Exactly. If you want innovation to be a real force in music, you have to kill Ticketmaster/Livenation. As I've said before, that will be close to impossible for a startup to do, and the next real opportunity will be 2015 (when a lot of contracts wear out). Regardless, an entrepreneur would have to hit a grand slam to even have a chance against TM/LN.
Why is this? I've heard that TM basically has a monopoly on venue ticketing, but what are the barriers to entry for a startup?
Is it exclusivity contracts with all the big venues, or something similar for labels?
I would think a startup in this space would target smaller venues that aren't under contract, and independent artists to build traction, and if the product is truly superior they would have a good chance against the incumbents.
It's not just exclusivity contracts for the venues. LN literally owns those rooms. You can't get your ticketing solution in until you can afford to buy the venues!
And if LiveNation doesn't own the venue, they're probably your tour manager.
