From Co-Bills To Support Acts Women Band Together On The Road

Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen released their first collaborative song, “Like I Used To,” in May 2021 and the pairing was pure indie-rock magic, delighting both fans and music critics alike. The tune, which hit No. 26 on the US Adult Alternative Songs chart, is a contrast of heartbreaking nostalgia for what once was, yet hopeful for what could be, with Van Etten and Olsen’s charming harmonies pulling off that elusive balance of feeling both fresh and natural.

Eight months after the song was released, Van Etten and Olsen announced a co-headlining summer tour with Julien Baker, which plays theaters and amphitheaters across the U.S. from July through August, along with a stop in Toronto.

“The Wild Hearts Tour” is just one of many awesome women-package tours hitting the road in 2022, from Olivia Rodrigo’s first headline tour, which features all women special guests (Gracie Abrams, Holly Humberstone and Baby Queen) to the revival of “The Bandwagon Tour” co-bill with Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town. Plus, Reba McEntire is just about to wrap up a tour that features support from Caylee Hammack, Hannah Dasher, Caitlyn Smith, Brandy Clark, Brittney Spencer and Tenille Townes; and Alanis Morissette just announced another round of dates in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Jagged Little Pill, with support from Garbage and Beth Orton.

“Sharon & Angel released the gorgeous single ‘Like I Used To’ last year and that collaboration spawned the idea of touring together. We began discussing a big summer 2022 tour and everyone agreed that the addition of Julien Baker to complete the bill would make for an amazing tour,” says CAA’s Kevin French, who represents both Van Etten and Baker.

As Ground Control Touring agent Andrew Morgan, who has worked with Olsen since 2013, puts it: “Everyone thought it was a good idea.”

French explains that they split up the booking duties across the country, with Morgan handling half of the dates, while French and fellow CAA agent Shirin Nury booked the other half. French adds, “It’s been a very collaborative process with each of the artist managers, CAA, and Ground Control.”

The tour kicks off July 21 in Vienna, Va., at Wolf Trap Center For the Performing Arts, followed by a July 22 show in Olsen’s home base of Asheville, N.C., at Rabbit Rabbit. The last stop is Aug. 21 at New York’s Central Park Summerstage.

“It’s good timing for Angel and Sharon as they’re going to have new music out soon. … Just knowing the strength of the package, we wanted to step up in venue size and play venues that they wouldn’t be able to ordinarily headline themselves and just build the best package possible, knowing that it will be really competitive this summer. Our goal was to have all the shows be outside and make it a fun outdoor summer tour, but also to minimize the risk of COVID. And with the exception of Nashville and Toronto, we were able to do that,” Morgan says of the routing, which includes gigs at the 5,900-capacity Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and the 5,000-cap Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston.

By comparison, Olsen’s highest-grossing U.S. headlining appearance to date is a sold-out 2019 show at the Fox Theater in Oakland, Calif., that grossed $100,980 on 2,884 tickets, with Van Etten and Baker bringing in comparable grosses at similar-sized rooms.

In addition to working on “The Wild Hearts Tour,” Nury also booked HAIM’s “One More Haim Tour,” which runs from April through June and features the biggest headlining gigs of the band’s career including the 17,500-capacity Hollywood Bowl and New York’s 20,789-cap MSG. The Haim sisters will be joined by Buzzy Lee, Faye Webster, SASAMI, Waxahatchee and Princess Nokia on select dates.

Nury notes that it was a priority for HAIM to have all women on the bill from the beginning and the trio was involved in every part of the process of selecting the special guests.
Of the importance of women artists bringing along fellow women as support/special guests, Nury says, “It’s an opportunity to provide a platform and should be handled with the utmost care and intention. I’m so proud to see so many women creating opportunities for others both on and off stage. What we need to see more is men in positions of power creating new opportunities for women in the live space.”

Additional women-led tours from Nury’s clients include Charli XCX headlining with Baby Tate, Magdalena Bay, yeule and Elio supporting; Dodie headlining with Lizzy McAlpine supporting; Gracie Abrams opening for Olivia Rodrigo (as well as Abrams headlining with Alix Page supporting); Fletcher headlining with G Flip, Julia Wolf and Amelia Moore supporting; and Tate McRae headlining with Mimi Webb and GAYLE supporting.

CAA client Dua Lipa is also on the road with a kick-ass group of women on her “Future Nostalgia Tour,” with support from Caroline Polachek, Lolo Zouaï and Megan Thee Stallion on select dates.

While it’s encouraging to see more women on the charts, festival lineups and on tour, Nury points out that the music industry still has a long way to go when it comes to gender parity on the executive side.

“As an industry we have to be mindful of our hiring and recruiting practices and put in the time and the work to mentor,” Nury says. “It just doesn’t work unless you’re actually consistent in investing in the diversity of the people around you.”

For Nury, a Post-it on her computer with a list of her women mentors helps keep her inspired. She says, “Every day when I sit at my desk, I’m reminded of their influence. It sends a signal to my brain that says – ‘Shirin, how are you trying to change the system today? How are you using your platform to lift up others the way these women have for you?’ It reminds me I am on assignment every day.”