The Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee has called on the Competition and Markets Authority to launch a full probe into the UK’s live music sector.
The Committee stated on 18 October that it is “pressing” the CMA to launch a full market investigation into the live music industry before the end of the year.
This latest push follows a report published in May, in which the Committee first asked the CMA to investigate the live music industry before the end of 2026.
MPs have expressed particular concern about the market dominance of entertainment giant Live Nation (LYV), the parent company of ticketing platform Ticketmaster.
Concerns were first raised with the watchdog following ticket sales for Oasis’ reunion tour, where tickets were being sold for thousands of pounds.
The Committee noted that Live Nation’s market position “raised red flags against all three of the CMA’s factors for assessing market dominance.”
According to the report, Live Nation “directly controlled 58 per cent of the 23.1 million primary tickets on sale in 2025, rising to 66 per cent when sales controlled by affiliated companies were included.”
“Despite the evidence presented by the Committee, the CMA has yet to announce a full market investigation,” the Committee said, signalling its growing frustration with the pace of regulatory action.
“The Committee is now repeating its call for urgent action to ensure fair competition and a live music industry that works for performers, grassroots venues and fans,” it added.
Liam Byrne MP, chair of the Committee, said: “Britain’s live music industry should reward talent, not simply market power. We found a climate of fear, barriers for artists and grassroots venues missing out.”
Byrne added: “It’s clear to us that the CMA must launch a full investigation for the simple reason that fans and performers deserve a fair deal – and they deserve it now.”
The Committee confirmed it is writing back to the CMA “asking for details and a timeline of their next steps,” applying further pressure on the watchdog to act decisively.
A CMA spokesperson responded by saying: “As set out in our written submission to the Committee’s inquiry, we are giving active and careful consideration to undertaking markets work in this area.”