The Van Buren has been a beloved venue within the local music scene in the city of Phoenix since August 2017. Located on Van Buren Street and Fourth Avenue, the old auto dealership, which was converted into an 1800 capacity concert venue, has hosted thousands of artists since it first opened, ranging from Billie Eilish to Sting.
As a staple of the downtown music scene from its conception, many were shocked when they discovered that there was a recent change in ownership.
Originally, the venue was partially-owned by Live Nation Entertainment and partially-owned by Charlie Levy.
Live Nation is a publicly traded company owned by CEO Michael Rapino, operated in Beverly Hills. Live Nation also owns the popular ticket service company, Ticketmaster.
The other original owner, Charlie Levy, was a Phoenix resident who also partially owns Crescent Ballroom, a music venue located on Van Buren Street and Second Avenue, and Valley Bar, a music venue located on Central Avenue and Monroe Street.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced concert venues and event spaces into a year-long shutdown, local music venues across the country have struggled to stay afloat.
An article written by Ed Masely for AZ Central appeared to suggest that complications following the COVID-19 pandemic are the primary reason for the change in ownership.
Freddie Deschine, who has been an avid concert-goer in Phoenix for more than ten years, expressed some concerns about the impact that the change in ownership might have on the local music scene in Phoenix.
“Locally owned venues bring on local bands and get them recognition,” Deschine said. “I’m not sure if someone as big as LNE can bring on a diverse lineup as well as a locally owned venue can.”
Deschine continued to say that he believes that locally-owned venues generally feel more comfortable and “homey.” He is also nervous about the possibility of ticket prices being raised, which could impact the number of young people who attend shows.
“A HUGE potential of the music scene are teens and young adults. Not everyone can afford paying for absurd ticket fees,” Deschine said.
These sentiments seemed to be echoed on social media by members of the local music scene when the news broke.
“Selling the Van Buren to Live Nation makes me sick,” wrote @ElkBit in a Tweet. “Really don’t want to support their godawful practices.”
Crescent Ballroom and Valley Bar are still locally owned (for now), but selling the Van Buren to Live Nation makes me sick. Really don’t want to support their godawful practices.
— ThinkPad McQuack (@ElkBit) April 8, 2021
Another post made by Twitter user @BrentFigiel reads, “Now LN is going to start wildly overcharging for tickets. Bleh.”
The Van Buren got bought up by Live Nation? Shitfuck. I liked venue too… now LN is going to start wildly overcharging for tickets. Bleh.
— OG Sad Boi (@brentfigiel) April 13, 2021
However, in AZ Central reporter Ed Masely’s interview with Levy, he reportedly said, “They might be one of the best crews in the country that runs a large club. And I don’t expect them to miss a beat.”
As of now, the Van Buren is expected to resume hosting live, in-person events sometime in August of 2021. For information about upcoming events at any of the downtown Phoenix venues, visit PhoenixConcerts.net or VisitPhoenix.com.
Contact the reporter at cparrish@asu.edu.
Cami is Downtown Devil's co-executive editor. Cami is a third-year student studying print journalism and political science. When she's not writing or editing, she enjoys hosting radio shows, playing piano and bass, and teaching art classes at a local art studio.
