Bloomberg's Lucas Shaw joins in for a summer concert tour draft where they pick four acts each, discussing the profitability of tours, ticket prices, and trends in music genres. They predict which bid will win over Shari Redstone for Paramount at the end.
Summer concert tours rely on factors like number of shows, venue size, and ticket prices for profitability.
High ticket prices drive revenue for top acts like YouTube, Pink, Madonna, and Coldplay.
Coldplay and Morgan Wallen are standout acts projected for lucrative summer tours, while country and rock genres dominate the live music scene.
Deep dives
Summer Concert Tours are Dominating the Music Industry
Summer concert tours are experiencing a surge in popularity, with various top acts dominating the charts. Notably, Taylor Swift's European leg of tours and other big names like Pink, Madonna, Louis Miguel, and Coldplay are drawing in huge audiences and high revenues. Acts like Olivia Rodrigo, Pearl Jam, and Chris Stapleton are also on the road, contributing to the summer music tour buzz.
Factors Influencing Tour Success: Number of Shows, Venue Size, Ticket Price
The success of a music tour boils down to three main factors: the number of shows, the venue size, and the ticket prices. These elements play a crucial role in determining the overall profitability and reach of a tour. High ticket prices contribute significantly to the revenue generated by top acts like YouTube, Pink, Madonna, and Coldplay.
Predicting Tour Profitability: Coldplay and Morgan Wallen Stand Out
Coldplay and Morgan Wallen emerge as standout acts poised for significant tour profitability. Coldplay's extensive 30-stadium European tour and reputation as a top touring act indicate potential earnings exceeding $150 million, potentially even surpassing $200 million. Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen's consistent popularity and high earnings per night position him as a strong contender for a profitable summer tour.
Touring Trends Across Genres: Country and Rock Acts Excel, Hip-Hop Faces Challenges
Country and rock acts like Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, and Dead & Company are projected to shine in the summer touring scene, attracting large audiences and substantial earnings. In contrast, the hip-hop genre faces challenges due to production costs, venue preferences, and shifts in musical trends, leading to fewer prominent hip-hop tours this season. The dominance of country and rock acts reflects current music industry trends favoring these genres for live performances.
Ellison Deal Likely Over Sony Apollo Deal for Paramount Acquisition
The potential acquisition of Paramount by David Ellison's Skydance through a multi-step deal is gaining momentum, with a favorable outlook compared to the Sony Apollo deal. The Ellison bid, which includes merging Paramount with Skydance into a new studio, provides a cleaner and more attainable path for Paramount's future. Sherry Redstone's preference for Ellison's bid, marked by shareholder approval and raised cash offers, enhances the likelihood of the Ellison deal over other acquisition options.
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw for the first summer concert tour draft (02:34). They each draft four musical acts that will be touring this summer, which will be judged based on the gross totals for the tours. Similar to the box office draft, Matt and Lucas will each give the other an opposing tour as well. To finish off the show, Matt welcomes back producer Craig from his trip and makes a prediction on which bid will win over Shari Redstone for Paramount (23:50).
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