Live Nation CEO Confirms Premium Concert Ticket Talks With Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon
Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino has confirmed ongoing discussions with major streaming platforms about integrating concert pre-sale tickets into their premium offerings. These talks extend beyond Spotify to include Amazon Music and Apple Music.
Man in black against bricks
Spotify's upcoming Super-Premium tier, expected to cost an additional $6 monthly, will reportedly include:
- High-quality audio
- Remix tools
- Exclusive concert ticket access
Rapino emphasized that pre-sale tickets are "a very valuable asset" that comes with associated costs. While expressing interest in potential partnerships, he highlighted several key challenges:
- Scaling issues, particularly for high-demand artists like Beyoncé
- Finding a workable economic model for both parties
- Balancing existing pre-sale partnerships
The streaming services face significant pricing hurdles, as demonstrated by Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour, which already offers multiple pre-sale options through:
- BeyHive fan club
- Artist pre-sale
- Citi and Verizon Up (US)
- Mastercard (UK and France)
Spotify is already expanding into live events through:
- The Weeknd's "Billions Club" show
- Budweiser-sponsored "immersive experiences"
- Recent hiring for live event activation roles
Concert crowd at Live Nation event
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