Billboard, in partnership with AEG Presents and Live Nation, has announced the first round of talent and industry leaders for this year’s Billboard Live Music Summit and Awards. The event, taking place Nov. 14 in Los Angeles, will celebrate creativity and achievement in the live music industry through exclusive panels and conversations, featuring some of the brightest stars and leaders in music.
The first round lineup includes:
- Louis Messina who will be honored with the prestigious Touring Titan Award and recognized as the Executive of the Year in honor of his work producing Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour, as well as tours for Eric Church, George Strait, Kenny Chesney and many more top grossing artists. Following the award presentation, he will sit with Billboard’s Melinda Newman for The Power Players Conversation. Together, they will delve into Messina’s remarkable career, covering his time with Pace Concerts, his work with artists like Tim McGraw, Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes, as well as his plans to build the next generation of touring superstars. This fast-paced, insiders-only conversation will offer attendees a rare glimpse into the business mindset of the 21st century’s most successful concert promoter and showman.
- John Summit and his longtime manager Holt Harmon will take part in an exclusive conversation, Inside the Rise of John Summit. Moderated by Billboard’s Katie Bain, the duo will discuss Summit’s explosive rise and the strategy behind it, exploring how the producer went from playing small bars and clubs to becoming one of the leading artists in the global dance scene. They’ll share insights into the creative process behind Summit’s chart-topping hits, the evolving relationship between artists and audiences and the challenges and opportunities DJ’s face in an ever-changing market.
- A powerhouse lineup of agents are set to share their insights and expertise during the Agents Power panel, featuring industry heavyweights like Kirk Summers from WME, Rick Roskin representing CAA as well as David Zedeck of UTA, and Ali Hedrick of Arrival Artists. A must attend session for anyone involved in talent booking, the Agency Power panel will cover all things related to artist development and representation with a focus on building superstar talent for a growing global audience.
- L-Acoustics, the leader in professional audio technologies, is sponsoring the Festivals of the Future panel. A distinguished group of executives will take center stage to discuss how innovations in sound, video and immersive media are transforming the festival experience. Moderated by Amber Mundinger (L-Acoustics Global Director of Artistic Engagement), the panel features Polygon’s David Lopez de Arenosa, Dave Rat, President of Rat Sound Systems, and more. They will explore the critical role of sound design and technology, including deploying large-scale spatial audio, immersive sound, and projection mapping. From deep diving into Electric Forest’s sellout success to new initiatives for developing artists, the Festivals of the Future panel will serve as a roadmap for the next generation of experienced creators.
- Previously announced talent include multi-platinum, 3x Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo who will be a part of the Superstar Q&A and will receive Billboard’s editorially selected Touring Artist of the Year award.
The Live Music Awards, which will honor touring acts as well as some of the visionary executives behind them, are based on a number of criteria ranging from revenue to tour demand, production, technical ambition, fan engagement, momentum and cultural impact.
Programmed by Billboard’s Dave Brooks, the Billboard Live Music Summit and Awards will bring an unforgettable experience, spotlighting some of the biggest names in music and emerging artists who are shaping the future of the industry. The event will feature a series of keynote panels as well as the highly anticipated Billboard Live Music Awards, honoring artists and industry professionals who have made significant contributions to the world of live music.
In addition to exclusive panels and conversations with the brightest stars and industry leaders, the Billboard Live Music Summit will feature insightful panels with leading figures from AEG Presents and Live Nation, exploring trends, challenges, and innovations in the live music sector. The summit aims to foster dialogue and inspire future developments in the industry. Additional information will be distributed in the coming weeks. For more information on this year’s Billboard Live Music Summit and Awards, visit billboardlivemusicsummit.com.
