Furloughed AEG Presents, Live Nation Staff Returning To Work

“We can confirm that the company has distributed an outline for a full reemergence from our COVID-related workforce plan and look forward to welcoming back all affected employees in the coming months,” AEG Presents said in a statement. Variety reported that furloughed staff will return to their roles on April 1. 

Live Nation has similarly been bringing back staff affected by furloughs and layoffs since January, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Though no official announcement has been made, an exploration of the company’s website indicates the company is hiring in a number of positions.

Both AEG Presents and Live Nation were affected dramatically by the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 8 AEG Presents chairman and CEO Jay Marciano informed staff of major layoffs, furloughs and salary reductions in what he called “the most difficult” email message he ever had to write. 

Live Nation also underwent multiple rounds of cost-reduction measures that included hiring freezes, reductions in use of contractors, rent re-negotiations, and elimination of other forms of discretionary spending. In late April 2020 Ticketmaster furloughed roughly 25% of its North American workforce. 

The return of some employees of the world’s two largest promoters bodes well for the concert industry, which has been effectively shut down since March 12, 2020.