Inside Ticketmaster: Fans, Fraud, and False Narratives

Suno is betting that music’s next big business is getting people to create and interact with songs. CEO and co-founder Mikey Shulman calls it “creative entertainment,” with a vision that reaches far beyond professional musicians. Mikey and I sat down to discuss Suno’s business model, its partnership with Warner Music Group, and what letting fans remix their favorite artists could unlock. We also dug into the copyright disputes surrounding AI training, Suno’s approach to streaming fraud, and how fan-created music could become part of the live concert experience. CHAPTERS 03:27 Suno’s Creative Entertainment Vision06:58 Lessons from Gaming08:52 Superfans and Artist Remixes14:22 From Lawsuit to Warner Partnership22:29 Beyond One Music Subscription27:12 AI Training and Copyright33:10 Tackling Streaming Fraud36:46 Human Artistry and AI Labels40:10 Suno’s Live Music Ambitions SPONSORS Chartmetric Flow: Flow is Chartmetric’s new AI-powered music intelligence tool that helps music professionals turn complex data into actionable insights. Ask questions in plain language, discover trends, and get the information you need to make smarter decisions, all without digging through dashboards.Learn more: https://flow.chartmetric.com/pricing/trapital TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

Streaming numbers don’t always tell you how many tickets an artist can sell. Lee Anderson saw that firsthand with clients like ISOxo and Knock2. As co-president of music at THE·TEAM, formerly Wasserman, he helps artists build touring strategies around their goals and their fans. Lee and I sat down to discuss the changing role of talent agencies, how he navigated the company’s leadership crisis, and why the stadium touring boom is putting pressure on festivals. We also talked about ticket pricing, balancing data with instinct, Skrillex’s live strategy, and why destination shows and superfan experiences could shape the future of touring. CHAPTERS 03:45 From Promoter to Agent07:26 Leading THE·TEAM Through Change10:17 The Agency’s Role Beyond Touring15:10 Festivals and Stadium Tours23:40 Balancing Data and Instinct27:05 What Makes EDM Different32:27 Destination Shows, Merch, and Superfans SPONSORS Chartmetric Flow: Flow is Chartmetric’s new AI-powered music intelligence tool that helps music professionals turn complex data into actionable insights. Ask questions in plain language, discover trends, and get the information you need to make smarter decisions, all without digging through dashboards.Learn more: https://flow.chartmetric.com/pricing/trapital Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers, ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more. TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

NVIDIA is best known for everything it does to power AI, but its work in media and entertainment goes much further. At the Trapital Summit I sat down with, Richard Kerris, VP and GM of media and entertainment at NVIDIA. He discussed NVIDIA’s work with Universal Music Group, Adobe, Runway, Getty. and why entertainment companies’ public comments on AI can differ from what happens behind closed doors. We also discussed music discovery in a flood of AI content, how CEO Jensen Huang evaluates new opportunities, what happened to the metaverse, and how AI agents could give creators more control over their work. CHAPTERS 03:48 NVIDIA and Universal Music Group06:44 The Disconnect Around AI Messaging10:10 Music Discovery and the AI Content Flood12:46 Zero Billion Dollar Opportunity17:21 AI Agents and the Creative Process SPONSORS Chartmetric Flow: Flow is Chartmetric’s new AI-powered music intelligence tool that helps music professionals turn complex data into actionable insights. Ask questions in plain language, discover trends, and get the information you need to make smarter decisions, all without digging through dashboards. Learn more: https://flow.chartmetric.com/pricing/trapital Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers, ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more. TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

Jay-Z has spent years helping decide who performs at the Super Bowl halftime show. Now he’s taking the stage himself. After a year of stadium shows and playing offense, his 2027 headlining spot raises the question of what comes next. Justin Tinsley of Andscape joins me for this bonus episode to break down the announcement, Roc Nation’s NFL partnership, and how Jay-Z turns cultural moments into business opportunities. We also discuss the gap between online criticism and ticket sales, potential appearances from Beyoncé and Blue Ivy Carter, and whether a new album or tour could follow. CHAPTERS 03:33 Why Jay-Z, Why Now05:26 The Announcement and the Leak09:06 Online Backlash and Ticket Prices10:35 Roc Nation’s NFL Partnership12:35 Jay-Z’s Business Playbook14:20 What Comes Next in 202718:07 Expectations for the Halftime Show SPONSORS Chartmetric Flow: Flow is Chartmetric’s new AI-powered music intelligence tool that helps music professionals turn complex data into actionable insights. Ask questions in plain language, discover trends, and get the information you need to make smarter decisions, all without digging through dashboards.Learn more: https://flow.chartmetric.com/pricing/trapital Symphonic NEXT: Unlock the value of your music catalog with flexible funding and strategic support from Symphonic Distribution. Whether you're an artist, manager, label, or rights owner, NEXT offers royalty advances, catalog sales, and growth opportunities tailored to your goals—without sacrificing creative control.Learn more: https://symphonic.com/next TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

I sat down with Saumil Mehta, Global President of Ticketmaster, at the 2026 Trapital Summit to talk about the future of ticketing. Saumil and I discussed the challenges of earning fans’ trust, why he personally responds to complaints on X, and the fight against bots and ticket fraud. We also talked about the technology fans don’t see, venue exclusivity, and where he believes Ticketmaster’s public reputation differs from how the business operates. CHAPTERS 02:58 From Square to Ticketmaster05:14 Product, Design, and AI06:17 Fan Trust and Transparency11:36 Bots, Fraud, and Resale13:21 The “Blue Dot Fever” Debate14:51 Beyond the Ticketmaster App17:09 Venue Choice and Exclusivity SPONSORS Chartmetric Flow: Flow is Chartmetric’s new AI-powered music intelligence tool that helps music professionals turn complex data into actionable insights. Ask questions in plain language, discover trends, and get the information you need to make smarter decisions, all without digging through dashboards. Learn more: https://flow.chartmetric.com/pricing/trapital TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

I sat down with Steve Boom, VP of Audio, Twitch & Games, at the 2026 Trapital Summit to talk about the competition for your attention. Boom oversees Amazon Music, Wondery, Twitch, Audible, and more. Steve and I discussed the company's partnership with Oprah Winfrey, the tradeoffs of podcast exclusivity, and Amazon Music’s future. We also talked about streaming prices, Twitch’s evolution beyond gaming, and how AI could help Audible reach more listeners worldwide. CHAPTERS 01:24 Competing for Your Attention03:09 Oprah and Podcast Exclusivity06:35 Amazon Music’s Growth09:31 How Amazon Measures Success12:55 Free Tiers and Streaming Prices17:45 Twitch Beyond Gaming20:38 AI and the Future of Audiobooks SPONSORS Chartmetric Flow: Flow is Chartmetric’s new AI-powered music intelligence tool that helps music professionals turn complex data into actionable insights. Ask questions in plain language, discover trends, and get the information you need to make smarter decisions, all without digging through dashboards. Learn more: https://flow.chartmetric.com/pricing/trapital TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

Brazil’s biggest music stars can build massive audiences at home, while Nigeria’s global stars often find most of their listeners abroad. Both are finding success, but the paths to building those audiences look very different. Sung Cho, founder and CEO of Chartmetric, joined me at the Trapital Summit to break down the company’s new report, The New Sound of Global Music. We discussed how music from Mexico, Nigeria, India, Japan, and Brazil travels across borders, why one global hit doesn’t guarantee lasting momentum, and what streaming numbers can miss. We also talked about Chartmetric Flow, how AI can help plan tours and identify brand partnerships, and why execution still matters when everyone has access to the same tools. CHAPTERS 01:54 The Ripple Effect of Global Hits05:39 Brazil vs. Nigeria’s Superstars07:41 What Streaming Data Misses10:53 Introducing Chartmetric Flow12:16 Tour Planning and Brand Partnerships14:53 Why Execution Still Matters SPONSORS Chartmetric Flow: Flow is Chartmetric’s new AI-powered music intelligence tool that helps music professionals turn complex data into actionable insights. Ask questions in plain language, discover trends, and get the information you need to make smarter decisions, all without digging through dashboards.Learn more: https://flow.chartmetric.com/pricing/trapital TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

Kevin Shivers started in an agency mailroom at 31. Today, he’s Co-President of Music at THE·TEAM, representing artists including Tyler, the Creator, Leon Thomas, and Kali Uchis. His approach to building the agency centers on teamwork, developing artists, and what he calls “unreasonable hospitality.” Kevin sat down with Billboard’s Taylor Mims at the Trapital Summit to break down his journey, what he looks for when signing artists, and how he’s helped grow Tyler, the Creator’s touring business over 14 years. They also discussed why stadium tours are making festival bookings harder, how fans are changing the way they buy tickets, and why selling out immediately isn’t always the right goal. CHAPTERS 01:37 Building the Number One Agency02:54 From the Mailroom to Co-President06:42 Finding Artists with Staying Power09:24 Tyler, the Creator’s Touring Growth11:42 Festivals vs. Headline Tours15:05 Stadiums and the Live Music Business17:12 Ticket Sales and Sellout Strategy SPONSORS Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week. Chartmetric Flow: Flow is Chartmetric’s new AI-powered music intelligence tool that helps music professionals turn complex data into actionable insights. Ask questions in plain language, discover trends, and get the information you need to make smarter decisions, all without digging through dashboards.Learn more: https://flow.chartmetric.com/pricing/trapital TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

KevOnStage has millions of followers, a growing production company, and the largest creator deal Tubi has signed to date. But live touring still drives roughly 60% of his revenue, while his TV shows are more about building his long-term business. Kev and I sat down at the Trapital Summit to break down his business model, why he can sometimes make more money selling 300 tickets at a church than 1,000 tickets at a traditional venue, and his frustrations with Live Nation and Ticketmaster fees. We also discussed his Tubi deal, the importance of ownership, lessons from Tyler Perry and Issa Rae, and how he's building an audience across platforms. CHAPTERS 02:00 Tubi Deal and Ownership 07:29 KevOnStage's Revenue Breakdown 12:23 Live Nation and Ticketmaster Economics 17:23 Why Kev Prefers to Tour in Churches 20:11 Tyler Perry and Issa Rae 25:53 The Creator Business Flywheel SPONSORS Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week. Chartmetric Flow: Flow is Chartmetric's new AI-powered music intelligence tool that helps music professionals turn complex data into actionable insights. Ask questions in plain language, discover trends, and get the information you need to make smarter decisions, all without digging through dashboards. Learn more: https://flow.chartmetric.com/pricing/trapital TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.

I sat down with Primary Wave CEO Larry at the Trapital Summit. When Larry started Primary Wave in 2006, the company had roughly $60 million to invest. Twenty years later, Primary Wave raised a record $2.2 billion fund dedicated. It has partnered with the estates and catalogs of Whitney Houston, Prince, Bob Marley, James Brown, Luther Vandross, and more.Larry and I talked about how Primary Wave evaluates music rights, recent acquisitions, the rise of capital in the space, the criticism that the firm has given, and more. CHAPTERS 07:53 What makes a music catalog valuable11:38 Active vs. passive management12:16 Whitney Houston, Prince, and other estates16:36 Why Primary Wave acquired Kobalt23:09 The future of music rights valuations This conversation was recorded live at Trapital Summit 2026 in Los Angeles. Listen here: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Overcast Links mentioned: Primary Wave Music Primary Wave’s acquisition of Kobalt Primary Wave’s $2.2 billion Music IP Fund IV Trapital Summit 2026 Why Investors Are Looking Beyond Iconic Music Catalogs — Trapital’s conversation with Flexpoint Ford’s Mike Morris Presented by Chartmetric