WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment — the largest antitrust action in the music industry since the breakup of the major label oligopoly in the early 2000s — has entered closing arguments in federal court, and the outcome could fundamentally reshape how concerts are booked, ticketed, and experienced by millions of Americans.

The government's case is straightforward: Live Nation, which merged with Ticketmaster in 2010, controls an estimated 80% of primary ticketing for major US venues, owns or operates more than 260 concert venues globally, manages over 400 artists, and promotes approximately 40,000 shows annually. This vertical integration, the DOJ argues, creates an anticompetitive ecosystem where artists who do not use Live Nation venues and promotion services find themselves at a ticketing disadvantage, and consumers face fees that have increased 200% over the past decade.

Live Nation's defense has centered on two arguments: first, that the company's integration benefits consumers by allowing it to invest in venue improvements and artist development, and second, that the relevant market is broader than the government claims — that Live Nation competes not just with other promoters but with every form of entertainment competing for consumer attention. The trial has featured testimony from artists including Billie Eilish and Garth Brooks, who described feeling they had no choice but to work with Live Nation, and from independent venue owners who described being frozen out of tours. A ruling is expected by September.