#174

Issue #174 | October 17, 2023The Junk Fee ban in the US seems to be making progress and so does Fyre Fest II. Unclear which will come to fruition first (or ever). Plus, Rolling Loud enters the world of professional basketball, and there’s a new record for the World’s Biggest Pumpkin.

Credit: Rolling LoudFTC proposes new junk fee banThe US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a new rule banning junk fees last week. If this sounds familiar, it’s because President Biden began his quest to require businesses to show all-in pricing at the start of a transaction back in February and in June, Live Nation and Seat Geek vowed to adopt all-in pricing on ticketing. A 60-day public comment window on the proposed Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees is open now. If passed, the rule allows the FTC to seek refunds for consumers and levy penalties against offenders. 

The ultimate site visitThis may be the site visit to top all site visits. Billy McFarland is giving you the opportunity to join him on a “Crew Trip” for Fyre Fest II - for just $3,500 ($500 discount for Fyre II ticket holders). That’s right, you can take part in the “sheer ridiculousness” that went into planning the first Fyre Fest, or what Billy calls “unquestionably the most memorable 3 days of our lives.” The trip includes: flights, housing, major meals, daily expeditions & activities.

Rolling Loud goes pro 🏀Rolling Loud isn’t just the name of a series of hip-hop mega-festivals across the globe. Thanks to a partnership between the festival and Overtime Elite basketball league (OTE), it’s now also the name of a professional basketball team in Los Angeles. The partnership comes after Rolling Loud sponsored OTE’s playoffs last season and will include a line of merch “inspired by the team’s fresh new look.”

Music Forward Foundation raises $350KThe Music Forward Foundation raised $350,000 during its Music Forward Brunch and Golf Classic events, both in celebration of the foundation’s 30th anniversary. The foundation, backed by Live Nation, has reached 22,000 people aged 13-24 so far this year by providing opportunities for them within the music and live entertainment industry. Check out their fall programming or ways to get involved.  

Standing Room OnlyUTA’s research, data and analytics division, UTA IQ, released a study, “Standing Room Only: Live Music’s Epic Resurgence,” revealing that fans in the US are incredibly eager to attend live events and are willing to spend more money to attend, including on domestic and international travel. The study showed that Millennials are fueling the growth by attending 36% more events than they did before Covid, spending more on VIP experiences, and are more willing to travel to events. 

U2 honors IsraelBono changed the lyrics to U2’s “Pride (In the Name of Love)” in order to pay tribute to the hundreds killed during the Supernova festival in Israel during a recent show at the Sphere. He asked fans to ​​sing along with him and “those beautiful kids at that music festival.”

Shanghai Tourism Festival has record attendanceThe Shanghai Tourism Festival hosted over 300 events throughout the city between September 16 and October 6, drawing a record-breaking 38.5 million attendees. The festival’s goal is to highlight Shanghai as a tourism destination by “focusing on the features of metropolitan-style, comprehensiveness and internationalization.” 

Well Dunn InternshipsWell Dunn – an organization founded in honor of Emily Dunn to provide inclusive and equitable experiences to socioeconomically diverse students, who exhibit talent and passion that helps them realize their aspirations to work in the music and entertainment industry – has opened up its internship application. If you are looking for an internship within the music industry, this is for you! Apply here through November 1.

Merch lines at Power TripFans at Goldenvoice’s Power Trip festival waited almost 3 hours to score some once-in-a-lifetime festival merch. While some complained about disorganization, pre-sale “grab-and-go” lines also lasted for hours, and that despite getting in line as soon as the gates opened, the shirt they wanted was out of stock, a few made the most of their time in line by chatting with their linemates. 

Acquistions + Strategic Partnerships 🤝Deutsche Entertainment AG (DEAG) has acquired the balance of I-Motion from its former US JV partner Livestyle. DEAG previously purchased  50.1% of the electronic dance music promoter in 2019. TapayGo, a cashless payment provider, and Glownet.com, an event services and technology company, have formed a strategic partnership, giving clients the ability to streamline their operations and enhance their customers’ experience at events. Warner Music has acquired India-based artist management and live events company, E-Positive in an effort to strengthen its position in the Indian market.

  City Winery is hiring a Chief Sales and Marketing Officer to oversee the entire sales and marketing departments across the City Winery portfolio. The position is in New York, NY with a salary range of $150,000 - 200,000.  AEG is hiring a Director, Marketing - Premium at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. Salary range: $120,000 - 135,000.  FIFA World Cup 2026 is looking for a full-time Senior Manager of the FIFA Fan Festival in Miami, FL to lead and manage the strategic planning, development, and execution of the FIFA Fan Festival. 

Which will happen first?

Last Week's Results:

70% of BOH readers would rather watch vs. work a show at the Sphere.

Lineups, Festival & Tour Announcements

• Heavy rains on day 1 of Tomorrowland Brazil led to mud so damaging that it forced the fest to cancel day 2 (Friday) for restoration. The event was back in action on Saturday and has already promised to return in 2024. 

• Travis Scott’s “Utopia” tour kicked off in Charlotte, NC last week and all 39 dates are officially sold out.

• DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal) and REZZ will perform at Palisades Tahoe on December 15 and 16 as part of a new partnership between Disco Donnie Presents and LIVE.

• The Bluebird Music Festival at the University of Colorado will feature Jeff Tweedy, Joy Oladokun and a ‘Special Headliner’, April 20 - 21.

• After reporting that the 2024 Memphis in May’s future was up in the air last week, it has now been officially “paused and will not take place” in 2024.

• Ed Sheeran has been announced as the first headliner of Rock in Rio Lisbon 2024. Sheeran will play June 16; the festival runs across two weekends in June: 15 - 16 and 22 - 23.

• Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll and Thomas Rhett will headline Country Jam Colorado in Grand Junction, CO, June 20 - 22.

• Headwaters Country Jam in Three Forks, MT announced Bailey Zimmerman, Jon Pardi, and Gary Allan, July 25 - 27.

• Zach Bryan has added 19 more shows to his “Quittin Time Tour”.

A record-setting pumpkin weighed how much?

Why walks are the missing part of your creative process.

A creative guide for dealing with the world we find ourselves in. 

 Billboard released its list of 2023 Top Music Business Schools. A fan “unintentionally” made $20k on Taylor Swift tickets.  How to vote in the 2024 Grammys. 

 Spotify wrapped is coming. Get ready. 

Questions or comments?

Like BOH? Share it with friends!