ABOUT
Brian Hiatt is a senior writer at Rolling Stone, and host of the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast. He's written over 70 cover stories for Rolling Stone — more than any other writer in the history of the brand — on everyone from Taylor Swift to Kendrick Lamar. In 2019 he published the book Bruce Springsteen: The Stories Behind the Songs. He previously was on staff at Entertainment Weekly and MTV News.
PANELS
The Evolving Stage: Where Artists, Venues, and Brands Meet
Live music has always been about the connection between artist and audience—but what surrounds that connection is changing fast. Today’s fans expect more from the experience, while artists, venues and brands are finding new ways to deepen engagement, build community and create value well beyond the stage.
From smarter, more authentic brand partnerships to the growing influence of superfans on ticketing, merchandise and culture, this conversation explores what’s changing, what’s working and where the live experience goes next. At the center: how do you enhance the experience without getting in the way of what brought everyone together in the first place—the music?
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 12:00 PM