C3 Presents

Charles Attal and Huston Powell launched C3 Presents in Austin, Texas, during 2007 to manage a growing roster of local acts before expanding into large-scale festival production. The company quickly established itself as a powerhouse by taking over operations for Lollapalooza in Chicago starting in 2005, years before its formal incorporation, and later launching the flagship Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park. This dual focus on revitalizing existing brands and creating new ones allowed the firm to dominate the North American festival landscape while maintaining deep roots in its home city.

Live Nation Entertainment acquired C3 Presents in 2014, integrating the promoter into the world's largest live music conglomerate. Despite this ownership change, Attal and Powell retained operational control, allowing the brand to function with significant autonomy. The company manages a unique ecosystem that includes venue ownership, such as the Moody Theater which serves as the home for the television series Austin City Limits, alongside its massive outdoor events like Hangout Music Festival in Alabama and Sea.Hear.Now in New Jersey.

Global expansion defines the current trajectory of the organization. In September 2026, the team announced the lineup for the fifth edition of Lollapalooza India scheduled for 2027 in Mumbai, continuing a strategy that has already seen successful editions in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico. Leadership remains stable with CEO Huston Powell set to deliver the keynote address at the inaugural IFF LA in June 2026, signaling the company's continued influence on industry standards and international market penetration. [edit]