It seems that our speculation the other week about Live Nation making a move on MCD Concerts has turned out to have legs, per the business pages from today’s paper.

This is a move which has serious repercussions for the Irish music industry. In the space of two deals – taking over management of all Harry Crosbie’s venues and now, the in-the-works MCD deal – Live Nation are set to become the biggest live music players in the Irish market, especially in terms of the all-important issue of controlling access to venues.

If you thought MCD had a virtual monopoly in this regard with their hands-on control of the Olympia and Ambassador, that’s nothing compared to the venue muscle which Live Nation can now flex with the addition of these rooms to a portfolio which also includes the Point, Vicar Street and mooted new venues Vicar Street 2 and the theatre on Grand Canal Square.

And I wonder will this come to pass over here too when Live Nation move into those well-appointed offices on Park Road in Dun Laoghaire?

Never a dull moment on the pop beat, is there?