Live Nation CEO Confirms Advanced Ticketing Discussions With Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon

Live Nation CEO Confirms Advanced Ticketing Discussions With Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon

By Marcus Delano Thompson

February 21, 2025 at 08:27 PM

Live Nation is in discussions with major streaming services about offering exclusive concert ticket pre-sales through premium subscription tiers. During the company's latest earnings call, CEO Michael Rapino confirmed talks with Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Man in black against bricks

Man in black against bricks

The discussions center around incorporating pre-sale ticket access into streaming platforms' premium offerings. Spotify specifically plans to include concert ticket privileges in its upcoming "Super-Premium" tier, alongside high-quality audio and remix tools, for an additional $6 monthly fee.

Rapino emphasized that pre-sale access is "a very valuable asset" that comes with associated costs. He noted that while pre-sales are appealing, scaling remains challenging - particularly for high-demand artists like Beyoncé. The company currently maintains various early access partnerships and will consider streaming platform deals if financially viable.

Recent examples demonstrate the complexity of concert pre-sales. Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour featured multiple pre-sale options through:

  • BeyHive fan club
  • Artist pre-sale
  • Citi and Verizon Up (US)
  • Mastercard (UK/France)

Spotify has already begun expanding into live events, including:

  • The Weeknd's "Billions Club" show
  • Budweiser-sponsored "immersive experiences"
  • Direct concert ticket sales
  • New hire focused on live stage activations

The streaming service's move into exclusive ticket access aligns with its broader strategy to enhance fan experiences and create additional revenue streams beyond music streaming.

Concert crowd at Live Nation event

Concert crowd at Live Nation event

Alabama June Jam festival logo

Alabama June Jam festival logo

Related Articles

Previous Articles