Live Nation Inc. said it narrowed its first quarter loss thanks to increased sales at its venues.

Live Nation reported a loss of $35.4 million (-47 cents per share), compared with a loss of $45 million (-69 cents) in the same period a year earlier. The first quarter is typically slow for Live Nation.

Sales for the Beverly Hills-based live venue operator and music label rose 22 percent to $637 million.

Shares in Live Nation closed up 11 cents to $14.11 Thursday.