POLLSTAR HONORS BEYONCE, SO CAL VENUES

Beyoncé was anointed Touring Artist of the Decade at the Pollstar Awards held Wednesday night at the Beverly Hilton. With four major tours—including two On the Run outings with Jay-Z—and a handful of residency dates, Queen Bey grossed nearly $1b in ticket sales.

For the Top Venue and Event of the Decade awards, it was California dreaming, with the Troubadour, the Forum, the Hollywood Bowl and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival snagging top honors. Radio City Music Hall squelched a Cali sweep by taking home the Top Theater award.

Other Touring Artist of the Decade honors were doled out by genre, with winners including Bon Jovi (Rock), Bruno Mars (Hip-Hop/R&B), Lady Gaga (Pop), Garth Brooks (Country), Jennifer Lopez (Latin) and Kevin Hart (Comedy).

For an industry so decimated by the pandemic, it was nice to see so many smiles in the ballroom. As of 8am PT, Azoff and Rapino’s tabs were still open at the Hilton’s lobby bar. Mazel tov to all the winners.