Live Music Looks Like The Hunger Games
Live Nation Awakens, Insomniac on the Edge & Relief Efforts Falter
As vaccines role out and the world slowly emerges from pandemic lockdown, you can almost hear the distance rumble of bass in the air as concerts are set to return for the first time in over a year.
Sure, Insomniac’s first sizable event in Orlando was waylaid by weather, while both Roger Waters and Rage Against the Machine pushed off hitting the road until 2022. But with even COVID conservative California planning for a June 15th reopening of concert venues, there is undoubtedly a light at the end of the tunnel.
And while festival sellouts in the UK indicate a ravenous thirst by the ticket buying public for live music, what exactly the industry will look like in the near future is still very much in flux, as the latest news indicates.
TAKEAWAYS
The most salient statements from industry articles.
1. How Will Live Nation Bounce Back From the Concertless Year?
Many remain amazed at Live Nation’s ability to keep Wall Street bullish throughout the pandemic. But the well-capitalized sleeping giant could be ready to devour much of the malnourished concert industry.
Takeaway: Whether it’s independent venues, regional promoters, or other key areas of business, expect to see Live Nation hoover up smaller competitors from nation to nation in the months ahead.
2. Independent Venues Left in the Lurch as SBA Website Remains Broken
Relief for the venues most likely to become snacks for corporate concert giants suffered an infuriating setback as the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant portal meant to distribute the $16 billion in stimulus grants crashed before processing a single application.
Takeaway: Grants will be capped at $10 million; publicly traded companies and other large businesses are not eligible.
3. Pasquale Rotella Addresses EDC Las Vegas Confusion Over Safety Plan
The Insomniac CEO remains committed to holding the 450,000 person event at the end of May despite reports that the safety plan has not yet been approved by officials.
Takeaway: [Attendees] have the option to either attend this year’s event or transfer their tickets to next year.
ACTIVATIONS & COLLABORATIONS
Bottega Veneta held a secret fashion show inside Berlin’s shuttered Berghain club with guests including Vigil Abloh, Honey Dijon, Skepta, Slowthai and Burna Boy. Locals were less than thrilled about the afterparty held at Soho House while the city’s lockdown remains in effect.
EDM star Garth Emery has issued an NFT that comes with a custom home laser show for the highest bidder, which reminds us of the LED arms race that drove dance music’s growth in the previous decade.
The latest installment of Van’s “Foot the Bill” campaign to provide funding for small businesses finds Anderson Paak. supporting two of our favorite LA spots—Sage Vegan Bistro and Jones Hollywood.
