Pollstar Live! 2025 Hub: Stevie Nicks, Jelly Roll & LN's Michael Rapino, Kevin Cronin, FireAid, AEG’s Rich Schaefer, Kevin Lyman & More

80A0218 — *Pollstar Live! wrapped up with a keynote discussion between Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino and the universally beloved Jelly Roll.*

Pollstar Live!, the world’s largest gathering of live entertainment professionals returned to the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles April 15-17, complete with a special Women Of Live celebration kicking off the week Monday evening, an in-depth and informative Production Live! conference getting down to business on Tuesday, and a star-studded awards gala, along with heavy-hitting panel discussions and keynotes.

The week offered engaging discussions and keynote conversations such as a rousing Q&A between breakout star Jelly Roll and Live Nation President/CEO Michael Rapino, the story behind FireAid and the all-star team that put the monumental effort together in less than two weeks, a conversation between REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin and CAA Managing Director Rob Light and a Q&A with Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda moderated by Zach Sang.

This year’s Production Live! included an entertaining and inspiring keynote Q&A with Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman, moderated by Oak View Group Chief Content Director Ray Waddell, on April 15.

The Pollstar Awards included some surprise guests, including the legendary Stevie Nicks, who was inducted into the Pollstar Live Music Hall of Fame, and introduced by music mogul Jimmy Iovine. During her acceptance speech she broke the news that she has a new album in the works and has written seven new “autobiographical” songs. Other surprises included Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder receiving the award for the Ohana Festival in southern California, a beachside event the musician co-founded and which is produced by Live Nation. Missy Elliott was also on hand to accept the award for Hip-Hop Tour of the Year, where she gave credit to everyone involved in the smashing success of what was somehow her first full headline tour. Bob Weir gave a heartfelt intro for the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, which was inducted into the Pollstar Hall of Fame as a venue, while bandmate John Mayer joined the Dead co-founder to accept an award for Residency of The Year for their dazzling Sphere Las Vegas run.

Major industry awards included AEG Presents’ Rich Schaefer being named Bill Graham Promoter of the Year, WME’s Kirk Sommer being named Bobby Brooks Agent of the Year, Wasserman Music being crowned Agency of the Year, Bourbon & Beyond taking home the hardware for Festival Of The Year, and Intuit Dome named New Venue of the Year.

See below for full awards and conference coverage, including accompanying Pollstar magazine coverage.