2011 Pollstar Awards Nominees Announced

Now that this year’s CMAs are over we can move on to the really important award news – the nominees for the 23rd annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards.

The nominees were selected by an anonymous cross-section of 187 industry professionals. Of course, to keep things fair and square, these pros weren’t allowed to nominate themselves or their clients.

Subscribers to PollstarPro (our industry sister site) will vote for their favorites through the unique email link previously sent out.

Voting begins today, Nov. 10 and runs through Dec. 21.

Photo: Scott Legato / RockStarProPhotography.com

Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Mich.

The acts competing for major tour of the year are Bon Jovi, Jason Aldean, Lady Gaga, Roger Waters, Sade, Taylor Swift and U2.

Lady Gaga, Waters, Sade and U2 are also competing for bragging rights for the most creative stage production, along with Katy Perry and Rammstein.

Up for best new touring artist are Adele, The Black Keys, Bon Iver, Bruno Mars, Foster The People and Wiz Khalifa.

The Red Rocks Award will be given out to one of the following small outdoor venues: Chastain Park (Atlanta); Filene Center At Wolf Trap (Vienna, Va.); Greek Theatre (Berkley, Calif.); Greek Theatre (Los Angeles); Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion (Gilford, N.H.); or Mountain Winery (Saratoga, Calif.)

Photo: Greg Allen / GregAllenPhotos.com

ABC’s "Good Morning America," Central Park, New York City

As far as the best place to see a concert at a major outdoor concert venue? Our nominating committee believes it’s got to be one of the following venues: the Gorge Amphitheatre (George, Wash.); Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles); Mann Center For The Performing Arts (Philadelphia); Merriweather Post Pavilion (Columbia, Md.); Molson Canadian Amphitheatre (Toronto); or Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre At Encore Park (Alpharetta, Ga.)

The following events will compete for major music festival of the year (non-touring): Austin City Limits Music Festival (Austin, Texas); Bonnaroo Music Festival (Manchester, Tenn.); Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Indio, Calif.); Electric Daisy Carnival (Las Vegas) and Lollapalooza (Chicago).

Music festival of the year (non-touring) nominations went to The Hangout Music and Beach Festival (Gulf Shores, Ala.); Life is Good Festival (Canton, Mass.); Mountain Jam Fest (Hunter Mountain, N.Y.); Newport Folk Festival (Newport, R.I.); Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago); Sasquatch! Music Festival (George, Wash.); and Wakarusa Festival (Ozark, Ark.)

The 23rd annual award show takes place Friday, Feb. 3 at Club Nokia at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. Comedian Chris Hardwick returns as host.

Click here for a full list of nominees including arena, theatre and nightclub of the year as well as best new major concert venue.