Live Nation Trial Shines Light on Power in US Concert Business

Live Nation Entertainment Inc. has faced an intense spotlight over the past few weeks as dozens of state attorneys general sought to persuade a New York jury that the company used its various businesses to illegally monopolize the market for live events.

Now the company, which is the largest US concert promoter and ticket seller and has hundreds of its own venues, has begun to fight back in court with defense witnesses as it seeks to rebut antitrust claims that could force a breakup of Live Nation and its Ticketmaster unit.

The states claim Live Nation monopolizes the live music ...