Lollapalooza/C3 being investigated for anti-trust issues
Lollapalooza 2009 (more by Paul Birman)
“The office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is investigating Lollapalooza sponsors C3 Presents and their partners for anti-trust issues stemming from the radius clauses that the Austin, Texas-based concert promoters impose on all of the artists who play the giant, three-day concert in Grant Park, according to numerous sources familiar with the investigation.” [Jim Derogatis]
Basically, bands aren’t allowed to play in the same general area, for a certain amount of time, before or after another show they have scheduled. This ensures that one show doesn’t compete with the other. The article says that club owners in Chicago say that this especially sucks for them, because so many bands play Lollapalooza and the length of time Lollapalooza says the bands can’t play is unfair. Lollapalooza (C3) says that’s just how it is, and people who agree with them would say that bands have the choice to play Lollapalooza or not, and then can come back and tour through Chicago later in the year. The above-linked article by Jim is an interesting read.