Arena Market: USA

As the biggest live music market in the world, the dream of “breaking America” has gripped international acts since the explosion of Beatlemania there in early 1964. If you want to be a truly global artist, you must crack the US.

The arena circuit here is mammoth, in both size and commercial value. The Venue Coalition lists over 60 arenas in the country, with most major cities boasting multiple arenas. In many ways, the US arena sector is the centre of gravity for the global arena business.

What happens there significantly affects what other markets do.

Mark Shulman, EVP of programming and content at OVG East, looks after the 17,000-cap UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. He says business at the venue…