Hot Topic: Randy Jackson Hits The Mall With ‘Scouting For Stars Tour’

While CNBC reports that 25% of shopping malls in the U.S. are expected to shut down in the next five years, Grammy-winning musician and original “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson is working to show Gen Z just how valuable those malls can be. 

Along with partner Paula Moore and Simon malls, Jackson is scouting America’s next hottest talent with the “Scouting for Stars” mall tour. He and his team will set up shop for two days, bringing in a record store pop-up and providing workshops for attendees to learn about how the music industry works. Better yet, all dates are free to attend.

“Sometimes in life, you need to go back to the future,” Jackson tells Pollstar. “For us, this seems really perfect because we’re bringing the music and everything to the people.”

The concept for the tour – and the decision to head into malls – came from wanting to find younger talent that need exposure and can’t yet play in bars due to their age. To attract youth, Simon malls is partnering with local high schools and colleges around each stop, with aspiring artists able to showcase their talent and win a contest to perform on the second day of the stop. While registration is free, attendees must register in advance due to limited spots. 

“We have a merch stand. We have various artists playing on the stage. We have a de facto record store inside of our area where we had A&R services,” Jackson says. “Paula Moore, my partner, started this all first. She’s there with a host of our young A&R team. It’s a whole environment thing.”

The tour features performances from more than 150 artists including pop artist Jules Walcott, the R&B adjacent Tealousy, girl group Karma and dance/indie pop artist Nicolas McCoppin. 

“The mall is where generations come together to have fun and make memories,” Simon CEO Lee Sterling said in a statement. “We know Gen Z loves the mall and connecting in person, just like their parents did. Since music is also about connecting, this tour is a natural fit. Who knows? The next superstar might get their start at one of our properties thanks to the Scouting for Stars at the mall tour!”

By the time Jackson sat down with Pollstar, the tour already landed in Houston at the Katy Mills mall. Jackson notes there were a few talented artists at the stop, and he’s looking forward to who else he might find on this run. 

Joining Jackson are 20 people to help set up the pop-ups, provide workshops and seek out talent. They’re looking for everything – urban, hip-hop, pop, rock. 

Oklahoma City was next on the tour, Feb. 28 and March 1. Jackson mentions he has a good feeling about the place, and thinks there’s a possibility of finding someone special there. 

“Don’t ask me why,” he says. “I just have a good feeling. We hear about all the water cities all the time. The Miamis, the New Yorks, the Jerseys, the LAs and San Diegos. Let’s see where we go with this. Let’s see what happens. For some reason, Oklahoma pops up.”

Jackson’s tour will make stops in Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles and more as it continues through Aug. 22-23 in El Paso, Texas.
“We are excited to be able to bring out a diverse roster of artists, both in person and genre,” Greater Than Distribution’s co-CEO Paula Moore tells Pollstar. “We think it’s a pivotal time in music for artists across different genres and backgrounds to be showcasing themselves together, as collaboration is more popular than ever.”