The 2019 venue is an example of a destination in itself.
(Photo by Noam Garay/Getty Images)
Joey Scoleri | Live Nation Canada (moderator)
Jared Alpha | Independent Artist Group
Michael Brill | D.Live
Ken Farmagrich | Utah
Brad Wabla | Live Nation
Sarah Zawalski | 313 Presents
The kind of jockeying and dealings that take place between agents and promoters can get heated, but ultimately everyone involved in a live performance is responsible for selling tickets and doing what's best for the artists, fans, and the concert ecosystem as a whole. I am thinking of doing this.
Moderated by Live Nation Canada's Joey Scoleri and featuring some of the top veterans in the concert touring industry, this panel highlights venues with unique amenities, expertise and locations that create great experiences for artists and fans. Consider your role. . Venues, whether independent or part of a larger ecosystem, are increasingly actively booking and marketing shows in-house, creating opportunities for agents and promoters and increasing market and venue There's a lot of competition between them.
On the agency side, Jarred Arfa, EVP and Global Head of Music at Independent Artist Group, joins the discussion. Alpha, the son of legendary music agent Dennis Alpha, head of IAG, has worked with Billy Joel, Metallica, Def Leppard, 50 Cent, Motley Crue, Neil Young, Smashing Pumpkins and more. He oversees all aspects of the company's global music division, which serves clients such as: . He was heavily involved in the company's partnerships with K2 Touring and Danny Wimmer Presents.
Also appearing in the agent corner of the discussion will be UTA partner and music agent Ken Farmalich, known for representing Guns N' Roses, Paramore, Muse, Creed, Mammoth WVH, and more. Vermaglich, who most recently took part in GNR's 2023 Summer Stadium and Arena Tour, certainly opined on the rapid development of world-class venues domestically and internationally.
Providing more specific insight from the venue side is Michael Brill, CEO of D. Live, which operates multiple venues in Düsseldorf, Germany, including the Merkur Spiel Arena and the PSD Bank Dome.
Also on the panel is Sarah Zawalski of 313 Presents, a Detroit-based venue operator and senior director of entertainment booking for the promoter. The company's portfolio includes major venues of all sizes, from the home of the Tigers at Comerica Park, the Red Wings/Pistons' Little Caesars Arena, multiple amphitheaters including the historic Pine Knob, and the Fox Theater. Venue included.
Live Nation's Brad Wavra, senior vice president of Live Nation Touring, is a big better on not just big shows, but big tours. When producing major tours for superstar artists like P!NK and the Jonas Brothers, finding the right dates and venues and getting the most out of each show are all important.
Big bets come with big risks, and Wavra speaks from experience on this issue.
“Not only are we guaranteeing all the artists' fees, but we're also guaranteeing all the costs of the show itself, so the amount at stake can be in the tens of millions, hundreds of millions of dollars. And being 100% correct means No,” Wabula told Pollstar in a recent interview.
“So when you're wrong, you need a team to support you… [Michael] Rapinoe was always that person. [with a philosophy] That no one bats 1000 percent. So if you hit 80, you'll miss 20…The nature of the game is that when you miss, you need the team around you to help you get up to the plate and swing again. ”
