Ariana Grande at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 49th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City on June 14, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame)
Childish Gambino at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
Pop singer Ariana Grande, hip-hop artist Childish Gambino (the musical alter ego of actor Donald Glover) and rock band Tame Impala are headlining the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which will take place April 12 to April 14 and April 19 to April 21 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. This is third year in a row that a female solo artist is headlining at Coachella, which had Lady Gaga headlining in 2017 and Beyonce in 2018. Grande is the fourth female solo artist to be a Coachella headliner; Björk was the first, in 2007). At age 25, Grande is the youngest female solo artist to headline at the festival. Tickets for the Coachella Festival go on sale months in advance, and sell out quickly, even before the performers are announced.
Other artists performing at Coachella in 2019 include Janelle Monáe, Weezer, Solange, Diplo, Kid Cudi, Aphex Twin, The 1975, Pusha-T, Idris Elba, Blood Orange, Kacey Musgraves, J Balvin, Rosalía, Bad Bunny, Anderson .Paak, Yves Tumor, SOPHIE, Mac DeMarco, Jon Hopkins, Kaytranada, Juice WRLD, Playboi Carti, Let’s Eat Grandma, Sheck Wes, Gesaffelstein, Tierra Whack, 070 Shake, and JPEGMAFIA.
Kanye West had been in talks to headline at Coachella this year, but those discussions fell apart, reportedly over production issues. The festival, which is produced by Goldenvoice, refused West’s requests to completely change the main stage for his performance.
The following is a press release from Danny Wimmer Presents:
Premier independent U.S. music festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents has announced the highly anticipated music and comedy lineup for their new destination event, Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, which debuts at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, May 17, Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, 2019.
Multiplatinum artists Foo Fighters, System Of A Down and Disturbed lead the spectacular and diverse music lineup for Sonic Temple, which will also feature performances from Bring Me The Horizon, The Prodigy, Ghost, Halestorm, Lamb of God, Chevelle, Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, The Cult, and many other chart-topping and up-and-coming music artists. SiriusXM’s Comedy & Spoken Word Tent will include comedy from Andrew Dice Clay, Pauly Shore, and others, as well as a spoken word set from Henry Rollins. The festival will feature three music stages, premium food and beverage selections, art installations, and enhanced onsite experiences.
General Admission, VIP and Premium VIP tickets, and hotel and camping packages for Sonic Temple Art + Music Festivalgo on sale Friday, November 30 at Noon ET.
System Of A Down’s Shavo Odadjian says, “Although in its inaugural year, Sonic Temple’s pedigree is proven, and its roots are strong; it made total sense for us to be involved. One could argue that it was a long time coming. We’ll see you all in Columbus this May.”
David Draiman of Disturbed says, “We are honored to share the stage with all of our amazingly talented friends and colleagues at the upcoming Sonic Temple Festival in Columbus, Ohio. Are You Ready?!?!”
The current music lineup for Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival is as follows (subject to change): Foo Fighters, System Of A Down, Disturbed, Bring Me The Horizon, The Prodigy, Ghost, Halestorm, Lamb of God, Chevelle, Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, The Cult, In This Moment, The Hives, Gojira, The Distillers, Meshuggah, Action Bronson, The Struts, Refused, Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, Black Label Society, Beartooth, Scars On Broadway, Architects, Tom Morello, Avatar, Pussy Riot, Bad Wolves, Fever 333, Mark Lanegan Band, Badflower, The Glorious Sons, Issues, Yungblud, H09909, Black Pistol Fire, Scarlxrd, Zeal & Ardor, Basement, The Black Dahlia Murder, Don Broco, Wage War, Hands Like Houses, While She Sleeps, Palaye Royale, Movements, Amigo The Devil, The Plot In You, Boston Manor, COUNTERFEIT., Demob Happy, Teenage Wrist, The Pretty Vicious, Black Coffee, Shvpes, Dirty Honey, No1Cares and The Jacks.
The inaugural Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival replaces the long-standing Rock On The Range, America’s largest and most acclaimed rock festival, which routinely sold out over its 12-year span.
Danny Wimmer, founder of Danny Wimmer Presents said, “I am so proud of what we accomplished with Rock On The Range, and with the debut of Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, we’re excited to bring our devoted rock fans and the city of Columbus a one-of-a-kind, world-class event that expands on the festival experience. The idea behind Sonic Temple is walking into something bigger than yourself, where YOU belong, or where you were always meant to be. The crowd is unparalleled, and the energy is electrifying, like going to a place of worship. We want this festival to be a temple of rock n’ roll. We want this to be the ultimate rock experience for the true fans who love the genre as much as we do.”
In addition to performances from top music artists, and various onsite attractions, attendees will enjoy a variety of onsite food and beverage options celebrating local Columbus flavors. Food and beverage options offered on the exterior of the stadium will be provided by Southern Hospitality Concessions LLC, DWP’s affiliate concessionaire. Selections from the following local and regional restaurants will be available: Bonifacio, Buckeye Donuts, BruBrothers Coffee, Chicago’s Dog House, Cousins Maine Lobster, Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen, Hangry City, Mikey’s Late Night Slice, MoMo Ghar, Pie Baby Wood Fired Pizza, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, Sophie’s Pierogi, Smoked on High BBQ, The Midway Café, and fan favoriteIsland Noodles.
Initial ticket prices for Sonic Temple will be as follows:
· Weekend VIP: $379.50 plus fees
· Pillar Premium VIP Package: $1,949.50 plus fees (accommodations for 2)
· Weekend Field General Admission: $199.50 plus fees
· Weekend Stadium General Admission: $99.50 plus fees
· RV Camping: $250.00
VIP package amenities include: early entry into the festival and access to the VIP lounge, which features LED screens with feeds of the main stage sets, seating areas, heating/air conditioning, premium cash bar, elevated food experiences for purchase, free WiFi, access to charging stations and lockers, and dedicated VIP bathrooms.
Pillar Premium VIP Package amenities include two weekend field VIP wristbands for the entire weekend, with access to the VIP lounge, plus access to the Upper 90 VIP Club, which includes catered lunch and dinner, access to side stage viewing platform, two Sonic Temple festival t-shirts, two exclusive Zippo lighters, and two commemorative laminates.
Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival sponsors include:
Monster Energy: Monster Energy will be keeping all fans fueled up and ready to rock by offering free sampling on their Monster Energy viewing deck. Enjoy Monster Energy drinks from one of the best seats in the house. Make sure to check back throughout the festival for a schedule of Monster Energy’s interactive artist experiences.
Fxck Cancer x Dyin 2 Live Dreams Program: Fxck Cancer’s mission is to fight cancer by raising awareness and education about early cancer detection and prevention, ultimately putting an end to late-stage cancer diagnosis. Through the Dyin 2 Live Dreams program, they look to enrich the lives of those fighting cancer by offering them a VIP experience that they hope will bring joy, inspiration, and courage. In doing this, they hope to help give the cancer fighter a chance to forget, even if it’s only for a day, what they are going through. For more information please visit, www.fxckcancer.org. Fxck Cancer and Dyin 2 Live Dreams are programs of the F C Cancer Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. #TogetherWeFight #FxckCancer
Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival is produced by Los Angeles-based Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination rock music festivals in America. DWP events include Louder Than Life, Aftershock,Welcome To Rockville, Bourbon & Beyond, Chicago Open Air and more. They’re also the co-creators of Rock On The Range, America’s largest and most acclaimed rock festival, which celebrated its 12th and final year in 2018 with 140,000 in attendance.
For more information on Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, visit:
Since 1993, music industry veteran Danny Wimmer has been producing concerts and festivals, both large and small. In 2011, he formed Danny Wimmer Presents, which now produces several of the largest rock and alternative festivals in the U.S. By combining A-list talent with local cuisine and culture, DWP has become recognized within the industry for delivering the highest-quality entertainment experiences to fans, artists, sponsors, partners and host cities. DWP creates memorable and all-encompassing festival experiences, leaving both consumers and partners with lasting and meaningful impressions. DWP will continue to add new music festivals to its already stellar portfolio, which includes Rock On The Range, Aftershock Festival, Welcome To Rockville, Carolina Rebellion, Louder Than Life, Bourbon & Beyond, and Chicago Open Air, among others.
Shawn Mendes at the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on October 9, 2018. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
Cardi B in Cosmopolitan’s April 2018 issue (Photo by Kai Z Feng)
Bebe Rexha at the 2018 Teen Choice Awards at The Forum in Los Angeles on August 12, 2018. (Photo by John Salangsang/Fox)
Alessia Cara at the 2017 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on November 19, 2017. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
The Chainsmokers at the 2018 Billboared Music Awards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Todd Williamson/NBC)
Camila Cabello at the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on October 9, 2018. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
The following is a press release from iHeartMedia:
iHeartMedia will celebrate the holiday season across the nation with its annual “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One®” – the season’s spectacular music event, which captures the music and holiday spirit of the iHeartRadio app with performances by this year’s biggest recording artists. The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2018 Tour Presented by Capital One will stop in Dallas; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Minneapolis; Boston; Philadelphia; New York; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Atlanta; Tampa and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
“Over the past 22 years, Jingle Ball has become one of the nation’s most iconic holiday events,” said Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia. “It’s the night where you can see all of the biggest pop artists of the year on one stage.”
Each year, iHeartMedia stations across the country host Jingle Ball concerts in local cities that feature performances by the year’s most iconic recording artists as well as emerging talent. Z100’s Jingle Ball in New York on Friday, December 7 will be carried live on 100 iHeartRadio CHR stations. The CW Network will also exclusively livestream Z100’s Jingle Ball via CWTV.com and The CW App, and broadcast the event as an exclusive nationwide television special on December 16 at 8 p.m. EST/PST.
“What started as a Holiday concert in New York City in 1996, has grown into a 12-city arena tour, a nationwide network television special and a radio broadcast.” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia.
For the fourth straight year, Capital One will be the national presenting partner for the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour. As part of this sponsorship, Capital One cardholders will be the first to get exclusive access to high demand tickets through a special iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Capital One Cardholder Pre-Sale in each city.
The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Capital One Cardholder Pre-Sale begins on Wednesday, October 10 at 10 a.m. local time and runs through Saturday, October 13 at 10 a.m. local time, or while supplies last. Tickets will be available at www.iHeartRadio.com/CapitalOne.
All other tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, October 15 at 12 p.m. local market time and will be available at www.iHeartRadio.com/JingleBall.
Exclusive Capital One Premier Access Packages will also be available in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York during the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Capital One Cardholder Pre-sale, while supplies last. In addition to the Capital One Cardholder Pre-Sale & Premier Access Packages, at each of the tour stops, one lucky Capital One cardholder will have the opportunity to announce an artist on stage. To learn more about these exclusive cardholder opportunities, visit www.iHeartRadio.com/CapitalOne.
The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour 2018 Schedule Includes:
Dallas, Texas – Tuesday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m. CST – 106.1 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball 2018 Presented by Capital One at American Airlines Center
The star studded lineup features: Shawn Mendes, Calvin Harris, Alessia Cara, NF, Bebe Rexha, Bazzi and Sabrina Carpenter
Los Angeles, Ca. – Friday, November 30, at 7:30 p.m. PST – KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2018 Presented by Capital One at The Forum
The star studded lineup features: Cardi B, Shawn Mendes, Calvin Harris, Camila Cabello, Khalid with Special Guest Normani, Dua Lipa, G-Eazy, Alessia Cara, Bazzi and Bebe Rexha
San Francisco – Saturday, December 1, at 7:30 p.m. PST – WiLD 94.9’s FM’s Jingle Ball 2018 Presented by Capital One at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
The star studded lineup features: Calvin Harris, 5 Seconds of Summer, Alessia Cara, Khalid with Special Guest Normani, Sabrina Carpenter, Bazzi and Marc E. Bassy
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. – Monday, December 3, at 7:30 p.m. CST – 101.3 KDWB’s Jingle Ball 2018 Presented by Capital One at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul
The star studded lineup features: The Chainsmokers, 5 Seconds of Summer, Bebe Rexha, Bazzi and Sabrina Carpenter
Z100’s Jingle Ball 2018 will video stream exclusively live on CWTV.com and The CW App and will air as a television special on The CW Network on December 16 at 8 p.m. EST/PST.
Washington, D.C. – Monday, December 10, at 7:30 p.m. EST – Hot 99.5’s Jingle Ball 2018 Presented by Capital One at Capital One Arena
The star-studded lineup features: Shawn Mendes, The Chainsmokers, G-Eazy, Meghan Trainor, NF, Bebe Rexha, Bazzi and Sabrina Carpenter
iHeartMedia and all of its broadcast radio stations are committed to inspiring and creating positive change that improves the lives of others. For the sixth consecutive year, 11 cities of the 2018 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One, including Los Angeles; San Francisco; Minneapolis; Boston; Philadelphia; New York; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Atlanta; Tampa and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale will partner with The Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring today’s youth through entertainment and education focused initiatives. In addition, 106.1 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball in Dallas will work with the Kidd’s Kids program of the Kraddick Foundation, whose mission is to provide hope and happiness by creating beautiful memories for families of children with life-altering or life-threatening conditions. Each event will allocate a portion of ticket sales to its benefiting organization as well as offer exclusive packages through online auctions leading up to the events.
“The Ryan Seacrest Foundation is honored to team up with the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour for another year in an effort to continue to build and support our Seacrest Studios in children’s hospitals across the country,” said Meredith Seacrest, Executive Director & COO of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. “We value our longstanding partnership with iHeartMedia and are proud to join forces once again to help lift the spirits of patients through our radio and TV programming.”
The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One will stop in Dallas; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Minneapolis; Boston; Philadelphia; New York; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Atlanta; Tampa and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale. Additional proud partners of this year’s national iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour events include: Capital One®, The CW Network, Macy’s and Tic Tac GUM. Multimarket partners include: FUJIFILM instax®, Gravity Blankets, LUMIFY™, Power Crunch Protein Energy Bars,and Splat Rebellious Hair Color.
The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour is produced by Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia and John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia.
Artists and/or events subject to change or cancellation without notice
About Capital One
At Capital One (www.capitalone.com) we’re on a mission for our customers – bringing them great products, rewards, service, and access to unique and unforgettable experiences they are passionate about. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Learn more about Capital One cardholder access perks at capitalone.com/access.
About the Ryan Seacrest Foundation
The Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to inspiring today’s youth through entertainment and education-focused initiatives. RSF’s first initiative is to build broadcast media centers — Seacrest Studios — within pediatric hospitals for patients to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media. Founded in 2009, RSF currently has Seacrest Studios at hospitals in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Nashville, Orange County, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. For more information, visit www.ryanseacrestfoundation.org.
Twenty One Pilots at the 2016 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on November 20, 2016. (Photo courtesy of Image Group LA/ABC)
Brandon Flowers of The Killers at the 2017 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park in New York City on September 23, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
The following is a press release from iHeartMedia:
iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in America which also has a greater reach in the U.S. than any other media outlet, announced today the lineup for the second annual iHeartRadio ALTer Ego. The biggest names in Alternative Rock will come together at the historic, “Fabulous” Forum in Los Angeles on January 19, 2019 to celebrate everything Alternative Rock.
The music of iHeartRadio’s popular Alternative Rock stations and the iHeartRadio App will come to life with an extraordinary lineup including Twenty One Pilots, The Killers, Muse, Weezer, Rise Against, Bishop Briggs and The Revivalists.
“This will be one of the strongest alternative performance lineups to ever appear on one stage,” said Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia. “It’s such a strong lineup that it’s impossible to refer to any one of these incredible artists as the headliner – in fact, several of the performers have told us that it’s a show they would want to go to even if they weren’t already on the bill.”
iHeartRadio ALTer Ego is part of iHeartMedia’s roster of incredibly successful, nationally recognized concert events, including the iHeartRadio Music Festival, iHeartRadio Music Awards, the nationwide iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Concert Tour, iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, the iHeartCountry Festival by AT&T and the iHeartRadio Wango Tango by AT&T.
“This has become Alternative Music’s biggest night,” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia. “Millions of fans will be listening and watching this incredible lineup performing on stage at the Forum.”
Beginning December 26, iHeartRadio will launch a nationwide promotion to give Alt-Rock fans across the country the opportunity to win a trip to Los Angeles to attend iHeartRadio ALTer Ego. The promotion will run across more than 85 Alternative, Rock and Classic Rock 90s iHeartRadio stations. The event will broadcast live across over 70 Alternative and Rock iHeartRadio stations.
Listeners will have access to a limited number of tickets to iHeartRadio ALTer Ego through ALT 98.7, LA’s New Alternative, 24-hour Pre-Sale. Get on The LIST for access to tickets beginning Thursday, October 4 at 10:00 am PT through Friday, October 5 at 10:00 am PT or while supplies last. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 5 at 10:00 am PT via Ticketmaster.com.
iHeartRadio ALTer Ego is an iHeartMedia Production. For more information, visit iHeartRadio.com/alterego.
Artists and/or events subject to change or cancellation without notice.
About the Forum
The award-winning “Fabulous” Forum, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018. The Forum, located in Inglewood, California, is the largest indoor performance venue in the country designed with a focus on music and entertainment, in addition to select sporting events. The interior of the bowl features flexible seating that ranges from 17,500 seats to 7,000 seats, enabling the venue to attract a wide variety of premier events. Fans at the Forum enjoy approximately 8,000 square feet of event level hospitality offerings, including merchandise, along with food and beverage options from some of SoCal’s most celebrated brands. A tinted glass wall separates this concession area from the arena, ensuring fans do not miss a moment of the performance. A 40,000 square foot outdoor terrace surrounds the perimeter of the building and offers food and beverage options, as well as comfortable furnishings, to further elevate guests’ enjoyment. The Forum delivers a one-of-a-kind experience for all thanks to its superior acoustics, intimate ambiance and state-of-the-art facilities. Designed with entertainers and performers in mind, the Forum includes nine, star-caliber dressing rooms that provide unparalleled comfort. The Forum is owned and operated by The Madison Square Garden Company. In addition to the Forum, The Madison Square Garden Company owns or operates Madison Square Garden, The Theater at MSG, Radio City Music Hall, the Chicago Theatre, the Wang Theatre, and the Beacon Theater. For more information on the Forum, please visit www.fabulousforum.com
The following is a press release from the South by Southwest Conference & Festivals:
SXSW kicks off the 2019 season strong with the reveal of our first wave of Keynotes and Featured Speakers showcasing industry titans, creative visionaries, and change-makers working towards a more connected future.
Keynotes announced today include Instagram CEO and co-founder Kevin Systrom, interviewed by TechCrunch Editor-At-Large Josh Constine; and a Keynote Conversation between Shirley Manson, lead vocalist of the critically-acclaimed alternative rock band Garbage, and singer-songwriter Lauren Mayberry of the Scottish electronic pop band Chvrches; and writer, producer, and director Marti Noxon.
“We’re excited about the addition of our Keynotes — Kevin Systrom, who as the co-founder of Instagram has redefined the culture of the modern internet and the way that we connect with others; Marti Noxon, whose prolific career and dedication to her craft has created some of the most beloved and acclaimed series of the past two decades; and Shirley Manson with Lauren Mayberry, two talented musicians whose passion, continued experimentation and career evolution are values we celebrate at SXSW,” said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer. “As a premier destination for innovation and creative discovery, SXSW is proud to begin our 2019 season by announcing a strong and dynamic group of leaders, storytellers, and visionaries holding important conversations about the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.”
Among the Featured Speakers announced today are Jason Blum in conversation with John Pierson; writer and 2017 Time Person of the Year Susan Fowler; world-renowned architect Bjarke Ingels; artist and musician Amanda Palmer; co-founder of Upworthy and Fellow at the New America Foundation Eli Pariser; New York Times bestselling author Michael Pollan; media theorist and author Douglas Rushkoff; BenevolentAI CEO Joanna Shields; futurist and author Amy Webb; and more listed below.
Get inspired by these diverse thought leaders and fuel your own creativity and career aspirations this March 8-17 in Austin, TX! The only way to take part in this exciting programming is to register to attend SXSW 2019 – do so through Thursday, September 13 for the biggest savings of the season and the best selection of hotel booking options.
And we’ve only just begun – stay tuned as SXSW continues to release programming for the 2019 SXSW Conference & Festivals throughout the season (Hint: SX forecasts a shower of programming in October). Read on to meet the first group of 2019 Keynotes and Featured Speakers.
Keynotes
Kevin Systrom with Josh Constine (Interactive Keynote) — Kevin Systrom is the CEO and co-founder of Instagram, a social networking platform that was acquired by Facebook in 2012. Instagram has grown into a global community of over one billion and a family of apps including Instagram, IGTV, Direct, Boomerang, Layout, and more. The company’s mission is to bring you closer to the people and things you love. Systrom is responsible for Instagram’s overall vision and strategy as well as day-to-day operations. Systrom will be in conversation with Josh Constine, Editor-At-Large for TechCrunch, whose scope of coverage includes social networks, streaming music, and early-stage companies.
Shirley Manson and Lauren Mayberry (Music Keynote) — Join vocalist Shirley Manson and singer-songwriter Lauren Mayberry for a Keynote Conversation in association with PRS Foundation’s Keychange program. Shirley Manson is lead vocalist of critically-acclaimed, alternative rock band Garbage. She has been an active song writer and recording artist for over 30 years. During the course of their award-winning career, Garbage have sold over 12 million records and now run their own independent record label, Stun Volume. Last year they released an autobiographical coffee-table book titled This Is The Noise That Keeps Me Awake and earlier this year Manson won the coveted NME Icon Award in recognition of her long musical career and her general outspokenness. Garbage are currently on tour in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their multi-Grammy nominated record, Version 2.0. They will be spending the first half of 2019 in the studio working on their yet untitled 7th record. Lauren Mayberry is a singer-songwriter and front-woman of the Scottish electronic pop band Chvrches. The band have released three critically-acclaimed and commercially successful albums, and have toured the world numerous times. As an artist, Mayberry has continuously challenged stereotypes and been unafraid to speak out on the role and treatment of female artists in the music industry.
Marti Noxon (Film Keynote) — With hundreds of hours of television under her belt, Marti Noxon is one of the most prolific writer-producers in television today. Noxon’s most recent projects include the high-profile prestige series Dietland for AMC and Sharp Objects for HBO, both of which she serves as creator and showrunner for. Also among her recent television offerings are Bravo’s Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce, Code Black for CBS, and the Peabody Award winning UnREAL at Lifetime. Over the course of her impressive career Noxon has worked on some of the most beloved and critically acclaimed series of the past two decades, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Mad Men, Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, and Glee. Additionally, Noxon made her feature directorial debut in 2017 with the powerful film To The Bone, which she also penned the screenplay for. Loosely based on her own personal experience with eating disorders, the film premiered in competition at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival to strong reviews and quickly sold to Netflix for $8 million, making it one of the highest sales to come out of this year’s festival. Noxon’s previous screenwriting credits include, I Am Number Four and Fright Night.
Featured Speakers
The following speakers represent a blend of Interactive, Film, and Music affiliated Conference Tracks – dive in to learn more.
Jason Blum with John Pierson(Entertainment Influencers) — In 1993, John Pierson — a big shot who helped launch a number of first time American independent filmmakers including Spike Lee, Michael Moore, Richard Linklater, Kevin Smith, Rose Troche and Guin Turner — met Jason Blum, a kid fresh out of college, when they worked on a forgotten feature called My Life’s In Turnaround together. 25 years later, Jason and his company Blumhouse Productions have conquered the universe. Blum is a two-time Academy Award-nominated and two-time Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer. His multi-media company is known for pioneering a new model of studio filmmaking: producing high-quality micro-budget films. How the hell did he get from there to here and how do these two view that evolution?
Susan Fowler(Tech Industry & Enterprise) — Susan Fowler is the Technology Editor of the New York Times Opinion section as well as a central figure in the #MeToo movement. Named Timemagazine’s Person of the Year 2017 as one of the silence breakers, Fowler is the former Uber engineer whose viral blog post ignited an ongoing, worldwide conversation. The Financial Timesnamed her Person of the Year as well — her actions, the paper writes, hold “the potential to improve the way women are treated at work permanently.” That’s Fowler’s public narrative so far. But her personal story — a homeschooled science nerd, a successful woman in STEM against incredible odds — is equally fascinating. She tackles a variety of topics in uplifting talks, including how regular people can effect positive change on a global and personal scale.
Bjarke Ingels (Design) — Bjarke Ingels is the founder of BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group). Ingels defines architecture as the art and science of making sure our cities and buildings fit with the way we want to live our lives. Through careful analysis of various parameters from local culture and climate, ever changing patterns of contemporary life, to the ebbs and flows of the global economy, Ingels believes in the idea of information-driven design as the driving force for his design process. Named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time magazine in 2016, Bjarke has designed and completed award-winning buildings around the world.
Amanda Palmer(Making & Marketing Music) — Amanda Palmer is a singer, songwriter, playwright, pianist, and blogger who embraces and explodes traditional frameworks of music, theatre, and art. She emerged as half of the Boston-based punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls, earning global applause for their wide-ranging theatricality and inventive song craft. Her solo career has proven equally boundless, including such groundbreaking works as the fan-funded Theatre Is Evil. Palmer is again joining forces with producer John Congleton to release her first solo album in seven years in Spring 2019.
Eli Pariser(Social & Global Impact) — Eli Pariser has dedicated his career — as an author, an online organizer, and a co-founder of Upworthy — to figuring out how technology can elevate important topics in the world. Currently, Pariser is an Omidyar Fellow at the New America Foundation, studying how platforms can effectively promote civic good.
Michael Pollan(Health & MedTech) — Michael Pollan is the author of eight books, including most recently How to Change Your Mind, a number one New York Times Bestseller. Previous books include The Omnivore’s Dilemma; The Botany of Desire; and In Defense of Food. Pollan teaches journalism at Berkeley and Harvard. In 2010, Time magazine named him to its list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
Douglas Rushkoff(Intelligent Future) — Douglas Rushkoff is a media theorist, author, documentarian, and world-renowned public intellectual. Rushkoff has spent his prolific career thinking about how new media and technology are impacting culture, business, and the economy. Named one of the world’s 10 most influential thinkers by MIT, Rushkoff has written 15 bestselling books and coined such concepts as “viral media,” “social currency,” and “digital natives.”
Joanna Shields(Intelligent Future) — Joanna Shields is a digital entrepreneur, experienced executive, and prominent leader in the global technology industry with a track record in helping to grow some of the world’s best-known transformational companies. She is currently CEO of BenevolentAI, the global leader in the development and application of AI for scientific innovation. Most recently, Joanna served as the UK Minister for Internet Security & Safety, a Special Advisor to the UK Government on the Digital Economy, and Chair & CEO of TechCityUK.
Ari Paul, Kyle Samani, Linda Xie with Robert Hackett(Blockchain & Cryptocurrency) — Join Kyle Samani (Managing Partner, Multicoin Capital), Linda Xie (Managing Director, Scalar Capital), Ari Paul (CIO, Blocktower), and moderator Robert Hackett (Editor, Fortune) for a conversation with managers from Scalar Capital, BlockTower, and Multicoin Capital as they elucidate their investment approaches and predict the future of blockchain for users around the world.
Amy Webb(Tech Industry & Enterprise) — Amy Webb is a quantitative futurist. She is a professor of strategic foresight at the NYU Stern School of Business and the Founder of the Future Today Institute, a leading foresight and strategy firm that helps leaders and their organizations prepare for complex futures. Webb will deliver her Emerging Tech Trends Report, where she’ll provide a data-driven analysis for the emerging tech trends that need to be on your radar in 2019 – and she’ll draw on those trends to show you scenarios for the future of business, governing, and society.
Join Us at SXSW 2019
Explore new opportunities during 10 days of sessions, screenings, showcases, exhibitions, networking, and beyond at SXSW 2019. With expanded access to events for all registrants, attendees will receive primary access to programming associated with their badge type but also enjoy secondary entry to most other SXSW events. Register before Thursday, September 13 at 11:59pm PT for the biggest savings of the season.
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Janet Jackson at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Brian Friedman/NBC)
The Weeknd at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, on April 15, 2017. (Photo by Greg Noire/Coachella)
Shawn Mendes at iHeartRadio Wango Tango at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles on June 2, 2018. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for iHeartRadio via Freeform)
The following is a press release from Global Citizen:
International advocacy organization Global Citizen today announced that headliners Janet Jackson, The Weeknd, Shawn Mendes, Cardi B, and Janelle Monáe will perform at the 2018 Global Citizen Festival, the free-ticketed event on the Great Lawn in Central Park, New York City on Saturday, September 29, 2018. For the fifth consecutive year, MSNBC & Comcast NBCUniversal will air a live simulcast of the Festival on MSNBC and for the seventh consecutive year, iHeartMedia has been named the exclusive audio media partner.
A special guest performance will be given by John Legend.
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness return as lead hosts for the 5th year.
Co-hosts will include Camren Bicondova, Cynthia Erivo, Danai Gurira, Forest Whitaker, Gus Kenworthy, Kal Penn, La La Anthony, Naomi Campbell, and Rachel Brosnahan.
The 2018 festival will serve as a platform from which millions of Global Citizens around the world will demand that world leaders fulfill their obligation to achieve the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development and end extreme poverty by 2030.
Building off momentum by activists and students from across the globe, Global Citizens and music fans will stand together to call on world leaders to uphold their responsibilities towards improving the quality of health care and nutrition that women receive during adolescence and childbirth, ensuring girls do not marry before they are ready, reducing, reusing and recycling plastic waste worldwide, ending the criminalization of poverty, providing quality education for all, and ensuring the United States fully funds its foreign aid budget.
Coinciding with the annual UN General Assembly meetings, this year’s Festival is a continuation of Global Citizen’s “Mandela 100” campaign; a series of global events honoring the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela in his centenary year.
Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen, said, “In 2018, it is more important than ever for Global Citizens here in the United States and around the world to demand their voices be heard – through activism and at the polls – so that we can continue progress towards a world free from needless suffering and want. We are truly grateful to have such incredible artists, hosts and partners standing with us in a moment of history so pivotal in our fight to achieve the global goals and end extreme poverty.”
“We’re incredibly proud to take our support of Global Citizen Festival to the next level as Presenting Partner. As a global bank that is committed to welcoming what’s next, we look forward to helping bring together citizens around the world to stand for issues that matter most and foster meaningful change,” said Jennifer Breithaupt, Global Consumer CMO, Citi
The Weeknd said, “It is invaluable to be in a position where I can use my voice to help the millions of people in need. I am honored to align myself with Global Citizen in the fight to end world poverty.”
Shawn Mendes said, “I’m so excited to be a part of the Global Citizen movement. It’s an honor to be able to use my platform and music to help those in the world who need it most.”
John Legend said, “I’m proud to be supporting Global Citizen again to help focus people’s energy and attention on the issues that matter. I believe we need to look at human beings across the world as our brothers and sisters and do everything we can do to end extreme poverty to make life more livable. We are more powerful when we come together like this.”
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness said, “We are thrilled to be returning for this year’s Global Citizen Festival. It is important that we continue to work towards ending extreme poverty. On September 29, tens of thousands of Global Citizens will come together to celebrate being a part of this movement and the impact of their actions, and we cannot wait to be a part of it.”
Camren Bicondova said, “I am beyond honored and thankful to be a host at this year’s Global Citizen Festival, advocating for rising voices and actions taken. Here’s to making the world a better place.”
Cynthia Erivo said, “I am thrilled to join the millions of Global Citizens who are helping to make our world a better place. By joining together to make our voices heard, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the world’s poor.”
Forest Whitaker said, “This year, it’s more important than ever that we bring attention to extreme poverty and ask our leaders to take action. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish at this year’s Global Citizen Festival.”
Gus Kenworthy said, “I believe that if we all speak up and do our part, we can accomplish great things for the world’s poor. I’m excited to support Global Citizen and join a movement that will help put an end to extreme poverty.”
Kal Penn said, “Our voices remain potent and powerful. It is critical that we reject the culture of fear and cynicism, and instead lift up those among us who need our help. That is why I continue to be a proud supporter of Global Citizen and believe that together we can end world poverty.”
La La Anthony said, “Being a part of the Global Citizen movement and helping to end extreme poverty continues to be important to me. I can’t wait to see what commitments we can achieve by September.”
Rachel Brosnahan said, “Global Citizen is about creating a movement and bringing attention to the difficult choices people living in extreme poverty have to face every day. I’m so happy to be back for another year of supporting this organization that unites people all over the world to tackle some of the world’s biggest issues.”
The 2018 Global Citizen Festival will be presented for the first time by Citi. The leading global bank has been a proud partner of the festival since inception.
Live Nation return for the third consecutive year as production partner.
For the fifth consecutive year, MSNBC & Comcast NBCUniversal will air a live simulcast of the Festival on MSNBC and MSNBC.com. The Festival broadcast will be produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Ken Ehrlich (Grammy Awards).
For the seventh consecutive year, iHeartMedia has been named the exclusive audio media partner and will broadcast live from Central Park on over 150 radio stations across the U.S. and streamed on the iHeartRadio app.
The Festival will also be livestreamed on YouTube and Twitter, presented by Johnson & Johnson.
Proud partners of the 2018 Global Citizen Festival include Global Citizen’s global health partner and major partner Johnson & Johnson, and major partners P&G, CHIME FOR CHANGE Founded by Gucci, Verizon, House of Mandela, and NYC Parks.
Associate Partners include Microsoft, Great Big Story, and One Championship.
Global Citizens can earn their admission to the free-ticketed Festival by joining the movement at glblctzn.me/nyc2018 by downloading the Global Citizen app. Ticket draws will occur throughout the summer and fans will be notified by Global Citizen when they have been selected.
Specific goals for the 2018 Global Citizen Festival campaigns include:
Calling on Congress to resist the White House’s proposed cuts of 32% to American aid programs, which would devastate the fight against extreme poverty.
Calling on the G7 countries to contribute to the $2 billion needed to tackle the world’s maternal health crisis that sees more than 5 million mothers and children die of preventable conditions every year.
Ending the criminalization of poverty, through eliminating and drastically reducing the use of cash bail in jurisdictions including New York State.
Since the first Global Citizen Festival in New York in 2012, Global Citizen has grown into one of the largest, most visible platforms for people around the world calling on world leaders to honor their responsibilities in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and ending extreme poverty by 2030.
Global Citizens have generated commitments and policy announcements from leaders valued at over $37.9 billion that are set to affect the lives of more than 2.25 billion people. This year alone Global Citizens have secured 29 commitments totaling over $2.9 billion that are set to affect the lives of more than 501 million people by 2030.
Artists from the 2018 iHeartCountry Festival with hosts Candace Cameron Bure (seated at far left) and Bobby Bones (center) (Photo courtesy of Fox)
The following is a press release from Fox:
Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), in partnership with iHeartMedia, will air the all-new special iHeartCountry Festival on Sunday, Aug. 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Hosted by iHeartMedia on-air radio personality Bobby Bones and actress Candace Cameron Bure (“Fuller House”), the two-hour television special will showcase thrilling performances and never-before-seen collaborations from some of the most celebrated country music stars. Filmed at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX, the event will feature performances by Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Sugarland, Dustin Lynch, Cole Swindell, Maren Morris, Luke Combs, Billy Currington, Dan + Shay and Mason Ramsey, among others.
The special also includes behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the artists, as well as guest appearances by Gavin DeGraw, Jana Kramer, Sam Palladio, Josh Henderson, Danielle Bradbery, Ryan Hurd and cast members from FOX’s hit drama “The Gifted.”
iHeartCountry Festival is co-produced by John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Lee Rolontz, Michael Dempsey and Joe Sungkur.
About iHeartMedia
With over a quarter of a billion monthly listeners in the U.S. and over 131 million social followers, iHeartMedia has the largest national reach of any radio or television outlet in America. As the leading media company in the U.S., iHeartMedia serves over 150 local markets through 849 owned radio stations, and the company’s radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM, on satellite, at iHeartRadio.com, on the company’s station websites and on iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s digital music, podcast, on demand and live streaming radio service, available on over 250 platforms and 2,000 devices, including on digital auto dashes, tablets, wearables and smartphones, on virtual assistants, smart speakers, TVs and gaming consoles.
iHeartRadio offers users the country’s top live radio stations, personalized custom artist stations created by just one song or seed artist, on demand features and the top podcasts and personalities. The all-in-one digital service has more than 1.7 billion downloads, 110 million registered users and is the No. 1 commercial radio podcaster in the U.S.
iHeartMedia’s platforms include radio broadcasting, online, mobile, digital, social, podcasts, personalities and influencers, live concerts and events, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. iHeartMedia is a division of iHeartMedia, Inc. (PINK: IHRTQ). Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.
The following is a press release from Marriott International:
W Hotels announces the global roll out of WAKE UP CALL, the brand’s signature music festival series that will make stops at three W Hotels this year: W Hollywood (Sept 1-3); W Barcelona (Sept 21-23); and W Bali (Oct 4- 6). Combining the brand’s longstanding passion for music with its signature Whatever/Whenever® philosophy, WAKE UP CALL takes the festival experience off the field and onto fabulous hotel grounds. Available exclusively for members of Marriott International’s award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and Marriott Rewards loyalty program, anybody is welcome to join the programs and book. Members can check in and then check out performances throughout the hotel – from WET deck parties to DJ masterclasses and live performances – by some of the hottest acts in music today including Phantogram, Charli XCX, Martin Solveig, Gorgon City, Sam Feldt and Angus & Julia Stone. It’s all access (and perhaps a bit of excess), all the time.
W is throwing out the festival playbook and creating an experience that is as fabulous as it is fun. Where the day begins and ends in luxe accommodations (that don’t require surge prices to get back to). Where pools of mud are replaced by poolside performances. Where endless seas of people give way to Instaworthy views of the sea. Think day beds, not day passes. In other words, it’s time for a real WAKE UP CALL.
“Music is a universal language, one we have spoken since day one at W,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “We’ve brought the Whatever/Whenever mentality to recording artists and guests for years – through concepts like our W Sound Suite recording studios and countless performances in W Living Rooms – all to bring people closer to the music they love. Now we are taking our groundbreaking WAKE UP CALL music festival around the world, disrupting the festival scene in ways that only a W hotel stay can.”
W Hotels is bringing this upgraded and elevated experience exclusively to members of SPG and Marriott Rewards. But elite membership is not a requirement—by simply joining the program online guests can quickly gain access to everything WAKE UP CALL has to offer. When guests visit www.wakeupcallfest.com, existing members of either program can log in with their account information to get festival access; nonmembers can quickly sign up through SPG.
THE STOPS WAKE UP CALL will launch in the U.S. festival capital of Los Angeles at W Hollywood before traveling to the iconic seaside haunt of W Barcelona. From there, WAKE UP CALL will touch down and close out in paradise at the luxe escape of W Bali. This year’s multi-city tour is an expansion of the inaugural WAKE UP CALL, the first music festival to be held entirely at a hotel, which took place at W Scottsdale in 2016. This year the party is bigger, better and goes longer than ever before.
THE LINEUP With a mix of big name artists as well as new/next talent, WAKE UP CALL will include performances by: Phantogram, Charli XCX, Chromeo (DJ Set), Betty Who, Léon and Dancing Pineapple Presents: Codeko, Papa Ya (DJ Set), Christofi and Phil N Good at W Hollywood; Martin Solveig, Gorgon City, Thomas Jack, Boston Bun and special guest Pete Tong at W Barcelona; and Angus & Julia Stone, Sam Feldt and Nightmares On Wax (DJ Set) at W Bali, with more to be announced soon. The WAKE UP CALL experience will go well beyond the music, serving up the W experience every step of the way. Festival revelers can expect everything from workout sessions with top fitness masters to exclusive dishes and cocktails created by W chefs and mixologists only for festival goers. WAKE UP CALL combines the pre-party, the main event, and the post-party, all in one perk-filled package. Plus, SPG and Marriott Rewards members can bid for even more exclusive WAKE UP CALL Moments, including 60-minute DJ master classes, in-suite afterparties with featured artists, and off-site adventures curated by festival talent. To book, visit www.wakeupcallfest.com.
WAKE UP AND GO AGAIN Want it all? Don’t snooze. Presenting WAKE UP CALL: The Complete Set List, a VIP package for the true music-loving jetsetter. Limited to only 1 package, The Complete Set List experience includes: roundtrip airfare to all three WAKE UP CALL festivals, fabulous accommodations, access to all WAKE UP CALL Moments, VIP-only FUEL fitness workout sessions, VIP meet and greets at each festival and more. It doesn’t get any more “all access” than this. Bidding starts at 250,000 points and launches to members on June 19th. Marriott Rewards members who have linked accounts may transfer points into their SPG accounts to bid on the package.
For tickets and to join SPG and Marriott Rewards, visit www.wakeupcallfest.com. Keep up with us on social using #WAKEUPCALLFEST, @WHotels.
Passing on the party? Have no fear, you can still get close to the music. Tune in to SPG’s YouTube channel to catch live performances from every location, exclusive artist interviews, and so much more. Don’t miss a minute. Watch here – https://www.youtube.com/spg.
About W Hotels Worldwide Born from the bold attitude and 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., has disrupted and redefined the hospitality scene for nearly two decades. Trailblazing its way around the globe, with more than 50 hotels, W Hotels defies expectations and breaks the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands. With a mission to fuel guests’ lust for life, W ignites an obsessive desire to soak it in, live it up and hit repeat. The brand’s provocative design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing Living Rooms create an experience that is often copied but never matched. Innovative, inspiring and infectious, the brand’s super-charged energy celebrates guests’ endless appetite to discover what’s new/next in each destination, to see more, feel more, go longer, stay later. W Hotels Worldwide is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. For more information on W Hotels, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
About Marriott Rewards Marriott International’s award-winning loyalty program – Marriott Rewards – spans 18 unique and iconic global brands and nearly 4,800 distinctive properties. Members of Marriott Rewards® – which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® – can link their accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest® at members.marriott.com for expanded benefits including instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer across portfolios. When members book their stays on Marriott.com or the Marriott Mobile app, they earn loyalty points, enjoy the advantage of exclusive Member Rates, our lowest available rates, and gain an elevated stay experience with free Wi-Fi, mobile check-in and checkout, and Mobile Service Requests wherever available. The hugely popular Marriott Rewards has won the Freddie Award for “Hotel Program of the Year–Americas” nine consecutive years as chosen by frequent travelers. Marriott Rewards is free to join and has no blackout dates. To enroll and for more information about the program, guests may visit MarriottRewards.com. Connect with Marriott Rewards on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Starwood Preferred Guest Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®) is an innovative, award-winning frequent traveler program that unites 11 luxury and distinctive hotel brands in nearly 1,500 properties around the world. SPG reinvented the hospitality loyalty landscape when it launched in 1999 with its breakthrough policy of no blackout dates, and over the years has continued its tradition of innovation with enhancements such as Cash + Points, Your24™, SPG Lifetime™, SPG Moments and 4 p.m. late checkout when available. SPG also offers the opportunity for meeting and travel professionals to earn rich rewards including Starpoints and elite status through SPG Pro. SPG has an ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of today’s connected global traveler by leveraging must-have mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android that utilize state-aware technology to create a more personalized hotel stay. All of this has helped SPG build a passionate member base among the world’s most frequent travelers. Learn more about the #spglife at spg.com, spg.com/pro and spg.com/moments and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SPG members can now also link their accounts with Marriott Rewards® – which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® – for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer at spg.com/Marriott.
The following are excepts from CMA Fest press releases:
The Country Music Association proudly reveals the artist lineup for this year’s CMA Fest. Now in its 47th year, CMA Fest boasts an exceptional bill of hundreds of artists performing on 11 stages throughout downtown Nashville Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10, 2018. All of CMA Fest’s outdoor daytime stages, as well as nightly shows at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater, are free and open to the public. (Click here for a full schedule.)
Billboard named CMA Fest its No. 1 Country Music festival in the U.S. in 2017, raving, “When it comes to great Country Music festivals, this one has been – and is – the gold standard.” Last year’s CMA Fest drew sold-out crowds and the largest fan engagement by Country Music fans in the event’s history from visitors from all 50 states and nearly 20 international countries. CMA Fest is the longest-running Country Music festival in the world with proceeds going directly to helping enrich and sustain music education programs across the country through CMA’s nonprofit arm, the CMA Foundation, thanks to every artist at the festival donating their time.
Here’s a list of 2018 CMA Fest stages and the artists who will be performing on those stages. All times listed are Central Time.
Nissan Stadium
June 7-10 nightly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skupL4cBa7k
Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Charles Esten and Friends, Florida Georgia Line, Dustin Lynch, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Ricky Skaggs, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Lee Ann Womack and Brett Young. Lauren Alaina and Bebe Rexha will make guest appearances.
Chevy Riverfront Stage
June 7-10, 10 a.m.-5:15 p.m. at Riverfront Park
All performances are free and open to the public.
A Thousand Horses, Lauren Alaina, Frankie Ballard, Lee Brice, Chase Bryant, Cam, Craig Campbell, Easton Corbin, Jordan Davis, Devin Dawson, Gavin DeGraw, Russell Dickerson, Drake White and The Big Fire, Lindsay Ell, Tyler Farr, Hunter Hayes, Walker Hayes, High Valley, Home Free, LANCO, Chris Lane, LOCASH, Maddie & Tae, Scotty McCreery, William Michael Morgan, Parmalee, Eric Paslay, Carly Pearce, Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Michael Ray, Dylan Scott, Canaan Smith, Corey Smith, Granger Smith, The Cadillac Three, Morgan Wallen and Aaron Watson.
Chevy Breakout Stage
June 7-10, 10:30 a.m.-4:55 p.m. at Walk of Fame Park
All performances are free and open to the public.
Jimmie Allen, Abby Anderson, Kassi Ashton, Drew Baldridge, Chris Bandi, Big Smo, Ashley Campbell, Crowder, Jacob Davis, Delta Rae, Cale Dodds, Adam Doleac, Clare Dunn, Brooke Eden, Riley Green, Trent Harmon, Sundance Head, James Barker Band, Jillian Jacqueline, Krystal Keith and Lance Carpenter, Jon Langston, Love and Theft, Ashley McBryde, Logan Mize, Steve Moakler, Muscadine Bloodline, Jerrod Niemann, Luke Pell, Josh Phillips, Radio Romance, Maggie Rose, Runaway June, Dylan Schneider, Sister Hazel, SmithField, The Wild Feathers, Michael Tyler, Walker McGuire, Waterloo Revival and Charlie Worsham.
Budweiser Forever Country Stage
June 7-10, 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. behind Ascend Amphitheater
All performances are free and open to the public.
Keith Anderson, David Ball, John Berry, BlackHawk, Terri Clark, Mark Collie, Billy Dean, Joe Diffie, Exile, “Forever Country, Never Forgotten: A Tribute to Those Lost from Country Music,” Andy Griggs, Wade Hayes, Ty Herndon, Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence (and special guests), Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Little Texas, Lonestar, Mila Mason, Terry McBride, Lorrie Morgan, Heidi Newfield, Jamie O’Neal, Lee Roy Parnell, Restless Heart, Shenandoah, The Bellamy Brothers, Mark Wills, Darryl Worley and Michelle Wright.
Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage
June 7-9, beginning at 7 p.m. at Ascend Amphitheater
All performances are free and open to the public.
June 7: BBR Music Group presents Chase Bryant, Craig Campbell, Lindsay Ell, Everette, Chase Rice, Runaway June and Granger Smith.
June 8: Red Light Management presents Lee Brice, Clare Dunn, Tyler Farr, Maddie & Tae and Drake White and The Big Fire.
June 9: Warner Music Nashville presents Cole Swindell, Cale Dodds, Morgan Evans, Michael Ray and Tegan Marie.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store returns to CMA Fest with Rock With Us, a rocking chair experience Thursday through Saturday. The brand will turn Ascend Park and the nearby John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge into a true Cracker Barrel front porch experience by displaying 100 rocking chairs as well as three giant rockers making their festival debut. Fans will be encouraged to post photos in the rockers on their social media channels using the hashtag #CBMusic. During CMA Fest in 2017, Cracker Barrel raised $15,000 for the CMA Foundation through a rocking chair experience. Additional details for this year’s Rock With Us will be announced soon.
The Maui Jim Broadway Stage
All performances are free and open to the public.
June 7-10, 10:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Hard Rock Cafe
17 Memphis, Ryan Beaver, Logan Brill, Brennley Brown, Austin Burke, Davisson Brothers Band, Travis Denning, Jeffrey East, Hannah Ellis, FILMORE, Noah Guthrie, Levi Hummon, Brett Kissel, Tegan Marie, Josh Mirenda, Hudson Moore, Hayley Orrantia, Meghan Patrick, Stephanie Quayle, Jordan Rager, Brandon Ray, Restless Road, Tyler Rich, Adam Sanders, Scooter Brown Band, Kalie Shorr, Natalie Stovall, Sweet Tea Trio, Temecula Road, Mitchell Tenpenny, The Last Bandoleros, Tyminski and Carter Winter.
June 7, 2:45 p.m.-6:30 p.m.:BMI Showcase with Adam Craig, Ray Fulcher, Trea Landon, Drew Parker, Faren Rachels, and Payton Smith.
Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage
June 7-10, 11 a.m.-4:40 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena’s NCVC Visitor Center
All performances are free and open to the public.
Baylou, Craig Wayne Boyd, Lewis Brice, Emily Brooke, Kenton Bryant, Dallas Caroline, Ruthie Collins, Dalton & the Sheriffs, Sarah Darling, Haley & Michaels, Halfway to Hazard, Lucas Hoge, House Whiskey, Madison Kozak, Kendell Marvel, Ian Munsick, Ray Scott, George Shingleton, Sons of Daughters andTara Thompson.
June 7: ASCAP showcase with Max Camp, Hannah Dasher, Austin Jenckes, Parker McKay, Steven Lee Olsen, Riley Roth, Steel Union, Matt Stell, TRAVLRS and Sarah Allison Turner.
June 8:SESAC showcase with Spencer Crandall, Ben Danaher, Erin Enderlin, Livy Jeanne, Jordyn Mallory, Tom O’Connor, Jake Rose, Seaforth, SZLACHETKA and Jenny Tolman.
HGTV Lodge at Fan Alley
June 7-10 at Music City Center
Lauren Alaina, Carlton Anderson, Lee Brice, Cam, Luke Combs, Jordan Davis, Chris DeStefano, Lindsay Ell, Morgan Evans, Walker Hayes, Ryan Hurd, Jillian Jacqueline, LANCO, Chris Lane, LOCASH, Dustin Lynch, Maddie & Tae, Ashley McBryde, Kip Moore, Jon Pardi, Eric Paslay, Cassadee Pope, Michael Ray, Mitchell Tenpenny, Tenille Townes, The Cadillac Three, Rachel Wammack, Lee Ann Womack and Trisha Yearwood. Special appearances by HGTV “Property Brothers” stars Jonathan and Drew Scott. Great American Country’s Suzanne Alexander will emcee during the four-day event.
Radio Disney Country Stage at Xfinity Fan Fair X
June 7-10 at Music City Center
Jimmie Allen, Abby Anderson, Cam, Jillian Cardarelli, CB30, Jordan Davis, Devin Dawson, Russell Dickerson, Cale Dodds, Lindsay Ell, Emily Hackett, Adam Hambrick, Trent Harmon, Walker Hayes, Jillian Jacqueline, Caroline Jones, Madison Kozak, LANCO, Maddie & Tae, Tegan Marie, Jaden Michaels, Cassadee Pope, Stephanie Quayle, RaeLynn, Savvy & Mandy, Noah Schnacky, Kalie Shorr, Christina Taylorand Rachel Wammack. Marie, Hayley Orrantia and Shorr join Radio Disney Country personality Betsy Spina to share hosting duties throughout the weekend.
CMA Spotlight Stage at Xfinity Fan Fair X
June 7-10 at Music City Center
2Steel Girls, 8 Ball Aitken, American Young, Paul Bogart, Haley Mae Campbell, Cort Carpenter, Caryn Lee Carter, CERRITO, Jessie Chris, Chas Collins, Dustin Collins, Nora Collins, Crystal Day, Joe Denim, Dixie Jade, James Dupré, Tim Elliott, EmiSunshine, Farewell Angelina, Folk Soul Revival, Kenny Foster, Gal Friday, Josh Gallagher, Lee Gantt, Harper Grae, Kristi Hoopes, Jason Morton & The Chesapeake Sons, Meghan Kabir, Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road, Kelsey Lamb, Olivia Lane, Cherish Lee, Jenny Leigh, Lucy Angel, Elizabeth Lyons, Red Marlow, Bobby Marquez, Jackson Michelson, Kylie Morgan, Marta, Shane Owens, Presley & Taylor, Jesse Rice, Matt Rogers, Southern Halo, Summer Brooke & The Mountain Faith Band, Glen Templeton, The Lovers, The Springs, The Wandering Hearts, The Young Fables and Karen Waldrup.
Close Up Stage at Xfinity Fan Fair X
June 7-10 at Music City Center
These are Q&As with celebrities.
June 7: Dierks Bentley
June 8: Luke Bryan
June 9: Dustin Lynch
June 10: Kelsea Ballerini
New this year, CMA will host the Music Streaming Lounge at Xfinity Fan Fair X, a place for fans to have hands-on involvement with music streaming platforms, offering charging stations and a lounge for fans to enjoy each day.
On June 7, the lounge will be transformed into an iHeartRadio recording studio where fans will have the opportunity to become an on-air radio host interviewing some of the biggest names in Country Music for broadcast on a special iHeartRadio Fan Fair X station. Fans will also get a photo with the artist to commemorate their first radio gig inside the iHeartRadio pop-up studio.
On June 8, Spotify will debut a new digital experience where fans can find their “Country Music Match” and create collaborative playlists live with Country artists, while also offering updated free product and assisting listeners in personalizing their listening experiences.
On June 9, guests will be able to interact with tens of millions of songs on Amazon Music while using Alexa, requesting music in brand new ways based on mood, era, genre, city, lyrics, and much more. Guests will also be able to meet various Country Music artists stopping by the Amazon Music space, some featured on the brand-new global playlist Country Heat.
Of the numerous artists appearing at Xfinity Fan Fair X over the four-day event, most of the meet and greets do not require tickets. In these instances, fans may freely join the line formations for non-ticketed signings.
About CMA Fest
The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience™ began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. Now in its 47th year, the legendary festival has become the city’s signature Country Music event that hosts in excess of 90,000 fans from all 50 states and two dozen foreign countries. In 2017, CMA Fest featured 11 stages with over 350 artists, 1,100 musicians, and 167 hours of music – all to benefit music education. Since 2006, CMA and the CMA Foundation have donated more than $21 million to sustainable music education initiatives across the U.S. thanks to the fans who attend CMA Fest and the artists who perform for free. CMA Fest is filmed for a three-hour ABC Television Network special. 2018 marks the 15th consecutive year of the broadcast.
About the CMA Foundation
Established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining music education programs all across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music education. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), has invested more than $21 million in over 85 programs across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations. Guided by the generosity of the Country Music community, proceeds from CMA Fest, the four-day long music festival held annually in Nashville, are used to power the CMA Foundation’s social impact and unique model of giving. For more information visit CMAfoundation.org.
Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini at 2017 CMA Fest in Nashville. (Photo by Mark Levine/ABC)
The following is a press release from the Country Music Association and ABC:
The Country Music Association has announced that Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini will return for a second year as hosts of “CMA Fest,” the three-hour special that brings country music’s ultimate fan experience to a national television audience. “CMA Fest” airs WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8 (8:00–11:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network and is executive produced by Robert Deaton.
“This year’s CMA Fest is our biggest yet with many artists debuting full sets on the Nissan Stadium stage,” said Sarah Trahern, chief executive officer, CMA. “We’re thrilled once again to broadcast ‘CMA Fest’ and bring the festival to millions of country music fans not only here in the U.S. but all around the world.”
“Thomas and Kelsea are the embodiment of the summer fun that is CMA Fest, and we are so excited they’ll be back for year two,” said Rob Mills, senior vice president, Alternative Series, Specials & Late-Night, ABC Entertainment.
Filmed during Nashville’s annual CMA Fest, Thursday, June 7, through Sunday, June 10, the television special features more than 25 of country music’s biggest names as they hit the stage during the four-day event. 2018 marks the 15th consecutive year of the broadcast, a feat no other U.S. music festival has achieved. Last year’s broadcast of “CMA Fest” achieved three-year ratings highs.
Ballerini will perform at Nissan Stadium Saturday, June 9, in addition to appearing as Artist of the Day at Xfinity Fan Fair X on Sunday, June 10. A limited number of four-day tickets for the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium, which also includes four-day access to Xfinity Fan Fair X, are still available at CMAfest.com/tickets or through the CMA Box Office at 1-800-CMA-FEST.
CMA Fest is unlike any other with live music on 11 official stages throughout downtown Nashville; meet and greets and up-close-and-personal experiences for fans at Xfinity Fan Fair X; over 300 acts donating their time in support of music education through the CMA Foundation; and nearly 90,000 country music fans from the all over the U.S. and abroad flocking to Music City each summer. All of CMA Fest’s outdoor daytime stages, as well as nightly shows at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater, are free and open to the public. Fans can purchase the CMA Fest Nash Pass for $60 plus fees, allowing a limited amount of fans VIP early access at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage. The Nash Pass also includes a Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum tour, Ryman Auditorium tour and four-day admission to Xfinity Fan Fair X. Tickets for Xfinity Fan Fair X are available for $10 each day or $25 for a four-day pass.
Guided by the generosity of the country music community, proceeds from CMA Fest are used to drive the CMA Foundation’s mission of enriching and sustaining music education programs. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), has invested over $21 million in 85 programs across the national public school system, after-school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations.
Don’t miss a beat—download the CMA Fest app, or get connected with CMA on CMAfest.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and sign up for CMA Country Connection emails to receive the latest news as soon as it’s announced.
About CMA Fest
The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience™ began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. Now in its 47th year, the legendary festival has become the city’s signature Country Music event that hosts in excess of 90,000 fans from all 50 states and two dozen foreign countries. In 2017, CMA Fest featured 11 stages with over 350 artists, 1,100 musicians, and 167 hours of music – all to benefit music education. Since 2006, CMA and the CMA Foundation have donated more than $21 million to sustainable music education initiatives across the U.S. thanks to the fans who attend CMA Fest and the artists who perform for free. CMA Fest is filmed for a three-hour ABC Television Network special. 2018 marks the 15th consecutive year of the broadcast.
