Experience, Insights, and Big Moments from the Live Entertainment Business' Premier Conference
After attending Pollstar Live 2025 this past week at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, I am leaving energized, reflective, and grateful for the experience. It had been so long since my last Pollstar Live that I honestly couldn't remember when I last attended. Coming back after so many years reminded me just how powerful and essential this gathering is for anyone serious about the live music and entertainment business.
The event opened on a meaningful and emotional note with a panel featuring Irving Azoff, his family, and others who played a crucial role in the creation of Fire Aid, the benefit concert to help those impacted by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area. As an opening panel, it struck the right chord especially given that Pollstar was rescheduled from February due to the ongoing threat of fires and strain on emergency resources. Listening to firsthand accounts of how Fire Aid was conceived and executed was a powerful reminder of the impact our industry can have when it rallies together for a greater cause. The conversation got me thinking back to when I was younger and remembering events such as Live Aid and Farm Aid where artists stepped up to tackle social causes. It was the perfect tone-setter for the event, emphasizing the power of community, the strength of the entertainment business, and the heart that drives it all.
Throughout the two days, I had the opportunity to attend incredible panels featuring some of the top names in the industry. Many of the speakers are my icons in this industry and folks I’ve looked up to since ‘little Ari’ started in this business. One standout conversation was the "Power Players: Are We in a Market Correction?" panel, which brought together some of the most influential leaders in touring and live entertainment. Hosted by Jeffrey Azoff of Fullstop Management, the discussion featured Rich Schaefer, President of Global Touring at AEG Presents; Lesley Olenik, Senior Vice President of Global Touring at Live Nation; Mac Clark, Music Touring Agent at Creative Artists Agency; and Lee Anderson, President of Wasserman Music. They discussed how, after decades of record-setting growth, the live entertainment industry faced its first hints of plateauing in 2024 and what strategies can be employed to sustain momentum moving forward. It was a nice personal moment when Jeffrey brought up the upcoming University of Michigan concert with Zach Bryan and John Mayer at the Big House. Rich Schaefer was pivotal in working with Michigan Athletics, supported by our Degy Consulting work to land that record-setting concert. I may have been the guy cheering a bit from the audience.
While "Power Players" was a central highlight, another notable session was the "Rock is Back!" panel, sponsored by Sixthman. Moderated by TV host and media personality Allison Hagendorf, the session featured major voices like Ken Fermaglich, Partner and Music Agent at UTA; Mark DiDia, Manager at RedLight Management; and Ryan Harlacher, Music Touring Agent at CAA. Discussions highlighted how rock music continues to find new life with streaming, evolving fanbases, and strong ticket sales.
A particularly personal moment for me was attending the return of Promoter 101, hosted by Dan Steinberg and Luke Pierce. Their pop-up session featured the leadership team from Paladin Artists, including Steve Martin, Andy Somers, and Chyna Solomon. Watching them on stage brought back memories of visiting Steve Martin at The Agency Group in New York City more than two decades ago. That early mentorship shaped my understanding of the business, and seeing Steve and his team continue to innovate today was a full-circle moment.
One of the highlights of the week was attending the Pollstar Awards. The ceremony celebrated excellence across the live entertainment industry, featuring ‘surprise’ appearances by superstars like Missy Elliott, Eddie Vedder, and Jelly Roll. Music legends including Stevie Nicks, Bob Weir, and John Mayer were honored for their massive contributions to the live music scene. Rising stars like Chappell Roan shared the spotlight with industry giants like Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, and Billie Eilish, showcasing the dynamic breadth of today's global touring landscape.
While everything was amazing, the standout moment for me at Pollstar Live 2025 was the interview between Michael Rapino, President and CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, and superstar Jelly Roll. Their candid, down-to-earth conversation perfectly captured the energy and optimism fueling the live entertainment industry right now. Rapino and Jelly Roll discussed everything from the state of ticketing to the personal impacts of touring success, with Jelly Roll joking that chasing his farm animals was only possible because of the support from the promoters and buyers in the room. He also gave heartfelt credit to those who believed in him early on, particularly his longtime manager John Meneilly and his agent Hunter Williams, Partner and Co-Head of CAA Nashville, who were seated front and center for the interview. It was a refreshing and inspiring session that emphasized the strong relationships and human stories driving success across the live entertainment landscape.
The face-to-face meetings and casual hallway conversations, coffee breaks, and spontaneous gatherings were equally valuable. In a business built on relationships, the importance of in-person connections with managers, agents, promoters, and fellow buyers cannot be overstated.
Pollstar Live 2025 reaffirmed for me why live entertainment remains one of the most vibrant, evolving, and resilient industries in the world. From the emotional kickoff with Fire Aid to strategic discussions about the future of touring, reconnecting with legends, and celebrating both new and established icons at the Pollstar Awards, this year’s event was a reminder of why we are all so passionate about this business. I am always grateful to be a tiny part of an enormous music ecosystem and am excited to bring new ideas, energy, and relationships into the next chapter of our work.
