Gudinski, Chugg, Potts, Bluesfest up for Pollstar awards

Image: Michael Chugg

With the Australian live music industry estimated to be heading for a $11 million jump to a $820 million value by 2020, it’s not surprising that promoters and festivals flex their muscle in global ratings.

Three promoters - Michael Gudinski of Frontier Touring, Michael Chugg of Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge – have snared nominations in the annual February 2 Awards by US-based global live music sector publication Pollstar.

The three are up for International Promoter of the Year. They vie against Barrie Marshall of Marshall Arts, Marek Lieberberg of Live Nation Germany, Pete Wilson of 3A Entertainment and Simon Moran SJM.

Bluesfest Byron Bay is among nominees for International Music Festival of the Year. It is against Barclaycard British Summer Time Hyde Park London, Glastonbury UK, Lollapalooza Berlin, Primavera Sound Barcelona and Rock Werchter Belgium.

In addition, American production crew members for AC/DC and Empire of the Sun, respectively Jake Berry and Jim Runge, were named among noms for Road Warrior of the Year.

Up for Major Tour of the Year are Adele, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Coldplay, Garth Brooks and Guns N’ Roses.

The winner for Most Creative Stage Production will either be Adele, Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, Coldplay or Kanye West. 

On the list for Best New Touring Artist are The 1975, The Chainsmokers, Chance The Rapper, Chris Stapleton and Pentatonix.

Gonged for Major Music Festival of the Year were Austin City Limits Festival in Texas, Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, California, Desert Trip in Indio, Lollapalooza Chicago and Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival in San Francisco.