The music business nonetheless has an extended method to go in championing girls as yr after yr, the information persistently paints a lower than optimistic image of a enterprise that skews overwhelmingly male, from the producers creating the hits to the executives within the c-suites.
However these in search of a shiny spot can look to reside music in Los Angeles. Town is a must-stop on nearly each live performance tour and boasts among the most iconic venues on this planet: hundred-year-old stadiums just like the Rose Bowl and the Coliseum; famed arenas just like the Kia Discussion board and Crypto.com Area; soccer stadiums like Dignity Well being Sports activities Park; and high-tech outposts like SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome.
These venues are all booked by eight girls, who between them are dealing with nearly each main live performance that involves LA on any given night time. Forward of Pollstar’s Ladies of Reside Occasion to kick off Pollstar Reside Monday night, these LA bookers spoke with The Hollywood Reporter in regards to the ever-changing live performance enterprise, reserving reveals in one of the vital aggressive markets within the nation and uplifting girls in music.
Hallie Yavitch, SVP, reserving and advertising for Crypto.com Area, Peacock Theater and L.A. LIVE
Hallie Yavitch
Courtesy of Crypto.com Area
What’s the present you‘ve booked you’re probably the most pleased with in your profession?
First is AC/DC, it was the primary present I booked once I began reserving an area in Ohio, and from the primary be aware the band performed that night time, I knew this could be my profession. That feeling is one thing I’ll always remember. The one which made me suppose “I belong in LA,” I might say J Balvin in October 2019. I didn’t understand who his fan base is and that he was the “Latin Tom Jones.” Ladies have been throwing bras on the stage. The present and stage have been so spectacular, however including that component of such rabid followers was a real reminiscence maker!”
How do you suppose the live performance panorama will change, if in any respect, within the years forward?
The very best factor about reside leisure is that it transports you emotionally. A live performance can get you pumped and excited or could make you are feeling like you might be a part of one thing particular. An distinctive efficiency could make you cry or snort. I hope that facet of live shows won’t ever change, and that we’ll be linked to others by music. The recognition of genres could change and might be cyclical, however the great thing about seeing a present reside will hopefully keep sacrosanct.
How has the dialog round girls in government roles modified, in your opinion? Do you sense a shift ahead or a backslide? How can girls in different sectors of the music business assist uplift these within the reside music sector?
Once I first began on this enterprise, it felt as if girls have been competing with each other for the one elusive lady place in government roles. Now it appears as if we’re all attempting to elevate one another up. I imagine that’s the case throughout the business. I speak with different execs and although we’re opponents, there may be an pleasure in seeing somebody develop or see an concept blossom. If we’re good stewards for different girls in music, then years from now there is not going to be conversations about girls in exec roles. It should simply be about find out how to be one of the best chief and government within the business.
Christy Castillo Butcher and Jen Sandstrom, SVP and VP of programming and reserving for SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theater and Hollywood Park
Christy Castillo Butcher and Jen Sandstrom
Christina Gandolfo; Jeff Lewis/SoFi Stadium
How do you suppose the live performance panorama will change, if in any respect, within the years forward?
SANDSTROM I believe the business will evolve because it at all times has. I foresee expertise taking part in a extra vital function in live performance productions, particularly within the digital and augmented house. Exploring platforms that permit followers to interact each reside and nearly to create a extra private connection. Live shows will probably develop into extra immersive and participatory, that includes various, genre-blending codecs to draw wider audiences.
What’s the largest problem you face in reserving expertise?
BUTCHER Given how extremely aggressive the Los Angeles market is, with a number of venues at each capability, standing out is crucial. We not solely need to create the best ambiance for the artist and fan but in addition perceive the place the artist is at of their profession. Whether or not it’s taking part in our 6,000 capability YouTube Theater for a extra intimate present or the 70,000 capability SoFi Stadium for perhaps a large-scale tour, working with the artist’s group to know their wants and desires is vital in reserving the best venue.
SANDSTROM Artist touring cycles current our largest reserving constraint, as we should additionally accommodate SoFi Stadium’s fastened schedule as the house of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, along with vital occasions such because the FIFA World Cup ‘26, Tremendous Bowl, and the 2028 Olympics. Consequently, meticulous calendar administration and collaboration with our operations group on conversion and turnaround occasions are important.
The music business has proven a necessity to enhance with its illustration of girls in government roles. What do you suppose the reside music sector specifically ought to do?
BUTCHER Whereas some male allies within the business strongly help girls in government roles, their public advocacy would considerably amplify the affect. Highlighting the collective achievements of girls, as this text does, emphasizes the significance of various voices, with completely different views being represented.
SANDSTROM I believe it’s time to showcase extra feminine expertise in each function. 2023 was the ‘12 months of the Feminine’ with main excursions reminiscent of Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Pink, Twice, and so forth., they dominated the music charts, setting data and breaking business ceilings. How does this translate to all segments of the enterprise? It’s time to showcase each degree of feminine expertise with extra range, transparency, and pay equality.
Teresa Man, vice chairman of reserving and partnerships, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Teresa Man
Courtesy of LA Memorial Coliseum
What’s the largest problem you face in reserving expertise?
It goes with out saying that LA is a aggressive panorama. The ladies featured listed here are a testomony to that zeal and drive that fuels us all. I’d be laborious pressed to seek out one other metropolis that has the identical quantity of large-scale venues, together with three soccer stadiums, that isn’t confronted with some aggressive reserving challenges. However whereas all of us compete for a similar enterprise, there’s a number of mutual respect. We have fun one another’s wins. The Coliseum continues to swing for the fences, realizing that the best artist on the proper time will at all times land.
What’s the present you’ve booked you’re most pleased with in your profession?
Few issues can evaluate to the joy of an important reside full-bowl stadium present, however I’ll say it’s laborious to high that the fervor of saying the Fred once more.. live performance simply 5 days earlier than it performed off and promoting it out in such an unbelievably brief window. No different artist would try one thing so daring in a soccer stadium, however the creativity, confidence, and artistry Fred and his group introduced that night time was nothing in need of unimaginable. For individuals who have been fortunate sufficient to be there, you realize you witnessed magic.
The music business has proven a necessity to enhance with its illustration of girls in government roles. What do you suppose the reside music sector specifically ought to do?
Within the practically 20 years I’ve been within the reside music sector, I’ve seen an increasing number of alternatives develop into out there to girls. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless very uncommon to see an all-female group, or women-led organizations, particularly in relation to the C-suite. I believe girls supporting girls, studying to be your personal advocate, and investing in your self are all vital to the continued success of girls throughout all industries. The unlucky actuality is most ladies should work twice as laborious and obtain much less in return than their male counterparts, however I firmly imagine that as girls rise to positions of affect, we should help these developing behind us. A lot of my success is owed to key girls within the music business who’ve opened doorways for me and supported my success, whether or not we have been colleagues or not. This type of help might be life-altering!
Monique Reaves, CRO on the Rose Bowl
Monique Reaves
Courtesy of Rose Bowl
What’s the present you’ve booked you’re probably the most pleased with in your profession?
I’m pleased with each present, however the ones that resonate with me probably the most are the “firsts.” The Rose Bowl is a 102-year-old venue, these moments are uncommon. As a proud Latina, I need to spotlight two occasions: one which’s already occurred, Karol G’s Mañana Sera Bonito Tour, and one which’s upcoming, Carín León en el Parque. Karol G made historical past as the primary Latin American artist to promote out two consecutive nights on the Rose Bowl Stadium, and her Mañana Sera Bonito Tour has develop into the highest-grossing tour by a Latina in historical past. Carín León en el Parque would be the first Latin music competition held at Brookside on the Rose Bowl Stadium.
The music business has proven a necessity to enhance with its illustration of girls in government roles. What do you suppose the reside music sector specifically ought to do?
Hold inviting us to the desk. Convey us into the conferences. Share your information of greatest practices and take the time to mentor somebody. Construct on conferences and academic content material. Create extra paid internship alternatives, supply faculty programs, certifications, and proceed to amplify girls’s voices and concepts.
How has the dialog round girls in government roles modified, in your opinion? Do you sense a shift ahead or a backslide? How can girls in different sectors of the music business assist uplift these within the reside music sector?
There’s at all times a necessity for extra illustration of girls in government roles. I’m lucky that my group has a number of girls in government positions, however once I look throughout the nation, I nonetheless see a scarcity of stability. I strive to not deal with the negatives, as that may develop into overwhelming and distracting for me personally. I can solely management what’s inside my attain. I volunteer the place I can, and I join with different girls leaders, in addition to these aspiring to develop into one. If they will see me, they will imagine in themselves and pursue no matter they’re aiming for. I keep centered on the trail forward, working to maintain doorways open for the subsequent lady chief to step ahead.
Becky Colwell, common supervisor of Kia Discussion board and VP of music and occasions at Intuit Dome and Jolene Hertz VP of reserving at Kia Discussion board and Intuit Dome
Becky Colwell and Jolene Hertz
Timothy Norris (2)
What’s the present you’ve booked you’re most pleased with in your profession?
We’re enthusiastic about each present we ebook, all of them equally matter to us. It’s a collaborative effort and we’ve had enjoyable internet hosting a number of nights of Harry Types, Billie Eilish, Mana, Madonna, Eagles, and Bruce Springsteen, to call a couple of. We hosted FireAid just lately the place each venues have been working concurrently, that includes among the world’s greatest music, and have been in a position to elevate greater than $100m to help our LA and Altadena communities impacted by the LA fires. That night time was actually particular.
How do you suppose the live performance panorama will change, if in any respect, within the years forward?
The live performance panorama continues to evolve and genres that have been as soon as marginalized develop into extra mainstream. It’s thrilling to see it!
The music business has proven a necessity to enhance with its illustration of girls in government roles. What do you suppose the reside music sector specifically ought to do?
We’ve by no means labored with extra girls than we do as we speak. The expertise within the business is stronger than ever and we’re noticing an increasing number of that girls are holding government positions in venues, and in all places within the reside leisure house.
How has the dialog round girls in government roles modified, in your opinion? Do you sense a shift ahead or a backslide? How can girls in different sectors of the music business assist uplift these within the reside music sector?
Ladies maintain key positions in nearly each division at each of our venues, so we really feel there’s a steady shift ahead. There are extra alternatives for ladies now in all aspects of the enterprise.
Kristen Benedict, VP of occasion reserving at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park
Kristen Benedict
Courtesy of Dignity Well being Sports activities Park
What’s the present you’ve booked you’ve been most pleased with in your profession?
One thing I look again on that actually showcased our capabilities was once we hosted Coldplay on a Friday night time, then hosted AC Milan vs Galaxy the next day, all whereas ESPN XGames loaded in round the remainder of the property.
How do you suppose the live performance panorama will change, if in any respect, within the years forward?
Occasions have gotten an increasing number of experiential. As a response to the extraordinary competitors, promoters are all attempting to create one thing new and completely different to set their present aside.
The music business has proven a necessity to enhance with its illustration of girls in government roles. What do you suppose the reside music sector specifically ought to do?
Ladies ought to proceed to help girls and rally round one another to uplift and be function fashions for the subsequent era. The business has come alongside manner up to now few a long time, however there’s nonetheless loads of work to be carried out.
How has the dialog round girls in government roles modified, in your opinion? Do you sense a shift ahead or a backslide? How can girls in different sectors of the music business assist uplift these within the reside music sector?
I haven’t seen a backslide, however I’ve undoubtedly seen a plateau. Ladies must proceed progress ahead by mentoring the subsequent era of feminine leaders within the business.
