Los Angeles Magazine’s Post

We live in a world in which everything from music concerts to restaurants are over-produced. We just came back from Las Vegas seeing Adele. The show begins with a back-up piano growing to a back-up group growing to a back-up mini-orchestra. Lights, fancy staging, a sound system with much too much bass, stuff (including small hearts) falling from the ceiling, etc. In this restaurant review, the reviewer asks the question of whether these places--that are on the World's 50 best list--serve food that people would actually want to eat. Sometimes, in food, music, movies, etc., less is more. Japanese culture recognizes this in many ways. Meanwhile, the trip to Vegas brought back memories of seeing Chuck Berry and Little Richard in venues where you could see and hear them and not be distracted with sound and light shows and stuff falling from the ceiling. #Adele #concerts #LasVegas #music #restaurants #bestlists #Japan

Find your ONE thing. What are you known for? Is that a dish? A cocktail? Or is it the service people love? There must be ONE thing that gets people to start talking about you and returning for more. It does not have to be crazy expensive or complicated. It can be simple but made your way and is always consistent. Think of it like a music album by an artist. ONE song grabs attention. Find that ONE thing for your hospitality venue. #foodandbeverage #restaurants #hospitality

#SolutionsforGroup Thank you to everyone who participated in our latest poll on the challenges of integrating 🎵Live Music into your 🏨 Hotel’s amenity offerings. I’ll start offering one solution per post. Allow me to address the Number One concern: 💰BUDGET: After 3 decades of performing in hotels, I have observed that if success is measured solely upon the increase in Food and Beverage Sales in order to pay for the band, it is rarely justified by management. However, seen as a whole—as a guest experience amenity and a branding boost—there are few long term, cost-effective investments that can help create repeat business.  I estimate that 20% of guests acknowledge us in the positive while we perform in the lobby or in the restaurant/bar area. Given that our weekly rate is less than a two-night stay during the peak season, doesn’t it make sense to hire musicians if it brings back ONE guest who appreciates something more than canned music? All feedback is welcome! Let’s keep finding the right solutions for your property!

Part Restaurant / Part Nightclub – does it work? Across our venues, we are constantly raising the bar of what it means to be entertained and how to merge the elements of a restaurant and nightlife. When it’s done well, your guests will experience: - Incredible dinner and drinks under one roof - Music that lifts and dips in line with the space - A more social, vibrant experience For example, at GAIA, we programme our music to build throughout the evening, encouraging diners to step through a hidden door and extend their evening at NYX rather than taxi-hop across the city to a second destination for drinks. Building this dual experience allows our guests to make the most of our incredible venues and challenges our team’s creativity. When navigating a hybrid model: - We consider the elements of the evening a little more - We innovate through music and lighting - And we continue to raise the bar. It is a delicate balance when it comes to getting it right and making sure we don’t risk undoing all the good by adding too much to the mix. Have you visited any venues that have nailed the restaurant/nightclub hybrid?

Music is more than just noise. It’s a brand - an experience. 🎶🎹 That’s why it’s so important for the music you play to complement the ambiance and enhance the dining experience for patrons. Generally, you'd want to avoid music that is overly loud, disruptive, or inappropriate for the atmosphere. You wouldn’t hear Hip Hop or Rock in a nice restaurant 🙅👎🏻 Be thoughtful about what you play for your customers, and with SoundMachine‘s genre and mood based stations, it’s easy to set the right vibe for your business. 📻🙌 #SoundMachine #BeatsForYourBusiness #BackgroundMusic #MusicGenres #MusicBusiness #CustomerExperience

I don’t usually share much about my personal life on LinkedIn, but today I wanted to break the mould. For those who know me, music is a huge part of who I am, and recently, I had a jam with my best mate over a few glasses of wine. It got me thinking about how much music has in common with what we do in the hospitality industry. For starters, music and food bring people together to have a great time - the essence of hospitality! In music, it’s all about people, passion, talent, and teamwork coming together to create something that feels special. That’s exactly what we aim to do in restaurants. Every day is about hitting the right notes together—crafting exceptional guest experiences that leave a positive difference in peoples lives, much like the perfect song played in sync with a great band. Everyone has their part to play, and when it all comes together, the magic happens. I hit a few wrong notes now and then (who doesn’t?), but at the end of the day, it’s about loving what you do and working with people who inspire you to create something people can enjoy. Whether it’s on stage, in the kitchen, or out on the restaurant floor, it’s that shared passion and playing well together that make all the difference. Here’s to finding your rhythm and loving what you do—whether that’s in a band, in the kitchen or running a great business. So here it is, the 4-minute jam! 🎸🎙 #Passion #Teamwork #Yumpingo #MakingADifference #Music #Hospitality #Restaurants #GuestExperience

Experience the Perfect Fusion of Gourmet Delights and Live Entertainment At FestivalPass, we believe that the best experiences are those that bring people together through their passions. Imagine a place where food and wine aren’t just sustenance—they’re an art form, crafted to perfection by chefs who start their day in the early hours to bring you the freshest, most delicious creations. Picture a bakery on-site, producing handmade pastries using family recipes that have been passed down for generations. Or a pasta shop that unveils a special dish—the pasta rose—just once or twice a year, making it a must-try for every festival-goer. Now, add to that a backdrop of live music from your favorite artists, filling the air with melodies that move your soul. This isn’t just a festival; it’s a celebration of life’s most indulgent pleasures. Whether you’re a foodie, a wine connoisseur, or a music lover, FestivalPass is your gateway to unforgettable experiences. Join us, and let’s make memories that last a lifetime. #FestivalPass #LiveEvents #FoodAndWine #MusicLovers #FestivalExperience

The “Fearless Gin Sour” with Valley of Mother of God gin is the creation of Massimo Zitti, owner of Mother Cocktail Bar, and is a tribute to the global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift. Her six sold-out Eras Tour concerts in Toronto have significantly boosted the city’s economy. Destination Toronto estimated an economic impact exceeding $282 million, with over $152 million in direct spending. This financial surge is attributed to several factors: • Tourism and Hospitality: The concerts attracted approximately 240,000 attendees, many from outside Toronto. Hotel bookings for the concert dates were nearly 83% higher in downtown Toronto compared to the same period last year, with citywide demand up by 36%. • Local Businesses: Restaurants, retail stores, and entertainment venues experienced increased patronage. Moneris, a Canadian payment services provider, reported a 57% week-over-week increase in spending across all categories during the first three days of the Toronto leg of the tour. • Tax Revenue: The concerts generated nearly $40 million in tax revenue across all levels of government, benefiting public services and infrastructure. (Source: Chat GPT) Check out the Fearless Gin Sour video on Instagram for this delicious recipe.

DJing at the Philadelphia Chocolate, Wine & Whiskey Festival at the Philadelphia Expo was a true highlight for both my DJ career and festival-goers. A DJ’s role at a wine festival isn’t just about playing great tracks; it’s about curating the perfect atmosphere that complements the tasting experience. At events like these, it’s all about striking the right balance between energy and ambiance. The goal is to elevate the experience without overpowering it, letting the music flow seamlessly with the wine and chocolate pairings. Here’s how I approach DJing at a wine festival: 1. Setting the Tone: The music should reflect the sophistication and relaxed vibe of a wine festival. A smooth blend of jazz, soul, and chill house keeps the mood lively but not overwhelming. Also don’t forget about the hit songs they everybody knows and sings along to. 2. Reading the Crowd: As guests enjoy their tastings, it’s important to gauge their energy. A DJ should adapt the tempo as the event progresses. Starting with more relaxed beats and building up as the evening unfolds. 3. Creating a Memorable Moment: For any festival, it’s about more than just music. I focus on delivering a complete sensory experience that people will remember long after the event ends. Event Planners: What to Look for in Entertainment When planning a wine festival, choosing the right DJ is key to creating an atmosphere that guests will love. Here’s what to consider: • Versatility: Can the DJ read the room and adapt the music as needed? • Event Experience: Has the DJ worked similar events where balance and ambiance are crucial? • Professionalism: The DJ should understand the vibe of your event and enhance it with their music selection and timing. The right DJ transforms a good event into a great one. TasteUSA Festival Management TasteUSA Festival Management No Stress Zone Entertainment LLC #WineFestival #EventDJ #PhillyEvents #EventPlanning #Eventplanner #FestivalVibes #WineAndWhiskey #EventEntertainment #CorporateEvents #Wine #EventCoordinator

🎪 Festival Insights and Awards shared Togather's 2024 Festival F&B trends! 🎪 – The popularity of vegan food has risen by 28% over the course of the last 12 months. 🥕 – Sales of non-alcoholic cocktails and drinks grew by 35% across all the events, showing the continued rise in demand for non-alcoholic drinks. ☕ – The best selling dish across all the events, replacing Burger and fries in 2023, was Chicken Tenders and fries. 🍗 – The best selling drink overall was a pint of lager. 🍻 – The specific cuisine that saw the highest rise in popularity was Moroccan food, which rose a dramatic 300% in popularity – with the most popular dish being Harissa Chicken. 🇲🇦 – Sales of babycinos rose by 60%. 🍼 – The best selling genre of music festival was at Jazz events, with per head sales of 30% higher than other types of music. 🎷 Hugo Campbell '‘While we’re still seeing the prevalence of old favourites such as a pint of lager or a burger, it’s important to recognise that the quality of these options has been rising and is very far away from events 15 years ago. I think I can officially announce that the age of the warm beer and plastic burger at a festival is over!’ Long live Lobster rolls 🦐 & champers 🥂 in the fields! 🎉 #FB #LiveEvents #Festivals