Both building on the 3momentum of last year's 4unprecedented tour ticket sales that boosted the U.S. economy, with fans selling out hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to see their favorite artists.
"This is a significant amount of spending that people are still funneling towards entertainment and concerts."
But the 5phenomenon of 6funflation is raising 7red flags in Washington. The U.S. Justice Department is planning to sue Live Nation and Entertainment, the country's largest concert 8promoter and parent company of Ticketmaster, for breaking America's 9antitrust laws, according to reporting from the Wall Street Journal that cited 10anonymous sources familiar with 11DOJ's plans.
"It's impossible for a consumer to tell what's going into these ticket prices. It's really 12frustrating on the consumer side and also feels unfair."
For its part, Ticketmaster has 13defended its 14practices, arguing before Congress last year that it doesn't set ticket prices or determine how many seats go up for sale.
"Pricing and 15distribution strategies are determined by the artists and their teams. Service fees, even if they're called ticketing fees, are retained mainly by the venues."
Yet, despite consumer anger over 16exorbitant fees when buying online, the concert-going 17craze isn't over.
"People have 18rethought how they prioritize what they spend their money on and that we're going to see continued spending on experiences rather than just stuff."