Reading and Leeds presents ‘vision for the future’ with stage overhaul

Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn tells IQ about the plans for new stages and a broadened leadership team as part of the festival's next phase

News 14 July 2026

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UK ‘Plan for Music’ offers funding and advocacy boost for national sector

The Plan accompanies a further £1 million funding tranche from the LIVE Trust and will see the government's first Music Champion appointed

News 14 July 2026

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Breaking the ‘Nagoya Skip’: IG Arena on goal to shake up Japanese arena routing

The venue, which marks its first anniversary today, is targeting a 40% increase in events and a 50% jump in visitors in year two

News 13 July 2026

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Government funding of Kanye West Albania show sparks backlash

The government has been forced to defend a €4m contribution to the controversial rapper's show amid mass anti-corruption protests

News 13 July 2026

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Heritage Live cancels three UK festival events citing spiralling costs

Headline shows from Christina Aguilera, Scissor Sisters, Janet Jackson, Pete Tong, and Faithless are among those cancelled after a last-minute funding deal fell through

News 13 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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MOST POPULAR

Issue 145 Jun 2026

The Pride Edition

LGBTIQ+ List 2026, Loud & Proud, Montreux Jazz Festival's 60th anniversary, New Zealand market report, The Architects - Pino Sagliocco

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Seat Unique partners with Trip.com to power global experiential tourism

News 14 July 2026

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Jay-Z closes historic, star-studded NYC triple header

News 14 July 2026

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Rock-It Company expands touring logistics services to Abu Dhabi

News 13 July 2026

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Conference news: Live Nation announce new music tourism summit

News 13 July 2026

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Over half of Dutch pop venues operating at a loss, study finds

A new report from Dutch trade body VNPF finds that rising operating costs are outpacing revenue growth in many of the country's live spaces

News 13 July 2026

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German rockers Böhse Onkelz sell 435k tickets for record run

With the tour, a collaboration between LiveGeist Entertainment and Wizard Live, the veteran band set attendance records in several German stadiums

News 13 July 2026

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Jim King on building Roundhay into AEG’s next flagship festival

News 10 July 2026

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The Architects: Pino Sagliocco, part two

Feature 10 July 2026

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Gen Z’s price sensitivity declining despite concert costs rising

A new report from Luminate Intelligence reveals the growing value for live experiences for younger audiences, as Gen Z outspend millennials

News 10 July 2026

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UK music tourism rose over a quarter in 2025, report finds

UK Music has found 26.8% more people travelled long distances to attend the country's live music events compared to 2024

News 10 July 2026

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Friendly Fire celebrates sold-out debut of Slot Zeist Live

The Dutch promoter and booking agency has hailed the 4,000-capacity outdoor series as a "valuable addition" to its portfolio

News 10 July 2026

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Arena Stars 2026: Latin America

Arena CDMX, Movistar Arena Argentina, and Movistar Arena Bogotá are in part four of IQ's 20 best-in-class venues

Feature 10 July 2026

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LGBTIQ+ List 2026

LGBTIQ+ List 2026

Say a huge hello to our latest cohort of queer pioneers who are making an impact in the international live music business and beyond...

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Bruno Sérgio Gomes

Bruno Sérgio Gomes

30e

"Demand is huge, but production costs, routing, and ticket affordability are putting a lot of pressure on the middle of the market"
Erik Kammerer

Erik Kammerer

Live Nation

"We need to slow down, pause, and identify those who will challenge industry norms while also honouring legacies"
Toby Corton

Toby Corton

Mighty Hoopla / Sounds Queer / State is Flow

"Pay artists fairly, regulate, and redistribute profits in favour of the people who, without their work, the 'music industry' would just be 'industry'"
Steve Berry

Steve Berry

Stagetruck Ltd

"I do what I do because I want everyone who comes to work with us to feel welcome, included, and part of something they’re proud of"
Ethan-James Luke

Ethan-James Luke

Legends Global

"The audiences are diverse, the talent is diverse, so the people shaping the industry should reflect that, too"
Mary Allen

Mary Allen

UTA

"We’re navigating a significant level of touring oversaturation alongside growing price resistance"
Sandra Schweizer

Sandra Schweizer

Gadget Entertainment AG

"Being surrounded by so many people actively shaping the business was genuinely inspiring and gave me a stronger sense of perspective"
Thiago Nakano

Thiago Nakano

30e

"In Brazil, where music is such a strong part of people’s identities, tours can become real cultural moments"
Antonia Lines

Antonia Lines

LIVE Trust

"We're working in collaboration with the live sector to fix long-term problems and create a better future for everyone"
Shorlette Ammons

Shorlette Ammons

Farm Aid

"The same handful of corporations controlling food systems are often shaping culture and access in entertainment, too"
Kat Winfield

Kat Winfield

CAA

"It’s not just about representation on paper; it’s about creating an environment where people genuinely feel supported"
Małgorzata Staniszewska

Małgorzata Staniszewska

Alter Art

"When we prioritise fair treatment, economic security, and a safe, respectful environment, we create an industry where talent can thrive"
Mica Sefia

Mica Sefia

Black Lives in Music

"As a Black, queer, neurodivergent woman, my identity informs everything I do, whether intentionally or not"
Harry Wilding

Harry Wilding

Festival Republic / Kelham Pride / ILMC

"Grassroots venues help grow the careers of new artists that will one day become our arena fillers and festival headliners"
Pol Mitchell

Pol Mitchell

Soft Serve Management

"There’s been a real backslide in lineup diversity in mainstream events, which is a signal of bigger economic and systemic disruption"
Bihter Çetinyol

Bihter Çetinyol

Charmenko

"The industry in Türkiye is small; you can only work for corporations, governmental corporations, municipalities, and private companies"
Mariano Otero

Mariano Otero

Fever / DICE

"The ticketing industry is entering a period of increased scrutiny and regulatory change, which is both necessary and overdue"
Jyn Paul

Jyn Paul

DICE

"Equitable access to tickets remains the biggest challenge the industry faces in keeping fans motivated and artists connected"
Paul Schäfer

Paul Schäfer

Freelance

"Representation matters because it creates role models, opens pathways, and signals to the next generation that there is space"
Peter Allott-Fletcher

Peter Allott-Fletcher

AEG Presents

"Everything has become more expensive, and often unpredictably so – global events have an almost immediate impact"
Pino Sagliocco

The Architects: Pino Sagliocco, part one

In part one of IQ's profile of a true maverick, Pino Sagliocco rose from life on the streets of Italy to become the promoter who put Spain on the global touring map

Feature 09 July 2026

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‘Live music shouldn’t be a luxury’: Limitless Live marks fifth anniversary

Limitless Live founder Tolu Farinto tells IQ about plans to continue scaling the largest free-entry music event in the UK

News 09 July 2026

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Movers & Shakers: Brittany Schaffer to lead the CMA

Plus: Legends Global adds two live entertainment VPs, WME Group elevates Marie Sheehy, ROSTR boosts leadership team, plus more...

News 09 July 2026

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Latin party events leader Bresh Global acquires Grupo Polenta

"We believe nightlife is ready for a revolution," say the Argentina-based Grupo Polenta's co-founders as they fold into the experiential giant

News 09 July 2026

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India’s first AI-powered ticketing startup thumpN raises €3.3m

Built by former Paytm Insider executives, the platform aims to offer users a personalised discovery pathway to concerts, festivals, and sports

News 09 July 2026

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Justin Bieber to co-headline first World Cup halftime show

Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and PS22 Chorus ft. Coldplay have also been added to perform alongside Madonna, Shakira, and BTS

News 09 July 2026

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No sign of letting go: Release Athens’ monumental 10th edition

"This anniversary isn't a finish line," Fuzz Productions' John Mirabitas tells IQ amid the Greek festival series' record-breaking year

News 08 July 2026

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Hamburg

KJK to take over Hamburg’s largest outdoor venue

The promoter will take the reins of the Trabrennbahn Bahrenfeld racecourse from 2027 in a bid to "strengthen Hamburg as a music hub"

News 08 July 2026

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LATEST JOBS

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REPORT

Global Arena Guide 2026

The definitive guide to arenas hosting live music and entertainment, in association with Legends Global

Read more about this issue

Eventbrite owner goes public following March takeover

News 08 July 2026

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Shakira plots Middle East return with Egypt, Qatar shows

News 08 July 2026

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Tour news: Elton John set for Mexico farewell

News 08 July 2026

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‘Brands are not just thinking cross-territorially, they are acting it’

Comment 08 July 2026

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Wiz Khalifa’s arrest warrant leads to Czech festival cancellation

Clout Festival was called off after Khalifa axed his entire European tour, as Romanian authorities seek his arrest for drug possession

News 08 July 2026

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Jay-Z

Jay-Z expands live dates with London show

The famed rapper has added a show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September, adding to shows in New York, Paris, and Los Angeles

News 07 July 2026

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Resurrection Fest draws 140,000 fans to biggest ever edition

News 07 July 2026

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Live music industry rallies for Venezuela earthquake relief

News 07 July 2026

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Luke Combs raises the bar for country in the Nordics

The country star drew over 60,800 people to Gothenburg's Ullevi Stadium, setting a new benchmark for the genre in the region

News 07 July 2026

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New Fuzzy concert series set for floating Sydney Harbour stage

As Fuzzy marks its 30th anniversary, the promoter steps up its programming for the home of its Harbourside festival

News 07 July 2026

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TikTok goes the clock on social media ban’s live impact

With several global governments weighing up banning social media access for children, the live music industry could soon be at a crossroads

News 07 July 2026

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cred. @gianspeaking

Gotobeat launches arena touring division

This comes as the promoter's first arena shows are announced for OVO Arena Wembley, beginning this week with American rapper Lucki

News 07 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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Will BTS’s trio of sold-out shows in Chile go ahead?

News 06 July 2026

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Cashflow forecasting ‘a major issue’ in Tickets.ie wind-up

News 06 July 2026

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Alien Sound Festival postponed after stage collapses in strong winds

News 06 July 2026

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‘Not the usual promoter job’: The operation behind Italy’s biggest ever concert

News 06 July 2026

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Atlético de Madrid inks 10-year concert deal with Live Nation

The agreement will see up to 20 concerts staged at Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium annually, as Madrid's other stadium remains out of action

News 06 July 2026

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Superstruct continues leadership refresh with new UK MD

The festival giant has installed Jacqui Harris as MD of its UK operations, the latest in a series of leaders joining in the past eight months

News 06 July 2026

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Live Nation appoints Shank SVP of global programming

News 03 July 2026

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Spotify joins Afronation Portugal as streaming partner

News 03 July 2026

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Festival news: Secret Sounds’ Harvest Rock called off again

Plus: Tomorrowland Thailand's debut lineup, ADE's first 250 names for 30th anniversary, and Unsound's dual-city programme

News 03 July 2026

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Australian agency apologies over ‘AI artist’ booking

Sydney-based Good Intent was accused of platforming an artist that allegedly uses AI in their music creation and marketing content

News 03 July 2026

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How LatAm’s live industry is treating sustainability as infrastructure

Latin American industry figures tell IQ reputations for sustainability are increasingly important in building connections with fanbases

News 03 July 2026

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Arena Stars 2026: North America

Barclays Center, Intuit Dome, Scotiabank Arena, State Farm Arena, and United Center are in part three of IQ's 20 best-in-class venues

Feature 03 July 2026

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QUICK READS

StubHub named in US class action over ‘deceptive practices’

3 minute read

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

3 minute read

Meta rolls back Muse AI tool after talent agency outcry

3 minute read

Jay-Z closes historic, star-studded NYC triple header

3 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

Dr Nepomuk Schessl on why AI won’t kill us all

Comment 02 July 2026

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Malaysian live sector calls for Entertainment tax abolition

News 02 July 2026

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Tour news: Diljit Dosanjh expands Aura Tour while BINI postpones Europe

News 02 July 2026

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Jamaica’s National Stadium eyes concert growth with revamp

News 02 July 2026

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How Stageco is meeting the demands of modern stadium touring

New CEO Wouter Van Mierloo sits down with IQ to discuss audience expectations, India's potential, and the balance between efficiency and sustainability

News 02 July 2026

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State Fayre, cred. Emily Marcovecchio

‘We want this to be a lifestyle thing’: State Fayre on debut edition

'Definite growth' behind country in the UK saw the new festival welcome 50,000 fans last weekend

News 02 July 2026

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Exclusive: Increasing return of Russian touring sparks industry anger

News 01 July 2026

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Wizard Live branches out with external communications agency

News 01 July 2026

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London Symphony Orchestra unveils venue upgrades for St Luke’s site

LSO tells IQ a new cutting-edge recording studio will help its broadcast work cultivate and diversify its live audiences and programming

News 01 July 2026

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‘We aim to become a mecca for music where people can experience the world’s top artists’

President Tsuyoshi Tamura discusses what the future holds for one of the world's premier purpose-built music venues

Comment 01 July 2026

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Fever to reimagine Madrid’s Experience Economy Meeting

The two-day conference, set to return to Madrid from 5-6 October, will now be known as GXG – The Global Gathering of the Experience Economy

News 01 July 2026

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Movers & Shakers: The Team, AXS, ROAM

Plus: The latest batch of industry appointments and promotions from 30e, Wide Days, UK Music, and the Scottish Event Campus

News 01 July 2026

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The Latest Reports

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

Read Article
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

Read Article
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

‘Bad Bunny transcends languages and borders’

News 30 June 2026

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‘Extraordinary’ crowds line Montreal streets for Angine de Poitrine festival show

News 30 June 2026

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Serbia’s Sava Centar steps up touring ambitions

News 30 June 2026

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Exclusive: Three-quarters of StubHub UK arena listings from just three sellers, research finds

News 30 June 2026

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Illinois targets bots and ‘ghost selling’ in ticketing crackdown

The state's governor signed a series of bills into law last week aiming to combat bot purchasing, junk fees, and speculative listing

News 30 June 2026

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Pieter Smit Group acquires UK-based MM Band Services

The leading European logistics organisation is bridging the Brexit-caused gap for transit service providers by establishing a UK hub

News 30 June 2026

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Legends Global’s Lister announces retirement from 2027

News 29 June 2026

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‘The last year has marked a turning point for DICE’

News 29 June 2026

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European festivals halted by violent storms amid heatwave

France's Retro C Trop Festival and Belgium's Werchter Boutique were both cut short as a result of weather impacts amid widespread disruption

News 29 June 2026

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Anna and Vulkan at Arezzo Wave London, Bush Hall

‘Italy’s second city’: Arezzo Wave expands artist showcases to London

Marking its 40th anniversary, the Italian festival will add London as its third international showcase location for emerging Italian talent

News 29 June 2026

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Rosalia LUX tour

Rising multilingual shows drives ‘must-have’ live translation demand

After providing live translation for Rosalia's LUX tour, data firm Musixmatch says lyric displays are becoming an indispensable part of the live experience

News 29 June 2026

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Rock in Rio Lisboa draws record 330k fans for 11th edition

Taking place over two weekends, the Portuguese event featured Katy Perry, Linkin Park, Rod Stewart, and 21 Savage as headliners

News 29 June 2026

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Sweden’s Way Out West to offer tickets to scam victims

With the Real Fake Ticket, the Gothenburg festival's organisers are looking to help fans who have been scammed out of seeing their top acts

News 26 June 2026

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Upcoming deadline ‘clearest opportunity’ for EU dynamic pricing regulation

As a key stage approaches for the EU's Digital Fairness Act, campaigners say extent of legislative action will be decided in the next week

News 26 June 2026

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‘The mothership of FKP’s festival fleet’: Hurricane at 30 years

FKP Scorpio chief Stephan Thanscheidt recounts the German festival's legacy and evolution as it marks its 30th anniversary

News 26 June 2026

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European festivals brace for difficult weekend as heatwave continues and events cancelled

Defqon.1 and Solidays festivals have been axed as hundreds of millions of Europeans swelter, with more events likely to be disrupted

News 26 June 2026

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Gunna at Detty December 2025 Ilubirin Lagos

Livespot eyes long-term venue use for Lagos residential development

After a mixed-use waterfront complex became Lagos' latest repurposed live location, Livespot talks of the benefits of adapting the 60,000-cap space

News 26 June 2026

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Conference news: ESNS announces first 2027 speakers

Plus: New ADE PRO and BIGSOUND announce programmes for anniversary editions, plus updates from AVA London and Indie Week Australia

News 26 June 2026

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Arena Stars 2026: Australasia

Kai Tak Arena, K-Arena Yokohama, Qudos Bank Arena, SM Mall of Asia Arena, and Spark Arena are in part two of IQ's 20 best-in-class venues

Feature 26 June 2026

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C3 Presents’ Huston Powell set for inaugural IFF LA keynote

The festival promoter will offer rare insight into some of the world's most successful events to close out the 14-16 September conference

News 25 June 2026

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Diljit Dosanjh US Tour

Diljit Dosanjh closes out record-breaking North American run

The star has broken his own record for the highest grossing North American tour by a Punjabi artist, promoters said

News 25 June 2026

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Live Nation and OVG venue confirmed for Dublin city centre

Live Nation today confirmed the purchase of Dublin dock land plot for the construction of the venue, reportedly set to become Ireland's largest

News 25 June 2026

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Taking immersion outdoors: Inside Minecraft’s ‘Moonlight Trail’ in Buenos Aires

Producer 6 Pasos on what it took to turn a massive virtual phenomenon into a record-breaking, open-air nighttime experience

News 25 June 2026

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UK’s Splendour Festival to end with 2026 edition

The independent promoter DHP Family blamed reduced civic support for the decision but said its wider event portfolio was 'thriving'

News 25 June 2026

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