TOUR TIDBITS: GIGI PEREZ, ROOTS, NELLY, PIER 17
Gigi Perez has become a viral sensation this year despite having played only a handful of proper live gigs, but that will change in 2025 when she embarks on a global headlining run.
The Island artist will play seven European and U.K. shows in April, beginning 4/7 in Cologne, Germany, and wrapping 4/18 in Glasgow. From there, she'll hit Irving Plaza in New York (4/23), the High Water Festival in Charleston, South Carolina (4/27), and the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles (5/7), among other locales.
Perez's "Sailor Song" is #17 at Spotify U.S. and has accrued 440m streams there.
'95 IS STILL ALIVE: The Roots will bring their Philadelphia-reared Roots Picnic to the Hollywood Bowl on 6/8 for a celebration dubbed Class of '95, featuring appearances by Method Man & Redman, Lil’ Kim, E-40, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Raekwon, DJ Quik, Goodie Mob and Havoc of Mobb Deep.
The Roots will headline and back all of the guests at the Live Nation Urban-presented gig. "Hip-hop was an entirely new ballgame back then, on an entirely new playing field," reflected Roots drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. "Those were the days when there were still things like mainstream terrestrial radio, bloated video budgets and creativity at both the regional and the global levels. Those were the days that produced classic album after classic album, unleashing countless new ideas about art. Those were the days when the world was our oyster. This is the story of those days.”
RIDE WIT HIM: Nelly is celebrating the 25th birthday of his debut album, Country Grammar, with what Live Nation is calling the artist's most extensive tour ever. The Where the Party At jaunt will play 54 dates across New Zealand, Australia, Europe and North America. Ja Rule will open in the latter territory. Eve, St. Lunatics, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupri and Chingy will appear at select stops.
NO PIER PRESSURE: Live Nation's Rooftop at Pier 17 in lower Manhattan will be converted into a year-round performance venue starting in late 2025 thanks to the addition of a removable glass structure. This enclosure will transform Pier 17 into a climate-controlled 3k-capacity room during cold weather and allow for a new VIP balcony level. During warmer months, the structure will be detached for open-air shows.
Live Nation says the move will allow the East River-adjacent Pier 17 to host an estimated 25 additional concerts per year. "Our state-of-the-art space will deliver an unparalleled experience for both artists and guests, providing the quintessential New York City live-music venue no matter the season," said Seaport Entertainment Group CEO Anton Nikodemus.
