The Beverly Hills-based conglomerates owns some of L.A.’s most-loved theaters
Soon after Live Nation, the Beverly Hills-based live entertainment juggernaut, reached a potential settlement in the antitrust lawsuit brought by California and 38 other states, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced he was pushing ahead with the suit after rejecting a settlement made by the Department of Justice.
The federal settlement would have required Live Nation, parent company of Ticketmaster, with divisions for concerts, ticketing, and sponsorship and advertising, to sell off 10 or more of its portfolio of 265 venues in North America.
The company has acquired trophy and landmark properties, among the most-loved music spaces in Los Angeles, since launching as SFX Entertainment in 1996. They have not yet announced any sales, closures or changes but here’s a look at some of landmark venues Live Nation operates in L.A.
Belasco Theater in Downtown L.A. in the 1920sCredit: Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library
This opulent playhouse opened on Hill Street a century ago with a production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The grand hall spent decades as a church before becoming a music club in 2011. Architects Morgan Walls and Clements also designed the Mayan theater next door.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at EchoplexCredit: Photo by Ricardo Diaz
The Echo and Echoplex, Echo Park
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These clubs have formed the cornerstone of the Echo Park music scene for the last 25 years. Starting in 1951, the building housed Nayarit restaurant and that story is told in A Place at the Nayarit How a Mexican Restaurant Nourished a Community. The venue was built out by Spaceland Productions, which was sold to Live Nation in 2019.
Wiltern TheaterCredit: Photo by Carol M. Highsmith
Bulldozers were circling this grande dame of L.A. art deco when it was rescued by developer Wayne Ratkovich in 1980. “Lighting fixtures were stripped,” theater advocate Escott Norton told the Beverly Press. “Seats were taken away and there was other damage done.” The restored theater was relaunched in 1985 as a performing arts center.
Hollywood Palladium in 1940Credit: Herald Examiner Collection/Los Angeles Public Library
Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood
Thousands of soldiers came through Hollywood during World War II clamoring for big band entertainment and found it at this landmark on Sunset Boulevard. A young Frank Sinatra opened the club in 1940 and the Sex Pistols have a date on the calendar this fall.