ON THE RECORD: JIM CARROLLon music

Music fans are a disparate bunch, but there is one word guaranteed to unite them in fury: Ticketmaster.

By now, the global ticket-selling giant is probably accustomed to its whipping boy status. The high service charges are usually the first bone of contention, followed by a string of other grumbles.

But as Wired magazine pointed out this week, Ticketmaster remains the biggest beast in the ticket-selling jungle. Other operators have attempted to muscle in on its patch, but they’ve either been sent packing or been taken over by the company.

In Ireland, despite the efforts of enterprises such as Tickets.ie, Ticketmaster remains the premier agency for live-event ticket sales. As elsewhere, it attracts occasional ire from punters, but it continues to be the first stop for tickets to a big event, be it Slane, Oxegen or Croke Park.

Ticketmaster’s omnipresence is down to the fact it’s the first choice for promoters and venue owners. Using Ticketmaster means they only have to deal with one company,­ and they must be happy that Ticketmaster is there to take the heat for high prices. It’s better for them to have people giving out about Ticketmaster’s additional service charges than asking questions about why tickets for Irish shows are so expensive to begin with (clue: the fees charged by the artists).

Until a competitor comes along who can sweet-talk the promoters and venue owners into switching horses, expect grumbling about Ticketmaster to continue for years to come.

#NOWPLAYING

Elou Elan Sunday Times(Brownswood) Breezy, slow-motion soul with a twist from the Danish singer featured on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Bubblers 6 compilation.

Adele Rolling in the Deep(XL) Stomping new single from the lass with the mighty voice, and a tasty primer for forthcoming second album 21, with production by Rick Rubin and Paul Epworth.

Jay Electronica Shiny Suit Theory(Roc Nation) One of a brace of new tunes from Jay E that landed this week to mark his new deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation music company.

Jamie George Flying Saucer(Roska Kicks Snares) Splendidly funky extraterrestrial beeps and bleeps from the rising UK producer with the big hair.

Shit Robot From the Cradle to the Rave(DFA) This album had better feature on the Choice Music Prize shortlist or there will be trouble. Catch Marcus Lambkin over the next few days supporting LCD Soundsystem and Underworld in Dublin.

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