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Several music promoters are coming out against the Live Nation Ticketmaster merger and speaking out at the Subcommittee on Antitrust Competition Policy and Consumer Rights.

Jerry Mickelson of Jam Productions testified that although Live Nation does promote far fewer concerts in Chicago than Jam Productions, Live Nation owns the amphitheaters and arenas and they decide who plays where.

Some of those same artists who are under contract with Live Nation, Shakira and Van Halen, came out in support of the merger, but considering who pays the tour bills for them it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

The concerns from promoters are justified since Live Nation owns most of the outdoor venues and with the artist management and ticketing control they would exert, smaller promoters would not stand a chance of landing top artists. To believe they care at all about the customer is foolish, they are there for shareholder value only, and the customer is not a shareholder. This is all about money and control and the promoters, venues and customers are losing both by this deal.

More on the story at Rolling Stone Magazine