Pollstar (12/18/19) Pittman, Sarah

Live music industry executives reflect on the biggest trends of 2019, with Paradigm agent Matt Galle citing event sellouts and record profits in multiple venues. WME partner Kevin Shivers notes a high point for him was Crooked Media and "Pod Save America's" benefit show working to the advantage of nonprofits like Vote.org, Election Protection, Think Social Impact and the National Redistricting Foundation. Galle says Platinum & Premium ticketing technology had the most impact on the industry in 2019. "Artists can now control the secondary market more and maintain the majority of their well-deserved revenue," he explains. Steve Gordon at UTA says the election year may boost attendance as the public desires ways to escape the stress of politics. "I think given our current political climate and the fact that it's an election year, we will see artists using their power to influence the election and past artists making appearances and reuniting for concerts to draw further attention to it," Shivers adds. Galle predicts package tours and co-headline bills increasing in 2020 while festivals decrease, and Ground Control Touring agent Susie Giang anticipates growth in artist-curated events. Galle expects scalping to decline and primary ticketing companies giving artists more control through direct-to-fan offerings.

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