Live Nation plans 18 new music venues across the US
Live Nation aims to help artists “deliver more unforgettable live experiences” with a $1 billion investment.
Live Nation is expanding its bid to help the US live music industry to bounce back. The entertainment company has revealed plans to build or renovate 18 music venues across the United States, with a total investment of $1 billion.
These venues will range from small clubs to large amphitheatres, and are set to open or begin construction within the next 18 months. Cities that will benefit include:
- Allentown, PA
- Atlanta, GA
- Birmingham, AL
- Denver, CO
- Indianapolis, IN
- Memphis, TN
- Milwaukee, WI
- Nashville, TN
- Orlando, FL
- Portland, ME
- Portland, OR
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Raleigh, NC
- Richmond, VA
- Riverside, MO
- Seattle, WA
- Shakopee, MN
- Virginia Beach, VA
As Digital Music News reports, and according to research by Oxford Economics, this move is expected to create a total economic impact of $2.9 billion. That includes spending on things like engineering, planning, and construction. On top of that, the venues are predicted to generate $1.4 billion in yearly economic activity for the local communities where they’re based.
Live Nation’s latest expansion comes at a time when the live music scene is under pressure, especially for independent artists. The story is very similar in both the UK and the US. Here in the UK, bands are increasingly skipping cities on their national tours, and many independent artists are struggling to afford touring at all. So it’s encouraging to see more venues being developed in mid-sized cities, which could help bring more music events to fans outside major hubs. While Music Venue Trust has been helping to save UK venues where it can, hopefully, we see the same level of financial investment in the UK live music scene soon.
Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino explained the thinking behind this investment in the company’s announcement: “Our mission is simple: help artists deliver more unforgettable live experiences – and in doing so, create jobs, revive cities, and lift up the communities we touch. As an American company, we drive impact here at home while also helping elevate and export the very best of what this nation represents: freedom, creativity, grit, and boundless possibility.”
This isn’t the only contribution to the live music scene in the US that the company has made. Live Nation has already hired 37,000 workers in the US this year, and continues to offer affordable options for fans, including over a million $30 tickets to summer shows. The company currently owns and operates 150 venues across the country, representing around 4% of all music venues in the US.
For independent artists, this is a step in the right direction – especially if these new spaces open doors to perform in cities they might otherwise skip due to costs or lack of suitable venues. As live music becomes harder to sustain for smaller acts, more diverse spaces could lead to more opportunities.