Good morning. Coran Capshaw took the stand this morning in the Live Nation antitrust case, talking about his frustrations with SeatGeek at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the much talked about sale of Red Mountain Entertainment to Live Nation in 2018 and even a little bit of chatter on Bob Roux’s notorious velvet hammer. There was even a Grateful Dead story about fan club ticketing We’re in week 6 of this thing and getting close to the finish line. Write in and let me know who you would like to see under oath and on the stand. The crazier the better — just hit reply and let em fly!
Did AEG Go To Far With Witness Records?
The already high-stakes antitrust battle between the U.S. government and Live Nation took a dramatic turn this week, as the company filed a blistering motion for sanctions accusing rival Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and state prosecutors of witness intimidation and serious litigation misconduct.
AEG and the plaintiffs have both filed motions in opposition.
At the center of the dispute is Live Nation executive Rick Mueller, who spent more than a decade at AEG before joining Live Nation in 2024. Mueller was called by the defense to testify—apparently to criticize the quality of AEG’s ticketing platform. If AXS is genuinely inferior, the theory that Live Nation’s exclusive contracts unlawfully forecloses competition becomes harder to sustain.
Antitrust Expert Witness Accused of Lying to Live Nation Jury
A major fight in the Live Nation antitrust case has erupted over two simple words: “retained amount.”
Lawyers for the state attorneys general are pressing ahead with the Live Nation monopoly case and say these two words are mere technical terms, but lawyers for the concert promoter say the phrase is a symptom of something much more rotten about the so-called experts hired to testify in Manhattan.
YouTube Reimagines Coachella as a 4K, Multi-Screen Digital Experience
YouTube is significantly expanding the digital reach of Coachella in 2026, transforming the iconic event into a fully immersive at-home viewing experience. Beginning April 10, the platform will livestream both festival weekends for free, anchored by new 4K streams across all major stages including the Coachella Stage, Outdoor Theatre, and Sahara.
The move reflects a broader shift in how audiences engage with live music. Rather than a single linear broadcast, viewers can choose from seven simultaneous stage feeds, creating a personalized, multi-screen experience. YouTube’s Multi-view feature even allows fans to watch up to four performances at once, switching audio in real time.
In a nod to mobile-first consumption, a vertical livestream of the Quasar stage will be shot entirely on Google Pixel devices. Meanwhile, a 24/7 “Coachella TV” channel blends live sets with archival footage, turning the festival into a continuous content stream.
Interactive features, including live creator commentary and in-stream merchandise shopping, further blur the line between viewer and participant. Together, these innovations position Coachella as not just a live event, but a dynamic digital ecosystem.
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This week features Nathaniel Marro from NITO talking about the recent Live Nation settlement and Ticketfly Co-Founder Andrew Dreskin dishing on his new tech endeavor and what he’s thinking about the Live Nation antitrust case. LISTEN NOW »
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Jack White has been added to the Coachella lineup and will take the Mojave stage at 3 p.m., a slot that has recently been reserved for high-profile last-minute bookings. A longtime Coachella fixture, White previously performed with The White Stripes in 2003 and returned as a solo headliner in 2015. His latest appearance comes amid a busy stretch, including the release of new singles and recent performances on Saturday Night Live and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. 🎸 Watch him play SNL »
Japanese firm SBI Holdings wants to bring the Sphere to Japan on an island entertainment district in Toyko known as Odaiba. Cost of the project is estimated between $2.2 to $3.1 billion and the project would seat 20,000 people Like it’s Vegas counterpart, the Sphere Tokyo would feature a fully immersive exterior wrapped in LED panels and make use of high tech sound and audio to create stunning live music and cinematic experiences. SBI Chairman Yoshitaka Kitao said negotiations with MSG are ongoing, noting “this is a project we are determined to pursue no matter what.”
Airbnb is trying to accomodate music fans going on “groupie getaways,” including Gen Z gig-goers who pool resources by renting shared accommodations with friends. Fueled by major tours from artists like BTS, Noah Kahan, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, and Harry Styles, Airbnb says, often by fans trying to catch multiple dates for an act. Airbnb is capitalizing by offering add-on experiences, from private chefs to after-parties. Beyond boosting bookings, the rise in shared travel could also help reduce the environmental impact of live events, where fan travel accounts for the majority of emissions.
The Adventures in Venueland Podcast just dropped an eight-hour white noise soundscape curated to help live entertainment professionals relax while away from the action, perfect for a recharge between tours and show dates. Those missing the sound of a loading deck or forklift backing up can close their eyes and magically return themselves to the floor level with the sound of idling Peterbuilt Model 579 trailer trucks and the occasional technician asking “hey do you know where catering is located?” The eight hour sound session is part April Fools spoof and part ASMR therapy for road warriors and event junkies 👂 Download it at Spotify»
🛩️ Next Up On The Agenda
Option 🕘: There’s A First Person Account in The Atlantic From Lenika Cruz About Getting Swept Into a Kpop Fan Army Titled ‘I Wasn’t a Fan of BTS. And Then I Was’ » Join The Movement »
Option 🕧: Michael Hobbs Is Exploring the Long Term Impact of Social Media and Aging at HuffPost With a Piece Called ‘What Is The Internet Doing to Boomers’ Brains’ » Find Out »
Option 🕤: The Trapital Podcast Featured Dave Brooks On Their Latest Episode ‘Coachella’s Dilemma: Stadium Money vs. Festival Money’ » Set Forth »
