#086

🐰Bad Bunny is non-stop

Today's read ... 8

minutes

In a welcome turn of events, cities are considering using their Covid relief funds to support the live event sector. San Francisco landmark Castro Theatre is getting a facelift, and Gov Ball and Parklife have revealed their lineups. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny just announced another tour - and the first one hasn’t even begun yet.

Credit: Courtesy of Another Planet EntertainmentAPE Venue RevampPromotion company Another Planet Entertainment (APE) has announced a new partnership with Bay Properties, Inc., owners of San Francisco landmark The Castro Theatre. APE will help revamp the venue, which celebrates 100 years this year, by enhancing its sound and lighting, among other restorations.

EDM Dance Party in DenverLive Nation revealed their latest partnership with Sante Fe-based entertainment company Meow Wolf. They will work together to produce Danceportation, a midnight EDM dance party in Denver set for February 26, along with other EDM events in the city.

Halftime Show AgreementBefore this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, the NFL had professional dancers working without pay. In a statement last Tuesday, entertainment union SAG-AFTRA announced that they had reached an agreement with halftime show producers to compensate all professional dancers - though there are still some details for the dancers that remain unresolved.

Next to Join the NFT Market ...Julian Lennon is joining the NFT market with minted memorabilia from his father, John Lennon, as well as the Beatles. The auction will be online, February 7, with Julien’s Auctions and YellowHeart. The sale will feature handwritten notes, clothes, and more - but remember, these items are sold through blockchain tokens; the physical items will stay in Lennon’s possession!

Gov Ball Lineup DropThe lineup to Governors Ball 2022 has been released, after some creative teases on IG. The NYC fest is returning to its regularly scheduled weekend in June following 2021’s September event. Kid Cudi, Halsey, and J. Cole will headline the festival at Citi Field.

Parklife Sneak PeakManchester festival Parklife has revealed some of the lineup for their 2022 return from June 11-12, with 50 Cent, Tyler, the Creator, and Megan Thee Stallion, among dozens of other big names.

Non-stop Arena TourLatin pop star Bad Bunny is non-stop, with plans to follow up his arena tour with “World’s Hottest Tour,” a stadium tour that will begin this summer. It will launch in the US on August 5 in Orlando, FL, and feature shows in Central and South America, as well. The North American arena tour, which is still scheduled for this year, is set for February 9- April 1.

This Festival Makes its European DebutRolling Loud is making its European debut this summer in Portugal from July 6-8. Originally set for summer of 2020, the Live Nation-backed festival will feature headliners J. Cole, A$AP Rocky and Future.

More Reopenings Ibiza nightclubs are planning to open at the end of April, two weeks earlier than normal, in an effort to rebound from their pandemic-related losses. Managers hope to keep clubs popping “until October…November if all goes well.”

LN's Latest Competition Live Nation has competition in Canada with the launch of F7 Entertainment group. The new full-service promoter has goals to promote all genres of music across the entire country and was founded by Emmanuel Patterson, Nhaelan McMillan, Timur Inceoglu, Sarath Samarasekera, and Ryan Penner. "The opportunity to build a new voice and fresh perspective on how live music is promoted in Canada and internationally is thrilling," said President of Talent and Touring, Emmanuel Patterson.

Spotify is seeking a full-time, Mission Events and Operations Generalist (remote) to join their Financial Engineering mission in NYC, supporting the VP with daily administrative and operational tasks. Live Nation Concerts is hiring a Regional Assistant Box Office Manager in Maryland Heights, MO, to assist with ticketing operations at concert venues around the US.

Pollen is looking for a Head of Customer Operations in Los Angeles, CA.

Do you agree that cities should use their ARPA funds for the live event sector?

Last Week's Results:

60% of BOH readers

do not miss the golden age of emo’.

Industry Stats in the PandemicProfessional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA), along with campaign group #WeMakeEvents, has released survey results detailing Covid’s impact on the global workforce, their equipment, and beyond. The survey took place from November 1 - December 21 and had about nearly 2,000 respondents in the trade sector from nine countries including the US, UK, Germany, and Spain. Here are some of the stats:

One of the biggest factors that impacted 2021’s live event sector was supply shortages, with around 95% of manufacturers reporting component shortages, in turn causing 70% of non-manufacturing companies to encounter delays for their goods.
In addition to supplies, the industry also experienced a shortage of skilled workers, including site crews, engineers, and technicians - shortages on which about 69% of companies have reported.
Notably, 50% of live event freelancers have yet to return full-time. Given all these shortages, about one-third of companies are delaying their work, with another third canceling work altogether.

City Covid Funds meet Live Events The city of Syracuse, NY, is considering spending $375k in federal stimulus funds to revive their live events sector that was torn down by Covid. In pre-Covid times, Syracuse saw over a dozen summer festivals, like the annual Crawfish Festival, the New York State Blues Fest, Taste of Syracuse, and more. With this money, they hope to support those events that suffered from the pandemic. The funds may go to direct costs, such as performers and tents, or more large-scale costs such as venue and marketing costs. As we know, the future of events in this industry can hinge on funding like this. A similar discussion is happening in Lincoln, IL, where their city council plans to vote on February 7 on the best way to distribute their ARPA money. They too are considering distributing $40,000 of these federal funds to the event business. Mayor Tracy Welch says this deal would last for three years before turning the money back over to the city.

This week's spotlight is on ... DDP 🔦

Credit: Sunset Music Festival

Disco Donnie Presents, aka DDP Worldwide Inc., has established a new scholarship at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music in memory of music promoter Leon Jackson, who died of cancer in 2016. A beloved figure in Nashville’s nightclub scene, Jackson promoted dance and electronic venues throughout the city, erasing prejudice and giving voices to talented artists from diverse communities and musical genres. Donnie Estopinal, DDP’s CEO, said "Leon knew the power of higher education and its ability to change lives, and he viewed the Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music as aspirational. But above all, he was an observer and listener. And he understood the importance of understanding diversity in life and its potential in business."In other DDP news, Sunset Music Festival is celebrating its 10th Anniversary over Memorial Day Weekend, with a top-shelf lineup and a bonus third day.

Viberate has published their first annual State of Music report, assessing what 2021’s music industry was all about, and what 2022 has in store.

Click to read this adorable thread of tweets to give you a boost for your day - bonus points if you can read it without tearing up. We’ll just leave this one here…

Questions or comments?

Like BOH? Share it with friends!