How a Press Conference Saved Live Music in Irvine

A 10-day turnaround that moved media, rallied a community, and won a City Council vote.

When Irvine Meadows, the city’s beloved outdoor concert venue, was set to shut down, the future of live music in Irvine was at risk. Without swift action, the city faced losing its only large-scale outdoor music venue. Our client, FivePoint, together with Live Nation, needed urgent community and political support to secure City Council approval for a temporary amphitheater before the summer concert season ended.

The stakes were high — and the timeline was short. With only 10 days from planning to execution, this couldn’t be just another podium-and-microphone press conference. The event had to tell a story, amplify urgency, and prove to both the media and city leaders that live music was too important for Irvine to lose.

We built a press conference designed to make headlines and move hearts.
Community Involvement: Leveraging over 30,000 signatures collected at Irvine Meadows concerts, we put the voice of the people front and center.


Visual Impact: We staged the press conference under a tent designed to resemble the Sydney Opera House — a bold symbol underscoring music’s cultural importance.


Credible Voices: The CEO of FivePoint, the President of Live Nation, the head of the Workers’ Union, and everyday ticket holders all spoke, making the case undeniable.


Future Vision: Life-sized displays of the proposed amphitheater gave attendees and media a tangible vision of what was at stake.


The story spread fast. The event earned local, regional, and national media coverage, creating both urgency and broad support. Just weeks later, Irvine City Council voted to approve the temporary concert venue, ensuring the city’s music scene didn’t go silent — and proving the power of a well-designed press conference to shape public policy.