Live Nation may have to sell two key London venues to push through its takeover of The Academy Group of venues.

The Competition Commission's preliminary report into the deal was published last Wednesday, indicating that divestment of specific venues might be needed to prevent a substantial lessening of competition within London's live music market.

The commission voiced concern that a loss of rivalry between Academy venues Brixton Academy and Shepherds Bush Empire and Live Nation venues Hammersmith Apollo, The Astoria ...