Calling the Jonas Brothers to the stand ...

Lawsuits don’t always make for the most riveting reading, but a recent federal suit filed by concert promoter I.M.P. is certainly an exception.

As we reported here, I.M.P., which operates shows at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, has a pending complaint against Live Nation, which owns the rival Nissan Pavilion.

I.M.P. claims Live Nation, the largest producer of live shows in the world, has a monopoly on the concert amphitheater business and is using its power to angle out the competition.

The court documents filed so far are filled with interesting tidbits — including a rundown of how rock music and the concert promotion business developed in the United States. I.M.P. also quotes from the blog of Trent Reznor, lead singer of Nine Inch Nails, to back up its request for the judge to not dismiss the case.

While the court documents delve into the minituae of anti-trust law, it’s not every day when a Jonas Brothers concert could help determine guilt or innocence.

The consequences of all this, though, are very real for Columbia. Merriweather is a major part of General Growth Properties’ plan for downtown revitalization and the historic venue is set to one day belong to the public.

To make those plans a success, Merriweather needs to continue to draw in big acts and the crowds that come with them. I’ll leave it to the lawyers to decide whether I.M.P. has a credible claim or not, but the outcome of this case is well worth watching.

-- Derek Simmonsen

Taking on the Nation

How do you not root for IMP, the gutsy little outfit that runs D.C.’s 9:30 Club?

When the company took over management of Merriweather Post Pavilion in 2004, the outdoor amphitheater’s concert lineup had become pretty spare.

Since then, IMP has been working hard and making headway toward returning Merriweather to its former status as a premier performing arts venue. But sinister forces are standing in its way.

IMP has filed a lawsuit against Live Nation, a Los Angeles-based firm spun off from entertainment mega-monster Clear Channel now in the process of merging with Ticketmaster, whose price-gouging in the concert arena is legendary.

The IMP suit alleges Live Nation is violating anti-trust laws by contractually binding major acts to perform exclusively at Live Nation venues. In these parts, that means the big draws for outdoor shows will be at Virginia’s Nissan Pavilion and not at Merriweather.

For the sake of fair competition and of the wallets of music-lovers (here and in Virginia), here’s hoping a judge pulls the plug on a monopoly.

-- Doug Miller

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