Live Nation to meet with Niagara Falls mayor, business leaders

Live Nation to meet with Niagara Falls mayor, business leaders

Live Nation executives will meet with Niagara Falls, NY, government and business leaders next month to discuss bringing major concerts to the area, but one of the state's major promoters is disappointed his firm was not contacted.

New York concert promoter John Scher told TicketNews that he only learned of U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer's lobbying for the meeting through press reports. Schumer reached out to Live Nation on behalf of the Upstate New York city to help its local economy.

"It would have been nice if they'd come to us or Ballard Presents or one of the other independent New York promoters," Scher said. "Live Nation certainly has a presence in Upstate New York, but one would have hoped they would have reached out."

Scher said that region can be an "economic challenge" for promoters, so he understands the city working with Sen. Schumer to drum up support for area concerts. He also added that using live music to help the region is a "clever" idea.

"Using live music as a way to bring people into the area is a clever way of making the area hipper and more modern," he said, but added that he does not know what acts they will target.

The meeting between Live Nation and city and business officials is scheduled for November 17. Niagara Falls mayor Paul Dyster said in a statement that the city has seen some success with a Hard Rock Café concert series held outdoors on Old Falls Street.

"Live Nation could be a huge boost to our economy and bolster our reputation as a tourist-friendly city," Dyster said, adding that the city wants to continue the Hard Rock shows and build on them with Live Nation-promoted events.

Live Nation already operates the amphitheater at the nearby Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, which Scher said he once owned several years ago. "We spent a number of years producing shows in western New York. We'll nose around a bit, but it looks like it’s a fait accompli that Live Nation will be the one they'll use," he said.

Earlier in this month, Schumer sent a letter to Live Nation president and CEO Michael Rapino requesting the meeting. The senior senator from New York had been a critic of the company when it sought approval for its merger with Ticketmaster and following its handling of a ticketing controversy involving Bruce Springsteen shows. Schumer later worked with the company on ticketing legislation he proposed in 2009.

"These concerts would enable Niagara Falls to capitalize on its existing tourism base, attracting thousands of new visitors who will provide a much-needed shot in the arm for our local economy," Schumer said in the same statement as Dyster. He went on to add that major concerts could attract fans not only from throughout upstate New York, but also nearby Pennsylvania and Ontario, Canada.