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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Entertainment
Katie Thornton

‘A death sentence for music’: the battle for America’s last Live Nation-free city

The Darkness performs at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. The city has long been beloved for its eclectic indie music scene.
The Darkness performs at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland. The city has long been beloved for its eclectic indie music scene. Photograph: Anthony Pidgeon/Redferns

From tiny coffee shops where folkies sway to acoustic guitars and mandolins, to thronging dark halls where bodies collide as metal bands and hip hop artists dominate the stage, live music can be heard seeping out of venues across Portland on almost any given night.

The city is known for its fiercely self-sufficient music scene, where local venues keep ticket prices low and artists experiment for curious audiences. It’s also the only major US city without a venue owned or operated by Live Nation, the controversial entertainment conglomerate that dominates the US concert-going experience.

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