TicketMaster & Live Nation Combine!

Big news in the ticket industry today; TicketMaster and Live Nation officially announced their merger to create Live Nation Entertainment Inc. The entertainment super-company Billboard refers to as “the most powerful and influential entity the music business has ever known,” will have an enterprise value of about $2.5 billion.
Live Nation Entertainment Inc will touch every aspect of the entertainment industry. Live Nation is already the largest producer of live entertainment, owning most venues and producing over 16,000 concerts per year in 57 countries. Recently, they have started signing exclusive deals with major artists like Madonna and U2 that include touring, merchandise, website and other ventures.
TicketMaster not only brings their ticket technology as the largest ticket seller, they also own TicketsNow a major ticket re-seller, as well as Front Line Management, an artist management firm that represent major acts like Miley Cyrus and the Eagles.
The companies are assuring concert fans that the merger will improve “access and transparency” and that they will be able to develop new strategies that will benefit the customer, improve attendance at events and support a healthier live entertainment industry.

Elton John & Billy Joel Face 2 Face Again

The ‘piano men’ are set to share the stage again for a two-year world tourTwo of the world’s greatest musicians, songwriters and entertainers are back on tour! Elton John & Billy Joel’s Face 2 Face tour, named the most successful and longest-running concert pairing in pop history, is reuniting this March for a series of shows through 2009 and 2010.

The two piano men first toured together in 1994, and then again in 2003, where they saw a string of 24-dates sell out immediately. With a mutual admiration for each other, it’s clear to see why these two legends are able to share the stage.

John & Joel are set to open the concerts with a series of duets, playing twin pianos and sharing vocal duties before each artist takes to the stage with their own band to perform their individual sets. Then, in true showmanship fashion, the two legends return to the stage together for a grand finale encore. With a set list made up of both of the artists’ greatest hits and rock n’ roll classics, this is a concert sure to delight any music lover!

The Face 2 Face tour will crisscross North America off-and-on as John finishes his hit show, The Red Piano, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in April. More 2009 dates are still to be announced, along with international dates for 2010.

Hopefully a Vancouver date will be announced soon. This is one show I CANNOT miss!!!

Elton John & Billy Joel Face 2 Face Tour Dates:
March 2, 2009 – Jacksonville, FL USA – Jacksonville Arena
March 5, 2009 – Tampa, FL USA – St. Pete Times Forum
March 7, 2009 – Charlotte, NC USA – Time Warner Cable Arena
March 10, 2009 – Cincinnati, OH USA – US Bank Arena
March 14, 2009 – Atlanta, GA USA – Philips Arena
March 17, 2009 – Tulsa, OK USA – The BOK Center
March 19, 2009 – Houston, TX USA – Toyota Center
March 21, 2009 – San Antonio, TX USA – AT&T Center
March 26, 2009 – Phoenix, AZ USA – US Airways Center
March 28, 2009 – Anaheim, CA USA – Honda Center
March 30, 2009 – Anaheim, CA USA – Honda Center

May 2, 2009 – Fargo, ND USA – Fargodome
May 5, 2009 – St. Paul, MN USA – Xcel Center
May 7, 2009 – Madison, WI USA – Kohl Center
May 12, 2009 – Omaha, NE USA – Qwest Center
May 14, 2009 – St. Louis, MO USA – Scottrade Center
May 16, 2009 – Nashville, TN USA – Sommet Center
May 19, 2009 – Indianapolis, IN USA – Conseco Fieldhouse
May 21, 2009 – Auburn Hills, MI USA – The Palace
May 23, 2009 – Cleveland, OH USA – Quicken Loans Arena
May 26, 2009 – Toronto, ON Canada – Air Canada Centre
May 30, 2009 – Toronto, ON Canada – Air Canada Centre
June 1, 2009 – Ottawa, ON Canada – Scotiabank Place
More Dates TBA