#238

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Back of House
January 28, 2025

Issue #238

The Rose Bowl takes on a new role in fire relief, MusiCares and The Recording Academy have raised - and distributed - millions for affected individuals and the CMA is investing in mental health initiatives. Additionally, global live music market growth is expected to hit $184.69 billion by 2029, and three key music-related bills have been reintroduced to the US Senate.

Credit: @LACorps

Pasadena’s Rose Bowl takes on new, important role 🌹

With fires raging nearby, Pasadena, CA’s historic Rose Bowl has been transformed into a base camp for the 4,000+ first responders and those supporting fire relief and recovery efforts. The venue has been host to countless iconic events, however, according to Rose Bowl CEO Jens Weiden, “we’re putting on - maybe not the most iconic - but probably one of the most important events we’ve ever put on, which is hosting these folks so they can go out there and do their job and stop this fire.”

MusiCares raises $3.2 million in wildfire relief (and counting)

As of last week, MusiCares and The Recording Academy reported that they had raised over $3.2 million in donations in support of Los Angeles fire relief and distributed $2.2 million of those funds to folks in need. As a reminder, MusiCares is providing $1,500 in financial assistance and a $500 grocery card to anyone who has worked in the music industry for at least three years. If you need help, reach out to them here.

Can’t make Thursday’s FireAid Benefit Concerts at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum? Check out how you can watch from home.

The Country Music Association (CMA) has announced that it will support six different initiatives that focus on mental health in the music industry. CMA will give $100,000 to each of Amber Health, Backline, ECCHO Live (formerly Touring Career Workshop), Music Health Alliance, MusiCares, and Porter’s Call to help strengthen their infrastructure needed to meet the growing demands the music industry’s mental health.

According to a report by Technavio, the global live music market is projected to grow to $184.69 billion from 2024 to 2029, with 40% of that growth expected to come from North America. The growth will be fueled by the increasing adoption of digital music platforms, rising investments in live events, and advancements in AI and blockchain. However, challenges like high costs and logistical complexities in live music production could impact the market’s growth trajectory.

In another recently released report, UK’s Music Venue Trust (MVT) reported a steady decline in locations on the touring circuit over the past 30 years. In 1994, the average tour hit 21.9 primary and secondary locations in the UK, but in 2024, the number had plummeted to just 10.9, a 50% decrease. The report also indicated that the average not-for-profit Grassroots Music Venue operated on just a 0.48% margin and nearly 44% reported a loss for the year. However, in positive news, the direct value to the UK economy from the 162,000 events in 2024 was £526 million ($648 million).

Last Wednesday, lawyers for Live Nation made several arguments to a judge in the ongoing antitrust case. The company pushed to have 27 (out of 39) states removed from the case citing they “can't prove direct injury to their residents as a result of Live Nation's actions.” They also argued that “more competition could actually result in higher - not lower - costs for concertgoers.” Finally, they suggested that by requiring artists who book Live Nation amphitheaters use its promotion services, it isn’t “tying” - which is barred in antitrust - they are simply refusing to do business with rivals. Live Nation had until Monday to file the arguments.

See Tickets is officially rebranding as Eventim USA, completing the transition that began when the ticketing company was purchased by CTS Eventim for €300 million in June 2024 from Vivendi. According to their website, the only thing that is changing (so far) is the branding from See Tickets to Eventim USA. No other disruptions are expected.

Three music-related bills - the American Music Tourism Act, the MAIN Event Ticketing Act, and the HITS Act - have been reintroduced to the US Senate. The bills aim to promote music tourism, combat ticket bots, and provide tax deductions for music production expenses to support independent creators. These bills have strong industry backing and are seen as opportunities to boost the music economy, create jobs, and support artists. We’ll keep you posted on their progress.

Oklahoma City’s historic 23rd Street Oklahoma National Guard Armory is slated for a $23 million redevelopment project that will transform it into a 4,500-capacity TempeLive-branded venue. The project is a joint venture between Fischer Companies and Beaty Capital Group, which operates the TempeLive brand and venues. No timeline has been given for the opening. 

Scientists from the University of Bristol and Bath are conducting a study into the effects of live music on the human body. The study will measure the heart rate of those watching a concert live and compare them to those watching the same show virtually. The aim is to see if heart rate is a marker of audience engagement. “We also want to use this event as a way to amplify … how important live events are,” said Prof Ian Gilchrist.

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Lineups, Festival & Tour Announcements 

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd is celebrating 50 years with their “Celebrating 50 Years of Lynyrd Skynyrd Tour” that kicks off in Okeechobee, FL on February 6, crosses the US, Europe, the UK, and Canada before wrapping October 4 at the Field & Stream Festival 2025 in Winnsboro, SC. 

  • SZA has been added to the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show as a special guest during Kendrick Lamar’s performance. February 9 at Caesars Superdome in NOLA.

  • Trisha Yearwood has partnered with Susan G. Komen for the inaugural Band As One Nashville Concert For The Cure with Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, and Yearwood, March 26 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN.

  • Billy Idol, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts announced their “It’s A Nice Day To… Tour Again!” tour with 30 stops across North America starting on April 30 in Phoenix, AZ and ending September 25 in Los Angeles, CA. 

  • RiverBeat revealed Missy Elliott, The Killers, Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals as headliners for the May 2 - 4 fest at Tom Lee Park in Memphis, TN.

  • Luke Bryan will head out on tour this summer with his 30-date “Country Song Came On” tour. The first stop is May 29 in Bethel, NY and the last stop is August 28 in Noblesville, IN.

  • Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll will headline Railbird, May 31 - June 1 at the Infield at Red Mile in Lexington, KY. 

  • Morgan Wallen is addressing things head on with his “I’m The Problem” tour this summer. The tour will include appearances by Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett and Koe Wetzel starting June 20 in Houston, TX and wrapping September 13 in Edmonton, AB.

  • Inkcarceration announced Falling In Reverse, Slipknot, and Five Finger Death Punch, July 18 - 20 at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, OH.

  • Tyler, The Creator, Kacey Musgraves, and Lana Del Rey will headline Iowa’s Hinterland Festival, August 1 - 3 in Saint Charles, IA. The festival has also introduced a 90 Degree Guarantee, allowing guests the option of returning their ticket for any day of the fest that is predicted to reach 90° or higher.

Cancellations, Changes

  • Australian music festival Splendour in the Grass has been cancelled for the second year in a row with organizers saying, “Splendour needs a little more time to recharge.”

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