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# Live Music Industry News Roundup
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/live-music-industry-news-12/
- Published: 2026-05-11T14:52:30.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-11T14:52:30.000Z
- Description: THE·TEAM, Ticketmaster, AEG, Outback, Black Music Action Coalition, NIVA and more star in more in Hypebot's latest Live Music Industry News Roundup.
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: News, live music industry, live music business, live music, Ticketmaster, Music Industry News

### **THE·TEAM** Adds Staff

As sale rumors swirl, **THE·TEAM**, aka the agency formerly know as **Wasserman**, appointed ex-**WME** staffer **Julia May** as Senior Vice President, Business Development; former head of marketing at **HIDDEN,** **Sarah Thia** joins as Vice President, Tour Marketing in Asia; and **Sheila Mukasa** joins from **AEG** as Senior Manager, Pricing & Ticketing.

### **Ticketmaster Lays Off 350**

**Ticketmaster** has eliminated about 350 positions or 8% of the company staff worldwide

The cuts are spread across 25 countries in the engineering, product development and design teams. The company says it is focusing resources on a smaller number of high priority initiatives and investments.

### **BMAC LIVE Accelerator Program**

The **Black Music Action Coalition** (BMAC), in partnership with **Live Nation** is **taking applications thru May 15** for the third year of the BMAC LIVE Accelerator Program.

Powered by Live Nation’s School of Live, the program provides 20 participants each year with an all-expenses-paid, week-long immersive experience focused on career pathways in the live music industry. 

The 2026 program will take place July 13–17 in Los Angeles. To learn more and apply for the 2026 cohort, visit [https://www.bmacoalition.org/bmaclivenation](https://www.bmacoalition.org/bmaclivenation?ref=hypebot.com)**.**

### **AEG and Outback Presents Partner**

**AEG Presents** announced a strategic partnership with **Outback Presents**. It brings together AEG’s global live platform with Outback Presents’ proven track record in presenting stand-up comedy, comedy festivals and comedy touring.

Outback promotes tours, festivals, and live comedy events across North America, including the Nashville Comedy Festival and 312 Comedy Festival.

Together, AEG and Outback aim to expand opportunities for comedians at every stage of their careers, deepen fan engagement, and drive the continued growth of comedy as a cornerstone of the live entertainment business.

### **NIVA '26 Independent Venue Conference**

The U.S. independent live entertainment community is coming together for the **National Independent Venue Association's** [**NIVA ‘26**](https://www.nivassoc.org/conference?ref=hypebot.com) conference.

The event will take place **June 7-10 in Minneapolis**, bringing together venue owners, promoters, bookers, agents and service providers to tackle the most pressing issues in the live music ecosystem. Find more details [here](https://www.nivassoc.org/conference?ref=hypebot.com).

***Get all the latest Music Industry & Live Music News updated continuously from across the web under the Hypebot Industry News tab*** [***here***](https://www.hypebot.com/music-industry-news-feed/)***.***