IQ 146 out now: Inside Bad Bunny’s DTMF tour, New Bosses revealed, K-pop’s global growth

The August edition also covers 25 years as an agent for The Team's Tom Schroeder, Belgium and Hong Kong market reports, and much more...

News 03 August 2026

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‘Special in so many ways’: Atlas Festival on turning challenge into opportunity

The Ukrainian festival tells IQ how outgrowing its current site and persistent difficulty booking internationally are forging some of the festival's most profound moments

News 03 August 2026

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New Bosses 2026: This year’s class of rising talent revealed

IQ's annual recognition of 20 executives from around the globe shaping the future of the business has landed...

News 03 August 2026

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LIDO festival 2025

Massive Attack barred from Singapore after onstage display

The English duo will not be allowed back in the Southeast Asian country after being detained for unfurling a Palestinian flag mid-show

News 03 August 2026

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Ghana Party in the Park shut down after crowd surge injures 23

The long-running London diaspora event thanked emergency services and apologised to fans injured in "one of the most difficult days" in its history

News 03 August 2026

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Madonna caps off WorldPride’s second-annual music festival

"Mother is here, and this is gay heaven," she said on the AFAS Live stage, as she brought Club Confessions to the world's biggest LGBTQ+ event

News 03 August 2026

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DICE adds first Australian festival ticketing partner with Wildlands deal

The company will serve as exclusive ticket partner for Wildlands' Perth and Brisbane events in 2026/2027, as part of an ongoing expansion push

News 03 August 2026

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Durban July races draw top international acts in show of touring hub potential

Organisers say combining music, racing, and lifestyle offerings can showcase Durban as a major live music location after being treated as a secondary market "for years"

News 31 July 2026

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MOST POPULAR

Issue 146 Jul 2026

Bad Bunny's record-breaking stadium tour

The New Bosses 2026, K-pop Special, Tom Schroeder's 25 Years, Belgium Market Report

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International audience growth drives Live Nation to $7.7 billion Q2 revenue

News 31 July 2026

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G! Festival: Inside one of the world’s most remote music festivals

News 31 July 2026

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‘Unipol Dome is more than a new venue – it is a catalyst for Italy’

Comment 31 July 2026

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Live Nation reveals plans for South America’s largest indoor arena in São Paulo

News 30 July 2026

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‘You must be fulfilled culturally’: Senbla on its 15th anniversary

The UK promoter's CEO Ollie Rosenblatt tells IQ that despite the company traversing a range of art forms and IPs, quality work 'always prevails'

News 30 July 2026

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US lawmakers ‘demand answers’ from StubHub CEO over alleged ‘market manipulation’

Federal authorities say they are "investigating" Eric Baker's ties to a brokerage that received money from StubHub, according to SEC filings

News 30 July 2026

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Festival news: Spilt Milk leads flurry of Australian announcements

News 30 July 2026

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Frankfurt arena project takes major step forward

News 30 July 2026

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‘Different languages’: SE Asia stadium touring hampered by public-private ‘misalignment’

DisrupTEIK Consultancy managing director Jin Teik Oon tells IQ about how the region could unlock its potential for international stadium touring

News 30 July 2026

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Record 233 million tune in to Tomorrowland livestreams

Global viewership for the Belgian electronic mega-event swelled by over 20% from last year's benchmark

News 30 July 2026

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Small Population, Big Sound: New Zealand market report

IQ takes a closer look at a market that punches above its weight, with its population hungry for concerts and live entertainment

Feature 30 July 2026

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Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour records $467.5m gross

With 3.1 million tickets across its 55 dates, the tour becomes the highest-grossing run ever not to visit the US

News 29 July 2026

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The New Bosses 2026

The New Bosses 2026

The industry has voted – IQ's annual list of top emerging executives is revealed. Read on to find out who made the cut this year

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Florian Plakolm

Florian Plakolm

Arcadia Live (FKP Scorpio)

Plakolm joined Arcadia Live in 2022, starting as a junior promoter and gravitating towards international shows and artists
Elektra Banks

Elektra Banks

The Team

Banks works across the UK and European festival strategy within the agency’s growing global festivals department
Rens Peters

Rens Peters

Friendly Fire

Peters is a booking agent and concert promoter at Friendly Fire, one of the Netherlands’ leading concert promoters
Nic Tepper

Nic Tepper

Handsome Tours

Originally from Los Angeles, Nic Tepper is a Sydney-based tour promoter and has worked across North America, Europe and Australia
Selma Eistrup Madsen

Selma Eistrup Madsen

Roskilde Festival

Madsen is helping develop a new concert series with the aim of strengthening collaboration across the Nordic music scene
Callum Burke

Callum Burke

Superstruct UK

With over 10+ years’ experience in the live music industry, Burke is now lead booker for six major UK Festivals at Superstruct
Caitlin-Finn Ballard

Caitlin-Finn Ballard

ROAM

Ballard is a live booking agent in London, where she has spent the past six years representing artists and developing long-term live careers
Aimen Zaman

Aimen Zaman

Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai

At Coca-Cola Arena, Zaman combines her passion for live entertainment with data-driven marketing to connect audiences with experiences
Bryan Tan

Bryan Tan

Live Nation Asia

Tan is a Singaporean partnership and media specialist who has been building in the entertainment and events industry since 2016
Andrea Blahová

Andrea Blahová

Heartnoize Promotion/Pohoda Festival

Blahová is a Slovak live music production manager based in Prague, active across the Czech and Slovak alternative circuit
Solomon Ogunbiyi

Solomon Ogunbiyi

Live Nation

Ogunbiyi's path bridges both live music and fashion, giving him a broader, more rounded outlook within his profession
Katie Morgan

Katie Morgan

Legends Global

With 15 years in the live music industry, Katie Morgan, Programming Manager, is part of the Concert Halls team at Legends Global
Fergal Looney

Fergal Looney

Primary Talent International

Looney works across an esteemed roster of established stars and exciting new talent at the London-based talent agency
Manuela Villazón

Manuela Villazón

Breakfast Live

Villazón is a talent buyer based in Bogotá, Colombia, specialising in international touring, artist development and audience growth
Christofer Melchior

Christofer Melchior

Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)

Joining AEG in 2022 as booking manager, Melchoir is primarily responsible for booking Uber Arena and Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin
Anastasia Klochkivska

Anastasia Klochkivska

UTA

Klochkivska works as a music coordinator and is known for championing the next wave of artists, with a particular interest in their fan communities
Eabhan Gormley

Eabhan Gormley

MCD Productions

After cutting her teeth in various roles across dressing rooms and site office teams, Gormley stepped into an assistant role at MCD
Lola Loog

Lola Loog

FKP Scorpio Sweden

Loog started in the industry in 2017 as a promoter assistant and gradually worked her way up, joining FKP Scorpio Sweden in 2024
Benji Stoll

Benji Stoll

Ticketmaster

Stoll has spent over seven years partnering with artists, managers, and promoters to build ticketing strategies that put fans first
Juan Velez

Juan Velez

RBK Fusion

Velez joined RBK Fusion in 2024 as a booking agent and promoter, focusing on developing international and Latin artists across the GSA market

K-pop’s ‘Big Four’ unite with Korean gov’t to launch Fanomenon festival

The "Coachella-like" event from HYBE, JYP, SM, and YG will launch in Seoul next December before landing in Los Angeles in 2028

News 29 July 2026

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Haunted houses, prison tours, and tattoos: Inkcarceration on growing lifestyle offering

The Ohio metal and tattoo festival says hobby activities are growing in importance for drawing fans to live music

News 29 July 2026

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Movers & Shakers: HYBE, PRS For Music, Sphere Ent

Plus: Georg Leitner Productions expands UK presence, MVT adds external affairs leader, and major player departs Semmel Concerts...

News 29 July 2026

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World Cup tour brings Bresh to ‘best ever numbers’

How following the tournament around North America gave the travelling dance brand a golden opportunity to tailor events to different demographics

News 29 July 2026

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Wasserman to sell remaining stake in The Team to Providence

The private equity firm will complete its takeover of the major agency before the end of the year

News 29 July 2026

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‘Not worth the risk’: UK independent festivals facing dip in ticketer confidence

Recent festival cancellations have left independent ticket firms wary of increasingly early drawdowns and refund liabilities

News 28 July 2026

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Tour news: Tyla goes global for the first time

Plus: Jay-Z adds stadium dates due to demand, and announcements from Faith No More, System of a Down, Teddy Swims, Karan Aujla, and more

News 28 July 2026

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HYBE revenue doubles year-on-year in ‘all-time high’ quarter

The second quarter saw the entertainment giant behind BTS nearly triple its operating profit, citing the band's blockbuster Arirang tour as a major driver

News 28 July 2026

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LATEST JOBS

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REPORT

Global Stadium Report 2026

An annual deep-dive into the very top tier of the international touring business.

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‘We don’t take this for granted’: How Labyrinth on the Thames is navigating success

News 28 July 2026

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Latitude Festival secures Henham Park future with 20-year site extension

News 28 July 2026

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FTC Live anticipating ‘milestone’ year for Ecuador’s live calendar

News 27 July 2026

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‘A truly multi-generational festival’: Lollapalooza Berlin on 2026 edition

News 27 July 2026

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HYBE / BIGHIT Music

HYBE hails Tottenham attendance record with two-night BTS stand

The company says a citywide cultural festival helped draw 130,000 fans across two nights at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

News 27 July 2026

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Tim Leiweke’s EEP acquires minority stake in Bolton Wanderers FC

The former Oak View Group CEO has invested in the second-tier English club, with team directors welcoming EEP's history in venue development

News 27 July 2026

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Domestic artists boost Stade de France to ‘new chapter’ in music programming

News 27 July 2026

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Lebanese live revival dealt setback with Tiësto Beirut postponement

News 27 July 2026

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Tenth UK concert space brought into community ownership by Music Venue Properties

MVP adds Brighton's Pipeline to its list of venues backed by community investors, citing benefits including "fair" rents and long-term security for operators

News 24 July 2026

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Leading ticketing firm PLG snaps up Romania’s iaBilet

The Estonia-based group has strengthened its CEE market position with the latest acquisition

News 24 July 2026

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‘Everything was a challenge’: How geopolitics became the World Cup halftime’s biggest hurdle

Global Citizen's Hugh Evans reveals the hidden costs of visas, health restrictions, and cross-border logistics in delivering the mammoth show

News 24 July 2026

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Extent of Australian touring disparity revealed in new study

Findings show Northern Territory has hosted fewer international acts in the last seven decades than some single Sydney venues in a year

News 24 July 2026

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Hans Zimmer: Taking film concerts to the next level

With 50 sold-out arena shows and over half a million ticket sales, Hans Zimmer’s latest tour is redefining how audiences experience scores

Feature 20 May 2026

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What a score: The rise of cinema with live orchestras

As a new generation discovers soundtracks, and nostalgia drives rewatching favourite films, Eamonn Forde charts the growing popularity of movie and orchestra experiences

Feature 11 May 2026

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Trusted IP: Exhibition trends beyond immersive

Adam Woods explores key developments in touring exhibitions

Feature 11 May 2026

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LATAM: The land of opportunity?

Josefina Armendariz & Florencia Mauro report on booming touring entertainment in Latin America, where diverse markets make local knowledge the key to success

Feature 11 May 2026

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Cuarteto: The Argentinian party music going global

Cuarteto’s rise is being driven less by streaming and more by a relentless live model, with high-frequency shows, loyal audiences, and a touring logic built for scale

Feature 30 March 2026

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MOST POPULAR

COMMENT

NOWIE’s Cat Kevern on the need for a universal harassment reporting systems

The way the industry responds to sexual harassment is fundamentally broken

Cat Kevern

With 1 in 4 women working in events experiencing harassment, the Network of Women in Events' MD offers a pathway to improving protection

COMMENT 29 Jun 2026

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CAA’s Maria May unveils electronic-focused mental health initiative

If we want this business to keep evolving, we have to look after the people who make it work

Maria May

The storied agent tells IQ about the inspiration behind her new dance music-focused programme with the Music Industry Therapist Collective

COMMENT 11 May 2026

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The role of the System-Breaking Grand Concert in Hungary’s struggle for System Change

The role of the System-Breaking Grand Concert in Hungary’s struggle for System Change

Tamás Kádár

Sziget Festival CEO Tamás Kádár explains how a mass public concert energised voters ahead of Hungary's recent election

COMMENT 24 Apr 2026

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We come one: how live music creates physical synchrony

We come one: how live music creates physical synchrony

Paul Dolan

Behavioural scientist professor Paul Dolan dives into how live music helps us connect physically as well as emotionally

COMMENT 23 Apr 2026

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The launch of the UK Artist Touring Fund is a moment of real significance

The launch of the UK Artist Touring Fund is a moment of real significance

Kelly Wood

Kelly Wood, National Organiser for Live, Theatre & Music Writers at Musicians' Union, outlines the fund's impact on the wider touring ecosystem

COMMENT 18 Mar 2026

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‘Who owns the fan relationship?’: Agents raise questions over Spotify Reserved

News 23 July 2026

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Lollapalooza blazes new path with THC drinks offering

News 23 July 2026

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DICE strikes ticketing deal for two London venues

News 23 July 2026

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Hail to pay: Bad Bunny Milan fans due refunds after concert evacuated

News 23 July 2026

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English venues to receive ‘much needed’ 20% tax cut from 2027

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced all but the biggest venues will benefit from a 20% cut to business rates, starting next year

News 23 July 2026

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Festival news: Australia’s Spilt Milk to move Victorian home

Plus: Live Nation huddles up for Kickoff Festival, Lytham Festival confirms its first 2027 name, Freaky Deaky expands, plus more...

News 23 July 2026

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Fresh efforts behind New York biometric ban for venues

News 22 July 2026

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Garden Helsinki arena faces funding obstacle as gov’t subsidy pulled

News 22 July 2026

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Tour News: Kanye to Kazakhstan as Doja Cat adds Latto to NA run

Plus: the latest tour announcements from Harry Styles, Black Eyed Peas, Rebecca Black, and more

News 22 July 2026

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Inside Israel’s music market: ‘We’re in the political paradigm of waiting’

In a frank conversation with IQ, veteran promoter Hillel Wachs details how he's navigating a market increasingly isolated from the industry

News 22 July 2026

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‘Artistic ambition over financial risk’: UK’s Liveline Fund opens latest applications

Promoters, programmers, managers, and venues are eligible for the fund, with organisers aiming to support all sides of the live ecosystem

News 22 July 2026

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Permission To Dance: BTS’s Chile shows greenlit after negotiations

Authorities previously raised alarm over the pitch impact of the 360° show earlier this month and said they "never approved" the venue's use

News 22 July 2026

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QUICK READS

Massive Attack barred from Singapore after onstage display

3 minute read

Ghana Party in the Park shut down after crowd surge injures 23

3 minute read

Madonna caps off WorldPride’s second-annual music festival

3 minute read

DICE adds first Australian festival ticketing partner with Wildlands deal

2 minute read

REPORT

International Ticketing Report 2025

The only global guide to the live entertainment ticketing market – for anyone interested in or working in live event ticketing

Read more about this issue

In it for the long haul: TEG unveils new country division and festival

News 21 July 2026

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UK live sector probe expected as regulator begins evidence gathering

News 21 July 2026

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SISTIC targets official ticket resale in Singapore as regional ambitions grow

News 21 July 2026

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Montreal’s Olympic Stadium eyeing improved concert offering with interior revamp

News 21 July 2026

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Helene Fischer’s 360° tour sets new bar for Schlager touring

Nearly 750,000 fans turned out to see the stadium spectacle, which was produced and promoted by Live Nation GSA

News 21 July 2026

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Dave Lagos and South Africa dates showcase divergent tour models for Africa

How the tour is using tailored pricing strategies to bridge the infrastructure gap between the Nigerian and South African markets

News 21 July 2026

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Inaugural World Cup Halftime Show illustrates live’s globalisation

News 20 July 2026

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Madison Square Garden sues Wired for ‘defamatory’ celebrity tracking claims

News 20 July 2026

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Montreux Jazz Festival welcomes 250,000 fans to 60th edition

The landmark festival wrapped up this weekend, with organisers noting particular growth in the event's livestreaming offering

News 20 July 2026

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New Australian pension laws blamed for festival cancellations

Event organisers and the country's live music business council have hit out at new timeline requirements on artist pension contributions

News 20 July 2026

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‘Summer Punch is here to stay, and we’re only getting started’

With the Polish festival's debut edition in the rearview, organisers Winiary Bookings tell IQ about expansion plans following a successful launch

News 20 July 2026

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The Cost Cutter: Silent House on saving money while protecting quality

Production expert Alex Reardon shares his top tips for helping the bottom line without compromising quality

Feature 20 July 2026

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The Latest Reports

Global Stadium Report 2026

Global Arena Guide 2026

Touring Entertainment Report 2026

LatAm Live 2026

European Festival Report 2025

Global Promoters Report 2025

International Ticketing Report 2025

Global Stadium Report 2025
Touring Business Handbook 2025 Cover

Touring Business Handbook 2025

COMMENT

Médecins Sans Frontières on the life-changing power of live music

Putting on a show and supporting those in crisis is a clear win-win

Dr Natalie Roberts

As ILMC kicks off, Dr Natalie Roberts from charity partner Médecins Sans Frontières describes the impact live music can make

COMMENT 24 Feb 2026

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Music Minds Matters’ Sarah Woods unveils new industry-specific study

Poor mental health in music is not inevitable – let's come together to change it

Sarah Woods

For Helplines Awareness Day, charity CEO Sarah Woods unveils a new targeted mental health support scheme for the live industry

COMMENT 23 Feb 2026

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Sziget’s Tamás Kádár on championing freedom of expression

At Sziget, neutrality has never been an option

Tamás Kádár

After their Take A Stand award win, CEO Tamás Kádár reconfirms the Hungarian festival's commitment to the LGBTQ+ community

COMMENT 11 Feb 2026

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Superstruct’s Alex Mahon on the need for human interaction

The human need for connection has not gone anywhere

Alex Mahon

New Superstruct CEO Alex Mahon highlights the growing importance of concerts and festivals in the digital age

COMMENT 12 Jan 2026

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How CAA’s Task Force champions charity and community

Music has a power that goes far beyond entertainment

Emma Banks

Nordoff and Robbins chair Emma Banks discusses how the next generation of CAA leaders are delivering change to charities and communities

COMMENT 22 Dec 2025

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REPORT

Global Stadium Report 2025

The Global Stadium Report is the first publication dedicated to global stadium touring worldwide.

Read more about this issue

BookMyShow: Emerging touring models making India an ‘anchor market’

News 17 July 2026

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Ricky Martin ‘inexplicably’ scraps Georgia show in final hour

News 17 July 2026

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Falling tech costs democratising high-end visuals for LatAm events

News 17 July 2026

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Sweet Like Zucchero: Tour report

Feature 17 July 2026

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Arena Stars 2026: Europe & Middle East

Coca-Cola Arena, Co-op Live, Etihad Arena, and Uber Arena are in the final part of IQ's 20 best-in-class venues

Feature 17 July 2026

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The Killers, Olivia Dean to lead new Goldenvoice festival

Plus: Australia's Fridayz Live to take another year off, Austria's Snowbombing reveal first 2027 names, and SEMA Fest plots one-day event...

News 17 July 2026

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Oak View Group and Live Nation strike Saudi stadium joint venture

News 16 July 2026

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Echoes of Earth at 10: Inside the Indian event’s sustainable rise

News 16 July 2026

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Mainland Block Party marks million ticket milestone

As the brand pledges more international editions, organisers say the milestone shows increasing export cachet for African live events

News 16 July 2026

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Tour news: Young Thug reveals first headline tour since 2019

Plus Bob Dylan extends run, US dates announced by Thundercat and Ken Carson, while Kasabian and Jordan Rakei unveil UK shows, and more

News 16 July 2026

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Düsseldorf’s Open Air Park draws 80,000 to System of a Down launch concert

The open-air site held its first concert after previous launches fell through, with operators D.Live saying it marks a "milestone" for the region

News 16 July 2026

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BTS ticket scam ring busted by Thai police as five arrested

The alleged perpetrators are accused of defrauding over 100 fans of over 1.8 million baht (€47,000) in fake sales for the Arirang World Tour

News 16 July 2026

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Latin stars line up for Venezuela benefit concert

Marc Anthony and Feid are among those taking part in Unidos Por Venezuela at Miami's Kaseya Center, raising money for earthquake victims

News 16 July 2026

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Etihad Arena unveils ticketing partnership with District by Zomato

The move is the latest shift by entertainment aggregator Zomato towards the ticketing sector

News 16 July 2026

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The Great Adventure: DJ Bobo on the changing dynamics of DACH touring

The stalwart touring artist tells IQ about the evolving strategies of English language tours in the German-speaking world

News 15 July 2026

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Row erupts over Heritage Live cancellation following refund offers

The promoter of the cancelled festivals said it was "hugely disappointed" after See Tickets told fans the event had failed to pay back its ticket revenue

News 15 July 2026

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‘DC has raised the bar for ticketing reform nationwide’

The US's District of Columbia council voted unanimously to pass The Resale Act, a move welcomed by local and national organisations

News 15 July 2026

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KMJ’s Stuart Galbraith hits 100 shows at London’s The O2

The promoter earned the prestigious Gold Brick Award with Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi's first show at the arena

News 15 July 2026

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UTA promotes Wright to co-head of UK Music

The agent will join Neil Warnock at the head of the department at what he called a "pivotal time" for the London team

News 15 July 2026

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Barcelona to support small venues with €1 million grant scheme

The funding kicks off the En Viu BCN program, a joint project from the city's Night Office and the Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB)

News 15 July 2026

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AXS expands APAC presence with Hordern Pavilion tie-up

The global ticketing firm will take over ticketing duties for the famed Sydney venue from Ticketek in August

News 15 July 2026

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StubHub named in US class action over ‘deceptive practices’

The news comes days after SEC filings revealed CEO Eric Baker is also managing partner of a seller on the platform

News 14 July 2026

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Zach Bryan, Luke Combs aid country’s Dutch ‘breakthrough’

Greenhouse Talent has hailed the growth of the genre, as the pair of international stars step up to the market's stadium level

News 14 July 2026

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Meta rolls back Muse AI tool after talent agency outcry

"Artists deserve to decide if and how their likeness and work is used, with consent and the ability to set their own terms"

News 14 July 2026

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