News Summary
San Diego’s concert market is experiencing uncertainty in 2024, with attendance and profitability fluctuations. While Live Nation reported growth in revenues, early 2025 trends show a 14% drop in concert revenues. Rising ticket prices and the cancellation of numerous festivals highlight shifting consumer behavior. Major tours that once filled the summer calendar, including high-profile acts, are noticeably absent. Despite a robust concert lineup in 2024, the upcoming year looks less promising, creating a landscape filled with uncertainty in San Diego’s music scene.
San Diego – The concert market in San Diego is facing uncertainty as attendance and profitability have begun to fluctuate in 2024, following record highs in 2022 and 2023. While major concert promoter Live Nation achieved significant growth, with gross revenues climbing to $18.6 billion in 2023 from $16.6 billion in 2022, the early trends for 2025 suggest a downturn. The first quarter of 2025 has seen a 14% drop in concert revenues for the company, reflecting broader concerns in the industry.
Despite rising ticket prices, which reached a median of $135.92 in 2024—up from $96.17 in 2019—attendance numbers indicate a potential shift in consumer behavior. The cancellation of 21 festivals across the U.S., including five in California and the long-standing Pitchfork Festival in Chicago, signals a more cautious approach to live events this summer. Major tours that have been successful in the past are noticeably absent from San Diego this year, with high-profile acts such as Beyoncé, The Who, Kendrick Lamar, and Billie Eilish choosing to bypass the region.
In 2024, San Diego hosted an impressive 10 full-stadium concerts at Petco Park, but the full-stadium lineup for 2025 is less robust, featuring only one concert so far, from Elton John, with another scheduled from Chris Brown. Gallagher Square has showcased six concerts in 2025, with an additional 21 performances planned through September. Additional venues, including North Island Credit Union Amphitheater and Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, are also impacting the concert calendar. North Island held 24 concerts last year and has twelve for this year, while Humphreys confirmed 59 concerts for 2025, building on a successful year.
The concert lineup for the summer includes several notable acts: Brad Paisley will perform at Gallagher Square on June 7, followed by Wu-Tang Clan and Run The Jewels at Pechanga Arena on June 21. Additional performances include Elvis Costello & The Imposters at Humphreys on June 24 and Alison Krauss & Union Station at Rady Shell on July 12, with Ziggy Marley set to perform at Del Mar Fairgrounds on July 5.
In response to the evolving market conditions, the North Park Music Fest is adapting by reducing its duration and outdoor spaces. The festival will take place on June 7 across six indoor venues instead of outdoor locations, increasing the number of bands featured from less than 24 to over 40. However, only John Doe has been confirmed as the notable act this year.
Overall, while San Diego’s music scene attempts to rejuvenate after a couple of record-setting years, current conditions including rising ticket prices, venue challenges, and the absence of major tours are creating a landscape filled with uncertainty. Concerts and festivals in the area are showcasing a diverse array of artists, but the major tours that once defined the summer concert calendar appear to be less abundant than in previous seasons.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union Tribune: Summer Concert Guide
- Wikipedia: Concert
- San Diego Magazine: Weekend Events
- Google Search: San Diego concerts 2025
- KSAT: September Festivals and Concerts
- Google Scholar: Concert Economics
- Community Impact: Austin Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Live Music
- San Diego Union Tribune: Humphrey’s Concerts Season
- Google News: San Diego concerts
