Live Nation Plans to Halt Tours Worldwide
Live Nation will cancel tours through March and re-evaluate beginning in April.
UPDATE, 3/12/2020, 4:54 p.m.: Live Nation confirms that large events will be postponed through March. See their full statement, via PRNewsWire, below:
The world’s leading forces in live entertainment have come together to form a global task force to drive strategic support and unified direction ensuring precautionary efforts and ongoing protocol are in the best interest of artists, fans, staff, and the global community.
The task force includes Michael Rapino (CEO and President, Live Nation Entertainment), Dan Beckerman (President and CEO, AEG & Board Member, ASM Global), Jay Marciano (Chairman and CEO, AEG Presents), Rob Light (Managing Partner and Head of the Music Division, CAA), Marc Geiger (Partner and Head of Music, WME), Sam Gores (Chairman, Paradigm), Marty Diamond (Head of Global Music, Paradigm) and David Zedeck (Partner and Global Head Of Music, UTA).
At this time, we collectively recommend large scale events through the end of March be postponed. We continue to support that small-scale events follow guidance set by their local government officials. We feel fortunate to have the flexibility to reschedule concerts, festivals, and live events as needed, and look forward to connecting fans with all their favorite artists and live entertainment soon.
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Many artists around the world have already halted their touring schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic, but now, concert promoter Live Nation has joined the calling.
According to Billboard, Live Nation has plans to stop tours, both domestically and internationally, over concerns of spreading the coronavirus.
The publication reports that Live Nation told employees that the company would be postponing current touring shows through the end of March. Select shows would play out over the next several days, however. They have also asked staff to work remotely and not come in to work. No layoffs are expected.
Billboard also shares that during a call to employees, the company said that March is typically a slow month for shows and they will re-evaluate the situation in the beginning of April in hopes of resuming tours in May and June.
This will affect Blake Shelton, Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean and many others.
Sounds Like Nashville has a running list of cancellations and postponements, so far, and will continue to update as more information comes in. See that list here.
