What’s going to happen to concertgoing in 2025?

Many people might remember the controversy between Ticketmaster and its parent company, LiveNation, following Taylor Swift’s Eras tour in late 2022. Dynamic ticket pricing based on real-time demand, along with ticket reselling, has greatly driven up ticket prices, leading many others to call the system unfair. Additionally, the combination of concert promotion and ticket sale decisions being made under just LiveNation has raised red flags about control in the industry.

If you are anything like me, you might be wondering: what happened after the incident in 2022? What will the concert-going experience look like in 2025?

Photo by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1: the US Department of Justice’s lawsuit against LiveNation

LiveNation Entertainment has a substantial market share of the concert industry at 20.1%, with the next biggest competitor being Anschutz Corp, at 3.6%. By 2025, Live Nation is predicted to generate 60% of the industry's total revenue, and its subsidiary Ticketmaster remains by far the largest concert ticketing company in the United States.

Last year in May 2024, the US Department of Justice sued Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster for monopolistic practices. LiveNation is accused of using its dominance in the industry to price gouge its services and suppress competition, violating antitrust laws. While the lawsuit is still ongoing, the court decision could have a big impact on concertgoers.

Photo by IBISWorld

2. How the lawsuit could impact ticket prices

If LiveNation wins the lawsuit, ticket prices in 2025 will likely stay high. As inflation increases the expenses of everyday operations, large promoters like LiveNation can easily increase ticket prices, knowing that there will still be a lot of demand for major concert events. Meanwhile, smaller independent promoters with less demand for their shows might struggle to be able to sustain their business by increasing ticket prices.

If LiveNation loses the lawsuit, it will disrupt LiveNation and Ticketmaster, allowing for more competition in the concert industry. Increased competition will open up opportunities for smaller independent promoters and ultimately lower ticket prices and fees for consumers.

3. Biggest artists touring in 2025

Some of the most anticipated tours in 2025 include: Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft 2025 Tour, Oasis’ 2025 Reunion Tour, and Metallica’s M72 2025 North American Tour. Big stadium tours are also expected to feature more livestreaming and digital concert options, and additionally integrate more virtual reality and augmented reality into their production.

Photo by Pitchfork

4. What needs to change in the concert industry

Scalpers and bots make it difficult for real music fans to purchase tickets to their favorite artists. I am very surprised to see that this problem has not been improved over the last five years. Scalpers who buy and resell tickets at higher prices are a big problem for fans, promoters, and artists as they make easy profits, and none of that money goes back toward the artist or venue. I also want to see more honest ticket prices by combining the ticket face value and fee when shopping. It is incredibly annoying when you expect to buy a ticket for one price, and at checkout, you are spending 50% or more than what you thought you were. Fixing these two issues would greatly improve my personal concertgoing experience.

Overall, the future of ticket pricing is uncertain. I hope to see concerts become more affordable and accessible for everyone. I remember reading that in 1993, Nirvana sold their tickets for $17, and Kurt Cobain was astonished when he found out Madonna sold her tickets for $50 or more. Nowadays, a concert ticket is a huge investment, as much as a gaming console in some cases.

Thank you for reading my first-ever blog post! Let me know what you think!

Caleb G / Industry Insider