Live Nation faces class action lawsuit over Ticketmaster data breach

The only thing surprising about Live Nation’s latest class action lawsuit over its April 2 Ticketmaster (TM) data breach is that it took this long to come to fruition. The lawsuit alleges that TM didn’t protect its users’ data and took too long - months - to alert them of the hack. As a reminder, the company didn’t tell users their data was compromised until mid July. Millions of affected TM users are included in the suit that seeks at least $5 million in damages.

Abu Dhabi is getting a Sphere

Sphere Entertainment Co and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism announced that the United Arab Emirates capital will be getting a Sphere of its own. The details remain fuzzy: no timeline or location - other than a “prime spot” - have been revealed, but they did say it will be "echoing the scale of the 20,000-capacity Sphere in Las Vegas." Hopefully Abu Dhabi has better luck than London.

Australian dynamic pricing ban

Australia’s Federal Government plans to ban dynamic pricing, prohibit hidden fees (drip pricing), and crackdown on “online practices that aim to confuse or overwhelm consumers, omit or hide material information, or create a false sense of urgency or scarcity” (i.e. purchase clocks). This is part of proposed amendments to Australian Consumer Law and is specifically targeted towards concert and airline tickets and associated “dodgy practices”.

UK expected to limit ticket resale

Meanwhile in the UK, the Labour Party could introduce ticket resale legislation in 2025. Sharon Hodgson MP wants the UK to limit resale to 10% above face value, similar to Ireland’s restrictions, but also believes that such restrictions only work if they are implemented and violators are prosecuted. Despite current legislation against ticket bots, there have been no prosecutions.

Dreamliner acquisitions expand tour transportation services

Luxury travel coach provider for the entertainment industry Dreamliner has acquired Shomotion and Show Pro, two prominent entertainment logistics companies, creating, “the largest provider of entertainer coaches and trucking services in the world.” Dreamliner plans to retain all employees from its newly acquired companies in Denver and Nashville and expects a 40% revenue boost in 2025.

Super Bowl halftime show will keep Roc-ing

The NFL has extended its partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to oversee the Super Bowl halftime show as well as the league’s social initiatives. The terms of the deal haven’t been disclosed, but the initial 2019 deal paid Roc Nation $25 million over five years.

Stripe is still holding Festicket funds - 2 years later

Stripe is still holding more than £5 million ($6.5 million USD) from Festicket following the ticketing company’s collapse in 2022. (As a reminder, Lyte acquired Festicket in the fallout and similarly collapsed last month.) Stripe claims it has a lien and security interest in the funds for things like chargebacks, though administrators say that chargebacks have “largely ceased.” There are no plans for Stripe to release any of these funds anytime soon.

UK group introduces sustainability templates for artist contracts

The UK’s live events trade group LIVE has introduced artist contract clause templates to promote sustainability in the industry through its LIVE Green group. These clauses address areas such as waste, energy, water, food, merchandise, and guest travel. “The aim is to foster widespread, lasting cultural change within the industry by accelerating the conversation around sustainability between every party involved in artist performance booking.”

Oak View Group launches stadium division

Oak View Group has spun out its stadium business with the launch of OVG Stadia, a division of the company dedicated to stadiums. The new division, “partners with clients to plan, design, build, sell, and operate world-class venues around the globe” and will be led by Chris Wright, former GM of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Brindley Brothers bolster business

Washington, DC area promoters Daniel, Luke and Jonathan Brindley have added two new venues to their portfolio, Pearl Street Warehouse and The Howard Theatre, and rebranded as Union Stage Presents. The brothers now own 6 venues including Union Stage, Jammin Java, Miracle Theatre, The Theatre at Capital Turnaround as well as their newest acquisitions. 

• CONCACAF is looking for an Events & Travel Services Operations Administrator in Miami, FL. 

• On Location has several event management and hospitality openings for the Super Bowl in New Orleans, LA from February 1 - 10. Apply here.

• Superfly is hiring a hybrid Director of Business Development and Partnerships based in New York, NY. Salary: $120,000 - $135,000.

• SeatGeek is looking for a Senior Product Manager in New York, NY. Salary: $130,000 - $180,000.

Last Week's Results:
53% of BOH readers attend 1-2 site visits per year.

Headliners, Lineups, and Festival Announcements 

• Tyler, the Creator announced that Playboi Carti, Erykah Badu, and André 3000 will join him at his Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, November 16 - 17 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.

• Bonnie Raitt is hosting a benefit concert at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte, NC on November 20 in support of those affected by Hurricane Helene.

• ALTer EGO festival will feature Cage the Elephant, Fontaines D.C., and Glass Animals, January 11 at Los Angeles’, CA’s Kia Forum.

• Sick New World announced Metallica, Linkin Park, and Queens of the Stone Age, April 12 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas, NV.

• Hangout Music Festival is celebrating 15 years, by replacing itself with a new festival? While it’s not totally clear, Hangout announced Morgan Wallen presents Sand In My Boots, the same weekend (May 16 - 18) and venue (the beaches of Gulf Shores, AL) as Hangout. Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, and Hardy will join Wallen as headliners.

• New Order and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds lead the Cruel World lineup; May 17 at Brookside at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

• It’s official, the Vans Warped Tour is coming back. After a 6-year hiatus, the tour will consist of three 2-day festivals: June 14 - 15 in Washington, DC, July 26 - 27 in Long Beach, CA, and November 15 - 16, 2025 in Orlando, FL. Tickets go on sale this week, lineups to follow. 

• Cole Swindell, Sam Hunt, and Bailey Zimmerman will headline Country Jam USA, July 17 - 19 in Eau Claire, WI.

Cancelations, Changes

• P!nk has postponed her shows in Lincoln, NB; Sioux Falls, SD; Milwaukee, WI; and Des Moines, IA from October 20 - 24 due to “reasons beyond my control.” The dates will be rescheduled.

• Argentine rapper, Tiago PZK, has postponed his US, Spain, and Latin America tour “GOTTI A TOUR” from this fall to spring 2025 in order to finish up a project. The tour will now start in Madrid, Spain on February 14 and make it to the US (Chicago, IL) on June 18.

• Due to demand, Shakira is moving her US arena tour to stadiums. The revised tour will kick off on May 13 at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC and wrap on June 30 at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA.

• “We're f—ked”: California's music festival bubble is bursting.

• Want to know how much of an economic impact your venue makes? Check out NIVA’s economic impact calculator.

• FTC unveils final “click-to-cancel” rule for consumers.

• The creative benefits of having a dog.

• 100 small life hacks for a less stressful existence. 

• Tech Stack: point-of-sale, playlists and more featuring Apple Music, Intellitix, and Future Ticketing

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