Ticketmaster is now part of LiveNation entertainment. LiveNation "owns, leases, operates, has booking rights for and/or equity interests in a large number of U.

Ticketmaster is now part of LiveNation entertainment. LiveNation "owns, leases, operates, has booking rights for and/or equity interests in a large number of U.S. entertainment venues" If a large band is going on tour they're going to have to go through LiveNation/TM at a number of stops to use the premier venues. A small startup can take on ticketing (and many do). But taking on the the venue infrastructure is no small undertaking.