The Tennessean
Noelle Scaggs’ Diversify The Stage is addressing black representation in touring industry
Feb. 27, 2023| By: Marcus K. Dowling/ The Tennessean
Source: https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/27/noelle-scaggs-diversify-the-stage-is-addressing-black-representation-in-touring-industry/69921981007/
The Fitz and The Tantrums vocalist has paired with artists and organizations to develop diversity and equity solutions in the touring industry
Three years have elapsed since the onset of COVID-19 and national protests for Black equity and freedom have impacted the live music industry in many facets. Significantly, 2023 represents venues with 8,000-person plus capacities nationwide, filled with higher revenue-grossing shows than before the pandemic.
For touring veteran African-American performers like alt-pop band Fitz and The Tantrums' vocalist Noelle Scaggs, she tells The Tennessean that the desire for this moment to represent not just a roaring return of concerts to arenas and venues is palpable.
Via her two-year-old, Nashville-based charitable organization Diversify The Stage, she aims to develop progressive initiatives aimed at wholesale evolutions that highlight how much different the music industry can and should -- in her opinion -- look insofar as touring and venue staff celebrating diversity and inclusion at the forefront.
So far, a who's who of the touring industry including United Talent Agency, Endeavor Talent Agency, Creative Artists Agency, Wasserman, ICM Partners, Live Nation, C3 Presents, AEG Presents, The TAIT Group, Touring Professionals Alliance, Omalilly Projects, TMWRK, the National Independent Venue Association and National Independent Venue Foundation have pledged support in various capacities.