Xfinity Live! At Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Complex goes all-out for their New Year's Eve celebration.
Brooklyn’s Barclays Center recently scored a three-year deal with an iconic New Year’s Eve event.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2015 on ABC will broadcast live music performances from Barclays Center for three consecutive years, starting this year with Elton John.
“We have been very successful with New Year’s Eve concerts at Barclays Center,” said Sean Saadeh, senior vice president of programming. “In terms of booking, it’s important to be selective in terms of the type of artist and the audience that they are trying to attract.”
Barclays Center’s New Year’s Eve live remote performance with Billy Joel was first featured on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve last year.
“Typically, there are higher ticket prices on New Year’s Eve because people are not only seeing the artists, but are also experiencing a spectacle,” Saadeh said. “We also try to provide unique food and beverage offerings on this night, since people are looking for a special experience.”
Xfinity Live! at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Complex is billed as hosting the city’s biggest and best New Year’s Eve party. The celebration will include seven types of parties at the venue, including sports, western, laid back and traditional themes. The basic package includes live music and five hours of premium open bar. Ticket prices range from $79 for general admission to $5,000 for a skybox package.
“For most venues, New Year’s Eve events are very successful, and artists like performing on this day, since they make more money than at any other appearance during the year,” said Tony Monaco, COO of Xfinity Live! “Some venues consider it the biggest night of the year.”
He adds that most venues either increase overall pricing for this holiday or create a food and beverage package for a premium price.
“Also, most venues obviously will increase their stock of champagne on New Year’s Eve,” Monaco said.
For the fourth consecutive year, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena will host renowned DJ and record producer Bassnectar.
“This show has sold out every year, but this year it sold out on the on-sale, which was more quickly than in the past,” said David Kells, the arena’s senior vice president of Booking. “It’s now a New Year’s Eve tradition that includes a bigger production every year.”
The 360-degree setup, with a stage in the center, incorporates in-house video boards, LED ribbon boards and an appearance by bass music pioneer Tipper.
“We don’t charge a premium for this show, but we do have champagne available,” Kells said.
General admission tickets for the 18-and-over show started at $60.50 with a VIP upgrade that included access to a private area, VIP viewing, early entry, a Bassnectar poster, limited edition Bassnectar New Year’s Eve merchandise, a VIP laminate and on-site concert concierge for an additional $199.
“It’s not difficult to book performers for New Year’s Eve, since it’s a destination type of holiday,” Kells said. “Everyone in Nashville does something different, so there are diverse events for people to choose from.”
Fox Theater in Atlanta has hosted a variety of New Year's Eve shows.
With the exception of this year, Atlanta’s Fox Theater held concerts on past New Year’s Eves.
“The performances vary year to year, depending on who’s available,” said Allan Vella, the theater’s president and CEO.
Most recently, the theater has hosted rock band Widespread Panic and urban shows, including Maze with Frankie Beverly, on the holiday.
“We’ve found that it can be more challenging booking performers on New Year’s Eve, since artists' fees are more expensive, and it can be challenging reserving stagehands and ushers,” Vella said. “It has to be the right show at the right price to be beneficial for everyone.”
Although Fox Theater’s per caps are typically better on New Year’s Eve than a typical weeknight, these events are not always more lucrative.
“The higher per caps don’t always compensate for additional expenses in labor and artists' fees,” Vella said.
Despite these challenges, Fox Theater has a show tentatively scheduled for New Year’s Eve 2016.
Interviewed for this article: David Kells, (615) 770-2096; Tony Monaco, (215) 389-9581; Sean Saadeh, (718) 942-9587; Allan Vella, (404) 881-2104