On Monday, May 18, Franz Nicolay, the keyboardist for The Hold Steady and author of Band People, appeared before Congress to provide testimony in an ongoing federal antitrust case. This appearance marks a continuation of Nicolay’s long-standing advocacy for musicians’ rights; in 2016, he lobbied for the Fair Pay For Play Act, seeking to ensure performers receive royalties for radio airplay.
As a veteran of the touring circuit with bands such as Against Me! and World/Inferno Friendship Society, Nicolay brings a unique perspective to the legislative floor. His recent work as a chronicler of the industry’s “middle class”—the session players and touring members often overshadowed by front-facing stars—informs his understanding of how corporate consolidation affects the livelihood of entertainment workers. Nicolay argues that the vertical integration of Live Nation and Ticketmaster creates a monopoly that systematically exploits both artists and their labor.
The hearing, led by Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin, follows a Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit against the entertainment giant. While the DOJ and Live Nation reached a settlement earlier this year—reportedly at the encouragement of Donald Trump—to avoid a full breakup of the company, the hearing served as a platform to discuss the broader implications of market dominance. During his testimony, Nicolay characterized the current state of live music as a “vertically integrated corporation that controls venues and tour promotion and ticketing and artist management,” describing it as the “epitome of the kind of monopolistic power that antitrust law was created to address.”
Beyond the economic mechanics, Nicolay emphasized the erosion of the artist-fan relationship caused by predatory pricing and a lack of regulation. “We simply want to be able to retain and manage the relationship between musician and audience without the influence of extractive corporate power,” Nicolay stated. He advocated for a sustainable business model rooted in respect for fans, rather than one focused on “squeezing every last dollar from them.”
Nicolay concluded by expressing a desire for artists to partner with companies that share these values, rather than being forced into a system that prioritizes corporate profit over the cultural health of the industry. His full testimony was broadcast on C-SPAN, and an expanded version of his remarks has been published on his Substack, Piano Fighter.
