This feature was produced in collaboration with VENU.
VENU, the groundbreaking live entertainment firm built on a foundation of fan ownership and artist-driven innovation, has officially welcomed global multi-platinum sensation Niall Horan as a strategic partner and shareholder. Horan joins the company’s newly established advisory council, serving alongside fellow artist and investor Dierks Bentley to help shape the future of the concert experience.
For Horan, the move is a logical progression of a career defined by massive scale and intimate connection. From his early days headlining stadiums with One Direction to his current status as a critically acclaimed solo artist, Horan has developed a keen eye for the nuances that make a live show memorable. His entrepreneurial spirit is equally well-established; through his investment firm Greenbridge Ventures, he has backed diverse projects including Modest! Golf Management, TGL’s Boston Common Golf, and the wearable tech brand Whoop. His knack for identifying and nurturing talent was also on full display during his tenure as a coach on The Voice USA, where he led his team to victory in Season 28.
“Music has always been a vessel for connection, bringing diverse groups of people together through shared moments,” Horan remarked. “Joining VENU is an opportunity to deepen that bond. By serving on the advisory council, I hope to push the industry forward and ensure we are building environments that truly resonate with both the performers on stage and the fans in the crowd.”
Dierks Bentley shares this artist-centric philosophy. With over twenty years of experience navigating the logistics of arena tours, Bentley understands that a venue’s design, acoustics, and general atmosphere are vital components of the emotional narrative of a show. His partnership with VENU underscores a growing trend: elite artists taking an active role in the infrastructure of their industry, ensuring that the spaces where music lives are designed with the creative process in mind.
“Dierks embodies the values we strive for: authenticity, professional excellence, and a relentless focus on the audience’s journey,” said J.W. Roth, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Venu Holding Corporation.
Venu Holding Corporation (NYSE American: VENU), which launched its public offering in 2024, is rapidly expanding its footprint across the United States. With active entertainment campuses in Georgia and Colorado, and high-profile developments currently underway in Texas and Oklahoma, the company is scaling its operations with a unique structural advantage. By integrating an advisory body of artists, VENU ensures that its architectural blueprints and programming standards are vetted by those who actually use the stage.
This initiative marks a significant departure from traditional venue management. Instead of prioritizing mere production capacity, VENU is focused on creating high-ambiance environments that prioritize the sensory experience of the fan and the technical needs of the performer.
By placing experienced artists like Horan and Bentley in positions of influence, VENU is betting on the idea that lived experience is the best driver of innovation. As the industry moves toward more immersive and elevated live events, these artist-led collaborations are setting a new standard for how the world experiences music.
