NZPA

22/07/2026

A court ruling in the United States has found entertainment giant Live Nation was operating illegally as a monopoly, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for the music industry globally...

The company, which owns Ticketmaster, was accused of stifling competition, locking venues into exclusive deals, and driving up prices for concert-goers, claims that have echoed for decades, dating back to a failed challenge by Pearl Jam in the 1990s.

Lawyers have called the verdict a win for fans, after years of frustration over ticket prices and limited choice. Though the company has indicated it will appeal.

So what could this mean for audiences and promoters here in Aotearoa?

Donovan discusses with Layton Lillas, president of the New Zealand Promoters Association.
RNZ
Layton Lillas

Emille Donovan discusses the possible impact on Aotearoa with Layton Lillas, president of the New Zealand Promoters Association.

21/07/2026

This summer’s Rhythm and Vines will be the last held at the Waiohika Estate.

21/07/2026

Spotlight on NZPA member Brent Eccles from Eccles Entertainment, in an interview with Dom Harvey.

'Brent Eccles has spent more than 50 years in the music business, both on and off stage.

He played drums in the iconic Australian rock band, The Angels. Then at 45 years old he came home to New Zealand and became one of our most successful and respected concert promoters.

Brent has played drums onstage with Guns N' Roses, lost hundreds of thousands of dollars on concerts, sold 50,000 tickets to SIX60 in minutes and, during Covid, was officially ranked the number one concert promoter in the world. We talk about all this stuff in the podcast- the good the bad and the ugly.'

The Dom Harvey Podcast · Episode

17/04/2026

'Layton Lillas, president of the New Zealand Promoters Association, welcomed the US ruling affecting the events industry, saying global changes often influenced New Zealand, but he remained uncertain about its impact locally.

“That's a pretty big ruling in the US and what happens in the US normally filters through to the rest of the world. When I saw that, I thought, hooray, but is it going to change much? Well… let's wait and see.”

Lillas said he believed exclusive ticketing deals at major venues were driving up costs for both promoters and audiences here.

“The fees that are on top when you go to a Ticketmaster event are unbelievable,” he said.'

The jury found the business in the US used its dominant market position to smother competition by blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers.