#198

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Back of House
April 09, 2024

Issue #198

From new partnerships and acquisitions, to government involvement in ticketing operations and Narcan vending machines, this past week in live events was a wild ride. Coachella and YouTube have announced the advancement of their multiview streaming technology for those watching at home, and the MLB lets fans walk in through access control gates without pulling out their phone.

Credit: OpiSafe

CTS Eventim 🤝🏼 Vivendi

Parent company Vivendi, which includes See Tickets and festival operations, has sold to CTS Eventim. See Tickets is the second largest ticketing provider in the UK, also operates in other countries, and generated roughly $114 million in 2023. The festival side of the business generated roughly $35 million. Eventim has a goal of expanding globally, and this acquisition supports that strategy.

Silver Lake 🤝🏼 Endeavor

Another acquisition took place, in which the private equity firm Silver Lake is taking the WME parent Endeavor private in a deal that values the company at $13 billion. Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel says, ““Since 2012, Endeavor’s strategic partnership with Silver Lake and Egon Durban have been central to our evolution into the global sports and entertainment leader we are today. We believe this transaction will maximize value for all of Endeavor’s public stockholders and are excited to continue to unlock and invest in the growth opportunities ahead as a private company.”

Live Nation shows up in a big way in the Iowa concert scene, purchasing a majority stake in First Fleet Concerts, promoter of Hinterland. However, the deal does not include the festival as a part of the deal. The partners previously worked together on Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee, and this deal is going to expand that greatly to more local venues. First Fleet says that while historically they weren’t interested in partnering with LN, it now makes sense as it achieves the overall goal of bringing more artists to the market for fans, as well as improving operational efficiencies.

Billie Eilish, Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, Kacey Musgraves and more than 200 other artists have joined with the Artist Rights Alliance non-profit – an artist-led education and advocacy organization – to issue an open letter calling on “AI developers, technology companies, platforms, and digital music services to cease the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists.” While it states there are ways AI can expand creativity, it warns against replicating artist voices, and is one of the strongest stances the industry has collectively taken to back artists.

In an effort to combat ticket scalping in South Korea, its government is cracking down on people utilizing computer programs with the intention of reselling, stating that it's “cancerous” to society. ”South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that those found guilty of violation could receive up to one year in prison or a 10 million won (£6,000/€7,000/$7,500) fine.”

A tragic fire occurred at a venue in Istanbul during a renovation process when workers and management were present (no event was taking place). As of now, 29 have been reported dead and others left with serious injuries. Those involved in the renovations are being questioned, as the building hadn’t yet received the appropriate permits to begin construction.

We love technological improvements toward any sort of event entrancing, and MLB’s initiative with the Philadelphia Phillies is a great example of a cutting-edge advancement both operationally and for the guest experience. Using a pilot of Go-Ahead-Entry, guests can walk through entrance gates at normal walking speed. Pulling out phones for ticket scanning isn’t necessary, and the registration process to utilize the tech is one-time and fairly simple.

As drug overdoses in the nation still tragically occur frequently, Narcan vending machines are the latest idea that OpiSafe Vending Solutions think may be, well, a solution. “The OpiSafe Narcan vending machine, which offers free Narcan as well as fentanyl/xylazine (“tranq”) test strips, [is their idea] to help determine if drugs are contaminated.” In crowded public spaces, like concerts and festivals, if you’re in the middle of a crowd far from a medical tent, EMTs may not be able to respond in time, thus the Narcan can treat narcotic overdoses in an emergency situation.

Not able to make it Coachella, whether working or for fun? No worries, “for the first time for a music festival, YouTube will offer a multiview feature for its Coachella 2024 livestream, enabling viewers to stream up to four performances on-screen at a time in a 4×4 grid.” This type of streaming is common in the sports world, like the NFL offers, but hasn’t yet been implemented at a music festival. Tune in starting Friday, April 12th at 4pm PT.

Sphere Entertainment Co. has announced the appointment of Ned McNeilage as the Chief Creative Officer of Sphere, MSG’s new high-tech concert and event venue in Las Vegas.

Ticketing marketplace Eventbrite has announced that CEO Julia Hartz will take on the role of executive chair of the board of directors starting June 6, taking her husband Kevin Hartz’s place, who played a major part in the company’s success the last two decades.

  • Music vacation company, Topeka, is looking for a remote Community Leader to join and grow its community. Salary $45,000 - $50,000.

  • AEG Colorado is hiring for a number of roles, including audio and lighting techs, production runners and riggers, and stagehands. Jobs are hourly and range from $20 - $35.

  • Meow Wolf is looking for a full time Event Sales Manager, with an annual salary ranging from $78,000 - $94,000.

How soon do you think the MLB’s technology will meet the concert / festival world?

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Last Week's Results:
78% of BOH readers have traveled internationally for a show, and one reader mentioned traveling to Ireland!

Headliners, Lineups, and Festival Announcements 

  • Travis Kelce and Medium Rare’s Kelce Jam will return for year two with Lil Wayne, Diplo, 2Chainz, May 18 at the Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, KS.

  • Olympia, WA’s South Sound Block Party will be headlined by Bikini Kill and X, August 23 - 24 at The Port. 

  • Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, and Slipknot headline Rocklahoma at Rockin Red Dirt Ranch in Pryor, Oklahoma, August 30 - September 1.

  • Riverfront Revival announced Tedeschi Trucks Band will join Hootie & the Blowfish at this year’s October 11 - 12 festival at Riverfront Park in Charleston, SC.

  • Twenty One Pilots are heading back on the road this year for a 10-month tour in support of their new album, Clancy, out on May 17th.

  • Adele has confirmed the final shows of her celebrated Las Vegas residency, which will take place in October and November.

  • Romy of The xx has added new dates to her "Club Mid Air" tour, including shows in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and Washington, DC.

  • Jennifer Lopez’s tour ticket sales are low, and thus rebrands her “This Is Me…Now” into a greatest hits tour.

  • The Black Keys have announced their “International Players Tour” in support of their recently released album “The Ohio Players”, which kick off in the US September 17th in Tulsa.

  • Dead & Co. extend their Sphere residency in Las Vegas, which will now span May 16 through July 13.

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