Billboard.biz: The Forum’s New Bookings

Venue Briefs: The Forum’s New Bookings, Comcast-Spectacor’s New Connections, SMG’s New Roster

 By Thom Duffy | February 17, 2015 10:29 AM EST

The Forum vies for L.A. concert fans

FRM

Paul Hebert/Forum Photos

  • In the competitive venue market of Los Angeles, the newly refurbished Forum is beating its rival Staples Center in concert bookings for the first half of 2015.

At press time, The Forum has 19 shows taking place in the first half of the year, most notably the five-night run by U2 from May 26 to June 3, compared with nine concerts at Staples Center.

The count for both halls is based on shows that have occurred since Jan. 1 or were announced through their online listings and does not include non-concert bookings.

The AEG-run Staples Center was booked for more than a week for the Feb. 8 Grammy Awards, and also is home to the Los Angeles Lakers, the L.A. Clippers, the L.A. Kings and the L.A. Sparks, so it is less concert-focused during their seasons.

The Forum, run by Madison Square Garden, reopened Jan. 15, 2014 with the first of three shows by The Eagles.