Jack Antonoff Criticizes Live Nation CEO's 'Underpriced' Concert Tickets Claims Amid FTC and DOJ Lawsuits

Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino recently stated that concert tickets are underpriced and have significant room for price increases, comparing ticket prices favorably to those for live sports events. His remarks sparked backlash from acclaimed producer Jack Antonoff, who criticized Rapino's view as heartless and proposed making it illegal to sell tickets above face value to eliminate confusion and secondary market price gouging. Antonoff emphasized that the ticketing system should serve fans rather than treat them as faceless revenue sources, and he continues to seek innovative solutions to improve ticket affordability. Rapino's comments came just before the Federal Trade Commission sued Live Nation and Ticketmaster, alleging illegal resale practices and monopolistic behavior that damage artists and consumers. The FTC's suit highlights issues such as hidden fees and collusion with scalpers, intensifying scrutiny on Live Nation's ticketing operations. This ongoing legal and public relations challenge underscores the tension between industry executives' pricing strategies and artists' and fans' concerns over concert accessibility and fairness.