It’s time to party like we’re extras in She’s the Man. That’s what the All-American Rejects want us to do, anyway, with their current tour giving the middle finger to big venues that charge a lawsuit-inducing amount of ticket fees. The band is embarking on what they call the House Party Tour, crowdsourcing stops directly from fans and playing in backyards, bowling alleys, and any other spaces that will have them. Front man Tyson Ritter, the voice behind aughts-era bangers such as “Dirty Little Secret” and “Gives You Hell,” isn’t doing this for the money. Just look at the videos from the gigs and you’ll understand why. “We took $50,000 out of our own pockets, booked a bus, put the crew salary on, and started this wild sort of ride,” he says. “I recently read something about people financing festival tickets, the complete inaccessibility of the concert experience in 2025, and how it’s juxtaposed against these wild and weird economic times. It blows my mind that our shows can still work.”

Seated founders David McKay and John Griffin have re-acquired the ticketing platform from Sofar Sounds after four years.

Multiple shows at Boston’s Fenway Park were abruptly canceled this week, apparently over concerns about the temporary concert stage erected at the storied stadium.

Shakira’s May 29 performance was canceled on Thursday just hours before it was scheduled to begin, as was the May 30 show featuring Jason Aldean and the country duo Brooks & Dunn.

TicketManager has received major financial backing to support its strategic growth plans.

Private equity firm Valeas Capital Partners has invested $110m (£81.6m/€97m), while co-founder and chief executive Tony Knopp and chief operating officer Ken Hanscom will retain a minority interest in the company.

The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) has revealed the content lineup for its fourth annual national conference, NIVA ’25, which takes place in Milwaukee from June 23–25.

For 2025, the conference will spotlight the contributions of NIVA’s Milwaukee chapter, with programming held at independent venues across the city, including the Miller High Life Theatre and Turner Hall Ballroom.

The NIVA ’25 signature event, the Brew City Bash, will take place at The Rave / Eagle’s Ballroom. Evening shows will be hosted at other Milwaukee venues, including Falcon Bowl, Shank Hall, and X-Ray Arcade.

Longtime Nashville fixture 3rd & Lindsley has signed a new lease extension, with owner Ron Brice reaffirming his commitment to the Nashville community with the new agreement. Since opening its doors over 30 years ago, 3rd & Lindsley has been a cornerstone of the city’s independent music scene. The venue has nurtured emerging talent and served as a platform to countless artists who have gone on to global acclaim and has also provided jobs for numerous local hospitality workers and a welcoming home for fans of all ages and backgrounds, making it one of Nashville’s most beloved cultural institutions.

Leading global music agency Wasserman Music today announced the hiring of two new executives across its Global Festivals and artist representation teams to help further the ongoing growth of its thriving Hip-Hop/R&B division worldwide.

Additional information has been released on those who lost their lives in a Thursday morning plane crash in San Diego, with Sound Talent Group identifying the two other employees along with co-founder Dave Shapiro as Kendall Fortner and Emma Huke, both booking coordinates for the talent agency.

“The Sound Talent Group is still dealing with the pain of losing our friends and colleagues, but with the permission of their loved ones, we wanted to share the stories of Dave Shapiro, Emma Huke and Kendall Fortner to celebrate their lives and what they meant to us, our clients and the music industry as a whole,” a Sound Talent Group spokesperson shared with Pollstar in a release Friday evening.

Tixel has announced an ongoing contribution in aid of the recently established LIVE Trust, as well as a £20,000 (€24,000/$27,000) donation to the music industry body LIVE. A £1 LIVE Trust Contribution will be automatically included at checkout on all transactions for shows at UK venues with capacities above 5,000, with 100% of all funds donated directly to the LIVE Trust.

cAA has announced two hires as the agency continues expanding its marketing and brand partnerships divisions. Live events marketing executive Adrian Ayala and business development and brand partnerships executive Ben de Ayora are both based in Los Angeles. 

Independent promoter Disco Presents (formerly Disco Donnie Presents) has announced the lineup for the inaugural Wicked Oaks Festival, combining the Freaky Deaky, Summoning of the Eclipse, and ILLfest brands into one music, art, and camping event. Set for October 25–26 at Carson Creek Ranch near Austin, Texas, the festival will feature three full stages of music with performances by Eric Prydz, Bob Moses, Kaskade, Martin Garrix, Autograf, Dark Heart, and more.

Private Equity giant Providence has acquired a controlling stake in New York-headquartered Global Critical Logistics.

News of GCL’s acquisition will be of interest to the music industry, and particularly the live music industry, because it is the parent of Rock-it Cargo, a prominent player in the world of logistics for tours by superstar artists.

Rock-it started out over four decades ago, moving gear around the world for artists like Led Zeppelin, Queen and Bruce Springsteen. In more recent years, the company has worked on tours for superstars from Beyoncé to Taylor Swift.

After six years of working at famed Minneapolis venue First Avenue, Sonia Grover, Nate Kranz and the rest of the staff got phone calls one November morning in 2004 telling them to come get their stuff — the nightclub was closing. The legendary venue, best known as Prince’s stomping grounds and the site of his 1984 Purple Rain film, would be shuttering its doors for good. 

“We were just kind of told the doors are going to lock, so if you have anything in the building, get your s— and get it out of here,” says Kranz, who serves as First Avenue’s GM. 

 Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has announced the hiring of industry veteran and former UTA partner Brent Weinstein, who joins the agency as part of its senior leadership team. At CAA, Weinstein will oversee multiple aspects of the agency’s business, including Digital Media, Podcasts, Games, Talent Business Ventures, and Speakers. He will also contribute his expertise to the agency’s M&A and investment activities.

Want to keep up with when your favorite artists are playing in your city? Or why you should get to the venue early to catch the opening act? You’re gonna want to subscribe to What To See by Ticketmaster on Substack.

What To See is a newsletter made by folks who have written for Billboard, Forbes, Consequence, Vulture, NYLON, PAPER, Paste and many more. We’re out here going to shows every night of the week in New York, Los Angeles and even some places in between. Great news: We’ll tell you about these shows ahead of time so you can go, too.

Oak View Group has announced that the 2025 edition of the VenuesNow Conference will take place in Las Vegas—one of the world’s premier entertainment destinations—from September 9–11, offering three days of panels, keynotes, networking, and entertainment.

Presented by Lockton and Oracle, the eighth annual VNC will feature sessions on a wide range of venue-related topics, including content and bookings, hospitality, premium experiences, venue operations, and emerging trends in security, data technology, and women’s sports, among others.

Festivals company Wannasee Ltd has collapsed citing a “difficult trading environment” and a sudden decline in “customer confidence”. It means ten UK festivals due to take place this summer are now cancelled, while the future of two other events depends on ongoing negotiations behind-the-scenes

Neste Live!, a Live Nation company, announced the expansion of its corporate events division with a round of promotions. The promotions include veteran talent executive Jill Kopecky, who has been elevated to the role of Executive Vice President, Corporate Events. In her new role at Neste Live!, Kopecky will expand her portfolio to include oversight of the corporate events department while continuing her role as Corporate Events Talent Buyer within Neste Live!

It’s where Oasis were discovered – and where Radiohead only ever drew 150 people. Insiders and regulars like KT Tunstall explain why the live music venue is so loved by audience and artists

The Ontario Festival of Small Halls (OFOSH) has announced its 2025 lineup, bringing an eclectic roster of Canadian artists to small, independent venues with performances scheduled across southern Ontario. Taking place in October, November, and December, the festival will showcase some of Canada’s leading talent in intimate, character-filled venues.

“It’s a wide-ranging festival, with some remarkable venues and a variety of great acts,” said Cat Cote, Artistic Director of OFOSH. “This festival offers a chance to experience top-tier performances in unique community settings—it’s a special way to connect with both the music and the artists.”

it takes vision, business relationships built over decades — and maybe a few crazy ideas — to really shake up the live entertainment industry. Examples include Las Vegas’ Sphere, providing a unique, dazzling indoor experience in ways that haven’t been done before. On the stadium side, multibillion-dollar NFL landmarks like SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas push the audio-video boundaries while bringing new levels of comfort to fans.

As CEO, founder and chairman of VENU, JW Roth is looking to make a similar impact ($1.3 billion and counting) on the live entertainment industry, with music-dedicated, outdoor venues offering unprecedented amenities at what has historically been one of the least glamorous types of concert venues. "At the end of the day, I don’t think there’s ever been a $300 million ‘music coliseum’ or music amphitheater,” Roth tells Pollstar, talking up the 20,000-capacity Sunset Amphitheater under development in McKinney, Texas, scheduled to open in 2026. “This will be over the top premium.”

The “Album ONE Alive” tour celebrates the 40th anniversary of the release of W.A.S.P.’s first album. To celebrate this classic metal album, W.A.S.P. will, for the first time in 40 years, play the entire album from top to bottom, start to finish at headline shows across Europe. Dates and tickets are available at WASPnation.com/tour

BraveWords, Sleaze Roxx, Metal Insider and The Metal Voice all picked the Album ONE Alive tour as one of the best tours in 2024.