We like rock music more than you. It's just the way it is…

The Department of Justice has finally approved a controversial merger between two star-crossed ticket brokers that desperately wanted to be together. May I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Live Nation Ticketmaster.

After a year of deliberating and ticket problems and Bruce Springsteen’s fans calling to destroy Ticketmaster, the boys out in Washington, D.C. have merged the two ticket brokers, Live Nation and Ticketmaster, into one giant machine now known as Live Nation Entertainment. But with this merger come some rules.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Ticketmaster must license a copy of its ticketing software to AEG Live, which is now America’s second biggest concert promoter behind Live Nation. Ticketmaster must also sell its Paciolan division, which sells tickets to college sporting events, to Comcast. Live Nation Entertainment is also banned from retaliating against venues who wish to sell tickets through competitors.

Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino spoke very highly about the merger. “We believe that this merger will now create a more diversified company with a great selling platform for artists and a stronger financial profile that will drive improved shareholder value over the long term.”

All I’m worried about is the price of the tickets. Even though Ticketmaster CEO Irving Azoff says that the resolution “is a great win for fans” I have to be a bit skeptical. Since Live Nation Entertainment is pretty much the only way we’re going to get tickets when it comes to major, and maybe even smaller shows, who’s to say that they can’t just jack up the prices whenever they feel like it?

I realize that CD sales are no longer an artist’s main source of revenue which is why touring is so much more important. So while that may mean more shows for the fans, artists still have to make their money. Which means ticket prices will naturally go higher especially if it’s a band that draws thousands of people. But instead of giving us the opportunity to try and find the cheaper tickets we only have one stop to go to. Our wallets are in the hands of Live Nation now. I really hope that they don’t screw with us too badly.

Tags: Live Nation, Ticketmaster