Frustration as ‘Significant Chunk’ of UK Ticket Levy Set to Be Lost in Tax
The UK’s voluntary £1 ticket contribution scheme has raised about £6 million (≈ $7.6 million) for the LIVE Trust. HMRC will claim roughly £1.2 million (≈ $1.5 million), or 20 % of the pot, as VAT, diverting it to the Treasury. Industry leaders argue the tax erodes funding for grassroots touring, independent promoters and small festivals, and have called for the levy to be re‑classified as a donation. The government says exempting the contribution would create tax inconsistencies, leaving the issue unresolved.
Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo & ACL to Make Global Streaming Debut
Live Nation’s three flagship festivals—Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits—will stream globally for the first time through Disney+ and Hulu. The partnership expands a six‑year Hulu alliance, giving international subscribers real‑time access to performances, highlights and backstage interviews. Disney’s global...
Live Nation: Don’t Get the Blues over ‘Blue Dot Fever’
Live Nation’s shares steadied around $170 as CFO Joe Berchtold dismissed the “blue dot fever” narrative, saying cancellation and sell‑through rates remain on par with historical levels. He attributed the chatter to scalpers upset by efficient pricing, not to a market...
Festival News: All Things Go Reveals All-Female Lineup
All Things Go announced its third New York edition will feature an all‑female lineup. The three‑day event at the 13,000‑capacity Forest Hills Stadium will be headlined by Zara Larsson, Brandi Carlile and Muna, with supporting acts such as Rebecca Black,...
Apple Music Establishes New Live Event Streaming Series
Apple Music is launching a new live‑event streaming series called Club Live, debuting this weekend with the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. The service will broadcast live audio and video from festivals and clubs worldwide, offering free real‑time streams...
Live Nation Pens Booking Deal at Brazil’s Nubank Parque
Live Nation has signed a 10‑year booking agreement for São Paulo’s newly renamed Nubank Parque, targeting roughly 150 shows through 2034. The venue, formerly Allianz Parque, was rebranded after fintech Nubank won naming rights in a fan vote. The deal gives...
KPop Demon Hunters Set to Tour Arenas Globally
AEG Presents and Netflix announced the KPop Demon Hunters World Tour, bringing the hit Netflix film to arena stages worldwide. The movie, the platform’s most‑watched release, and its soundtrack, which topped the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy, have generated...
Agents Warn Against New Zealand Festival Artist Fee Recovery Bid
New Zealand’s insolvent Juicy Fest is attempting to recover pre‑paid artist fees, citing the Companies Act 1993’s insolvent transaction provisions. Liquidators claim up to NZ$8.99 million (≈$5.4 million USD) could be voided, while talent agents warn this could break long‑standing industry precedent....
‘Something Is Fundamentally Broken’: Dutch Festival Shutdown Triggers Debate
Amsterdam’s mayor revoked the permit for the sold‑out Music On Festival at the last minute, citing safety concerns over a large tent structure despite a positive advisory issued earlier that morning. Organiser Loveland Events filed an emergency injunction, but the...
German Industry Renews Calls for Secondary Ticketing Crackdown
German musicians, promoters and industry bodies, led by Pro Musik and the BDKV, have issued an open letter signed by 169 figures demanding stricter regulation of the secondary ticket market. The letter calls for a legal right for organisers to...
Tour News: The Weeknd’s Five-Year Tour to End in Asia
Live Nation confirmed that The Weeknd’s five‑year After Hours ‘Til Dawn Tour will conclude with an 11‑show Asian leg later this year, kicking off on 20 September in Tokyo and wrapping on 4 November in Kuala Lumpur. The tour, which began in...
Chile’s Lotus Rolls Out Details of New Two-Day Latin Festival
Chile's event promoter Lotus, partnering with Colombian star Juanes, announced the Bamba Festival, a two‑day Latin music event in Santiago on Oct. 24‑25 at Parque O’Higgins. The lineup features headliners Juanes, Marc Anthony, Fito Paez and Carlos Vives, plus emerging acts such as Bomba...
Touring Entertainment Report 2026 Out Now
The fourth Touring Entertainment Report (TER) 2026 has been released, offering the only global overview of touring content. It notes that high production costs, increasingly selective audiences, and the fading allure of generic ‘immersive’ labels are reshaping the sector. The...
IQ 144 Out Now: Behind Olivia Dean’s Arena Coup, Giddings on 50 Years, Swiss Market Report
IQ Magazine’s 144th issue arrives with a deep dive into Olivia Dean’s breakthrough arena headline tour, illustrating how instinct and rule‑breaking can catapult a pop artist to large‑scale venues. The edition also honors John Giddings’ five‑decade career, offering his perspective...
UK’s On The Beach Festival Generates £8.3m for Brighton
Brighton’s On The Beach festival generated over £8.3 million (≈$10.2 million) for the local economy in 2025, drawing more than 59,000 visitors, two‑thirds of whom came from outside the city. Visitor spending contributed roughly £3 million (≈$3.7 million) to hospitality, accommodation and retail sectors....