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.

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

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