The Executive Chair of IMPALA, Helen Smith, has pointed to recent US antitrust developments in live music and film as mirroring the independent music sector’s own warnings about the dangers of market concentration.
Live Nation Court Victory
A US court ruled yesterday against Live Nation and its Ticketmaster unit in a case that California Attorney General Rob Bonta called “a historic and resounding victory for artists, fans, and the venues that support them.”
Film Industry Consolidation Concerns
Meanwhile, a revolt in the film sector over the proposed Paramount/Warner Bros. deal has drawn a sharp summary of the risks of consolidation. A statement reflecting those concerns said:
“This is an important moment. Whenever a small number of powerful entities determine what gets made, and on what terms, in any field, it leaves creators and independent businesses with fewer viable paths to sustain their work. This will negatively affect the livelihood of so many people in our industry. And on a creative level it limits the breadth of expression of different viewpoints if only a few determine what we all get to watch and experience in theaters and on TV and the media.”
IMPALA Response
Helen Smith, IMPALA’s Executive Chair, commented that the language used in the film sector’s statement closely echoes her organization’s long-held position on concentration in music.
“Almost word for word, the concerns match our members’ warnings about the impact on concentration in the music sector. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the significance of this. And while we are doing that, here is a reminder of the conclusions we drew from UMG/Downtown. Thanks again to all the IMPALA members who dared to speak out.”
IMPALA also highlighted a report by Dan Fowler, “Powering an Independent and Culturally Diverse European Music Ecosystem,” which examines the link between independence and cultural diversity.
About IMPALA
Founded in 2000, IMPALA represents over 6,000 independent music companies across Europe. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. They produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs.
IMPALA’s mission includes:
- Growing the independent music sector sustainably
- Returning more value to artists
- Promoting diversity and entrepreneurship
- Improving political access
- Inspiring change
- Increasing access to finance
In 2025, IMPALA launched a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network. The organization also runs various award schemes and a programme called Friends of IMPALA for businesses seeking a strategic relationship with the European independent sector. This year marks IMPALA’s 25th anniversary, with a series of interviews titled Faces of the Independent Sector.
