Billboard On The Record How CAA’s Top Agents Built Today’s Biggest Tours w/ Rob Light & Rick Roskin
Nov 13, 2025
Rob Light, a longtime touring agent at CAA, and Rick Roskin, co-head of global touring, discuss the thriving live music scene. They share insights on transitioning artists from clubs to stadiums, the impact of post-pandemic excitement on touring, and the crucial balance of ticket pricing and fan demand. The duo also reveals the wildest artist requests and memorable concert moments. They dive into social media's role in marketing tours and the intricacies of festival curation for younger audiences, highlighting evolving strategies in the industry.
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Experiences Replaced Stuff
- Live music became a dominant experiential economy as people prioritized experiences over material goods after 2010 and especially post-COVID.
- The pandemic removed live events and created pent-up demand that fueled an unprecedented touring boom.
Hiring During The Shutdown
- CAA hired top agents during the pandemic while many competitors contracted, using the downtime as a growth window.
- Rob credits proactive hiring and weekly client check-ins for positioning CAA strongly after touring resumed.
Stage Your Venue Steps
- Be intentional about venue jumps and plan moves that set up the next career phase rather than sudden upgrades.
- Use data and pricing to ensure transitions from clubs to theaters to arenas make a strategic statement.