CFM Local 10-208 on the Live Nation Monopoly’s Impact on Independent Music

When Live Nation and Ticketmaster make the news, the conversation usually starts and ends with ticket prices. But the real crisis goes much deeper.

In this episode, we sit down with Karen Suarez-Flint, Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Musicians Local 10-208, to expose the systemic extraction of wealth from the working musicians who hold the entire industry up.

What We Discuss in This Episode:

• The Live Nation Antitrust Verdict: What the April 2026 ruling actually means, why the federal settlement was "pathetic," and how 34 state attorneys general are fighting back.
• The 100-Mile Lockout: How Live Nation's aggressive "radius clauses" are quietly crushing independent venues in cities like Chicago.
• Streaming Economics 101: Why Spotify's $19B revenue translates to a $0.003 per-stream rate for artists—and how algorithms are gamed to suppress music unless artists accept even less.
• The American Music Fairness Act: Why the U.S. shares a bizarre radio royalty policy with Iran, China, and North Korea, and how this bipartisan bill could change everything.

Take Action: Love live music? Don't let your local music ecosystem run out of time. Listen to the episode, share it, and contact your representatives to demand support for the American Music Fairness Act.

• Learn more about the Chicago Federation of Musicians: cfm10208.com
• Subscribe to America's Work Force Union Podcast for more insights on building worker power across America!