6 days ago
AirBnB, Live Nation Lock In Live Music Partnership. Will It Be Music To Fans Ears?
Benson Boone on stage on day 2 of Lollapalooza Brazil in March 2025
An intimate performance at a secret spot on the grounds of a music festival? At a time when custom curation is table stakes across the travel and entertainment sectors, Airbnb is hoping to hit the right note with new experiential offering that comes just in time for summer festival season.
The online platform that connects travelers with hosts who offer various types of short-term accommodations just sealed a global live music partnership with Live Nation Entertainment to offer exclusive fan experiences at Lollapalooza festivals around the world. Beginning with Lollapalooza Berlin presented by Telekom, July 12–13, the immersive experiences will also pop up at Lollapalooza stops in Chicago, July 31 – August 3, The Town 2025 in São Paulo, Lollapalooza India in Mumbai and Lollapalooza Brazil.
The move is part of Airbnb's reimagined Airbnb Experiences, which has seen the company partner with various people of influence. In recent months Megan Thee Stallion, Sabrina Carpenter, and Patrick Mahomes, among others, each co-designed and hosted an Airbnb experience.
These experiences will be tailored to enhance music enthusiasts' festival experience. In Berlin, for example, guests will have access to an exclusive post-show private performance by music artist Bunt in a hidden spot on the festival grounds. Booking opens June 5.
Lollapalooza, and most other major music fests, already offer a gamut of custom opportunities for fans who are willing to pay the price--from VIP viewing areas to exclusive access to elevated food and lounge benefits to pre-and post-parties to backstage experiences. And pretty much every stripe of company, including tech, finance, clothing and spirits, have seized opportunities to tie their brands to the festival vibe.
Tapping specifically into the travel sector could be a strong differentiator. According to a recent Airbnb survey, over 70 percent of attendees at Lollapalooza Berlin travel from outside the city. That number is 65 percent in São Paulo, 57 percent in Mumbai, and 50 percent in Chicago.
'More and more guests are choosing Airbnb for big events, including concerts and festivals, because Airbnb can bring you as close to the action as possible,' said Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky.
Not to be overlooked, the move puts Airbnb in business with the largest concert promoter and live entertainment company in the world. Live Nation Entertainment owns a controlling interest in C3 Presents, the company formerly known as Capital Sports Entertainment, which produces Lollapalooza, owns and operates Austin City Limits, and promotes more than 1,500 additional concerts and events annually.
'Fans are traveling the world to see the artists they love, and festivals like Lollapalooza are leading that demand,' Michael Rapino, CEO and president of Live Nation Entertainment, said in a statement. 'Partnering with Airbnb helps us make those trips even more memorable for fans, connecting them to the culture and community around the music that makes each festival unforgettable.'
