappropriate use of market power by Live Nation in Australia.
“Australia’s live entertainment industry is highly competitive evident by the fact that Live Nation is one of many promoters with TEG and Frontier among the top, while Ticketek is the largest ticketing agent in the country, and Live Nation operates less than 1% of music venues in the country (6 out of the approximately 2,700 venues). The economics of our business follow the same industry models as these other players. We are proud our Live Nation Australia team is operated by local Australians who live and work here to bring in some of the world’s biggest acts to local fans while championing Australian talent and fuelling growth in the live music sector. Our investments in artists, venues, event organizers, and entrepreneurs have enriched Australia’s cultural landscape and created thousands of jobs. Last year, we promoted over 100 Australian emerging and established artists, and we’ve successfully advocated for local Australian opening acts in 85% of the international acts we promote here.”
- Comments on control and closure of venues.
There are approximately 2,700 live music venues in Australia. Live Nation operates just six — one in New South Wales, two in Victoria, two in Queensland and one in South Australia – that’s 0.22% of the market. Breaking that down by states, in New South Wales, with about 795 venues, Live Nation makes up 0.126% of the market. While Music Victoria’s 2022 census reports approximately 1,000 live music venues in Victoria, where Live Nation makes up 0.2% of the market.
- Comments on negative impacts on Australian developing artists
“Since 2016, Live Nation has promoted over 900 shows for developing artists in venues less than 1,500 pax capacity – reaching more than 556,000 fans. And we’ve successfully advocated for local Australian opening acts in 85% of the international acts we promote here. Our business thrives on nurturing the next generation of talent, and we offer programs like Ones to Watch to foster emerging artists. We recognize the vital role grassroots music venues play in discovering new talent and applaud efforts to support these spaces. As dedicated operators in this space, we’re eager to discuss measures that strengthen the Australian music industry and ensure artists have the opportunity to grow and succeed.”
- Comments on ticket pricing
“Ticketmaster does not set prices, nor do we have or offer algorithmic surge pricing technologies. Ticketing companies do not control how artist teams and other event organisers price their shows or whether they adjust prices up or down based on demand. However, like other ticketing companies, we have tools to help artist teams understand demand for their tickets. It is the artist teams who decide which tools to use and how to best balance revenue goals with fan access. Artists are increasingly reliant on live music for their livelihood and to support their crew and rising production costs. It’s costly for most international artists to add Australia/New Zealand to their tour, and those costs have dramatically increased after Covid. Ticket prices need to compensate touring artists and ensure that Australia continues to attract many of the world’s most popular artists.”
- Comments on music festivals
“Live Nation is committed to producing best-in-class festivals across Australia and has strategically postponed events to ensure premium fan experiences when conditions allow. Festivals play a crucial role in driving regional economic benefits, providing cultural value, while also supporting emerging acts with exposure to much larger audiences than would otherwise be possible for them. Our team is actively developing projects to ensure our festivals continue to benefit artists and the industry. While some festivals face challenges with rising costs, we’re confident those with strong locations, talent, and a unique identity will continue to thrive long term in a competitive live entertainment market.”
We will continue to work hard to inform and engage with all of our stakeholders as an industry leader committed to the long-term success of the Australian music industry.
We won’t let this noise detract from doing what we do best which is servicing our artists/clients and fans.
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Neil Griffiths is the Managing Editor of Mumbrella. He joined the company in October 2023.
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They are clearly in PR spin, sorry damage control, mode. This will get ugly. Government grants to support some of their assets like Splendor in the Grass (which they own 30%) are epic. Live Nation received over $10 million from the NSW government over 2023-24 period, plus grants through the government’s Live Music Australia body totalling more than $200,000, including $100,00 for the 2024 Splendour, now cancelled. They also received $2.5m in Create NSW’s performing arts Covid support payments for “various performances” and an additional $5m through the Create NSW festival relaunch program. Where is all the money? That’s a lot of cash that could otherwise go to supporting local artists and local events. Anyways, the other question is why are gigantic corporations like this (Liberty Media owns Live Nation and F1 for reference) given so much taxpayer money? They are worth billions. The publicly traded Live Nation has a market cap of A$38.42 billion. Who makes these stupid decisions? I for one can’t wait to see the episode. Let the chips fall where they may.
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Hi Bob,
You sound like you’d be great fun at dinner!
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When I worked in PNG and the bush I listened and watched the ABC. From when I realised they were taken over by Woke Greenies a few years ago I stopped ✋️. Now even if I had no other choice I refuse to tune in to the ABC. I even left a diner with freinds because they were going to watch a program on the ABC. My grandfather ,Aussie Jarvis WW1 vet, famous 17th Battalion A.I.F. quote “If you only tell the TRUTH – you don’t have to remember the lie”. All the best Bob Jarvis.
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Obviously they hit a nerve. I can only wonder when the questions were asked that they answered only a few days before it airs.
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