Taylor Swift performs onstage during The Eras Tour in Atlanta on April 28.
Terence Rushin—TAS23/TAS Rights Management/Getty Images

Chaotic ticketing for Taylor Swift’s blockbuster Eras tour was a reminder of Live Nation Entertainment’s power over in-person events. The Ticketmaster parent company, which says it advocates for artists’ control of ticket resales, is the global leader for live shows, operating and promoting more than 40,000 a year, and over 100 festivals. Despite the controversy, first-­quarter 2023 revenue surged 73% from the previous year, to $3.1 billion, and a record 19 million fans came out IRL—a remarkable recovery from the pandemic pause. Even facing a federal investigation into its position and practices, Live Nation continues to sell more tickets than anyone else in the world.

A weekly newsletter featuring conversations with the world’s top CEOs, managers, and founders. Join the Leadership Brief.

More Must-Reads from TIME

Write to Mariah Espada at mariah.espada@time.com.

Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball Commissioner, on April 28, 2022 at Citi Field in Queens, New York.
Major League Baseball
Kim Kardashian, founder of SKIMS, photographed on April 25 in New York City.
Kim Kardashian Loves Your Body
Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, chief executive officer of Novo Nordisk A/S, poses for a photograph at the company's headquarter offices in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018.
Novo Nordisk
SeungKyu (Sean) Yoon, President and CEO at Kia North America and Kia America, speaks at the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023.
Kia America
Apple
EDIT POST