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- #220
#220
Issue #220
Kendrick Lamar is set to take over the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, promising an epic performance that caps off the NFL season. Meanwhile, Oasis fans are in an uproar over sky-high ticket prices during the band’s reunion tour, prompting a UK investigation into Ticketmaster's practices. Plus, the UK live music scene sees major growth—though smaller venues are struggling to keep up. Dive in for more!

Kendrick Lamar to headline Halftime Show 🏈
Carrie Underwood kicked off the first Sunday Night Football game of the season this weekend while the NFL, Roc Nation, and Apple Music announced that Kendrick Lamar will headline the last Sunday Night game of the season. The rapper will perform at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on February 9 at The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. Does this guarantee Kendrick a W in his ongoing feud against Drake?
Oasis ticket frenzy prompts TM probe in the UK
After a tumultuous Oasis reunion tour on sale where reportedly 14 million fans queued up for 1.4 million tickets and unannounced dynamic pricing caused tickets be double - or even quadruple - the expected price, Ticketmaster is once again in fans’ crosshairs. Though, tbh, it hasn’t really gotten out of them lately. This time, the UK government has initiated an investigation of the incident via its Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), as well as a look into dynamic pricing overall. The band, of course, blames Ticketmaster and the promoters for the pricing strategy, and Liam tells fans to “Shut up” about it.
Ticketmaster, in its defense, is doing a great job being a pain sponge.
Meanwhile in the US …
Across the pond, at the Bank of America Securities’ Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference in New York, Live Nation CFO Joe Berchtold told attendees that market segmentation - including dynamic pricing - is part of the Live Nation and Ticketmaster strategy to increase its margins. Berchtold also believes, “We’re going to prevail,” in the ongoing DOJ antitrust case. “I don’t expect we’re going to have major changes to how we operate through the process.”
UK live industry up 17%, but grassroots still struggles
LIVE, the voice of UK’s music industry, released its annual UK Live Music Report indicating that the UK live music industry surpassed £6 billion ($7.8 billion USD) in 2023, up 17% from 2022. The growth was largely due to major tours and events (Beyoncé, Coldplay), however grassroots venues and smaller festivals faced closures due to rising costs and economic challenges. The report also highlights both the industry's resilience and the urgent need for government intervention to preserve grassroots music.
OCESA 🤝 Oak View Group 🇲🇽
OCESA, one of Mexico's leading entertainment companies, has partnered with Oak View Group to oversee the food and beverage operations at four major venues, including Mexico City's Estadio GNP Seguros, with additional venues planned for 2025. This partnership expands OVG's presence in Latin America and reflects a shared commitment to elevating live entertainment experiences in Mexico.
ASM Global’s “Month of Giving” in the UK
ASM Global launched its first "Month of Giving" in the UK, partnering with the music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins. The initiative aims to raise funds to support individuals through music therapy, helping those with disabilities, life-limiting illnesses, and social isolation. ASM will solicit donations during events, when purchasing tickets online, and will encourage staff to raise funds by participating in Music Mudder, an endurance event organized by Wasserman Music in aid of Nordoff and Robbins.
Keep Portland weird
In the ongoing battle to “keep Portland weird,” Music Portland is challenging permits for Live Nation’s intended 3,500-cap venue in its city. The local non-profit is hosting a series of events all aimed at pushing back against LN and plans to testify against the venue at an upcoming hearing. According to Jamie Dunphy of Music Portland, “They’ve been unwilling to make any concessions about the very clear demonstrated business practices they have in every other major city. They’ve told us explicitly to our faces that ‘we’re the only game in town’ and they don’t have to concede to what the locals want.”
Adele sees success in Munich, announces long break
Adele Arena, custom-built for the “Adele in Munich” residency, has been deemed a success. 730,000 tickets were sold for the 10 shows - making it the “highest attended residency outside of Las Vegas” (according to Live Nation). The singer has a few more shows left in her Vegas residency and once they conclude in November, she told fans, “After that, I will not see you for an incredibly long time.” She plans to take an extended break to live the life she’s been building for the last 7 years - and she definitely deserves it!
Live music in Ireland continues to grow
Live music revenue in Ireland grew 23.5% in 2023, reaching €243 million ($268 million USD), thanks to major concerts by artists like Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift. PwC reports that live performances accounted for 69% of the country's total music revenue of €354 million ($391 million USD). The Irish entertainment industry is projected to grow by 2.9% annually through 2028, driven by increases in mobile internet services, internet advertising, and video-on-demand subscriptions.
"Too much skin is not a win"
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) sees its highest passenger volume on the days pre and post Burning Man. Over the years, the Nevada airport has learned how to handle the unique passengers, their requests, and the “stuff” they bring with them from the playa. For example, there is a dedicated Burning Man FAQ page on its website, large dumpsters to collect garbage, plastic bags to wrap dusty luggage and shoes, donation areas for unwanted bicycles and camping gear, and signs reminding them to wear clothes on the plane because “too much skin is not a win.”

The post-Labor Day hiring frenzy is upon us and we’ve got you covered with an expanded jobs section this week.
Customer Support Specialist at Intellitix in Chatham, ON (hybrid / remote).
Executive Assistant at Femme It Forward (a Live Nation Concerts JV) in Beverly Hills, CA. Salary $20.90 - $26.12/Hour.
Ticketing Manager at Club Glow in Washington, DC. Salary $70,000 - $80,000.
SVP & Chief Marketing Officer at Opry Entertainment Group in Nashville, TN.
Director, Production (Experiential) at Wasserman in Brooklyn, NY or Los Angeles, CA.
Specialist, Registration (Signature Events) at National Geographic Society in Washington, DC. Salary $61,700 - $65,000.
Head of Brand Partnerships at All Things Go festival in NYC, NY (hybrid). Salary $90,000 - 150,000.
Manager, Guest Experience at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI.
Director of Partnerships at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA (OVG). Salary $90,000 - $120,000.
Ticketing Manager at The O2 in London, UK. Salary £35,000 + 10% bonus.
User Generated Content [UGC] Marketing Coordinator at Insomniac Events in Calabasas, CA. Salary $21 - $25/Hour.
Senior Operations Manager at ID&C in Bradenton, FL.
Director of Events and Retail Operations at Complex in Los Angeles, CA. Salary $140,000 - $165,000.
Project Manager, Creative Services at Cosm in Los Angeles, CA. Salary $105,000 - $140,000.
Freelance Event Specialist at Visit.Org in Conshohocken, PA.
Looking to hire a BOH reader? Let’s chat.

Now that summer is over, are you looking for a new gig? |
Last Week's Results:
78% of BOH readers say Chappell Roan is the star of the summer. Sorry Brisket!

Headliners, Lineups, and Festival Announcements
Linkin Park announced new bandmates and the “From Zero World Tour,” their first shows since Chester Bennington’s death seven years ago, on Thursday. The tour kicks off almost immediately on September 11 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, CA.
Live Nation Urban and Lil Wayne’s Lil’ WeezyAna Fest will take place November 2 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA with a reunion of the Hot Boys, a hip-hop group comprising Lil Wayne, Juvenile, B.G. and Turk.
Jack White will join the Corona Capital lineup alongside Paul McCartney, Green Day, New Order, and Shawn Mendes, November 15 - 17 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
Lollapalooza announces Olivia Rodrigo, Justin Timberlake, and Shawn Mendes at Lollapalooza Chile (March 21 - 23 at Parque Bicentenario de Cerrillos); Lollapalooza Argentina (March 21 - 23 at Hippodromo de San Isidro in Buenos Aires); and Lollapalooza Brasil (March 28 - 30 at Autódromo de Interlagos in São Paulo).
Stagecoach 2025 will feature Zach Bryan, Jelly Roll, and Luke Combs as headliners with late night sets by Backstreet Boys, T-Pain, and Creed. April 25 - 27 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA.
Billy McFarland has finally revealed [some] details on his mysterious Fyre Festival II: “Fyre Festival II is happening April 25, 2025... We have a private island off the coast of Mexico in the Caribbean, and we have an incredible production company who’s handling everything from soup to nuts.” This time, he says, “it has to work.”
Cancelations, Changes
Primavera Sound has canceled their Latin American festivals planned for Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay this year due to “external difficulties”. They hope to return to Latin America in the future.
Childish Gambino postponed the rest of his US tour to focus on his health.

Using pineapples to find love in the grocery store is a thing in Spain.
Young people in Australia are partying underground in a new boiler room music scene that is filling the music festival gap.
When is the best time for you to be more productive?
Spotify’s Daylist is now available globally, a year after being first introduced in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. Here are some tips to make the most of your daylist.
Does your list of ideas feel too long to make any progress?
How's the air quality where you are?