Founded in 1981 inFresno, California,Pollstar is a trade publication that covers the concert industry in the United States and internationally.[6] They supply information to professional concert promoters, booking agents, artist managers, facility executives and other entities involved in the live entertainment business.Pollstar produces a weekly print magazine for industry professionals and publishes on their website.
Pollstar previously operated a separate website for professionals,[7] but later announced it would merge the site with Pollstar.com.[8]
Today,Pollstar has an office in London and correspondents in six countries. The magazine is a member of theAssociated Press (AP). Its subscribers receive the weekly magazine and access to its online databases.[1]
In May 2018,Pollstar announced it was moving its headquarters from Fresno to Los Angeles.[9] The following month, co-founder and editor-in-chief Gary Bongiovani retired from the publication.[9][10]Pollstar also produces Pollstar Live!, a three-day concert industry conference at theBeverly Hilton inBeverly Hills, CA.[11] Originally titled the CIC – Concert Industry Consortium,[12] it brings together a mix of talent buyers, venue managers, artist agents and managers.[13] Conference speakers have includedGarth Brooks,Jon Bon Jovi,Eddy Cue,Michael Rapino, andNicki Minaj.[14][15]
Since 1990, the publication has given annual Pollstar Awards to companies, venues, artists, tours, and executives in the live entertainment business. The first awards show was hosted byPenn Jillette atRadio City Music Hall in New York City.[16]
Initially, winners were chosen by industry voters and, to a lesser extent, by the magazine's subscribers.[6][17] Since 2019, Pollstar has usedbox office performance to choose the winners.[6]
