Tom DeGeorge in Congress// Credit: Youtube, House Committee on the Juidiciary 5/18/26
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Some U.S lawmakers and experts are criticizing the Department of Justice’s $280 million tentative settlement with Live Nation.
During a congressional forumon Monday, a Tampa independent venue owner testified that indie bands and their fans are losing out.
Live Nation was accused of misleading customers with ticket prices.
But many say the settlement is just a slap on the wrist for the world’s largest live entertainment company.
Tom DeGeorge, owner of the small independent venue Crowbar in Tampa, testified at the forum.
“A breakup needs to happen. But if Live Nation is still controlling the tours, they still control the industry.”
Crowbar is set to close in July, and a Live Nation venue is set to open in the same neighborhood.
As of Thursday morning, a petition to reject the proposed Live Nation venue had over three thousand signatures.
“Something serious has to happen, or we are going to lose our venues, and if we lose our venues, the bands are going to suffer, and the fans are going to suffer, and we cannot let that happen.”
Over 30 state attorneys general are continuing the antitrust lawsuit on the state level.