#289

Author

Back of House
February 03, 2026

Issue #289

From Superfly joining Range Sports (without giving up Outside Lands) to senators and artists torching the ticketing system on Capitol Hill, this week underscored how fast live entertainment is being reshaped from the top down. As BTS shatters global touring records and venues experiment with everything from THC drinks to fan-first resale, the industry is also investing in people — with new mental health support, grassroots funding, and renewed pressure to fix what’s been broken for too long.

Credit: Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Superfly has been acquired by Range Sports; Outside Lands not part of the deal

Superfly has been acquired by Range Sports. Superfly’s co-founders Rick Farman, Rich Goodstone, and Kerry Black along with its entire leadership team will be integrated into the newly rebranded Superfly: A Range Company. Notably, the deal excludes Superfly’s ownership stake in Outside Lands; Superfly will continue to produce the festival in partnership with Another Planet Entertainment under its current creative leadership. This is the sixth acquisition for Range Sports in three years, signaling an aggressive strategy to lead the growing live entertainment and brand consulting sectors.

Kid Rock calls out Live Nation at US Senate hearing

At last week’s US Senate hearing on ticketing practices, lawmakers aggressively grilled Live Nation over what critics called a “rigged” and opaque system. In his testimony, Kid Rock called the current Live Nation-Ticketmaster model an “experiment [that] has failed miserably” and harms both fans and artists. He also accused the industry of turning a blind eye to issues like excessive fees and broker collusion. Ticketmaster denied allegations of colluding with brokers or intentionally undermining fans, but struggled to deflect criticism from senators who pressed for clearer accountability and legislative fixes.

Backline has launched B-LINE, a 24/7 confidential mental health and crisis support line created specifically for US music industry professionals and their families, including artists, crew, executives, and support staff. The service connects callers and texters with trained counselors for immediate help and pathways to longer-term care, in partnership with mental health organization Vibrant Emotional Health. B-LINE comes as part of a broader conversation about wellness in the music world, amplified by Chappell Roan’s public call for better health insurance and mental health support for musicians.

Venu Holding Corporation reported preliminary Q4 2025 results with revenue of $4.4 million - $4.8 million (vs $4.3 million in Q4 2024). Detailed earnings metrics and guidance were not fully disclosed pending final audit. The anticipated revenue growth was driven by expanded platform adoption and venue partnerships. Despite that growth, VENU shares plunged when it unexpectedly canceled its planned $75 million public offering. Limited details were provided for the cancellation, citing only “market conditions” and strategic reevaluation.

A new UK ticketing marketplace, Tickets9, has launched in partnership with Music Venue Trust. The goal of the marketplace is to offer a fan-centric secondary ticketing alternative by prioritizing transparent pricing and fair access for grassroots music fans. It directly supports local venues through a  £1 per ticket donation to MVT on resales for events with a capacity of over 5,000.

The United Center in Chicago, IL has become the first major arena in the US to offer THC-infused beverages during events, marking a shift in attendees’ preferences away from alcoholic beverages. The venue has partnered with Chicago-based brands Señorita and Rythm to sell low-dose hemp drinks in designated areas to guests over 21. Other smaller venues and minor league stadiums have also added THC beverages to their menus. Notably, the beverages won’t be served during NBA and NHL games.

The UK LIVE Trust has allocated £500,000 ($687,000 USD) in Phase One funding to support a range of live music venues and grassroots organizations. The funds provide financial aid for operational costs, community programming, and infrastructure improvements as part of broader efforts to strengthen the UK’s live events ecosystem and ensure long-term viability for independent performance spaces.

BTS has completely sold out all 41 stadium shows across North America, Europe, and the UK on their current world tour, moving nearly 2.4 million tickets and setting one of the biggest global touring performances in recent memory. This includes dates that were added due to "unprecedented demand" and immediately sold out. This is the largest tour for the band to date and it kicks off April 9 in South Korea.

Tool has had a strict no-phone, no-camera policy at their concerts for several years. On a recent podcast, frontman Maynard James Keenan spoke out about it, saying, “It’s not about us; it’s about the person behind you … This person paid, like, 70 bucks for a ticket, and now [they’re] back here trying to see the show through your phone. That’s just rude to people.” The policy is also intended to improve collective concert experience and reduce distractions. Fans caught recording are warned, and potentially ejected without refunds.

  • VENU: Vic Sutter has been elevated to COO from EVP Operations and Will Hodgson shifts to President-only role (formerly President and COO). 

  • Live Nation: Fabiano De Queiroz has been hired as SVP Of Global Touring, Latin America

  • Superstruct: Rebecca Kane Burton has been named Chief Operating Officer. 

  • SGPS/ShowRig: Joseph Jeremy has been announced as the new Chief Technology Officer.

  • The Circuit Group: Alicia Karlin has joined as Global President of Live.

  • Live Nation is looking for a General Manager to run Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA.

  • 100x Hospitality is searching for a full-time Ticketing Specialist to support the full ticketing lifecycle, including event builds, inventory management, and on-site support at festivals. Hybrid role based in Denver, Philly, or Nashville. Apply here.

  • Breakaway is seeking a Festival Director to lead the planning, production, and execution of its national festival portfolio. Based in Nashville, TN or Charlotte, NC.

  • Starlight in Kansas City is hiring a Director of Music & Comedy to plan and deliver its music and comedy programming in Kansas City, MO. Salary: $96,000 - $115,000.

  • CashApp is looking for a remote Manager, Music and Entertainment Partnerships to support the execution and activation of partnerships across entertainment. Salary based on location, $108,000 - $202,000.

Tool says their no-phone policy is really about not ruining the view for the person behind you. Fair?

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Last Week's Results:
Between Twitch streams, Roblox concerts, and livestreamed red carpets, 58% of BOH readers are experiencing live music in the room, nothing beats being there!

Lineups, Festival & Tour Announcements 

  • The Super Bowl music lineup is stacked. Check out all of the performers here.

  • Post Malone and Jelly Roll announced “The Big Ass Stadium Tour: Part 2,” starting April 10 at Tortuga Festival in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

  •  Tomorrowland’s CORE Festival is making its debut in the US in partnership with Insomniac, May 2 - 3 at LA State Historic Park in Los Angeles, CA. Eric Prydz and Four Tet will headline.

  • Whiskey Myers and The Black Crowes are co-headlining the “Southern Hospitality Tour” across North America this summer, starting May 17 at the Moody Center in Austin, TX. 

  • Movement announced Dom Dolla, Sara Landry, and Carl Cox atop the techno-fest’s lineup, May 23 - 25 at Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI. 

  • Breakaway Ohio announced Kygo, REZZ, GRiZ, and Disco Lines for the Columbus, OH edition at Historic Crew Stadium Festival Grounds, May 29 - 30. 

  • Noah Kahan’s “The Great Divide” tour will kick off on June 11 and hit 23 total stops in North America.

  • Harry Styles added dates to the Wembley Stadium leg of his “Together, Together” tour, breaking the venue’s records for most solo-artist concerts during a single tour leg (beating Taylor Swift) and single-year performance record (beating Coldplay). The 12 shows will take place between June 12 and July 4. 

  • Braves Country Fest is a new festival at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA with Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, and ERNEST, June 13. 

  • The Word (with John Medeski, Robert Randolph, North Mississippi Allstars), Don Was & the Pan Detroit Ensemble, Cymande, and Lebo & Friends lead the High Sierra lineup, July 2 - 5 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, CA. 

  • C3 announced a new fest in St. Paul, MN, the Minnesota Country Club Festival,  with The Red Clay Strays and Treaty Oak Revival as headliners, July 10 - 11 at Harriet Island Regional Park (1 week before sister fest, Minnesota Yacht Club). 

  • Macklemore and AJR will co-headline the inaugural Blessing in Disguise Music Festival in Spokane, WA on July 11. 

  • Sharon Osbourne is reportedly in talks with Live Nation about bringing OZZFEST back.

  • “The Revivalists Present: Others of Paradise at Sea,” a new Sixthman cruise will set sail November 3 - 7, from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas on Norwegian Jewel.

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