2024 Women of Live: Mari Arionne Davies

VP, Booking and Talent | Live Nation Urban

Every day Mari Arionne Davies helps bring to life Nation Urban’s mission: “to provide tangible solutions for the inequities within the live music industry by centering Black voices through touring, festivals, content, and custom experiences.” The proof is in her top-notch bookings over the past past year with stand-out events including producing the largest festivals in Georgia (ONE Musicfest), Pennsylvania (Roots Picnic) and Washington, D.C. (Broccoli City Fest).

The Roots Picnic, held in June at Philadelphia’s Mann Center featured Ms. Lauryn Hill celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, along with performances from Lil Uzi Vert, Ari Lennox and more. Broccoli City Festival, which took place at Washington D.C.’s RFK Stadium Festival Grounds, had a lineup also topped by Lil Uzi Vert along with Jazmine Sullivan and Brent Faiyaz. ONE Musicfest at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park in October was headlined by Kendrick Lamar and Janet Jackson.

Davies noted that another highlight was “collaborating with Vice President Harris twice in 2023 (CNN’s ‘Celebration of Juneteenth’ and a hip-hop 50 celebration at her home).”
She made her way into the live industry in 2008 as an assistant for Fabolous and her can-do attitude “helped develop strong relationships with the label, booking agents, promoters, publicists, radio execs, etc.”

While Davis is proud that Live Nation Urban is comprised of 99% people of color, with a nearly equal split of gender representatives, she points out this is unfortunately extremely rare: “My personal goal and contribution to improving diversity and inclusivity in the live space is seeking out qualified candidates from under-represented backgrounds and giving them opportunities and mentorship. Nurturing talent and compensating them properly is the key to then retaining talent and developing them into leadership roles and positions.”

Davies shares that her next greatest project is having her first child. She adds, “My son is due any day now (March) so I will be on maternity leave beginning next week, but I’m very grateful to be included in [Women Of Live] and will be back soon enough to continue planning culturally impactful events, concerts and tours throughout the country.”