Candace Newman - Live Nation Director, North American Tours ; Live Out Live, Founder + CEO
Candace Newman has been in the live music and touring space for over a decade, working her way up from an assistant in the touring department at Live Nation, to her current role as a Director of North American Tours. We met in Culver City on a weekday evening, having been introduced virtually (and for the record, I’m a fan of the e-intro that turns into an IRL meet up) through a mutual friend and colleague. Over red wine and appetizers, Candace and I discussed her work at Live Nation, the founding of her company Live Out Live and how to be your own advocate.
“Every show that you attend is a unique experience. It’s exciting to bring those experiences to people.
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On Her Journey, Becoming Your Own Advocate, and Founding Live Out Live
Candace began her journey at Live Nation as an assistant in the touring department, eager to work her way through the ranks. Her efforts were not without challenges — time and time again she found herself being looked over for opportunities to grow. It was in these moments that she learned an important lesson; how to become her own advocate. She quickly realized that even though she may have been the best person for a job, it was really up to her to push and advocate for herself. A self proclaimed extrovert, Candace had no problem speaking up when new opportunities presented themselves, and it was through her hard work and self advocacy that she was able to assert herself as a Director in the touring space.
It was through these experiences and journey as a black woman in the concert and touring space that inspired Candace to found Live Out Live. As the idea came to fruition, she realized that while there was representation of black women in a number of spaces within the industry, the presence of black women within the live music and touring space was few and far between. Live Out Live was created out of the desire to expose black and brown students and young professionals to the opportunities available within the live music space. The venture launched with a class called “Touring 360,” which provided students with a brief overview of the touring process, and an opportunity to learn about key players, and industry lingo.
During GRAMMY week, Live Out Live hosted a panel between students and professionals at The GRAMMY Museum that featured women who work within the live entertainment space. Through these programs, and the creation of Live Out Live, Candace also hopes to be an example to her son. “It matters that he sees I’m purpose driven and that he sees me working towards something that is bigger than me.”
Day-To-Day As A Tour Director
In her role as Director for North American tours, Candace works closely with each of the local markets who are part of the tour she put together in order to bring to fruition the deal that she worked to create with each artist’s agent and manager. “I’m pretty much the gatekeeper when it comes to each individual show.” Candace closely monitors each deal to ensure that the tour is a success.
One of Candace’s most recent successes was with the most recent Backstreet Boys Tour, which was the most successful tour the company had last year. I of course had to ask Candace what it was like to work on a tour that was the ultimate in nostalgia. After all, it was through her work on this tour that she was able to see the group in Hawaii. “It’s just a fun feeling — that energy and having my peers freak out feeling that nostalgia. It far exceeded our expectations.”
Fun Q+A
First Concert
The first concert the LA native attended was Brandy, as a pre-teen or teenager.
Top 3 Concerts Attended
Bad Boy Reunion Tour
Jay Z + Justin Timberlake - Stadium Tour
Beyonce
Dream Dinner Guest
Michelle Obama - “that’s big sis..that’s my mother..that’s someone I look up to. That’s a graceful women who handles her self through adversity. She’s done it with so much grace..I need that level of unbothered or whatever it is that she draws from.”
