In a statement yesterday, Hurwitz said that Live Nation has a “death grip” on the amphitheater market, and that the company “uses this monopoly power to force artists to play Nissan over Merriweather. That is what our case is about.”
I.M.P. promotes concerts at the 9:30 club, which Hurwitz co-owns, as well as Merriweather Post, Constitution Hall and other venues. Live Nation owns Nissan Pavilion and promotes concerts at Verizon Center, Warner Theatre, Sixth & I Historic Synagogue and other venues. The Beverly Hills-based company — which owns, operates or exclusively books nearly 140 music venues worldwide — is building a new Fillmore-branded music hall in Silver Spring, where Hurwitz had hoped to open a new nightclub
Live Nation also produces major national and international tours; its 2009 lineup includes U2, Jimmy Buffett, Madonna, George Strait, Coldplay, Elton John and Billy Joel, Beyoncé and No Doubt. Hurwitz and his companies are seeking unspecified damages and injunctive relief that would prohibit Live Nation “from continuing its unlawful anticompetitive, predatory and exclusory practices.” The lawsuit was reported last week by the trade publications Pollstar and Billboard.
