#241

Author

Back of House
February 18, 2025

Issue #241

Zach Bryan is making history with a sold-out, first-ever show at Michigan Stadium, while Mumford & Sons keep NYC buzzing with a surprise concert. Meanwhile, Universal Music Group is expanding mental health support for industry professionals, San Diego’s Wonderfront Festival is leveling up with AI-driven fan experiences, and non-alcoholic beer is hitting major music festivals in a big way.

Zach Bryan To Play Inaugural Show at Largest U.S. Stadium

Zach Bryan will headline the first-ever concert at Michigan Stadium on September 27, 2025, joined by John Mayer, Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen, and Joshua Slone. The stadium, known as "The Big House," typically holds 107,601 for football games, but with field seating, the concert is expected to surpass this capacity, potentially setting a new attendance record. Tickets sold out shortly after going on sale, making it the largest ticketed show in American history.

UMG & MHA Expand Mental Health Access for Music Professionals

Universal Music Group and Music Health Alliance have expanded their partnership to launch the Music Industry Mental Health Fund, offering outpatient mental health resources to music professionals nationwide. Building on a four-year collaboration, the new initiative will provide access to therapists, psychiatrists, financial assistance, and continuity-of-care support, with response times within 24 hours. Since 2021, UMG and MHA’s healthcare program has helped nearly 1,000 clients save more than $12.5 million in medical costs.

Lower Manhattan has been in a Beatles-induced frenzy as Paul McCartney staged two surprise underplay shows at the Bowery Ballroom on Feb. 11 and 12. Announced just hours before tickets went on sale, fans braved icy streets to purchase their one allotted ticket from the box office, with both nights selling out in minutes. The intimate 575-capacity venue saw McCartney perform Fab Four classics alongside deep cuts, with no phones or recordings allowed. Celebrities like Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway, and Jerry Seinfeld were spotted among the crowd.

With McCartney in town ahead of the “SNL 50” celebration, he has now announced a third show at Bowery Ballroom for Feb. 14, once again with in-person, first-come, first-served ticket sales only.

Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival returns May 16-18 under new ownership by Events.com, and plans to introduce AI-driven fan experiences. Held along San Diego’s waterfront, the festival features 80+ artists across seven stages, including Peggy Gou, Daniel Caesar, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, and more.

New for 2025: GA+ ($599 for three days, $275 for one day) with expedited entry, luxury lounges, and private bars, plus a VIP tier with limo boat rides and fast-track afterparty access ($899 for three days, $399 for one day).

Paramount is pausing the MTV EMAs, CMT Music Awards, and other events in 2025 as it streamlines operations ahead of its Skydance merger. The move is part of a broader effort to optimize its event strategy while navigating ongoing corporate restructuring.

Shonda Rhimes and Ben Folds resigned from their Kennedy Center roles, while Issa Rae canceled performances, citing concerns over the institution’s direction under Trump’s leadership. Trump replaced 18 board members, installed himself as chairman, and vowed to reshape programming, calling it "wokey."

The live event industry faces rising climate threats, with 2024 seeing 27 U.S. disasters exceeding $1 billion each. Kristen Fulmer of Oak View Group urges the industry to lead on sustainability through prevention—reducing environmental impact—and adaptation—strengthening infrastructure and community support. “The time to act is now,” she says, emphasizing collaboration and long-term solutions beyond emergency relief efforts like FireAid.

Athletic Brewing is now the official non-alcoholic (NA) beer partner for over 100 Live Nation venues and major festivals like Bonnaroo and BottleRock. Fans can enjoy award-winning NA brews at concerts, with tasting experiences, giveaways, and backstage availability for artists.

“This partnership strikes a chord with concertgoers seeking non-alcoholic options,” said Andrew Katz, Athletic’s CMO. As demand for NA beer grows, this collaboration offers more inclusive beverage choices at live events.

Breakr, founded by HBCU alums Anthony and Ameer Brown, continues to transform the creator economy, now supporting 70,000 creators—more than doubling its 2022 numbers. Initially focused on music, Breakr has since expanded partnerships to brands like Hershey, Samsung, and Billboard.

Now, with investment from Black Lily Capital—backed by Live Nation Urban, Roots Picnic, Broccoli City, and Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman—Breakr aims to further elevate creators. The platform also introduced BreakrPay™️, enabling instant payments to eliminate long wait times for artists.

“Our investment reflects our belief in the founders and in the transformative power of creators,” said Shawn Gee, founder of Live Nation Urban, who joins Breakr’s board.

On February 15, 2025, Mumford & Sons surprised fans with a pop-up concert at Houston Hall in New York City. This unexpected performance followed their appearance at the "SNL50: The Homecoming Concert" on February 14, 2025.

Similarly, actor Adam Scott made a surprise appearance at a 'Severance' event at Grand Central Terminal, thrilling attendees.

These spontaneous events create unique experiences for fans and allow artists to connect with audiences in unexpected ways. Given the positive reception and buzz generated by such performances, it's likely that more artists will embrace surprise pop-up concerts throughout 2025.

  • LA28 is hiring a Manager, Ticket Operations in Los Angeles, CA. This role involves managing ticketing system development and coordinating with various departments to ensure successful ticketing operations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

  • Danny Wimmer Presents is looking for an Accounting Manager in Los Angeles, CA (hybrid). Salary: $125,000 - $145,000.

  • On Location is hiring a Planning & Coordination Manager for its Milano Cortina 2026 Hospitality team. This role will coordinate across 20+ functional areas to plan and deliver Olympic & Paralympic hospitality.

  • Love ChatGPT? OpenAI is hiring an Events Production Manager to create high-impact events, from developer conferences to experiential activations, shaping AI’s future through immersive experiences.

  • Wasserman Music is hiring an Assistant, Tour Marketing to support the Director, Tour Marketing in managing national and international tour campaigns. This role is ideal for candidates passionate about music marketing and live touring, with strong organizational and multitasking skills. Responsibilities include coordinating tour announcements, tracking artist marketing efforts, liaising with promoters, and assisting with creative marketing initiatives.

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Lineups, Festival & Tour Announcements 

  • ICYMI: Due to overwhelming demand, the Backstreet Boys have added three more shows to their Sphere residency in Las Vegas on August 1, 2, and 3, with Millennium taking center stage for fans ready to relive the magic. Meanwhile, Kenny Chesney is making history as the first country artist to play the Sphere, bringing No Shoes Nation to Sin City for a 12-show run starting this May.

  • Ontario’s All Your Friends Fest returns for year 2 with Avril Lavigne, Rise Against, and Simple Plan at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte, June 28 - 29.

  • Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simson will headline FairWell Festival, July 18 - 19 in Redmond, OR.

  • Oceans Calling announced Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Noah Kahan, and Weezer, September 26 - 28 on the beach in Ocean City, MD.

  • EDC Las Vegas is back May 16-18 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, unveiling a massive 2025 lineup featuring Alison Wonderland, Kaskade, Eric Prydz, Martin Garrix, Tiësto, Fisher, Dom Dolla, Sara Landry, SLANDER, Mochakk, and more.

  • All Good Presents has unveiled the All Good Trifesta, a trio of multi-day festivals—Dark Star Jubilee (May 23-26 in Ohio), All Good Now (June 14-15 in Maryland), and 4848 Festival (July 17-19 in West Virginia)—celebrating community, kindness, and live music with headliners like Dark Star Orchestra, The String Cheese Incident, and Lake Street Dive.

  • The Lumineers will embark on their Automatic 2025 North American tour this summer and fall, playing amphitheaters, arenas, and stadiums—including Citi Field, Fenway Park, and Soldier Field—alongside special guests like St. Vincent, Vance Joy, and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.

  • Summerfest unveiled its massive 2025 lineup featuring over 600 acts across three weekends in Milwaukee, with headliners including Hozier, The Killers, Megan Thee Stallion, The Lumineers, Def Leppard, Lainey Wilson, and James Taylor.

  • Sturgill Simpson announces ‘Who The F**k Is Johnny Blue Skies’ 2025 tour.

  • Halsey announced her 32-date “For My Last Trick” tour, running May 10–July 6 across North America in support of The Great Impersonator, with special guests including Evanescence, Alvvays, and Magdalena Bay on select dates.

  • Patti Smith announced a 2025 tour celebrating Horses’ 50th anniversary, performing the album in full across Europe, the UK, and the US with longtime bandmates Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty.

  • George Strait and Chris Stapleton are reuniting for a co-headlining stadium tour from May through July 2025.

  • Alabama Shakes return for their first tour in eight years, kicking off July 16 in Chicago with stops in Nashville, Vegas, New Orleans, and more. Guests include Bahamas, Shannon & The Clams, and others.

  • Beyoncé adds new Cowboy Carter tour dates in LA (May 9) and NJ (May 29) due to high demand. Her BeyGOOD Foundation will continue supporting communities throughout the tour.

  • Drake will headline all three nights of Wireless Festival 2025, marking his first UK shows in six years. The festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary, runs July 11-13 at Finsbury Park, London. Other acts include Burna Boy, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Summer Walker, and Vybz Kartel.

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