#176

TikTok IRL

Issue #176 | October 31, 2023Happy Halloween! Unlike SAG-AFTRA, we don’t care who you dress up as for Halloween. We’re going as an avocado.

Klobuchar 🥊 Live Nation (again)US Senator Amy Klobuchar wrote a letter to Live Nation asking for an update on their supposed industry leading all-in pricing, saying “it is still too difficult for consumers to find the all-in price of a ticket before checkout.” Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino responded immediately saying that the company supports all-in pricing legislation and insists that they have instituted all-in pricing at their own concert venues and festivals, but do not have the authority to do that for concerts at venues owned or operated by other companies.

Endeavor going private?Endeavor announced last week that it is looking at “strategic alternatives” to make sure they are “maximizing value for [their] shareholders.” CEO Ari Emmanuel was referring to the large disconnect they perceive between the company’s stock price and the intrinsic value of its assets including WME, IMG and TKO group (WWE and UFC). Following the announcement, Silver Lake, the PE firm with a 71% stake in the company, said it is considering taking Endeavor private.

Artists 4 CeasefireDua Lipa, Diplo, Alyssa Milano, Michael Stipe, Macklemore, Jon Stewart, and many other high-profile artists and actors have written a letter to US President Biden calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. “We urge your administration, Congress, and all world leaders, to honor all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay — an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages,” the letter states. 

TikTok IRLTikTok to host its first-ever IRL global music event, In the Mix, December 10 at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. Cardi B, Niall Horan, Anitta and Charlie Puth will perform live - and also livestreamed - of course on TikTok. The event is intended to mimic the platform’s “For You” page and will also include small business pop-ups and creator activations.  

Technology waltzes with creativityWhen Ed Sheeran returns to India for the first time since 2017 next year, he will do so on a ground-breaking new 360-degree circular and revolving stage by BookMyShow Live. In addition, a state-of-the-art sound system and visual displays will orbit the stage, making it a truly immersive experience. “With this innovative production, auditory experience and the technological integration, the tour comes to India as a work of art where technology waltzes with creativity, weaving an enchanting blend of visuals and sound,” said Owen Roncon of BookMyShow. 

Kill switch required for Malaysia concertsThe Malaysian government is requiring concert organizers to install a “kill switch” to enable them to cut off power in the case of any “unwanted incents”. The new regulation is a direct result of The 1975’s on stage kiss during the Good Vibes Festival in July. According to Teo Nie Ching, Malaysia’s deputy communications and digital minister, “This is a new guideline after the incident [involving The 1975]. We hope with stricter guidelines, foreign artists [will respect] local culture.”

Increased subscribers despite price hikesApparently price hikes don’t deter - good news if you’re Spotify and Deezer, seemingly bad news for subscribers of services of any kind (aka, all of us). Both Spotify and Deezer raised prices this year and both companies saw increases in subscribers (+6 million for Spotify, +500,000 for Deezer). Spotify was profitable for the first time since Q1 2022 posting a €32 million ($34.8 million USD) profit. And Deezer saw revenues jump 4.8% to $131.4 million. 

Act Green travel pilot projectCultural venues across the UK have been working together since July to pilot Act Green travel, creating over 4,000 sustainable travel plans. The project combines technology and communications to promote sustainable travel, showing guests the carbon impact of several different travel options and seeks to determine if such messaging can successfully influence audience behavior. It is being run by Indigo in partnership with sustainable travel demand management platform ‘You. Smart. Thing.’ (YST) and audience engagement platform crowdEngage.

Skiddle 🤝 Music Venue TrustMusic Venue Trust (MVT), a UK charity which works to support grassroots music venues, has partnered with ticketing company Skiddle. Skiddle will add 50p to ticket sales, match all funds, and donate 100% to MVT’s Pipeline Investment Fund. “Our partnership with the MVT will provide essential funds to keep culture thriving in the UK. This partnership serves as a call to action for the entire music industry,” says Duncan King, Head Of New Business at Skiddle.

More issues for McFarlandBilly McFarland may be heading back to court soon. Jonathan Taylor, a fellow inmate while McFarland was serving time for Fyre Fest, is suing him for failing to get the equity that was promised when Taylor invested in his company, PYRT Technologies. Taylor gave McFarland and his business partner Michael Falb (also a named defendant) $740,000 in exchange for ⅓ equity in PYRT; equity that they are now allegedly refusing to grant him.

  Work in the coolest new venue: Sphere Entertainment Group is looking for a Senior Director, Box Office Operations in Las Vegas. Salary $134,000 - 185,000.  Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment is hiring a Senior Manager of Arena Experience for the Brooklyn Nets in Brooklyn, NY. Salary $90,000.  Tempus One wines is looking for a Festival Ambassador to be a VIP guest at some of Australia’s best festivals over the summer. The best part, it pays $5,000, has exclusive perks, and you can bring a friend.

Dressing up for Halloween?

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Lineups, Festival & Tour Announcements

  • Last week we shared news about Rihanna’s deal with Live Nation and 2024-25 world tour, however a new source says the reports are “bogus”.

  • Amsterdam’s DGTL Festival is making its US debut December 1 at Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York and December 2 at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. WhoMadeWho will headline both events.

  • Goldenvoice’s Cali Vibes Festival, February 16 - 18 at Marina Green Park in Long Beach, California will have Gwen Stefani, Ice Cube, Wiz Khalifa, and The Roots.

  • Besame Mucho is expanding to Austin, TX, with its first festival outside of  Los Angeles on March 2 at Circuit of the Americas with Los Tigres Del Norte, Banda MS, Caifanes, and Gloria Trevi.

  • Ultra Music Festival has confirmed Hardwell, Calvin Harris, Eric Prydz, and Martin Garrix will perform at Miami’s Bayfront Park, March 22 - 24.

  • The inaugural Big As Texas Festival will feature Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley, and Billy Strings May 10 - 12 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Conroe, Texas.

  • High Water Fest Announces 2024 Lineup feat. Noah Kahan, The Flaming Lips, Fleet Foxes, & more.

  • Foo Fighters, Queens Of The Stone Age, Royal Blood, and Megadeth will perform at HellFest, June 27 - 30 in Clisson, France.

  • New Kids on the Block’s “The Magic Summer 2024 Tour,” kicks off June 14 in Cuyahoga Falls, OH and wraps August 14 in Noblesville, IN.

  • Country Jam USA announced headliners HARDY and Brothers Osborne are joining the previously announced Thomas Rhett July 18 - 20 at the Eau Claire Events District in Eau Claire, WI.

  • Iron Maiden has been announced as the first 2024 Aftershock headliner. The festival will take place October 11 - 13 at Discovery Park in Sacramento, CA. The performance falls during the early part of the band’s newly announced “The Future Past Tour,” starting October 4 in San Diego, CA and ending November 17 in San Antonio, TX.

 

November 14 (Nashville, TN): The 12th annual Touring Career Workshop. Registration is free to touring industry students, crew and pros. More info here.

 

 

SAG-AFTRA’s Halloween costume rules for members. And SNL’s take.

 

How brands and venues are celebrating Halloween this year.

 

Shazam adds “Concerts” feature to its app, enabling users to get personalized concert recommendations nearby.

 Steve Jobs on consulting. The Beatles’ last song will be released on Thursday; “Now and Then” was recorded by Paul McCartney and some help from AI.

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