2022 Impact 50: Emily Simonitsch

SVP Booking, West Coast
Live Nation

A concert industry veteran with more than three  decades of experience, Live Nation’s Simonitsch has  played a vital role in developing the touring market  for Latin artists in North America, one of the highest-  ranking Hispanic women in the concert business. She has also  been a prominent activist for inclusion within the industry as a  member of the House of Blues Music Forward Foundation’s Board  of Directors, setting up successful tours for the likes of Ana Gabriel  and Yuridia.       

Not just her career, but Simonitsch’s life was impacted when longtime  client, the iconic Mexican Ranchero performer Vicente Fernández,  passed away last December. She is now dedicated to carrying on  his legacy with his son Alejandro Fernández, an international artist  who performs annually in Las Vegas during Mexican Independence  weekend in September, a show that celebrates his musical roots in  that country.       

Her 2021 highlights include booking Pepe Aguilar’s rodeo tour, Jaripeo  Sin Fronteras, featuring his brother Antonio, and children Leonardo  and Angela, the 18-year-old who is set to embark on her own  solo tour. Emily points to another accomplishment in Mana’s summer  residency at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., which got underway  with two shows apiece in March and April, and will return in July and  September for a total of 10 sold-out shows.  “To have this legendary Mexican band perform multiple shows this  year at a venue of that size is an amazing tribute to celebrate the  magnitude,” she says proudly.       

After surviving a pandemic, Simonitsch is looking forward to a return  to a semblance of normalcy in the touring business.  “Fans are eager to return to concerts and experience those special  moments with their friends and family in person again,” she says. “We  are confident this rise in demand will continue, especially because  talent is also craving performing to live audiences.”