The 36th annual Pollstar Awards will honor several notable figures in the live entertainment industry on Wednesday, April 16th at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Steve Ballmer, Chairman of the LA Clippers, will receive The Visionary Award for his innovative contributions to sports and entertainment, including the creation of the Intuit Dome and his role in the FireAid benefit concert. The concert raised over $100 million for wildfire relief, with Ballmer and his wife, Connie, matching donations for the next year.
The awards will also posthumously honor Gary Kurfirst with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Kurfirst, who passed away in 2009, was a pioneering music manager and promoter, known for working with iconic artists like Talking Heads, The Ramones, and Bob Marley. His work continues to influence modern music touring and festivals.
The event will be hosted by iHeartRadio's Valentine, marking the first partnership between Pollstar and iHeartRadio. Valentine expressed his excitement ahead of his hosting duties, saying, "It’s a privilege to celebrate and recognize our inductees, whose contributions continue to keep the unifying power of live music thriving."
In addition to these honors, the Pollstar Awards will recognize top tours and artists, with nominees including Coldplay, Morgan Wallen, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift. The awards also celebrate achievements in various categories such as Venue of the Year and Festival of the Year.
Pollstar Live!, the world's largest gathering of live entertainment professionals, will take place from April 15-17, featuring discussions and panels with industry leaders. The conference was rescheduled from February to focus on rebuilding efforts after recent wildfires in Los Angeles.