Claims that Live Nation will be banning independent photographers from shows circulate online

Images have emerged on social media of emails from music industry giant Live Nation that ban media photographers from Australian shows, which has frustrated independent operators.

Photographer Maddie O’Brien.

The music media community is in a stir as claims emerge that a major multinational events organiser will ban photographers from its shows.

It appears that Live Nation for Australia and New Zealand will block independent photography by the media, according to emails shared on social media.

Live Nation is the world’s largest entertainment company that manages artists, owns venues, runs tours and owns ticketing platforms.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Live Nation for “monopolising the industry” while an ABC Four Corners investigation presented evidence of the company “tearing the Australian music scene apart”.

Live Nation owns online ticketing platform Ticketmaster

No official announcement has been made by Live Nation, although their accreditation form has allegedly changed, however photographers are sharing their experience of being knocked back.

A screenshot of an email sent to a photographer wishing to attend a Denzel Curry concert has been widely shared on social media.

“Please note, Live Nation has recently changed its policy in regards to photography at events, and will now instead bring in a photographer to the first show of the tour only,” the email stated.

Live Nation app

The email went on to explain these photos would be shared with media throughout the tour cycle instead of media taking their own shots at every show.

The email stated reviewer accreditation would still be provided.

Live Nation’s emails attributed the change to managing photographer access becoming a “stress point” in regards to dealing with approval access, forcing it to review its process.

It also said many artists were bringing its own teams to handle content from their shows and would provide images to media from the first show of every tour.

Live Nation is organising the Amy Shark concert at The Events Centre Caloundra.

Amy Shark performing at Festivale. Picture: Supplied

Maddie O’Brien is an emerging creative who runs her own independent record label, Moonbow Music and music photography venture, Memoirs by Moonbow, that covers the Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

The photographer had heard of the change through social media.

She said the existing system already made it challenging for independent photographers.

“In order to gain media accreditation for events and concerts to take photos, the usual process involves applying through a publisher, as freelancers like myself aren’t allowed direct access to media passes,” Ms O’Brien said.

“Live Nation’s decision will have a devastating effect on the growth of independent emerging talents within the industry.

Photographer Maddie O’Brien.

“By making it even more difficult for freelancers and small independent entities to access events, Live Nation is essentially making it harder for fresh perspectives to emerge in music photography.”

Ms O’Brien said she was frustrated as the system continued to favour established players rather than fostering the growth of emerging perspectives that left independent photographers with even fewer opportunities to showcase their work.

“Live Nation, it seems, is not supporting the smaller entities who are working tirelessly to push the industry forward, but instead, they’re reinforcing a system that makes it harder for us to survive,” she said.

Live Nation was contacted for comment but did not reply by deadline.

Originally published as Claims that Live Nation will be banning independent photographers from shows circulate online