Live Nation, one of the largest concert promoters, has banned personal lawn chairs at most of their venues while simultaneously offering their own rental chairs for $15. This policy affects 31 out of 37 Live Nation amphitheaters nationwide.

The ban primarily impacts venues like Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), where concertgoers traditionally brought their own seating for lawn areas. Only six Live Nation venues still allow personal chairs, with strict requirements that seat bottoms must be no higher than nine inches off the ground.

While Live Nation claims the chair ban improves security and speeds up entry, many customers see it as another revenue-generating tactic. This follows existing complaints about parking fees, ticket prices, and concession costs.

SPAC has clarified that this policy only applies to Live Nation events, not SPAC-produced shows like the Saratoga Jazz Festival and performances by New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra. These events still welcome personal chairs, blankets, and outside food and beverages.

The controversy comes as Live Nation faces an antitrust lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice, alleging the company and its subsidiary Ticketmaster have created an illegal monopoly that limits competition and increases consumer costs. The lawsuit was recently updated to include damages for affected parties.

Some concertgoers are calling for boycotts of Live Nation events, particularly since venues like SPAC have also adopted Live Nation's dynamic pricing model for their own events.

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