Live Nation in talks to bring Made in America music fest to L.A.
The city of Los Angeles is in discussions with Live Nation to stage a West Coast edition of Jay Z’s Made in America Festival, a multiday concert that’s been held for the last two years in Philadelphia.
Reports indicate that the festival is targeted for downtown’s Grand Park and surrounding areas in front of and around City Hall.
A spokesman from the offices of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti would say only that “we are in discussions about a possible event,” but a report on the website for public radio station KPCC-FM (89.3) stated that Councilman Jose Huizar had requested city services to not issue any permits for Made in America until it could be properly vetted.
Calls to Huizar’s office were directed to media spokesman Rick Coca. Coca did not immediately respond to voicemail or email Tuesday afternoon.
Representatives for Live Nation and festival sponsor Budweiser did not respond to requests for comment.
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Sources familiar with the festival indicated that the L.A. edition of Made in America was initially planned to be announced as early as April. L.A.’s Made in America is planned to be staged during the same weekend as the one in Philadelphia.
Documents posted by KPCC state that Made in America organizers were aiming for a total capacity of 50,000 people and that the festival would require street closures in the area around Grand Park for as many as 10 days.
Huizar in his motion to withhold permits is critical of the city for failing to engage the community and notes that Made in America “will involve the full closure of many streets in the civic center area creating major disruption concerns for workers; residents and businesses.”
Headliners for the 2013 Made in America in Philadelphia included Beyoncé, Deadmau5, Nine Inch Nails and Calvin Harris.
Additional reporting by Times staff writer Gerrick D. Kennedy.
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