Endeavor is officially done endeavoring

Endeavor as we know it is no more. As planned, private equity firm Silver Lake officially took the company private on Monday and in doing so, changed the name to WME Group. The $25 billion valuation of the transaction makes it the largest ever in the media and entertainment industry. With the move, Ari Emannuel becomes executive chairman of WME Group (while continuing as CEO and executive chair of TKO Group); Mark Shapiro becomes president and managing partner of WME Group (in addition to president and COO of TKO); and Patrick Whitesell is leading a new startup in the sports, entertainment, and sports industry backed by $250 million from Silver Lake.

StubHub files for an IPO

StubHub has filed paperwork with the SEC to take the company public via the New York Stock Exchange. In the filing, StubHub reported a 29% increase in revenue in 2024 ($1.77 billion compared to $1.37 billion in 2023) despite a $2.8 million loss (down from $405 million profit). The revenue was largely due to 40 million tickets sold by approximately 1 million sellers in 2024. StubHub had considered an IPO in 2024, but decided to shelve it based on market conditions.

Former owner of Canadian Music Week sues new owner over unpaid bills

Neill Dixon, founder of Canadian Music Week (CMW), has sued Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group Canada, the new owners of CMW. In the suit, Dixon claims the new owners have failed to pay the full $2 million purchase price as well as $56,000 in consulting fees. Loft Entertainment and OVG purchased CMW in June 2024 and rebranded it to Departure Festival + Conference. The conference is scheduled for May 6 - 11 in Toronto, ON.

Forest Hills Stadium summer shows at risk

The summer concert slate at Forest Hills Stadium, a popular concert venue in New York City, is at risk. Following a series of lawsuits by neighbors over noise, the NYPD denied the venue its new sound amplification permits late last week. There are currently 13 shows scheduled this summer, including two nights of PHISH, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Black Keys, and more. The first show is set for May 31 and the venue is hopeful something can be worked out before then to allow the shows to go on.

Vivid Seats blames fewer stadium shows on down revenue

Vivid Seats reported a challenging 2024, with a net income down 87% YOY to $14.3 million. The dip included a $4.4 million loss in Q4, which is typically a strong quarter for the ticketing marketplace. This was the lowest full-year net income since 2021 due to increased competition and fewer large stadium shows. The company is optimistic about 2025 growth, despite rumors of sale earlier in the year.

Spotify debuts “Concerts Near You”

Last Wednesday you may have noticed a new playlist in your Spotify account. “Concerts Near You” is the streaming service’s newest personalized playlist tailored to each user’s listening habits, featuring full concert details and of course, links to purchase via ticketing partners AXS, DICE, Eventbrite, and Ticketmaster. The playlist updates weekly on Wednesdays and is part of Spotify’s focus on event discovery.

UK venue proposes a “festival of festivals”

​Bristol-based independent festival venue Chai Wallahs has unveiled "Grassroots Rising," a collaborative festival concept aimed at revitalizing the struggling festival scene. This "festival of festivals" seeks to unite promoters, music venues, and audiences to “massively reduce our independent running costs and as a result of that bring down the ticket price to a more affordable level.” Scheduled for June 18 - 21, 2026, at the former Secret Garden Party site, the initiative has garnered support from the Music Venue Trust and nine grassroots venues across the UK.

Events.com adds to live event portfolio

Events.com has added to its live event portfolio with the acquisition of California’s Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival. The event management platform also acquired Wonderfront Music Festival at the end of 2024. In August 2024, Events.com went public via merger with Concord Acquisition Corp II (NYSE: CNDA) a special purpose acquisition company at a pre-money equity value of $314 million. Following the merger, Events.com was listed on the New York Stock Exchange as RSVP.

Pollstar’s Q1 analysis points to a “mixed year ahead”

According to a recent analysis by Pollstar, the live entertainment industry is experiencing a mixed start to 2025, with strong demand in some areas but signs of cooling after the post-pandemic boom. While top-tier tours and major festivals continue to perform well, mid-tier and smaller events are facing increased competition, shifting consumer spending, and economic pressures. International markets are showing varied growth patterns, with some regions struggling due to inflation and currency fluctuations. Industry leaders remain optimistic but acknowledge that strategic adjustments may be necessary to navigate the evolving landscape.

Microgrids emerge as generator alternative for live events

Mobile microgrids - portable, self-contained energy systems that generate, store, and distribute electricity independently of the traditional power grid - are emerging as a cleaner, quieter, and less “stinky” alternative to diesel generators at live events. While the power needs for events are often “astronomical”, more and more microgrids are being used at events like Coachella, Outside Lands, and Burning Man to replace “stinky generators” while also reducing carbon emissions, noise pollution, and fuel costs.

• SIFF Festival is looking for a Guest Relations Transportation Coordinator in Seattle, WA from April 28 - May 30. Salary: $21/hour. 

• Czarnowski Collective is hiring a Project Manager - Exhibits & Events in Denver, CO. Salary: $80,000 - $85,000. 

• Grant Park Music Festival is seeking a Marketing Director in office in Chicago, IL. Salary: $74,500 - $80,000.

Last Week's Results:
41% of BOH readers prefer mid-morning flights.

Lineups, Festival & Tour Announcements 

• Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and Paris Hilton will headline Outloud Music Festival at WeHo Pride, May 31 - June 1, West Hollywood Park, CA. 

• Seattle, WA’s Capitol Hill Block Party announced Thundercat, DJ Pee .Wee (AKA Anderson .Paak), The Dare, Slayyyter, and Jordan Ward, July 19 - 20.

• Olivia Rodrigo, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Doechii, Tyler, the Creator, Sabrina Carpenter, and Luke Combs - the first ever country headliner - top the Lollapalooza Chicago bill, July 31 - August 3 in Grant Park.

• The Jonas Brothers are celebrating 20 years with their “JONAS20: Living The Dream” tour across North America this summer. The tour kicks off at MetLife Stadium in their home state of NJ on August 10 and wraps in Uncasville, CT on November 14.

• Telluride Blues & Brews announced The Black Crowes, Thundercat, and Lukas Nelson, September 12 - 14 in Telluride, CO.

• Sea.Hear.Now Festival in Asbury Park, NJ will feature Hozier and Blink-182, September 13 - 14.

Cancelations

• Neil Young has canceled his free concert in Ukraine over security concerns. “The changing situation on the ground was too much. I could not in good conscience take my crew and instruments into that area. My apologies to all.” 

• Anitta has pulled out of her Coachella performance “due to unexpected personal reasons.” 

• Australia’s Good Life Festival announced a hiatus for 2025. “The decision comes after careful consideration of the escalating operational costs and the current regulatory landscape affecting music festivals.”

• Gene Simmons has canceled 17 dates on his solo tour. While the official line is that they are postponed to 2026, any tickets purchased for canceled shows are being refunded.

• Shotguns, fistfights, and the Kennedy Assassination: How Lollapalooza changed music festivals.

• Crisis communication for festivals: a strategic four-stage approach.

• Freelancer vs. full-time - who’s making more? Compare the earnings for graphic designers and short-form content creators.

• The impact of higher tariffs on the event industry.

• Metallica released a concert on Apple Vision Pro. “It’s like you can almost touch it.”

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