2024 Women of Live International: Susan Heymann

Chief Operating Officer | Frontier Touring
Sydney, Australia

Most recently honored as a Living Legend at last year’s National Live Music Awards, Susan Heymann has been acknowledged for everything from her leadership skills at the Australian Women In Music Awards to her contribution to the growth of country music outside the United States by the CMA.

After wrapping a sports science degree, she joined Chugg Entertainment as an intern, and worked up to managing director. She kept the role when Chugg joined Frontier Touring in 2019 as a joint venture.
In March 2022, when Mushroom Group and AEG Presents restructured Frontier’s executive ranks, Heymann’s new role as COO focused on artist relations and content development.

While Frontier has been touring the A1 list – including Taylor Swift, Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams and Foo Fighters – it’s also introduced emerging names as Laufey, Stephen Sanchez, Benson Boone, MUNA, Ethel Cain and Maisie Peters to the market.

Heymann notes: “The amount of new talent that is coming through and the speed with which artists can build a profile and fanbase indicates a strong future for touring. But timing is more critical than ever, which can be a huge challenge if you’re working in markets that plan many months or years in advance.”

Chugg/Frontier spearheads the growth of country music Down Under, with sold-out arena tours by Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs, the 2023 launch of Ridin’ Hearts festival, and this year’s CMC Rocks (March 15 to 17) another sell-out of 24,000 with Heymann particularly pleased with “the incredible Lainey Wilson as our first Sunday night female headliner for the festival!”

As for the state of women in the live biz, Heymann’s take is, “We’re not there yet” but sees promising shifts with more women in senior positions, and changes in expected behavior in the work environment.

“It’s exciting to see the confidence in the next generation of young women. Oh, and there’s nothing like hearing 96,000 people singing out ‘f*ck the patriarchy’ at a Taylor Swift stadium show to make you hopeful about the future of female leadership!”