2023 Women of Live: Mari Arionne Davies

Vice President of Talent & Booking | Live Nation Urban

Going on her third year at Live Nation, Mari Arionne Davies is building on what was a memorable 2022 that included curating the inaugural “Strength of A Woman Festival and Summit,” a three-day event done in partnership with Mary J. Blige and Pepsi that not only delivered live entertainment but also promoted female empowerment and educated attendees on financial literacy and community building.

“The inaugural Strength of a Woman Fest presented by Mary J. Blige and Pepsi was a vibe!” Davies, vice president of talent and booking at Live Nation Urban, tells Pollstar. “I may be a little biased, but it was such a special weekend full of shows and community events. It was really special and felt like a true community. It was uplifting and inspiring.”

Davies is doing her part again this year in inspiring women to join an industry where she feels “severely underrepresented.” She recently partnered with Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin to produce a free concert at Skid Row in Los Angeles that provided resources to the unhoused and produced the Hollywood Bowl’s first-ever Celebration of Juneteenth, which was broadcast live on CNN. Davies is also a founding member of Live Nation’s Next Gem Femme, a mentorship program that aims to accelerate career opportunities and the trajectory of young women of color in their industries and workplaces.

“I learned the importance of really grinding, doing the work, under-promising and over-delivering, maintaining good relationships, keeping your word and doing good business so you get return business,” says Davies, who started off as an assistant to recording artist Fabolous. “I try my best to pass these lessons to my staff and my mentees.”

A second edition of the Strength of a Woman Festival was announced featuring more artists and programs in Atlanta across four days, May 11-14. She also worked on this year’s Roots Picnic, a summer festival in Philadelphia that will include Lauryn Hill, Diddy with The Roots and Dave Chappelle, and more announcements are on the way.

“We have been working on a lot of incredible things in the gospel and inspiration music space that I can’t wait to share and in the Afrobeat space,” Davies says.