Rolling Loud’s 2025 Los Angeles edition has been condensed into a two-day format, with ticket prices slashed.

Organisers of the world’s largest hip-hop festival initially went on sale with a three-day edition for 2025, set for 14-16 March.

Now, they’ve announced a “new era” for the 75,000-capacity event, cutting a whole day of programming and restaging the festival for 15-16 March at Inglewood’s Hollywood Park.

Weekend general admission ticket prices have dropped from US$399 in 2024 to $179, a 55.1% reduction in full-festival costs. Broken down, the daily cost fell by 32.7% from $133 per day last year to $89.50.

The Rolling Loud brand, which launched in Miami in 2015, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Over its first decade, the franchise has staged editions across the US, Europe, and Asia, with 2024 editions in Pattaya, Thailand; Vienna, Austria; LA, and Miami.

Performers for the LA edition are expected to be announced this week. Last year’s headliners include Ty Dolla $ign and Kanye West (aka ¥$), Post Malone, and Future x Metro Boomin.

On the East Coast, Boston Calling has also reduced ticket prices alongside the release of its 2025 lineup, amid backlash for overcrowding at last year’s event.

GA weekend ticket prices decreased over 8.6% on last year’s price from $383 last year to $350 all-in for 2025. One-day passes fell 10.5% from $189 to $169, and a two-day option has been introduced for $330.

The multi-day US event will return on 23-25 May at Harvard Athletic Complex, headlined by Luke Combs, Fall Out Boy and the Dave Matthews Band. Other acts featured include Megan Moroney, Sheryl Crow, T-Pain, Avril Lavigne, Cage The Elephant, Vampire Weekend, and Sublime.

Tumbling ticket prices for these festivals go against the trend of rising Euro festival ticket costs

Organisers plan to combine its existing two stages into a singular ‘rotating stage system’ to optimise space for attendees. During its 13th edition, festivalgoers described “unsafe” overcrowding conditions on the final day of the festival, leading to an onslaught of medical emergencies partly due to high temperatures.

Roughly 40,000 people descended on the festival’s sold-out final day, which featured back-to-back performances from Chappell Roan, Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, and The Killers. The number reportedly doubled the estimated 16,000 people who attended the day prior.

In addition to the changes in staging, organisers will implement an indoor air-conditioned arena — with special indoor programming to be announced — along with expanded access to water stations.

First staged in 2013, the festival is produced by Boston Calling Events, part-owned by local Crash Line Productions and Austin-based C3 Presents. The festival is co-curated by Aaron Dessner of The National.

Tumbling ticket prices for these US festivals go against the average trend of 5% year-on-year increases across European festivals between 2024 and 2025.

“Unfortunately, we see rising supplier costs and the effects of global (and especially local) inflation. It is something we have to deal with when calculating ticket prices,” said Tamás Kádár, CEO of Sziget, at the time.

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Boston Calling organisers have addressed complaints of “unsafe” conditions that marred the final day of last weekend’s festival.

The event took place from 24-26 May at Harvard Athletic Complex, headlined by Ed Sheeran, Tyler Childers and The Killers. Boston.com sources say that at least 40,000 people flocked to Sunday’s sold-out finale – more than double the estimated 16,000 who attended the festival on Saturday.

Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) received nearly 800 medical calls over the course of the three days – more than half of which were on Sunday – with 23 patients requiring hospital treatment, amid high temperatures and complaints of overcrowding.

“It felt unsafe and it was so like just congested everywhere, it was really hard to get like air, and just get like a break from the crowds,” one festivalgoer told NBC10 Boston. “When people make that kind of investment, to spend their money that way, they deserve to have like a safe experience where they’re not having a panic attack.”

An EMS spokesperson says the heat played a major role in people’s symptoms.

“While attendee count was several thousand below the official capacity rating of the site, we never want anyone to feel uncomfortable or unsafe at the show”

First held in 2013, the event is produced by Boston Calling Events, which is part-owned by Boston-based Crash Line Productions and Austin, Texas-based C3 Presents.

“We deeply appreciate the audience, staff and performers who make Boston Calling possible, and want to acknowledge feedback from Sunday,” says the festival in a statement posted on social media. “While attendee count was several thousand below the official capacity rating of the site, we never want anyone to feel uncomfortable or unsafe at the show.

“We will continue to work with public officials and our operations team to improve the experience, layout and ultimately create a better environment for everyone.”

The lineup also included Leon Bridges, Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB, Hozier, Reneé Rapp, Khruangbin, Megan Thee Stallion, Jessie Murph, Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls, and Young the Giant.

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Festival lineup announcements have continued to come thick and fast in Europe and the United States as this summer’s calendar takes shape.

Serbia’s EXIT Festival has unveiled its first 24 acts for its 2024 edition, EXIT Starseeds, which is set for the Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, from 10-14 July.

The lineup is headlined by the Black Eyed Peas, Tom Morello, and Gucci Mane, with other acts to include DJ Carl Cox, Bonobo, KlangKuenstler, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Barry Can’t Swim, Franky Wah, and Mene. In addition, the Tesla Universe Stage will showcase the likes of Kenya Grace, Iniko, Rudimental, John Newman, The Exploited, Dub FX, Willy William, Ian Asher, and Steve Angello, and Joker Out.

Villagers of Ioannina City and Lakeside X are the first names confirmed for Visa Fusion Stage, while the Explosive Stage will feature Coroner and Nemesis.

Held under the slogan “Awakening our Superpowers Together”, EXIT Starseeds also has a special Starseeds Takeover performance on its Tesla Universe Stage reserved for day zero.

Elsewhere, Czechia’s Rock for People, which will be headlined by The Prodigy, The Offspring, Bring Me The Horizon and Yungblud, has added to its lineup. The event, which will take place at Park 360, Hradec Králové, from 12-15 June, will also star Sum 41, Avril Lavigne, Dogstar, Bad Omens, Corey Taylor, Enter Shikari, Parkway Drive, Bombay Bicycle Club, Body Count ft. Ice-T, Dogstar, Neck Deep, Thy Art Is Murder, Missio and Royal Republic, among others.

Meanwhile, Craig David, Ne-Yo, DJ Spoony, So Solid Crew and Shola Ama are the first acts unveiled for Ashton Gate Presents BS3. The new multi-artist event in Bristol, UK, will feature ten acts across two stages on 22 June.

In the US, Boston Calling will be held from 24-26 May in Allston, MA, headlined by Ed Sheeran, Tyler Childers and The Killers. The lineup also includes Leon Bridges, Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB, Hozier, Reneé Rapp, Khruangbin, Megan Thee Stallion, Jessie Murph, Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls, and Young the Giant.

It will also serve as a celebration of New England’s music scene, featuring over 20 artists from the region including Beach Weather, Kieran Rhodes, Senseless Optimism, Tysk Tysk Task, and Bad Rabbits, who opened the inaugural festival in 2013.

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is scheduled for 13-16 June on the Bonnaroo Farm, 60 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, TN, with this year’s highlights including performances from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Post Malone,  Pretty Lights, Megan Thee Stallion, Cage The Elephant and a US festival exclusive performance by Fred Again..

Also on the bill: Maggie Rogers, Melanie Martinez, Khruangbin, Cigarettes After Sex, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Diplo, Carly Rae Jepsen, Fisher, Jon Batiste, Dominic Fike, Parcels, Idles, Joey Bada$$, Lizzy McAlpine, T-Pain, Interpol, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Two Friends, Taking Back Sunday, Gary Clark Jr, TV Girl, Thundercat, Ashnikko and Brittany Howard.

Southern California’s electronic music-focused Beyond Wonderland will host acts such as The Chainsmokers, Benny Benassi, Alesso, Madeon, Subtronics, Basscon, Rezz, Wax Motif, Chris Lorenzo, J. Worra, Gareth Emery, Zeds Dead and Afrojack b2b R3hab at NOS Events Center, San Bernardino, on 22-23 March.

And BottleRock Napa Valley has already sold out three-day tickets for its 24-26 May gathering, topped by Stevie Nicks, Pearl Jam and Ed Sheeran. It will also feature artists including Queens Of The Stone Age, Megan Thee Stallion, Maná, St Vincent, Nelly, Miike Snow, Bebe Rexha, Kali Uchis, The Kid Laroi, My Morning Jacket, Dominic Fike, Norah Jones, The Offspring, All Time Low and Holly Humberstone.

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Boston Calling Events, the promoter of Massachusetts festival Boston Calling, has announced plans for its first film festival, to be held in the run-up to the 2018 event.

Boston Calling Film Festival, curated by Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman, will take place from Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 May at the Brattle Theatre (235-cap.) in Cambridge, Mass., and showcase a series of films that “explore similar themes told from the perspective of either male or female directors”, including Lolita, Diary of a Teenage Girl, the Exorcist and I Am Not a Witch.

Portman will additionally curate and host a series of “special programming”, details of which are still to be announced, in the Boston Calling Music Festival’s indoor arena throughout the weekend of 25–27 May.

“I’m so excited to show films that I love that explore the female gaze,” says Portman (pictured). “I don’t think there is anything inherently different between male and female artists, but these are examples of great works of art in which similar storylines have female tropes that play out quite differently depending on who is telling the story.

Portman will additionally curate and host a series of special programming in the music festival’s indoor arena

“I’m looking forward to sharing these with an audience and hearing their reactions. It makes it an even more special opportunity to watch these incredible films on the big screen at one of my favourite movie theatres.”

Boston Calling Events is jointly owned by Crash Line Productions and Madison Square Garden Company, the latter of which acquired a controlling interest in the company June 2016.

Now in its ninth year, Boston Calling Music Festival will take place for the second consecutive year at the Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston, Boston, on 25–27 May 2018. Headliners are Eminem, the Killers and Jack White.

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Darren Pfeffer has joined the Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) in the newly created position of executive vice-president of MSG Live.

Pfeffer joins MSG after more than two decades at iHeartMedia, where he most recently served as senior VP of music and entertainment marketing, and is tasked with “setting the strategic direction” for MSG’s Live unit, which encompasses the company’s promotion, festivals and venues businesses.

“With the overarching goal of maximising the utilisation of the company’s venues and delivering top tier talent, Pfeffer will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for MSG’s bookings, which includes exploring opportunities to develop new signature events, artist residencies and unique experiences for MSG’s customers,” reads a statement from MSG. “In addition, he will play a key role in the future success of MSG’s venue expansion strategy, including the company’s plans to build a groundbreaking new venue in Las Vegas.

“Other priorities will consist of daily oversight of financial and operational matters, identifying and building key strategic relationships and working with colleagues across the company to create marketing and sales plans.

Pfeffer (pictured) will report directly to MSG president and CEO David O’Connor.

“Pfeffer’s relationships and experience developing compelling programming will serve us well as we remain focused on growing our live event business”

Madison Square Garden Company’s venues are the Madison Square Garden itself (21,000-cap.), The Theater at Madison Square Garden (5,600-cap.), Radio City Music Hall (6,015-cap.) and the Beacon Theatre (2,894-cap.), all in New York; The Forum (17,500-cap.) in Los Angeles; the Chicago Theatre (3,600-cap.) and the Wang Theatre (3,500-cap.) in Boston, Massachusetts.

Its also promotes the Boston Calling festival through Boston Calling Events, which it acquired last July.

“Darren has spent more than 20 years in entertainment, overseeing some of the industry’s most popular events and creating opportunities to leverage talent,” comments O’Connor. “His relationships, along with his experience developing compelling programming, will serve us well as we remain focused on growing our live event business by exploring new and better ways to utilise our world-class portfolio of venues.

“We look forward to having him as part of our leadership team as we continue to build on MSG’s outstanding tradition of delivering unique and exceptional live experiences.”

Pfeffer adds: “The Madison Square Garden Company is peerless in its portfolio of iconic venues, world-class partners and access to top-tier performers and events. I am thrilled to join the team, and look forward to not only continuing to grow the live event business, but to providing unforgettable experiences for MSG’s customers and partners.”

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The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) has bought a controlling interest in Boston Calling festival promoter Boston Calling Events (BCE).

“We have been exploring music festivals as a way to further expand and strengthen our position in the ‘live experience’ space and are very pleased to welcome Boston Calling Events to the MSG family,” says David O’Connor, MSG’s president and CEO. “Over the last three and a half years, Boston Calling’s popularity has been built by its commitment to operating as an open and independent festival that welcomes artists from all genres. We want to support Boston Calling Event’s efforts to preserve this well-earned reputation as it moves forward with its plans to expand and enrich this great event for a great city.”

BCE co-founder and CEO Brian Appel will continue to run the company, which in addition to the Massachusetts festival also produces the Boston Calling Block Parties series of music events and the US spin-off of the Copenhagen Beer Celebration beer festival, which will take place for the first time in Boston later this year.

“We have been exploring music festivals as a way to further expand and strengthen our position in the live experience space and are very pleased to welcome Boston Calling Events to the MSG family”

“We are excited about joining a company that not only shares our commitment to delivering artist- and fan-friendly events, but that truly believes in the growing value of unique and exceptional live experiences,” adds Appel. “Their support will be invaluable as we continue to work on delivering successful events for music fans, while exploring new opportunities in the festival space.”

The Madison Square Garden Company – which owns the famous indoor arena of the same name, as well as Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre in New York, the Chicago Theatre, the LA Forum, the New York Knicks and New York Liberty basketball teams and New York Rangers ice hockey team – has had a presence in Boston for eight years through a booking agreement with the 3,500-capacity Wang Theatre.

Boston Calling, which traditionally took place over two weekends during the year at Boston City Hall Plaza, will as of 2016 take place annually on the Memorial Day weekend at Harvard University’s athletics complex in Allston. A line-up has yet to be announced; last year’s headliners were Beck and Pixies.

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