TEG Europe has announced plans to launch the biggest festival the North East of England has ever seen next summer.

The 45,000-capacity event will take place on Newcastle’s Town Moor under the name Come Together.

The 4–8 June 2025 festival is slated to feature a lineup of soon-to-be-revealed UK and global artists, as well as immersive art installations and food vendors, according to TEG.

Newcastle’s previous biggest festival, This Is Tomorrow (cap. 15,000), has not been organised since 2021. Its parent company SSD Concerts, which also promoted Hit the North, Bingley Weekender and Corbridge festival, ceased operations after allegations were made against managing director Steve Davis.

“We are absolutely thrilled to bring an event of this calibre to the North East,” says Toby Leighton-Pope, managing director of TEG Europe. “Newcastle can expect an unforgettable festival experience featuring some of the biggest and best names in global music. This festival is all about celebrating the region, its culture, and its love for music, and we can’t wait to share more details in the coming weeks. We’re gearing up for what will be a landmark event for the region.”

“Newcastle can expect an unforgettable festival experience featuring some of the biggest and best names in global music”

TEG Europe will collaborate with The Freemen of Newcastle, a conservation body protecting the Town Moors, and the City Council on Come Together.

A spokesperson for The Freemen of Newcastle comments: “We are delighted to be working alongside TEG to deliver this huge event for Newcastle and the wider region. We are very fortunate to have one of the largest and most iconic outdoor events spaces in the UK. We look forward to welcoming attendees from all parts of the UK. Together we have a long-term plan to make this a high-profile annual celebration on the Town Moor, and with the level of international artists already booked we are all excited to see the first shows announced.”

TEG Europe promotes over 2,000 concerts a year from intimate club shows to large-scale stadium tours. The firm’s roster of artists includes Noel Gallagher, Bryan Adams, Busted, Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg, Girls Aloud, 50 Cent and McFly.

TEG Europe is part of TEG, the global live entertainment, ticketing, and digital company that spans 30 brands in 40 countries across six continents.

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US music and dessert festival Milk + Cookies will be exported to South Africa at the beginning of next year.

Launched in Atlanta in 2016, the annual festival has presented artists such as Gucci Mane, Tory Lanez and Alina Baraz alongside the culinary offerings from the city’s vibrant dessert scene.

The festival is named after the production and marketing company behind it, which was founded in 2009 and has counted Kendrick Lamar, Jack Harlow, and Summer Walker among its clients.

The debut edition of Milk + Cookies South Africa will be headlined by Haitian-Canadian producer and rapper Kaytranada, marking his debut performances in the country.

He will deliver sets at The Ostrich in Cape Town on 5 January 2024 before heading to Old Park Station in Johannesburg on 11 January 2025.

The festival will be the centrepiece of an eleven-day ‘cultural celebration’ dubbed Milk + Cookie Music Week, featuring concerts, immersive experiences, artist development programmes, and more.

“We believe that South Africa’s dynamic cultural scene and its storied history provide the perfect setting for this milestone event”

Running from 31 December to 11 January, the week will kick off in Cape Town with New Year’s festivities, yacht parties, cultural experiences, and exclusive fashion pop-ups led by local designers.

Throughout the week, performances by local artists and DJs will provide the soundtrack to brunch mixers, fostering creative exchanges between artists from the US, South Africa, and other African countries, according to organisers.

The second-week shifts focus to artist development, offering workshops, panels, and networking mixers designed to nurture South Africa’s emerging music talent.

The festival’s expansion to South Africa follows the success of the first-ever Milk + Cookies Music Week in Atlanta in 2024, which attracted over 10,000 attendees.

“Bringing Milk + Cookies to South Africa is more than an expansion—it’s a celebration of culture, unity, and the universal language of music,” said a spokesperson for Milk & Cookies. “We believe that South Africa’s dynamic cultural scene and its storied history provide the perfect setting for this milestone event. Our festival has always been about more than music; it’s about community, connection, and celebrating the unique cultures that connect us all. We’re excited to join hands with South African artists and audiences to create unforgettable moments together.”

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Cultural festival Hypefest will make its Hong Kong debut in November with a headline performance by Grammy Award-winning electronic duo Justice.

The festival was launched in Brooklyn, New York, in 2018 by the global culture and lifestyle platform Hypebeast, and has since expanded to mainland China.

Now, organisers are shipping the brand to Hong Kong for a two-day outdoor festival at the Central Harbourfront on 9 and 10 November.

The 30,000-capacity event will mark Justice’s first performance in the city since 2015. The duo will be supported by American singer-songwriter d4vd, local band N.Y.P.D, South Korean singer-songwriter Dean and Thai rapper Milli among others.

“We’re excited to bring Hypefest to Hong Kong, the city where our headquarters are based”

Hypefest Hong Kong is funded by local authorities as part of wider efforts to bolster the economy, boost tourism and promote the city as a regional arts hub.

The government has set aside HK$15 million (€1.7m) for the event as part of its Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund.

Kevin Ma, founder and CEO of festival organiser Hypebeast, says: “We’re excited to bring Hypefest to Hong Kong, the city where our headquarters are based. As a significant international hub for arts and culture, we want to create an unforgettable experience for our local community.”

Hypebeast says the festival aims to boost tourism, cement Hong Kong’s status as a premier travel destination and serve as a platform for cultural exchange and community engagement, which could bring “long-term benefits for Hong Kong’s economy and global appeal”.

Standard one-day tickets will cost HK$680 (€78) and HK$988 (€114) for the weekend, while two-day early-bird tickets are available for HK$788 (€91).

The inaugural Hypefest in Brooklyn was free of charge and featured rapper Trippie Redd and rock band No Vacancy.

The second and third editions were held in mainland China, with last year’s event taking place in Qinhuangdao and drawing 15,000 visitors. Another iteration was held in Hangzhou earlier this year and attracted 30,000 revellers.

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Brian Eno’s climate foundation EarthPercent is launching a new UK festival, set to take place during the autumn equinox.

EarthPercent Presents Equinox is billed as “a three-day celebration of music, nature, and thought-provoking talks” from 20–22 September 2024.

The event will see artists including Nitin Sawhney, Shpongle, Younger Brother, Hayden Thorpe, The Egg and Sam Lee perform at Wasing Estate, near Reading.

The equinox will be marked with a ceremony at 1.45 pm on Sunday (22 September), led by multi-instrumentalist and ceremony leader Omer Gonen-Haela, while American mycologist Paul Stamets will host a ‘much-anticipated’ talk.

The Psychedelic Society, Breaking Convention, Urge Collective and Museum of Consciousness will also host talks and panels during EarthPercent Presents Equinox. Wild swimming and a woodland sauna are also available for attendees.

“It will be a deep dive into nature connection and the importance of protecting this precious planet”

Five percent of ticket sales will be donated to EarthPercent, which raises funds for environmental causes through the music industry.

Equinox is the follow-on to Wasing’s Solstice On The Mount, held in June, which has featured artists such as Nick Mulvey, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Xavier Rudd as well as the Yawanawa and Sam Lee.

“Equinox is an exciting collaboration with the folk at Wasing,” says Eno. “It will be a deep dive into nature connection and the importance of protecting this precious planet. There’ll be an eclectic array of artists, talks and workshops on climate and nature connection, as well as the chance to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Wasing estate.”

Joel Gardner, co-executive director of EarthPercent, adds: “[This event is] a great opportunity to raise funds and awareness about our work, at the same time as fully immersing in the stunning nature around Wasing, to encourage a more meaningful relationship with the beautiful planet.”

Eno – a renowned musician, producer, visual artist and activist who first came to international prominence in the early seventies as a founding member of British band, Roxy Music – has made regular appearances at the Green Events and Innovations Conference (GEI) to discuss the work of the EarthPercent.

Registration for the 17th edition of the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) opened earlier this month.

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C3 Presents plans to launch a new two-day festival in Huntsville, Alabama, this September.

South Star festival will debut between 28–29 September at John Hunt Park, also known as the ‘Central Park’ of Huntsville.

Huntsville hasn’t hosted a large-scale music festival since the Big Spring Jam in 2011, which brought artists including Destiny’s Child, Taylor Swift and Wilco to the city.

“This a win-win for Huntsville as well as the region,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “This is a great opportunity to work with a world-class festival producer to bring a world-class event to a world-class park. We can’t wait to see the lineup.”

Huntsville hasn’t hosted a large-scale music festival since the Big Spring Jam in 2011

While the lineup is yet to be announced, social media posts promise punters “nostalgic pop & rock anthems” and C3 Presents’ Ted Heinig told local press that South Star could be compared to the promoter’s Shakey Knees festival, which this year features the Foo Fighters, Bill Idol, Queens of the Stone Age and Arcade Fire.

“Festivals that are really successful right now are focused top-to-bottom and they’re super-serving their fans with all of the artists they like,” Heinig told AL.com.

The C3 Presents festival director has also addressed South Star’s clash with two highly anticipated college football games, adding “We have a strategy to blend football with the music”.

“SEC country takes football season seriously and so do we. Post up with a beer, good eats and friends to watch the big games at our giant sports bar,” reads a section of the website.

C3 Presents’ festival portfolio also includes Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, as well as newer offerings Minnesota Yacht Club, Sick New World and Two Step Inn.

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SZA and The Killers are set to headline the inaugural edition of Sudden Little Thrills, a new two-day music festival coming to Pennsylvania, US.

Taking place at Hazelwood Green in Pittsburgh between 7–8 September, the lineup also features Melanie Martinez, Wiz Khalifa, St. Vincent, Omar Apollo, Fletcher, Yung Gravy and Girl Talk.

In addition, the Live Nation-produced event is spotlighting Pittsburgh’s local artists, with the likes of Feeble Little Horse, Corook, Fedd the God and Krunk and the Center of Life Band on the bill.

According to a release, Sudden Little Thrills’ name embodies the festival’s ethos: “to be present and open to sudden moments of fun, joy, and inspiration”.

The lineup also features Melanie Martinez, Wiz Khalifa, St. Vincent, Omar Apollo, Fletcher, Yung Gravy and Girl Talk

Tickets for the festival start at US$249 (€234) for general admission, $335 (€315) for GA+ and $649 (€610) for two-day VIP tickets which include private bars, dedicated on-field viewing, and express lanes into the festival and at stores.

There is also a two-day platinum ticket for $1400 (€1316), including front-of-stage viewing, complimentary beer and soft drinks, dining, and more.

Fans can also purchase single-day tickets starting at $159 (€149) for GA and $399 (€375) for VIP. Presale tickets are available beginning on 18 April.

A portion of every ticket for Sudden Little Thrills will benefit nonprofit and grassroots organisations within the Hazelwood Community.

Other new Live Nation festivals for 2024 include Fool In Love, Besame Mucho Austin and Minnesota Yacht Club (via C3 Presents) – all set to take place in the US.

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Take That are set to curate and headline a new four-day festival in Malta called The Greatest Weekend.

The 17–20 October event has been touted as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to see the band perform in an intimate live setting, with an array of special guests.

The 90s boy band, comprising Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, will deliver two different headline sets during the Greatest Weekend.

On Saturday night, the trio will perform their iconic album ‘Everything Changes’ live in its entirety for the first time since its release in 1993, while Sunday will see the band hit the stage for a set of smash-hits from across their chart-topping career, as well as songs from their latest Number 1 album, ‘This Life’.

The weekend will also feature performances from acts including Sugababes, Sam Ryder, Daniel Bedingfield, Ella Henderson, Gok Wan and Heather Small.

Sugababes, Sam Ryder, Daniel Bedingfield Ella Henderson, Gok Wan and Heather Small will also perform

The four-day weekend, which takes place across multiple venues, will kick off on Thursday with an opening party hosted by Guilty Pleasures.

General admission tickets start at £249 (€290), with VIP tickets priced from £429 (€500).

Take That are represented by James Wright and Olly Ward at UTA, who recently told IQ about their ambitions and touring strategy for the British icons.

This Life on Tour kicks off in the UK in Sheffield on 13 April, promoted by SJM Concerts, and includes six nights at The O2 in London, six at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena and seven shows at Manchester’s new Co-op Live, as well as multiple dates in Leeds and Dublin, with support from Olly Murs.

It will also take in stadiums in Middlesbrough, Nottingham, West Bridgford, Norwich, Bletchley, Southampton, Plymouth, Swansea and Bristol, followed by outdoor concerts in Cork, Dublin and Belfast.

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DTL Presents is launching a new all-inclusive summer festival in London’s Gunnesbury Park called The Recipe.

The 15,000-capacity event will take place on 6 July, with live music, unlimited food & drinks, amusement rides and beauty experiences included in the yet-to-be-announced ticket price.

Grammy Award-winning R&B star Jazmine Sullivan has been announced as a headliner for the west London event, marking her first UK performance in a decade.

Other artists booked to perform include SiR and Grammy-nominated R&B singer Alex Isley, with more to be announced in the coming months.

“We wanted to introduce The Recipe because we noticed a consistent inclination to seek festival line-ups and experiences abroad that resonated with us,” festival co-founder Anthony Iban told The Independent.

“Recognising the absence of such an immersive experience in London, we set out to fill that gap”

“I travelled all the way to Philadelphia for a festival and was captivated by its fusion of food, community, and music in a single venue. Recognising the absence of such an immersive experience in London, we set out to fill that gap and want the event to become a staple in people’s festival calendar.”

Food vendors confirmed for The Recipe include Santa Nata, which specialises in authentic, traditional Pastel de Nata and Sweet Dee’s Jerk, which offers Caribbean-inspired bowls, wraps and bagels. Tacos and Mexican small-plate dishes will also be available from Breddos Tacos.

DLT (Days Like This) was founded in 2016 and organises daytime and brunch parties in London, New York, Amsterdam, Toronto, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa.

The promoter also organisers an annual four-day festival in Malta for 4,000 people. The third edition, headlined by Kaytranada, will take place on 6–10 and 13–17 June at Bora Bora Ibiza Malta resort.

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Jack Harlow is launching a new music festival this May in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

The inaugural Gazebo Festival will be co-headlined by the rapper himself, as well as R&B star SZA.

James Blake, Vince Staples, Veeze, Pinkpantheress, Rich Homie Quan, Omar Apollo, Majid Jordan, Slum Village, BNYX, Karrahbooo and more round out the bill.

The two-day event will take place at Kentucky’s Waterfront Park on Memorial Day Weekend (25-26 May) to celebrate “the intersection of music and culture”.

“I am so grateful for his commitment to making first class things happen for Louisville”

Gazebo Festival is a partnership between Harlow (repped in North America by Wasserman Music) and local promoter, Production Simple.

Tickets for the event are available from 6 March and start at $255 ($235) for general admission. A portion of all ticket proceeds will benefit community organisations and local initiatives in the Louisville area through the Jack Harlow Foundation, which was launched last year.

“Jack Harlow is an extraordinary Louisvillian who continues to give back to his hometown,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg in a press release. “This is yet another way Jack is showing up for our city, and I can’t wait to see the excitement this festival creates. I am so grateful for his commitment to making first class things happen for Louisville and our people.”

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Lionel Richie and Diana Ross will headline the inaugural Fool In Love festival, produced by Live Nation and Redrock Entertainment.

The debut instalment promises to deliver “legendary performances from pop, soul, and R&B greats” including Santana, Al Green, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, The Isley Brothers, Charlie Wilson, Eric Burdon & The Animals, The O’Jays, The Jacksons and many more.

The one-day event will take place on 31 August at Hollywood Park on the grounds adjacent to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Santana, Al Green, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, The Isley Brothers will perform

Spanning nearly 300 acres, Hollywood Park is the largest urban mixed-use development under construction in the western United States.

Also slated to perform at the park are Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, the Stylistics, the Chi-Lites, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Zapp, Kool & the Gang, Rose Royce and Morris Day & the Time.

War, the Spinners, the Whispers, Durand Jones & the Indications, Barbara Mason, Mayer Hawthorne, the Delfonics, the Stylistics, Los Lobos, Stevie B, Heatwave, the Bar Kays feat. Larry Dodson, Cameo, Shalamar, S.O.S. Band, Dazz Band, the Legendary Blue Notes, Bloodstone, Frankie J, Con Funk Shun, the Pointer Sisters, the Mary Jane Girls and many more are also on the bill.

GA, GA+, VIP and Platinum tickets will be available with layaway payment plans starting at US$19.99 down.

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