I’m excited to share the highlights from this year’s Billboard Live Music Summit, which returned after a four-year hiatus. The information-packed day at the 1 Hotel in West Hollywood, Calif., featured insightful panels and artist conversations in collaboration with AEG Presents and Live Nation.
AXS sponsored a discussion on “Trends in Ticketing: The Latest in Innovation and Tools” to kick off the day. Billboard’s Katie Bain then moderated a conversation with fast-rising DJ John Summit and his manager Holt Harmon, diving into “Inside the Rise of John Summit.” Harmon praised Summit’s versatility, saying, “It allows him to do different things and not get pigeonholed.”
Other highlights included the packed “Agents Power Panel: A New Era of Uncertainty,” moderated by Billboard’s Jason Lipshutz; a conversation between Live Nation’s Arthur Fogel and Lady Gaga’s manager Bobby Campbell titled “Inside Global Touring Today”; and “The Power Players” conversation with Executive of the Year Louis Messina, moderated by Billboard’s Melinda Newman.
Billboard cover star Olivia Rodrigo, who won Touring Artist of the Year for her sensational Guts World Tour, participated in a Superstar Q&A to close the day. Rodrigo’s tour sold over 1.4 million tickets and brought in $184.6 million, making it one of the biggest pop tours of the decade.
“I’m so excited to just rot on the couch and eat so much food,” Rodrigo said, teasing her post-tour plans. She also discussed how she crafted her second album, GUTS, with a live show in mind, saying she wanted to deliver rock-inflected songs prime for screaming along to. A favorite of hers to perform has been “All-American Bitch,” which famously includes a mid-song howl that Rodrigo described as “cathartic.”
In addition to her music success, Rodrigo spoke about her Fund 4 Good, which supports girls’ education and women’s health. It’s clear the young superstar is using her platform to make a positive impact.
Vail Mountain also made headlines this week, announcing an exciting winter concert lineup featuring the likes of Tiësto, John Summit, L’Impératrice, Jungle, and Goth Babe.
Tiësto, the GRAMMY Award-winning DJ and artist known for his house and electronic dance music, will perform at Vail’s Ford Park on December 13th. Electronic duo Eli & Fur will open the show.
John Summit will return to Vail for the second year in a row, hosting his outdoor winter Experts Only weekend event at Ford Park on February 14th and 15th. Summit’s shows will follow the release of his recent album, Comfort in Chaos.
The Après at The Amp series at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater will feature L’Impératrice, Jungle, and Goth Babe over two nights on April 4th and 5th.
In addition to these major concerts, Vail Mountain will host a series of free pop-up shows throughout the season at venues like Eagle’s Nest Rooftop and Talon’s Deck. Vail Mountain has already confirmed Eli & Fur to perform one of these pop-ups on December 13th.
Live music enthusiasts will have plenty of opportunities to catch performances all winter long at various Vail venues, including Los Amigos, Treff Cafe, Two Arrows, Vail Chophouse, The Red Lion, and more.
It’s clear the Billboard Live Music Summit and Vail Mountain’s concert lineup are heating up the live music scene this winter. From rising stars like Olivia Rodrigo and John Summit to industry titans like Tiësto, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on and off the slopes.