In the latest live music news, A public-private partnership in Milwaukee wants to demolish the 117-year old Miller High Life Theatre, an historic venue operated by independent promoter Pabst Theater Group. They argue it should be removed because of “similarities” and “competition” from a new Live Nation venue being built across the street with taxpayer-backed incentives.
The proposal would build a luxury hotel to serve the patrons of Live Nation’s forthcoming venue and nearby convention center. There are already a dozen hotels within 1 to 10 minutes walking distance. NIVA is urging Milwaukee officials to abandon the plan.
More live music industry news
• NIVA has opened registration for the NIVA ’26 conference in Minneapolis this June.
• The California chapter of NIVA has elected Joe Rinaldi as President. Rinaldi is the Managing Partner of San Diego’s Music Box and National Talent Buyer for Mission Bayfest.
• Senator Marsha Blackburn, a primary sponsor of the US 2016 Better Online Sales Act (BOTS Act)weighing in on the Federal Trade Commission lawsuit against Ticketmaster.
• Mexico's consumer protection agency Profeco has fined Ticketmaster $300,000 for alleged legal violations during tickets sales for three BTS concerts at GNP Seguros Stadium.
• Brooklyn Mirage, the major NYC outdoor concert venue is being rebranded at as Pacha New York.
FIVE Holdings will mange it and The Great Hall complex, bringing the international Pacha nightlife brand to the venue.
• Every US Venue that was awarded a Live Music Society Music in Action Grant in 2025. LMS grants were set up to fund venues engaging with their local communities on a deeper level, and to support efforts to transform the role live music plays in society at large.
• More and more artists are using Bandsintown as both a tour-date aggregator and a high-utility social ecosystem. Its a reaction to the growing "algorithmic squeeze" which sees social media delivering messages to as few as 1% - 5% of followers.
