Live Music Under the Spotlight: MPs Call for a CMA Investigation and What It Means for UK Artists
Live music is the beating heart of the UK music scene, but who really controls it? This week, a UK parliamentary committee renewed its call for a full investigation into the live music market, and the outcome could affect every artist, promoter, venue and fan in the country. Here is what happened, why it matters, and what independent artists and producers can do about it.
What happened: MPs press the CMA for action
On 18 October 2026, the Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee announced it is pressing the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to launch a full market investigation into the UK's live music industry before the end of the year. The call follows a report published in May, in which the Committee set out extensive concerns about the dominance of Live Nation across promotion, venues, festivals and ticketing.
MPs have been pursuing the issue since widespread fan dismay over ticket sales for Oasis' reunion tour. The CMA has yet to announce a full market investigation, and the Committee is now writing back to ask for details and a timeline of next steps.
Key findings from the Committee's report
Scale and integration: the size and integrated nature of Live Nation's business made it difficult for artists and managers to operate independently of its network.
Exclusivity terms: long-term agreements with restrictive exclusivity made access to its venues contingent on participation in its festivals.
Ticketing share: Live Nation directly controlled 58% of the 23.1 million primary tickets on sale in 2025, rising to 66% when sales by affiliated companies were included.
Data: control of ticketing infrastructure allowed it to retain customer data, including from competitors, for use across promotion, marketing and event operations.
Grassroots levy: limited uptake of the voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support grassroots music was widely attributed to Live Nation's failure to implement it.
A "climate of fear": the Committee identified a climate of fear around dominant firms in the industry.
Committee Chair Liam Byrne MP summed it up: "Britain's live music industry should reward talent, not simply market power."
Why this matters to independent artists and producers
If you are an emerging artist, a band building a following in a city like Coventry, or a producer working with local talent, the structure of the live market shapes your career. Venue access, ticket pricing, festival slots and the funding that reaches grassroots venues all depend on how competitive the market is. A healthier, more open market means more routes to play live, fairer deals and a stronger pipeline of new talent, which ultimately feeds back into the studio.
5 practical tips to build a resilient music career
Own your catalogue and your data. Build a mailing list and keep direct contact with your fans, rather than relying solely on third-party platforms.
Support grassroots venues. Play, promote and attend gigs at independent venues. They are where most artists start, and they need your support.
Diversify your income. Combine live shows with streaming, merchandise, sync licensing, collaborations and session work.
Read the small print. Before signing any promotion, venue or festival agreement, check for exclusivity clauses and long-term commitments, and take advice if needed.
Invest in professional recordings and visuals. High-quality audio, music video and photography make it much easier to win bookings, playlist slots and press attention.
What to watch next
The key question is whether the CMA will announce a full market investigation before the end of 2026. We will be following developments closely. In the meantime, the debate is a useful reminder that creators benefit when the industry is open, transparent and competitive.
Ready to take your music further?
At Movinloud Studio in Coventry, we help artists turn ideas into polished releases with professional recording, music production, video and photography services. Whether you are preparing for your next gig or your first release, get in touch to discuss your project.
Source: UK Parliament, Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee, "Live music: MPs press CMA to investigate Live Nation's market power", 18 October 2026.
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