PRS for Music, which represents the rights of over 160,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in the UK and globally, has revealed a record-breaking £211m (€240m/$233m) royalty distribution to members. The figure marks the highest-ever payment in its 108-year history, and an 18% year-over-year increase on October 2021. Live and public performance royalties were up …
Electric Group renews with TM as Newcastle NX opens
Venue operator Electric Group has agreed a renewal of its long-term partnership with Ticketmaster as it opens its overhauled NX Newcastle. The Newcastle venue, formerly O2 Academy, this week hosts its first live show since a £27m redevelopment project, with Digga D to perform. NX Newcastle can hold 2,100 for club nights and 1,550 for …
Backstage: Ed Sheeran, Depeche Mode and more
A round-up of the latest live music news… Ed Sheeran has announced the details of his North American tour for 2023, which will begin at AT&T Stadium Arlington in Texas next May. The ‘Mathematics’ world tour will feature 21 dates at huge stadiums across the US and Canada, with support acts including Khalid, Dylan, Rosa …
A Greener Festival to assist Mexican events’ sustainability targets
UK-based A Greener Festival (AGF) is providing guidance to help Mexican music events develop a sustainable future. A collaboration has been formed between the group, Edinburgh Napier Uni and the British Council’s Cultura Circular project which is a fund for the development of sustainable festivals. The main objectives of the project are to promote cultural …
Deezer targets livestreaming growth through Driift expansion
UK livestreaming business Driift has acquired tech group Dreamstage in a deal backed by global music streaming giant Deezer. The partners said the deal will bring together Driift’s production capabilities with Dreamstage’s technology and commerce platform. The combined business will continue under the Driift name as an independent entity, run by chief executive Ric Salmon …
Wembley welcomes 1.3 million guests over busy summer
Wembley Stadium has closed the doors on a busy summer schedule, with more than 1.3 million attending concerts at the London venue. The Taylor Hawkins tribute gig on September 3 was the final music event to be held at Wembley this year, and witnessed legendary rock stars including Sir Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher, Queen, Brian …
Ed Sheeran backs ‘Own Our Venues’ initiative
Ed Sheeran has pledged his support for Music Venue Trust’s ‘Own Our Venues’ initiative, which aims to take control of the freeholds of music venue premises. By taking control of music venue freeholds, MVT will be able to give them a protected status under benevolent ownership. The concept is built on the ‘Community Share’ model …
Paramore opts for Ticketmaster to limit pricy resales and scalping
Rock band Paramore will utilise Ticketmaster’s ‘Face Value Ticket Exchange’ for their upcoming tour to prevent expensive resales. Paramore is set to begin a concert series in the US with stops in California, Nebraska, Utah, Oklahoma, Ohio, Texas and Florida as well as Toronto in Canada and Mexico City in Mexico. Those looking to attend …
AEG Presents to operate new Raleigh music venue
Live events company AEG Presents and developer of Downtown South, Kane Realty Corporation, have revealed plans for a 3,500-capacity concert venue. The venue will be part of a new entertainment district, Downtown South, in Raleigh, North Carolina. AEG Presents has entered into a long-term lease agreement to operate the concert venue. The new music venue …
Careem partners with events marketplace Tikety
Careem, a multi-service app in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has partnered with online events marketplace Tikety. Tikety’s events marketplace is now available on the Careem app as a ‘Tickets & Passes’ tile, which enables customers to search, purchase and manage tickets and bookings for museums, tours and other activities in the UAE. The service …