2022 Impact 50: Omar Al-joulani

President, Touring, Live Nation Concerts
Live Nation

While Live Nation’s record-setting Q1, which saw $1.8 billion in total revenue in the quarter, surpassed many expectations, for those working at the Civic Center Drive brain trust, where the world’s largest promoter’s L.A.-based headquarters dwells the writing was all over the office walls.

“I’m extremely proud of the incredible resurgence of live events driven by huge first quarter tours including Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Imagine Dragons and John Mayer,” says Omar Al-joulani, who as president of the touring division overseeing booking and operations for Live Nation Concerts, can fully share in their successes.

After 12 years at Live Nation, Al-joulani’s purview now includes Live Nation’s global touring business. In fact, he helped negotiate recent worldwide tour deals with Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Weeknd, who, along with Bad Bunny, are this year making their way to stadiums.

At the same time, Al-joulani is committed strongly to giving more diverse faces the opportunity to break into the business.

“We’ve recently launched a paid internship program offering 50 positions nationwide,” he says. “We’ve been working closely with HBCUs and attending job fairs to increase the number of diverse candidates. We’ve already received more than 15,000 applications.”

Al-joulani is, as one might expect, also bullish on the future. “Consumer confidence and demand for live has been proven by exponential ticket sales and the attendance numbers we’ve seen over the past six months,” he says. For proof of concept, look no further LN’s Q1 numbers. The promoter’s gargantuan 70 million tickets sold for 2022 shows, and volume and committed show count being up 36% and 44%, respectively, is strong proof of concept.

About the industry’s continued success, he’s unwavering: “I have no doubt it will continue,” he says.