Azoff, who experienced his own regulatory turmoil over Live Nation's controversial merger with Ticketmaster in 2010, will tell the congressional hearing that increased competition in digital music will make the UMG/EMI merger less concerning.
"With services like iTunes, CD Baby, Top Spin, Reverb Nation, Pro Tools, Facebook, Spotify - you name it - artists can do everything themselves very professionally," his written testimony argues.
On specific aspects of the deal's opposition, Azoff targets Warner director Edgar Bronfman Jr, Billboard reports.
"As for the broo-ha-ha around this deal, Mr. Bronfman has been talking about combining Warner and EMI for the better part of a decade," he said.
"Warner had a chance to outbid Universal in this process - but chose to walk away. Now, they regret their decision, and are spending millions to fight the deal.
"Well, I don't think the government should step in to give them another bite at the apple - that is not how our free market economy works."
As previously reported, EMI's Roger Faxon will also be in attendance today, while Warner director Edgar Bronfman Jr, and Beggars chairman Martin Mills will be part of the opposition.
Advertisement
