Tiktok gets a lifeline… for now

Last Friday, the US Supreme Court upheld a law ordering ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US operations or risk a ban starting on Sunday, January 19. In response TikTok said it would shut down - which it did for 14 hours on Saturday night. By Sunday afternoon, the app was back up after then-President-elect Trump promised to issue an executive order to delay the ban. What happens next is unclear. Here’s how the music industry is reacting.

Opry Entertainment Group 🤝Southern Entertainment

Opry Entertainment Group has acquired a majority interest in Southern Entertainment, producers of Barefoot Country Music Festival,  Lovin' Life Music Fest, Carolina Country Music Fest, Greenville Country Music Fest, and the inaugural Field & Stream Outdoor Music Fest. This is Opry’s first foray into music festivals and according to CEO Patrick Moore, it is intended to “expand our reach to a large and loyal fan base that is complementary to our current audience.”

Superstruct Entertainment 🤝Boiler Room

Global music broadcasting platform Boiler Room has been acquired by UK-based festival operator Superstruct Entertainment. Boiler Room was previously owned by DICE and DICE will continue to be its official ticketing partner.

40 Fests achieve AGF Certification 🍃

A Greener Future (AGF) has revealed that 40 events from 14 countries have achieved AGF Certification for sustainability in 2024 by demonstrating their commitment to sustainability. “It is great to see the festivals and events going the extra mile beyond what is legally required to protect and enhance biodiversity; reduce emissions and waste; prevent pollution; and enact positive change,” says AGF CEO Claire O’Neill.

UK venues to fund Live Trust through £1 per ticket contributions 🇬🇧

The UK trade body LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) has launched the Live Trust, a funding initiative aimed at supporting the live music sector, particularly grassroots venues, artists, promoters, and festival organizers. The trust will be financed through a voluntary £1 per ticket contribution from arena and stadium shows with capacities over 5,000.

NITO wants to expand Junk Fees rule

The National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) has urged the Federal Trade Commission to expand its "Junk Fees" rule to encompass the entire live event ticketing industry, arguing that while the initial rule is a step forward, it “does nothing to address or reduce actual junk fees that are now buried inside each concert ticket.” Instead, NITO wants more transparency that shows “the price gap between the amount that an artist wants to charge and the amount the fan pays.”

EDC Phuket marred by deaths and arrests 🇹🇭

Two festival-goers died during last weekend’s EDC Phuket in Thailand, one a 32-year old Vietnamese-American and the other a 28-year old Canadian, in separate incidents. Both incidents were drug-related and in response, the police intensified their security efforts at the festival, leading to several arrests.

Coldplay sets UAE record 🇦🇪

Coldplay’s four-night stint at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium in the UAE last week was attended by more than 200,000 fans, making it the biggest concert series in UAE’s history. The record was previously set by Ed Sheeran’s two sold-out shows with 69,000 fans at Sevens Stadium in Dubai last January.

New Philly arena, same neighborhood

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Comcast Spectacor have announced a 50-50 joint venture to build a new arena in the stadium district of South Philadelphia, PA where the current Wells Fargo Center is located. The new arena is slated to open in 2031 and will be home to the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers. This is a pivot from the previous plans to build a $1.3 billion arena in the center of the city, which was approved by city council last month.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra raised $900k during winter tour 🥁

The perennial holiday favorite, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, generated approximately $900,000 in charitable donations during this year’s winter tour, "The Lost Christmas Eve." A significant portion of this year's funds came from a partnership with Jay Lucarelli, president and CEO of Minutemen Family of Companies and Barney Monk Event Staffing, who donated $50,000 to Vet Tix, which TSO matched. TSO has contributed over $20 million since 1999.

• Intellitix is seeking a remote Sales Representative in the US or Canada: US applicants, Canadian applicants.

• Williamstown Theatre Festival is hiring for various seasonal roles including House Manager, Production Staff, and Box Office Lead; all in Williamstown, MA.

• Bumbershoot Music Festival is looking for a Development Director for Third Stone, its non-profit org in Seattle, WA. Salary: $110,000 - $125,000. 

Last Poll’s Results:
A resounding 74% of BOH readers say Gif is pronounced with a hard g, like gift 🎁

Lineups, Festival & Tour Announcements 

• The lineup for FireAid has dropped: Billie Eilish, Earth Wind & Fire, Green Day, Jelly Roll, Joni Mitchell, Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, and many more are all coming together on January 30 at the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA to raise money for the Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts. The events will also be live streamed in AMC theaters and across various streaming platforms and iHeart music stations.

• This year’s edition of the LA GIVES BACK fundraiser has been renamed, LA GIVES BACK: FIRE RELIEF, and will raise money for victims, first responders, and animals affected by the LA fires. The event is set for Wednesday, January 29 at The Bellweather. Lineup TBA.  

• LCD Soundsystem and Justice will headline Phoenix, AZ’s M3F Festival at Steele Indian School Park on March 7.

• Skrillex has been added to the Ultra Miami lineup, March 28 - 30 at Bayfront Park in Miami, FL.

• Breakaway Music Festival is making its Arizona debut April 18 - 19 with The Chainsmokers, GRYFFIN, Sofi Tukker (DJ Set), and Two Friends at the Sloan Park Festival Grounds in Phoenix, AZ. 

• The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival announced Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Lil Wayne & The Roots, Lenny Kravitz, and Kacey Musgraves as headliners for the April 24 - May 4 festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, LA. 

• The iHeartCountry Festival announced Brooks & Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, and Sam Hunt, May 3 at The Moody Center in Austin, TX. 

• According to a billboard that popped up in LA, Vampire Weekend will headline this year’s Just Like Heaven festival, scheduled for May 10 at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, CA. The official lineup announcement has been delayed due to the ongoing fires. 

• Kenny Chesney will be the first country artist to perform at the Las Vegas Sphere with 12 dates from May 22 to June 14. 

• The Governors Ball lineup is topped by Tyler, The Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier, June 6 - 8 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York, NY.

• Windy City Smokeout will feature Kane Brown, Bailey Zimmerman, and Jon Pardi, July 10 - 13 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. 

• Chris Stapleton and Hank Williams Jr. will headline the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival, July 11 - 12 at Veterans Park in Milwaukee, WI. 

• Bad Bunny announced “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí,” a 30-date residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, PR from July 11 - August 24. The first 9 shows are for local residents only. All dates are sold out.

• Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, and Bad Omens top the 2025 Rock Fest lineup, July 17 - 19 in Cadott, WI. 

• 4848 Festival will return to Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Snowshoe, WV on July 17 - 19 with Lake Street Dive, Greensky Bluegrass, and Dark Star Orchestra.

• Elements Music and Arts Festival will include deadmau5, Illenium, Zeds Dead, and Rezz in Long Pond, PA, August 8 - 10.  

• Tim McGraw will be the first artist to perform at the Field of Dreams baseball complex in Dyersville, IA on August 30. 

Cancellations, Changes

• More Grammy-related cancellations and how the Grammys will pivot its focus to include, “using the power of music to help rebuild, uplift and support those in need.”

• Alesso has cancelled the remaining dates of their tour due to health concerns. However, the scheduled Belly Up Aspen, Ultra Miami, and Silo dates still remain on his website. 

• The Black Eyed Peas have cancelled their upcoming residency in Las Vegas due to the “current circumstances.”

• Monday’s Presidential inauguration was moved indoors at the last minute with crews scrambling to make it happen. But what about the guy who set up all the chairs?

• The continued rise of the premium experience. 

• Artists and celebrities continue donating to LA Fire relief efforts. 

• A rare chance to see 7 planets at once is coming.

• The 3 types of empathy and how to increase them.

• Practical life hacks “future you” will be grateful for.Questions or comments?

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