City Steps Into Live Nation Fray

Live Nation and a cultural group in Boca Raton, Fla., have had longstanding differences regarding the Centre For The Arts at Mizner Park Amphitheatre, and now the city is stepping in to put things straight.

Live Nation is contracted by the Schmidt Family Centre for the Arts to bring performances to the shed. The cultural group is upset that Live Nation provided only nine concerts last year out of a required 25.

Live Nation is frustrated that too many people are watching the concerts for free on a nearby plaza, according to the south Florida Sun-Sentinel. Moreover, industry insiders told Pollstar it also has to do with the non-paying visitors drinking and getting rowdy. Alleged problems during Steely Dan made for an early wrap to the summer schedule, sources said.

The city, meanwhile, has priority over other events at the venue.

“The results have not been acceptable,” City Manager Leif Ahnell told the Sun-Sentinel. “The city is getting ready to step in to make sure events will be held at the amphitheatre.”

A spokesman for the Centre for the Arts told the paper that the organization is still trying to work things out with Live Nation; officials at Live Nation had no comment.

“We would open it up to all promoters and groups so there’s more flexibility to arrange events,” Ahnell said.

Events are planned at the amphitheatre for several months. Ahnell said it could take up to four months to bring city-sponsored events to the shed.