April 06, 2010

By By Ray Waddell, Nashville

Live Nation cut about 100 people last week, mostly in "back office" personnel, including accounting, business operations, and other functions, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The layoffs were part of ongoing efforts to find efficiencies and are said to be unrelated to the Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger.

Industry speculation that Live Nation has cut many talent buyers and marketers and is abandoning their club business does not appear to be the case. It is expected that Live Nation will promote fewer shows than the 20,000 it promoted last year worldwide, but much of that reduction will come from low margin shows and venues that Live Nation does not own.

Live Nation still owns and operates more than 50 club-sized venues around the world, including its House of Blues chains, Academy Group, and the Fillmore clubs.

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