#223

Author

Back of House
October 01, 2024

Issue #223

Our heart goes out to those impacted by Hurricane Helene in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina. Especially to our event fam living and working in the areas hardest hit by the storm. Looking for ways to support the recovery efforts? Here’s how you can help.

We’re also wishing a Shana Tova, a happy and healthy New Year, to those celebrating this week.

Credit: Sam Shapiro

🇮🇳Coldplay India dates crashed BookMyShow

It’s not just Ticketmaster. BookMyShow, the primary ticket seller for Coldplay’s shows in India, struggled during the Music Of The Spheres on sale. 13 million fans attempted to get tickets to two shows - a third was subsequently added, and quickly sold out - and the site was unable to handle the volume. Additionally, BookMyShow is now facing criminal complaints and speculation that it was “in cahoots with resale sites such as Viagogo and Gigsberg to profit from fans’ desperation to see Coldplay.” Tickets sold out quickly and almost immediately appeared on various resale sites. BookMyShow has turned the tables and filed its own criminal complaint. Scalping is illegal in India.

🇨🇦 Welcome to the neighborhood, Rogers Stadium

Live Nation Canada is building a limited-run open-air stadium in Toronto at the site of the former Downsview Airport (YDZ). The seasonal, 50,000-capacity stadium is slated to open in June 2025 and will host 12 - 15 shows per year for “several years” until the surrounding area is turned into a neighborhood. The temporary stadium will be called Rogers Stadium, not to be confused with Rogers Centre (home of the Toronto Blue Jays), Rogers Place (home of the Edmonton Oilers and the Edmonton Oil Kings), or Rogers Arena (home of the Vancouver Canucks and the Vancouver Warriors).

Austin City Limits is jumping on the hybrid battery powered stage train this year. ACL is the latest C3 Presents fest to partner with REVERB’s Music Decarbonization Project to power a stage entirely with a hybrid battery system, following Lollapalooza’s lead. All lighting, audio, video, and stage production for the IHG Hotels & Resorts stage will be powered with the hybrid system, in addition to a festival entrance and other backstage areas.

Bourbon & Beyond stepped out of the shadows of its sister festival, Louder than Life, and officially became the “Largest Kentucky Festival Ever” this year. The September 19 - 22 festival in Louisville hosted 210,000 attendees, including a record-breaking 60,000 on Saturday.

Rock in Rio celebrated its 40th anniversary over two weekends, September 13 - 15 and September 19 - 22 with more than 700,000 of its closest friends at Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro.

The Lyte woes continue (and likely will for a while) as the now defunct fan-to-fan resale platform turned primary ticketing provider seeks a buyer. In the US, festivals like Lost Land have vowed to compensate their guests who are owed money due to tickets they resold on the platform. In Australia, however, it’s a different story. Lost Paradise and Rabbits Eat Lettuce festivals were both using Lyte as their primary ticket partner. Ticket sales for Lost Paradise (December 28 - Jan 1) are on hold for now, while Rabbits Eat Lettuce quickly made a move to Humantix in time to transfer all tickets purchased through Lyte to the new system. Unfortunately, the funds didn’t transfer and Rabbits Eat Lettuce is out at least $30k.

Billie Eilish has shared a sustainability plan for her "Hit Me Hard And Soft" tour, in partnership with REVERB, Support + Feed, GOAL, and others to reduce the tour's environmental impact. The plan encourages fans to use public transit, eat at plant-based concessions, and bring refillable water bottles. Fans can also participate in food drives (specifically by donating plant-based foods) and climate studies.

Liverpool, England is celebrating being named the world’s first “Accelerator City” for climate action by the UN by hosting three nights of music, November 28 - 30. It received the designation “for its commitment to trial innovative new ways to rapidly decarbonize the live music and TV/Film production sectors.” The event will feature performances by Massive Attack, IDLES and Nile Rodgers and will show off several “innovations in sustainability and the smart design of live music events.”

In the post-pandemic era, small, intimate music gigs have seen a resurgence, offering fans and artists a more personal concert experience. These smaller venues provide a deeper connection between performers and their audiences, contrasting with large-scale festivals. Artists appreciate the creative freedom and direct engagement these gigs offer. Additionally, small venues play a crucial role in supporting local economies and fostering new talent, contributing to a more sustainable model for live music post-pandemic.

Vinyl Group, an Australian music company, will acquire Funkified Entertainment, an events and brand activations company for $2.5 million AUD ($1.71 million US); $1.8 million AUD ($1.24 million US) cash, $200,000 shares, and $500,000 deferred performance shares. The move is set to help accelerate Vinyl Group’s path to profitability.

New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, was indicted on federal corruption charges last week, including bribery, conspiracy, and fraud, linked to illegal foreign donations from a Turkish businessman. The investigation also involves members of his administration and ties to a nightclub extortion scheme connected to former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban’s twin brother. Allegations include extortion of nightclubs by Caban’s nightclub security business. Federal investigators are examining payments made to Caban and whether his connections led to preferential treatment for certain clubs.

Have you been impacted by a major weather event this year? (personally or professionally)

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Headliners, Lineups, and Festival Announcements 

  • “America. Oasis is coming. You have one last chance to prove that you loved us all along.” Yes, Oasis is crossing the ocean with 5 new dates on their 2025 tour in North America: Toronto, Chicago, East Rutherford (NJ), Los Angeles, and Mexico City, August and September 2025. The band announced they won’t be using Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing for this leg following fallout from the UK onsale.

  • Dirty Heads, Sublime with Rome have been announced as headliners for Alt 98.7 Friendsgiving, Friday, November 22 at Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA.

  • iHeart Radio’s annual Jingle Ball Tour will be headlined by Katy Perry, Tate McRae, and Jack Harlow. The tour starts on December 3 at Dickies Arena in Dallas, TX and ends on December 21 at Miami, FL’s Kaseya Center.

  • Billy Joel has announced a series of one-night-only stadium shows with Sting in Charlotte, NC; Indianapolis, IN; Salt Lake City, UT: and Syracuse, NY and with Stevie Nicks in Detroit, MI between February and May, 2025.

  • The Isle of Wight Festival will have Sting, Stereophonics, and Justin Timberlake as headliners, June 19 - 22 at Seaclose Park in Newport, England

Cancelations, Changes

  • Hurricane Helene cancellations:

    • South Star Festival in Huntsville, AL pushed gates back on Saturday as they worked to clean up and prep the grounds, but later had to cancel Sunday completely due to”severe deterioration of the grounds.”

    • Louder than Life in Louisville, KY was unable to open their gates on Friday (show day 2). They offered Friday ticket-holders the ability to attend on either Saturday or Sunday, told guests to be prepared to rock in the rain and added a Dry Zone for the rest of the weekend. 

    • The inaugural Field & Stream Fest, originally scheduled for this coming weekend (October 4 - 6) in Winnsboro, SC has been postponed to 2025 due to the storm. “Given the state of emergency and challenging conditions on the ground, this decision has been made out of an abundance of caution.”

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd canceled five shows due to Johnny Van Zant’s daughter undergoing “emergency surgery” beginning with their Tuesday, September 24 show in Anchorage, AK.

  • “Things have gotten overwhelming” for Chappell Roan, so much so that on Friday she canceled her performances at last weekend’s All Things Go festivals in NYC and Washington, DC so she can prioritize her mental health. NYC filled her spot with a Drag Dance Party on Saturday and MUNA performed in her place in DC on Sunday.

  • On Thursday, Foo Fighters pulled out of their Sunday headlining set at last weekend’s Soundside Music Festival in Bridgeport, CT. Jack White and Greta Van Fleet filled their slot.

  • Just a week after announcing Macklemore as headliner for the Neon City Festival in Las Vegas, NV, the festival removed him, officially “due to unforeseen circumstances.” However, it's likely tied to his “f—k America” comment during his performance at the Palestine Will Live Forever festival in Seattle. Macklemore made a statement.

  • Soundslinger, founder of the Okeechobee Festival, announced the Florida fest will not return in 2025 as originally intended when they announced a break in 2024. They plan to deliver “a better experience” when they return in 2026.

We’re starting to put together our 2024 BOH Gift Guide. 

What’s on your list? What are you gifting? What are you asking for? 

Send us your suggestions: [email protected]

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