#250

Author

Back of House
April 22, 2025

Issue #250

250 issues?! Who would've thunk we'd still be here, tracking the twists and turns of this wild industry. This week: Fyre Fest flames out (again), but maybe its next act is your new $3.99 streaming service? Meanwhile, Coachella cleans up its carbon, Live Nation bets big on Japan, and REAL ID is really (actually this time) happening—don’t get left behind at security. Let’s go.

Fyre Fest 2’s slow burn…

In a surprise to almost no one (we saw the results of last week’s poll 👀), Fyre Festival 2 has been postponed. According to TMZ, ticket holders got an email saying that the event “will no longer take place in Playa del Carmen” and “we have decided to move FYRE Festival 2 elsewhere.” It insists, “FYRE Festival 2 is still on. We are vetting new locations and will announce our host destination soon.” Anyone wanting a refund can send an email to get one. Organizers even created a poll asking people to vote on its next location. However, as of this writing, the website still lists the venue as Playa del Carmen, the dates as May 30 - June 2, AND tickets are still on sale.

And reincarnation as a music streaming service?

If an actual, legitimate live event isn’t in the cards for Fyre Festival, perhaps it can have a third life as a streaming service? Shawn Rech, co-founder of streaming service TruBlue, has acquired some of the Fyre Fest IP, including two trademarks, and plans to launch a streaming service with them. Rech is building a user-submitted and fan-curated streaming service that will cost approximately $3.99 per month. It will have nothing to do with Fyre Fest at all, he says, “I needed a big name that people would remember, even if it’s attached to infamy, so that’s why I bought these [trademarks] to start the streaming network.”

Live Nation has acquired Hayashi International Promotions (HIP), a leading promoter for domestic and international artists in Japan, expanding its presence in the country. Kaori Hayashi, HIP CEO will continue to oversee the business which aims to bring more of Live Nation’s roster of global superstars to Japan and elevate J-Pop artists on an international stage.

Coachella implemented a comprehensive sustainability program this year, focusing on waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, and community engagement. Some of the initiatives included "Carpoolchella", which encouraged attendees to carpool; elimination of single-use plastics and promoting the use of reusable water bottles; and solar-assisted charging stations to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Last month, AEG’s slate of summer shows at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, NY were at risk due to neighbors’ noise complaints and lack of police access to private roads. The NYPD has now given the venue conditional approval “if the stadium meets certain conditions, such as compliance with city noise code and adequate security measures.” The promoter has agreed to a “comprehensive private security strategy.”

The Australian Greens have unveiled a $20 million AUD ($12.8 Million USD) annual Festivals Support Package to revitalize the country's struggling live events sector, which has been hit hard by rising insurance costs, climate challenges, and declining consumer spending. The initiative includes direct grants for festivals, a $2 million AUD ($1.28 million USD) review of the live events insurance market, tax offsets for venues and touring artists, a national festivals strategy through Music Australia, and support for small businesses via a festival incubator and extended asset write-offs.

REVERB’s “Concert Travel Study” surveyed over 35,000 fans across more than 400 North American concerts and found that fan travel - mostly solo car trips averaging 144 miles round‑trip - generates 38 times more carbon emissions than artist, crew, and gear transport combined and accounts for 70 - 90% of a concert’s total carbon footprint. While 80% of attendees drive personal vehicles, nearly 90% said they’d choose lower‑carbon options if better infrastructure, incentives, and information were available. With 94% urging climate action, REVERB recommends priority carpool parking, pre‑show transit guides, and partnerships to expand public and active‑transport options.

The REAL ID Act of 2005 officially goes into effect on May 7 and according to a recent press release from the TSA, 81% of travelers passing through a TSA checkpoint have used a compliant form of ID. A pretty solid number. As a reminder, more than a dozen other forms of identification are compliant, not just a state-issued REAL ID driver’s license. Passports, passport cards, military IDs, DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) and U.S. permanent resident cards are also accepted. 

If you’re in the 19%, this is your reminder to check your documents and either make sure you travel with a REAL ID-compliant form of ID (start carrying your passport for domestic travel) or to make an appointment to get one. 

Anyone traveling after May 7 should be prepared for delays as airports implement new screening procedures and potentially deal with unprepared travelers.

The crack down is coming; don’t miss your flight because of it.

Last week in Hollywood, we joined hundreds of music industry leaders at the second annual Music Sustainability Summit — and left feeling deeply inspired and more motivated than ever. From powerful conversations with changemakers like Maggie Baird and Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr. to panels tackling waste, merch, touring, and food systems, the event was packed with actionable solutions and bold ideas. The message was clear: sustainability in music isn’t a trend — it’s a responsibility.
👉 Here are some of the biggest takeaways we’re still thinking about.

  • Leap Event Technology is looking for a Strategic Account Manager in Dallas, TX. The Strategic Account Manager is responsible for proactively building and maintaining relationships with Leap's top-tier clients, holding a deep understanding of their business objectives, and developing and implementing robust strategies to support growth and loyalty.

  • Well Dunn’s Bonnaroo Externship application is live. Apply here.

  • TicketManager is hiring an Implementations Specialist in Mesa, AZ. Salary: $65,000 - $75,000.

  • Want to work XGames? Fill out this interest form and share your resume to be added to their database.

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Last Week's Results:
52% of BOH readers felt there was a 1-30% chance Fyre Fest 2 happens, and two of you voted 100%. We suggest you stay away from the roulette table next time you’re working EDC Vegas, odds aren’t in your favor!

Lineups, Festival & Tour Announcements 

  • Janelle Monáe, The Roots, and Jacob Collier will headline the Newport Jazz Festival, August 1 - 3 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI. 

  • Stevie Nicks is heading out on a summer and fall tour of her own, separate from her upcoming dates with Billy Joel. She’ll start the solo tour August 12 in Boston, MA and end it October 18 in New Orleans, LA.

  • Park City Song Summit will feature Goose, Greensky Bluegrass, Dawes, and Marcus King, August 14 - 16 in Park City, UT.

  • Shaq’s Bass All-Stars Festival is heading to Phoenix on August 16 with DJ Diesel (aka Shaq), Ghastly presents GHENGAR, Jykl & Hyde, RZRKT B2B CELO, and a special guest to be announced. 

  • Of The Trees is hosting Camp Alderwild, a new festival in Telluride, CO, August 22 - 23 and will be performing both nights, along with Tycho, Ott, and Jade Cicada. 

  • Tanglefoot Music & BBQ Festival is making its debut in Temple, TX with Parker McCollum and Cody Jinks, September 12 - 13 at MLK Festival Grounds in Downtown Temple.

  • Judas Priest and Alice Cooper are co-headlining a 22-date tour starting September 16 at Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS and wrapping at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, TX on October 26.

  • Tyler Childers’ Healing Appalachia is moving from West Virginia to Ashland, KY this year. The September 19 - 20 festival will include Childers and Chris Stapleton as headliners. 

  • All Things Go announced Noah Kahan, Doechii, Lucy Dacus, Clairo, and Kesha for the DC edition of the fest, September 26 - 28 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD. 

  • Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival announced John Mayer, Kings of Leon, Turnpike Troubadours and Young the Giant as headliners for the September 27 - 28 festival at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, TN.

  • Sixthman announced the lineup for next year’s Cayamo Cruise, setting sail March 13 - 20, with Jason Isbel And The 400 Unit, Dawes, and Watchhouse.  

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