Stop Celebrating the Live Nation Verdict
A Manhattan federal jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster guilty of antitrust violations, confirming they overcharged fans $1.72 per ticket—roughly $1 billion over four years. The verdict highlighted Ticketmaster’s 86% share of primary ticketing and Live Nation’s 78% control of large amphitheaters. While Live Nation’s stock fell 6%, secondary platforms like Vivid Seats gained. Despite the ruling, the company’s record‑breaking $25.2 billion 2025 revenue and locked‑in venue contracts suggest little immediate change for consumers.
How to Own the Relationship: The Capture Stack
Part 3 of the Superfan Playbook introduces the "capture" phase, urging creators to secure direct fan relationships before investing in community platforms or subscription tiers. It spotlights the free Sellout Fan Score tool, which rates an artist’s readiness on a 0‑1,000...
The Campaign That Built 621 Superfans for Under $1,000
An independent artist leveraged a low‑budget "Fandom Funnel" to identify 621 superfans while spending less than $1,000. The effort produced a sold‑out listening‑party show in four hours, generated $1,100 in merchandise sales, and drove a 160% increase in the direct‑email...
"Music That People Listen To"
The article argues that traditional music genres have lost relevance in the streaming era, where algorithms and playlists shape listening habits more than label‑based identities. It cites Lil Yachty’s “music that people listen to” response as a symptom of a culture...