Will Live Nation/Ticketmaster Merger Mean Higher Ticket Prices?

MinnIndy is reporting that the proprietors of First Avenue in Minneapolis are launching a protest against the proposed merger of giant show promoter Live Nation and giant ticket seller Ticketmaster.  Opponents are afraid that the merger will mean increased ticket prices for the acts that Live Nation promotes.

If the fears are realized, it could mean higher prices for shows at the BREC, which is slated to open October 2010.  Live Nation is one of only a handful of concert and show promoters that book shows into arenas and one that we will definitely be using.  Ticketmaster is already the chosen vendor for our ticketing service.  May be something to watch.