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London’s Columbo Group has acquired the historic Rex venue in East London and announced a £15 million refurbishment, targeting a 2027 reopening. The 2,300‑capacity space will be rebranded as Jazz Cafe East, joining the group’s existing Jazz Cafe Camden and Phonox Brixton. The investment aims to create a flagship cultural hub for Newham, promising jobs and broader programming. The venue, originally opened in 1896, has been largely vacant since 2011.
Erin Benjamin is stepping down after 12 years as president and CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association, initiating a structured leadership transition this spring. During her tenure she built Canada’s first unified national platform for live‑music stakeholders and launched...
The Traitors Live Experience opened in London’s Covent Garden, selling roughly £2 million in tickets within its first week and beating revenue forecasts. The production was built as a four‑floor, modular set that can be scaled up or down, allowing the...
Rob Light, managing director of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), reflected on the firm’s four‑decade evolution from a modest music department to a global, full‑service powerhouse. By pioneering in‑house artist development, tour marketing and private‑event divisions, CAA secured breakout successes such...
The ILMC 38 Open Forum brought together newly appointed leaders from Superstruct, Ticketmaster, Pophouse and AEG to debate the future of live entertainment. Speakers highlighted a surge in global touring, especially among Gen‑Z audiences, and the paradox of a digitally...
The Great Escape returns to Brighton from 13‑16 May for its 20th anniversary, featuring live‑music industry sessions, debates and a showcase of over 400 emerging acts. Global pop icon Melanie C and DCMS Minister Ian Murray MP have been confirmed...
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has hired London‑based agent David Bradley, formerly a partner and co‑head of WME’s pop division. Bradley arrives with a decade‑plus track record representing artists such as Dua Lipa, LCD Soundsystem, and Greta Van Fleet. His expertise...
AEG International named John Langford president of its Asia‑Pacific division, effective 1 April, with a Singapore base from September. He will steer AEG’s regional expansion across existing and upcoming venues, including the newly opened 17,500‑seat IG Arena in Nagoya and the 6,000‑seat UOB Live...
Industry experts highlight how technology is fundamentally reshaping the live‑music ecosystem, from data‑driven marketing to streamlined tour logistics. First‑party fan data is now seen as essential for personalized campaigns, yet many artists lack full appreciation of its value. Human connection...
LatAm Live 2026, a new IQ report, maps the rapid expansion of Latin America’s live‑music ecosystem. Executives from festivals, venues, and touring agencies highlight how the region is becoming the opening act for the global festival calendar, driven by massive venues...
Switzerland’s Paléo Festival Nyon has become the first outdoor music event in the country to operate its own solar farm. The 470‑square‑metre installation, featuring 261 photovoltaic panels, will generate roughly 100,000 kWh per year—covering at least half of the festival’s electricity...
