BOOMTOWN

PHOTO CREDIT HERE TK THE TO

OCTOBER 2018 OCTOBER

State Bank Amphitheatre at in got a big renovation and a name. longer WELCOME 58 58 WELCOME

TO TO THE

PHOTO CREDIT HERE TK BOOMTOWN T petitive market for venues. market petitive com- and crowded avery become what’s in out to stand of acts array ever-widening an booking is which industry, entertainment the by gone not unnoticed has This between. in communities the of many to mention not Charlotte, and to Charleston Atlanta from renaissances downtown encing experi- are Seaboard Eastern the awhole. as region the for bullish still is outlook say the insiders Carolina, North eastern in especially disruptions, tour and ence’s destruction widespread Flor ofHurricane wake the in mayprove challenging more year THE AND BIG GROWTH IN the same content,” same Kate says the We have can’t issue. all biggest now. right marketplace the cles in few obsta- ofthe one is buildout the said venuetop operators region’s ofthe anumber fact, In process. the in competitors tional nontradi- created has and tours to book made it diŽcult more has boom recent venue-building say the venue operators Many CONTINUED ON PAGE 60 CROWDED HOUSE BY ROBERT GRAY Cities throughout this part of part this throughout Cities “The heavy competition is the the is competition heavy “The economy. While this next next this economy. While broader U.S. the much like year, past over the ing boom have been Georgia and Carolinas the in     

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Dordick, director of arena booking for Hornets Sports & Entertain- ment, which operates Charlotte’s Center. “We’re now IT’S NOT THE SAME OLD SONG & DANCE competing with football stadiums that have roofs (Atlanta’s Mer- cedes-Benz Stadium). We don’t Venues succeed by venturing into new territory always have the ability to just say, ‘You can have air conditioning (in ), because now they can, too.” SOME OF THE MOST successful South- “They are a great new product for our in- Indeed the competition is eastern venues are inding new oppor- dustry, they are growing in popularity and perhaps even more heated in Hot- tunities outside of the usual tours and we’ve had some success,” said Allan Vella, lanta. Allan Vella, president and mainstream acts and reaping handsome president and CEO of the in CEO of that city’s Fox Theatre, rewards for taking the risks. Atlanta. “’My Favorite Murder’ will sell out reels oŽ a number of venues they Spectrum Center in Charlotte scored the Fox in November. It’s interesting and are competing with: “We have two Andrea Bocelli’s irst in the city. fun to bring those podcasts live on stage.” full-’edged arenas, two legit the- “It’s pretty uncharted territory,” said Kate The Peace Center Concert Hall in aters, we have multiple amphithe- Dordick, director of arena booking with Greenville, S.C., is tapping into its aters and a few small ones (and) Hornets Sports & Entertainment, which Americana roots to strengthen ties with the Tabernacle and the Roxy — a operates the city-owned venue. the community. The nonproit venue’s huge contingent of venues vying “We worked with local partners to make president and CEO, Megan Riegel, said, for the same acts, and that makes sure we were tapping into all of our market “I’ve been very committed to building a it tough on everybody.” since he’d never performed here before. songwriters program and Edwin McCain Vella pointed out the city’s civic We worked with the Performing Arts is an artist-in-residence. People can take center was mothballed in recent songwriting classes from years, but says the market is still him or his songwriting Andrea Bocelli’s too crowded. He added, “I would €irst concert in partner, Maia Sharp.” prefer there weren’t so many Charlotte was McCain and other art- venues, as long as the Fox was still a big success ists (Dave Wilcox and Jill standing at the end. We have a for Spectrum Sobule are scheduled for lock on the Broadway market and Center. later dates) share secrets have a unique and rich history. of the trade with guests We’re fortunate we have those during four- to ive-hour attributes and no competitor workshops at the venue. head-to-head.” The workshops cost $75 Live Nation Atlanta President a person. Peter Conlon echoed these senti- “The world around us ments. Conlon works with more is changing,” said Riegel, than half a dozen venues owned adding, “People want or operated by Live Nation in and great experiences more around the Georgia capital. He than stuff.” said this year started slowly but is Nothing except perhaps already tracking stronger than a live shows by the dead. successful prior 12 months. No, not the Grateful Dead, Still, Conlon also brought up the although you have to plethora of stages as the biggest imagine Jerry Garcia is vir- issue in the market. “The issue is Center to target their audience as well,” tually warming up in the wings as hologram content. It’s getting competitive. I Dordick said. technology is now resurrecting rockers. wonder how (some venues) will be Tickets sold from $78.50 up to $358.50 “We’re going to have the Roy Orbison sustainable in a lot of communi- (the highest-priced ticket at the arena show,” said Vella. “We are enthusiastic ties. Some of them don’t under- since Dordick came aboard four years for how it’s trending. It’s the music of Roy stand the business; it’s a ‘build it ago). The result: “It was the highest-gross- Orbison, they use a hologram to create and they will come’ attitude. Just ing show in venue history. For a irst time his image and members of his band and a because you build it doesn’t mean sold-out play, a $2.6 million sold-out local symphony to play his music.” it will be successful.” gross, it was successful for everyone,” said Talk about the ultimate curtain call. The Fox’s Vella summed up the Dordick, adding, ”We couldn’t make up But Vella says it’s a fair price to pay for a situation, saying what many ven- BROCK WILLIAMS SMITH seats or inventory in the building. We sold show that includes the tech, intellectual ue operators don’t want to think out every seat. “ property and symphony: “Apparently they about in boom times: “A major Meanwhile, Broadway clearly remains had record-breaking sales in the U.K., and downturn would hurt us all.” one of the hottest types of tours, but a hot we think it’ll do really well in Atlanta. … I’ve consumer technology trend is fast becom- never done a show like this before. It’ll be THE BEST OF TIMES ing a fan favorite: podcasts. a irst for us in the Fox.” — Robert Gray There are, however, few signs of a slowdown on the horizon.

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COURTESY FOX THEATRE - - - - draws loyal Fox TheatreFox petitive market. Atlanta’s historic crowds in a com- The theater allowed the lease reimagined“We that terrace and State Bank Amphitheatre at “We raised the steel on the stage, THE ROOM WHERE IT STILL HAPPENS CONTINUED ON PAGE 66 PAGE ON CONTINUED The “Hamilton” juggernaut’s record run has helped sell season tickets and sell in out venues the adjacent to the to adjacent theater property usgave an opportunity create to a building within a building.” on the retail adjacent space it owned run to out and then rebuilt create to it the Marquee Club. said theVella mil- $10 Ÿve-year, lion project is paying dividends. The Marquee Club oŽers dinner and hand-crafted cocktails and features a roof as deck well as an air-conditioned area. the space beneath and it created a private entrance. The experience oŽering rivalswe’re any of the fa cilities that in Vella have we town,” comingsaid. see to “If Nine you’re Inch Nails, , ‘The a Nutcracker’ or ‘Hamilton,’ it’s great dinner, have to way watch the sun down, go walk your to seats, come intermission, back at then see the rest of the show.” Chastain Park in Atlanta under- Live a “massive renovation,” went Conlon said.Nation’s The compa- producesny the shows there. put in new cushion seats, club razed the buildings on the hill, built new bathrooms, concessions, and a pla za. more a lot convenient it made It thefor patrons and easier produc tionwise rigging for he shows,” said. The $6 million refresh includ Ÿrst naming-rightsed the venue’s partner, State Bank, a relationship the Live Nation executive said is oŽ a goodto start. - - Dordick says Spectrum Cen- Meanwhile the Peace Center In Atlanta, Conlon Live Nation’s a diŽerentConlon it’s adds UP ON THE ROOF CONTINUED FROM PAGE 60 PAGE FROM CONTINUED In keeping with the trend- en for hanced fan experiences, said Vella hasthe reaped nice Fox returns on its recently premium added club: wanted“We create to a ‘grand sense of occasion’ feel and didn’t like had a premium we space. You buildcan’t suites and change the historic fabric of the building, but (reclaiming) the retail space ter’s entertainmentter’s business is in great Ÿscal shape: are “We trend- ing the have to best year this ever Lastyear. year was a record year had shows 20 — we of 10,000- hopingplus in attendance. We’re beatto that this year.” Concert and Hall’s president CEO, Megan Riegel, said business is so healthy in their Upstate area of South Carolina that the facility may be a victim of its own success: “Our biggest challenge is having avails. I a callgot about Leon Bridges. He’s have list,on bucket my don’t but we the avails” book to him. described the business as “very healthy and did He robust.” see one possible chink in the armor, though, pointing out that the gener al consumer is still cautious despite overall economic growth, “I’ve noticed sensitivity ticket to pricing. People are buying more near the seeing more buy we’re end, (and) ing right before the show.” story the for higher-end consum- er: “Growth is more along the VIP range. They are more interested in the VIP experience (and) depending on the package, the ability charge to more is there.” OCTOBER 2018 OCTOBER 62

TOPSTOPS THE CAROLINAS & GEORGIA 2018 Ranked by tickets sold. Based on data from and events July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018, as reported to Pollstar. Data updated through Aug. 29.

RANK VENUE TICKETS SOLD CAPACITY GROSS SHOWS

MORE THAN 15,000 CAPACITY 1 Spectrum Center, Charlotte 278,398 17,421 $22,400,676 31 2 , Atlanta 272,042 17,700 $23,856,451 25 3 Coastal Credit Union Music Park At Walnut Creek, Raleigh, N.C. 240,062 20,000 $9,125,325 17 4 PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte 218,862 18,812 $8,947,258 18 5 At Lakewood, Atlanta 139,627 18,920 $7,143,710 10

10,00115,000 CAPACITY 1 In‡inite Energy Center, Duluth, Ga. 274,441 13,100 $21,564,489 43 2 Verizon Amphitheatre, Alpharetta, Ga. 102,877 13,196 $5,035,823 57 3 Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, S.C. 77,065 15,000 $4,593,213 11 4 North Charleston (S.C.) Coliseum 73,912 13,000 $5,106,107 18 5 Heritage Park Amphitheatre, Simpsonville, S.C. 15,567 14,000 $587,502 2

5,00110,000 CAPACITY 1 , Raleigh, N.C. 62,141 5,500 $2,827,288 15 2 State Bank Amphitheatre At Chastain Park, Atlanta 51,435 6,900 $2,696,605 16 3 ExploreAsheville.com Arena, Asheville, N.C. 45,145 7,200 $1,626,577 10 4 Wolf Creek Amphitheater, Atlanta 38,299 5,420 $2,079,636 11 5 Arena, Augusta, Ga. 28,234 8,409 $836,021 12 Atlantic City , Atlantic City, N.J. 118,854 14,770 $7,816,049 2 2,0015,000 CAPACITY 1 Fox Theatre, Atlanta 644,180 4,665 $50,538,527 183 2 Durham (N.C.) Performing Arts Center 437,273 2,712 $24,086,863 185 3 Belk Theater, Charlotte 164,143 2,118 $11,937,176 91 4 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta 160,554 2,750 $9,663,188 100 5 Peace Center Concert Hall, Greenville, S.C. 130,776 2,100 $10,120,328 77

5 Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, N.J. 118,854 14,770 $7,816,049 22 2,000 OR LESS CAPACITY Thank You 1 , Asheville, N.C. 79,680 1,100 $1,935,171 131 to our Promoters, Artists, Fans and Employees for making 2 , Atlanta 67,526 1,100 $1,924,061 90 3 , Athens, Ga. 63,842 1,028 $1,537,998 104 Spectrum Center the #1 Destination for Sports and Entertainment 4 Terminal West, Atlanta 53,661 625 $1,100,273 130 in the Carolinas! 5 Charleston (S.C.) Music Hall 29,057 965 $1,291,831 38

Note: Capacity shown is legal capacity listed in Pollstar database. Compiled by teamboxo“[email protected].

CHARLOTTE, 64 OCTOBER 2018 spectrumcentercharlotte.com Thank You to our Promoters, Artists, Fans and Employees for making Spectrum Center the #1 Destination for Sports and Entertainment in the Carolinas!

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA spectrumcentercharlotte.com VENUES: TICKETING: : FESTIVALS TOUR DEALS: TOUR www.Pollstar.Live IN ASSOCIATION WITH IN ASSOCIATION THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: TO THANK YOU TOPICS INCLUDE: TOPICS INTRODUCING THE INTRODUCING Challenges Faced in Global Ticketing Adding Juice to a Mature Marketplace Sponsorships: Aki Kaneko | [email protected] Sponsorships: Aki Kaneko FEB 11-13 HILTON BEVERLY THE Where are the New Venue Opportunities Around the World? Where are the New Venue INTERNATIONAL TRACK INTERNATIONAL How Best to Navigate Fluctuating Economies, Political Minefields & Diverse Cultures How Best to Navigate Fluctuating Economies, Political

GETTY IMAGES Vella said grossed theVella Fox more hung a majority onto “We’ve wasIt a similar story the for But Riegel not says they’re The bottom line both for con- Vella Theatre’s The Fox CONTINUED FROM PAGE 62 PAGE FROM CONTINUED Southeast this and year, theater ectoperators are optimistic its e• will belong-lasting on their mar- as kets touring has Broadway gone more mainstream in recent years, attracting audience. a broader than million $15 and sold 52,000 tickets the to show in 2 a mere hours,1/2 which thinkshe is an cial record. said He the the- unoŽ season-ticket base ater’s doubled 26,000to ahead of “Hamilton’s” three-week runsince guaran- it teed a ticket the to show. than(more 80 of those percent) subscribersnew this (for season),” said.he ‘Aladdin,’ have “We ‘Dear Evan Hanson,’ ‘Waitress’ and other great, approachable contemporary programs this season, and I think that’ll keep people coming.” t saidPeace Center, the nonpro¨ and president CEO, Me- venue’s gan Riegel. Riegel said Broadway cashremains cow: the venue’s had“We 50,000 people online waiting buy to ‘Hamilton’ tickets. The bread-and-butter us for demo is 45 65 to years got old. They’ve discretionary income and some time, kids either in college or out. havingThey’re date nights again.” resting on their laurels coming o• their just best They’ve year ever. rst program-hired the facility’s ¨ ming vice role president, a key since the Peace Center does not withwork promoters and handles bookings soup nuts. to want “I to always connect-make sure we’re ing with younger audiences, so needwe program to them,” for Riegel said, noting a need keep to eringsexpanding both their o• and the fanbase. Carolinas and Georgia is that see the operators venue don’t music stopping the for good times ineven the of unforeseen face challenges such as Hurricane Florence. And looks it likely to andremain entertain- a patron’s market given the densityer’s of competition, variety inbookings, and unique tiers of service now ered in most markets. being o• allsidered of those factors in the venues outlook the for region’s and said simply: “Everyone has to raise their game.” Vella said it’s been Allan Vella, president and CEO of the historic TheatreFox in Atlan- ta, which is actually a former cinema that was part of William na- Fox’s tionwide chain of movie palaces. easy work to with productions —ill to in gaps on the calendar: “Oftentimes they want shootto in the building or the exterior and they frequently request dates within 30 days — and in a 30-daywindow we know exactly what we’ll have available. It’s a segment of the business that —its in well Martin Short Hall became a show at Peace Netˆlix special. A Steve Martin- Center Concert are —inding a somewhat unexpected windfall from the

OCTOBER 2018 OCTOBER

The highlight of the past year was taping the performance for the show “Steve Martin This wasn’t the Peace Center’s debut, as it has however, hosted televised presidential While the high-pro—ile shoots are memorable, Riegel is not looking for the Peace “We’ve got a bunch of real estate here develop to over the next 10 years. to like I’d The Theatre Fox is not alone among Atlanta venues on screen. The 108-year-old That’s because the area has attracted productions in the past few years thanks a to In fact, Georgia overtook California as the leading state for feature —ilm production “We can lease out dark days the to —ilm industry and it’s been very lucrative for us. It’s NO LAUGHING MATTER VENUES IN THE SOUTHEAST It’s not just Hollywood and traditional small-screen productions. Digital content produc- ers are booking venues in the area, including live shows. And they’re looking outside the capitals for unique locations. and Martin Short: Will An Forget Evening You for the Rest Life” for Net—lix, of Your re- called Megan Riegel, president and CEO of the Peace Center Concert Hall in Greenville, ort. (‘Saturday NightS.C. Live’ “It creator) Lorne was a weeklong Michaels eff was in the building. It was remarkable, and now it’s memorialized in the Net—lix special.” debates for both parties, including the Republicans in 2016. Center be to featured more often in productions, but she wants feature to more —ilms at the venue. (build) a theater show to —ilms. do the We Oscar (nominated) shorts every and I’d year, belove to doing —ilm festivals at some point when we get the right facilities.”

with our schedule, and they’re very respectful of the building and they pay their bills.” Tabernacle in Olympic Park has also taken star turns in —ilms, as has the Music Mid- town festival. HOLLYWOOD LIGHTS UP THE DARK DAYS DARK THE UP LIGHTS HOLLYWOOD —ilm and television industries, entertainment forms that are often competitors live to experiences. variety of factors: generous incentives, versatile locations, creation of new studios, and the lack of unions in the states. in 2016 and kept the spot TV in 2017. and other smaller productions are proliferating as well. This work has translated into “found” revenue for some theaters. generated someincome that never we’ve been able take to advantage said of before,” 66 66 CHARGE MULTIPLE

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