The New South Wales Government in Australia is set to relax coronavirus restrictions, with QR codes for check in only required at nightclubs and large festivals. From Friday 18, there will be no density limits for hospitality venues, which previously had to adhere to one person per two square metres. QR check-ins at venues such …
Snapchat to offer music and live events discovery
Users of social media platform, Snapchat will now be able to find shows performed by their favourite artists via ‘Ticketmatcher’ Mini, in partnership with ticketing company, Ticketmaster. Fans will be matched with upcoming shows based on their favourite music genres, and will be able to browse events from Ticketmaster’s catalogue and send invitations to friends …
Netherlands relaxes restrictions and paves the way for live events
The Government of the Netherlands has announced the further relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions for live events, venues and nightclubs. From February 18, all locations will be able to stay open until 1am, up from the current 10pm curfew. However, until February 25, coronavirus entry passes must be shown at businesses such as cinemas, theatres, music …
German events bodies call for end of restrictions
The German events industry has called for the immediate end of all pandemic-related restrictions on public events. The Forum Veranstaltungswirtschaft is an alliance between six associations, including the Federal Association of Concert and Event Industry (BDKV), the European Association of Event Centers (EVVC), Trade Association for Trade Fairs and Exhibitions (FAMA), Interest group of independent …
Fever raises $227m in Goldman Sachs-led funding round
Live entertainment discovery platform Fever has raised $227m (£169m/€203m) in a funding round led by the Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management. The round has valued Fever at over $1bn and the company has claimed it was the largest ever funding round for a live entertainment tech start-up. While Goldman Sachs Growth led the …
Northern Ireland, France to ease restrictions, German live entertainment bodies call for help
Northern Ireland has joined the rest of the United Kingdom in easing a number of COVID-19 restrictions. However, the country will maintain the COVID-19 certification scheme for nightclubs, indoor unseated or partially seated events with 500 people or more. The COVID-19 certification scheme means that attendees will still have to provide proof of double vaccination …
FEAT launches new guide on dealing with touted tickets
Face-value European Alliance for Ticketing (FEAT) has launched a new guide for its members and European promoters on how to deal with potential touted tickets. Launched at Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) Showcasefestival and Conference this week, the guide provides simple steps on how promoters can prevent tickets from ending up in the hands of ticket touts, …
NFT ticketing deal a ‘major milestone’ for Saudi entertainment industry, says CEO
Saudi Arabia-based strategic investment company Quara Holding has announced a partnership with blockchain-based ticketing technology provider, B.A.M Ticketing. Quara Blockchain, a subsidiary of Quara Holding, will utilise the partnership to help event organisers eliminate ticket fraud and keep track of tickets sold within Saudi Arabia. Each ticket is created using blockchain and non-fungible token (NFT) …
Ticketing for the LGBTQIA+ community
“What would happen if we created our own queer ticketing platform?” This is a question asked by event organiser and entrepreneur Daniel Nardicio to his now business partners Taylor Shubert and Sam Benedict. Following a global pandemic, where Nardicio was just one of the many event organisers that suffered greatly at the hands of …
Denmark and Sweden continue compensation for cancelled live events
The Governments of Sweden and Denmark have announced they will continue to offer financial compensation to organisers and businesses that have suffered due to the cancellation of live events thanks to COVID-19. During a press conference, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced that further cancellation compensation would be available to event organisers, if it is …