IN BRIEF INDEX The concert business digest
Evolution Artists, a UK-based international agency for DJs and MCs, joins forces with Londonbased Earth Agency.
Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and Ye are set to headline the 2022 edition of Coachella Valley Arts & Music Festival.
South Korea’s performing arts sector remains cautious despite rebounding by nearly 80% year-onyear in 2021.
The Dutch events industry calls for a fresh approach to the Covid-19 crisis as prime minister Mark Rutte begins his fourth term in office.
Australian trade bodies repeat calls for a government-backed insurance scheme for live music and events. Sweden introduces a 500-capacity limit on live events following a request from the country’s public health agency. LA-based startup AmazeVR closes a $15million (€13.4m) round of funding to support its vision for virtual reality concerts. Move Concerts boss Phil Rodriguez says the company will be “100% open for business” by March as he shares his bullish projections for the year ahead. AEG Presents CEO of European Festivals Jim King says the live business will need to “up its game” in 2022 to meet fans’ raised expectations.
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The global surge in Covid-19 cases is continuing to wreak havoc on the international live calendar, with a growing number of early 2022 tours cancelled or postponed. StubHub Holdings, which operates ticket resale platforms StubHub and Viagogo, considers going public via a direct listing.
A man sues AEG Presents in the US after allegedly being injured when he tripped on a cable at a reggae festival. Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings reportedly plans to acquire gaming smartphone manufacturer Black Shark in a move that could help the company build its own metaverse.
Germany’s €2.5billion event cancellation fund has hardly been used so far, according to a new report.
CAA’s merger with ICM Partners is delayed while the US department of justice investigates its impact on the entertainment industry.
Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis leads tributes to the festival’s long-serving commercial director, Robert Richards, who died aged 65 following a short illness.
Leading venue bosses give their insight into the Covid protocols that are expected to remain in a post-pandemic world.
The New South Wales government establishes a AUS$43m (€27m) support fund to boost the confidence of event organisers.
Flesh Festival, the UK’s first LGBTQ+ electronic music and camping festival, is set to launch this year.
UTA names Lindsay Wagner as chief diversity officer.
The Netherlands is set to gain a brand-new one-day rock and metal festival, Headbangers Parade. Scotland and Wales announce plans to roll back their Covid-19 restrictions. Industry executives in Asia warn that the ‘groundhog day’ caused by enduring restrictions could long continue.
The Bay of Islands festival becomes the latest event to fall by the wayside in New Zealand as a result of the uncertainty around Covid. Sustainability heads say the pandemic has prompted a “real sea change” in the industry’s attitude towards green issues.
ASM Global acquires a controlling interest in AV technology specialist Anthony James Partners.
Sound Diplomacy appoints experienced executive and board member Rob Hain as global chief executive. The Keychange initiative for gender equality in music unveils its 2022 class of artists and music industry innovators.
