#169

Issue #169 | September 12, 2023This past week we found one artist making his return to Ticketmaster, one band attempting to host the first “carbon removed” concert, and one country testing the usage of IDs for ticketing. Oh, and The Rolling Stones and Pretty Lights are back after a combined 23-year hiatus, so does anything else really matter?

Credit: Tour Manager InfoEZoo developmentsNew developments from New York's Electric Zoo reveal that the proper permits hadn’t been received by the Department of Parks & Recreation, due to multiple safety and security issues that took until Saturday afternoon to complete. From ticketing issues to overcrowding, New York City Mayor Eric Adams mentioned an investigation is coming for the event. The event is now undergoing similar issues (overcrowding, overselling, lack of safety) as the NY venue Avant Gardner, who have the same owner. And to make matters worse, the event ended with 1,500 attendees rushing the gates - check out Mayor Adams' response and the aftermath here.  

Blue Ridge Rock Festival canceledOver in Virginia, Blue Ridge Rock Festival underwent a different sort of cancellation due to severe weather. Fans are concerned they won’t get refunds, largely because of 2021 refunds that are still outstanding. Yet, fans claim a lack of organization with areas such as garbage, bathrooms, camping, traffic flow and shuttles were amongst the many reasons the event couldn’t carry on. See photos, videos and fan posts here.

Artémis acquires CAAFrançois-Henri Pinault’s Artémis officially acquired a majority stake in CAA last week. Artémis adds CAA to its $40 billion portfolio, which already includes Kering (luxury goods group made up of Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen and others), Christie’s auction house and winery Château Latour. The deal terms weren’t disclosed, but it is believed that CAA’s valuation is at $7 billion, which would put the deal at roughly $3.5 billion. Read more here about what it could mean for our industry.

Shooting at Lil Baby showOn Thursday, September 7, a man was shot and wounded during a Lil Baby show at FedExForum in Memphis, TN. The show was immediately stopped and the venue was evacuated following the shooting that police believe was premeditated and targeted.  

Liberty Media acquires QuintEventsLiberty Media, owners of Formula 1, Sirius XM, and the Atlanta Braves, has acquired more than 90% of QuintEvents, a company that specializes in premium hospitality, sports, and travel packages. The two have worked together on Formula 1 events since 2017 though the F1 Experience program. The transaction values the QuintEvents at $313 million. 

Zach Bryan returns to TicketmasterDespite Zach Bryan’s 2023 album, All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster, and his very vocal decision to avoid using the ticketing giant for his “Burn, Burn, Burn” tour, the country artist has announced that he is “using all ticketing sites” for his “Quittin’ Time Tour.” Apparently “everyone complained” and the AXS ticketing experience wasn’t great either and Bryan now realizes that “one guy can’t change the whole system.”

World's first "carbon removed" concertThe 1975’s concert at London’s O2 Arena in February will be the world’s first “carbon-removed” show. Carbon removal company, CUR8, will use a series of methods to remove the carbon generated by the show from the atmosphere, including planting extra trees and direct air capture, in an attempt to reach net zero.  

Japan testing ID cards for ticketingJapan is planning to test their My Number digital ID cards for ticket buyer authentication as a way to increase usage of these government-issued identification cards. They will also test using the cards to verify age for alcohol purchasing and as identity verification on official secondary ticketing sites to prevent unfair resale.  

Extreme weather's effects on festivalsThe torrential rain at Burning Man last week felt “unprecedented,” yet it to those who attended Australia’s Splendour in the Mud (Grass), last year, it may be a bit more “precedented.” More and more people are raising flags about climate change and the effect its extreme weather is having on festivals around the world. Is summer becoming too risky for outdoor festivals? 

Women in Music Mentorship ProgramApplications for Women in Music’s mentorship program are open through this Friday, September 15. The program “provides professional development and leadership training to its members with the goal of driving a more diverse and inclusive group of individuals into decision-making roles to benefit our industry, the greater arts community, and the world at large.” Apply for a mentorship or to be a mentor here. 

  Endeavor is looking for an Event Manager to join the large-scale Event Production & Operations Team in Los Angeles, CA (hybrid). Salary range: $64,480 - 75,000.   United Site Services is hiring a Manager Business Development in Whitestone, NY. Salary range: $65,000.00 - 112,000.00.     Live Nation Concerts is looking for a Nashville, TN Marketing Director to support Emporium Presents events.

Would you rather the festival you owned happen, but get sued, or canceled entirely due to severe weather?

Last Week's Results:

66% of BOH readers would rather be stuck outside of a festival.

Lineups, Festival & Tour Announcements

• After canceling his Philadelphia, PA shows, Bruce Spingsteen postponed all of his September dates due to a peptic ulcer.

• IYKYK Music Festival, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 9 in Phoenix, AZ, was canceled days before because of “irreparable damage due to a severe monsoon storm” to the main stage.

• Jack Johnson is performing an “intimate benefit concert” with all proceeds to support Maui fire relief efforts on September 18 at The Republik in Honolulu, HI. He is also releasing a live benefit album, Songs For Maui, September 15.

• Oliver Anthony has been added to the Louder Than Life Festival lineup, scheduled for September 21 - 24 in Louisville, KY.

• Pretty Lights will play a second night at Hulaween, October 26 - 29, in Live Oak, FL,  replacing Rainbow Kitten Surprise. 

• RZA will perform 3 symphony shows at Gramercy Theatre in NYC November 8 - 10 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Wu-Tang Clan’s album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).

• Riley Green is going to 33 cities on the “Ain’t My Last Rodeo” tour starting in February in  Pikeville, KY. 

• Fall Out Boy has added to their “So Much For (Tour) Dust” tour with the announcement of “So Much For (2our) Dust”. The band will play 20+ new dates in the US along with Jimmy Eat World, starting February 28, 2024 in Portland, OR.

• Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert and Eric Church will headline Stagecoach Festival April 26 - 28, 2024 in Indio, CA. Also on the bill, a “special set of country covers” by Post Malone, Nickelback, Diplo, The Beach Boys, and Wiz Khalifa. 

• Tyler Childers and his band The Food Stamps will go on tour throughout North America with their “Mule Pull ’24 Tour,” starting in April in San Diego, CA.

How to create a hospitality rider.

The Rolling Stones [finally] release a new album after an 18-year delay.

 Billie Eilish and Peter Gabriel are tackling gun violence. Listen to a firsthand account of escaping burning man from an event professional.  Are you on the pickleball wave? See how this energy drink brand hosted a pickleball tournament for charity. 3 tips for integrating causes into events.  Read about this independent contractor’s experience finding ticketing gigs. 

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