There’s nothing more dangerous than Swifties… just ask Live NationLYV

, the parent company of Ticketmaster. After being thrust into the limelight from ticket sale issues during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, the company’s chokehold on the music industry — from festivals to ticketing and artist management — is now at risk.

• The Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to launch an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation this week, alleging that the company’s larger promoter and ticketing platform has “undermined competition” in live events.
• Live Nation, which merged with Ticketmaster under an agreement with the DOJ, had already violated an agreement where it promised not to retaliate against venues not using its platform.

Big Music’s final stand: According to Axios, analysts anticipate Live Nation will likely settle to protect its 80% market share in primary ticket sales and preserve its cultural permanence through music festivals, including Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and Bonnaroo. But an eventual agreement could cost billions, potentially opening the door for rising independent alternatives to challenge the status quo in the music industry.