MP Kevin Brennan elected as chairman of the APPG for Music 

Member of Parliament (MP) Kevin Brennan has been elected as the chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Music in the UK. The APPG for Music is one of the largest groups in Westminster with more than 100 members, who meet to discuss challenges and opportunities surrounding the music industry. Labour MP Brennan is …

Study finds music fans more likely to care about the environment

A University of Glasgow-led study has found that music fans are more likely to care about climate change than non-music fans. The new report, called Turn Up the Volume, expands on YouGov UK polling of 2,184 adults from across the UK. The study also found that music fans expect the music industry to do more …

Support continues for Ukraine from sport and live music 

Music and sporting organisations are continuing to raise funds for those suffering following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Beatport Livestream, which was launched by online music store Beatport at the start of the pandemic due to the cancellation of live events, will be streaming a fundraiser to benefit those fleeing Ukraine. This Sunday, Beatport’s …

Tvg hospitality secures $50m in new funding

Ben Lovett, of Mumford & Sons fame, has announced that his company, tvg hospitality, has closed $50m (£37m/€44m) in new funding to expand in the UK and the US. The Welsh musician is one of the founding members of folk band Mumford & Sons and has established the new hospitality venture with his brother Greg …

F7 Entertainment Group launches in Canada

Canada has a new music promotion company, F7 Entertainment Group. The full-service promotion firm was founded by Sarath Samarasekera, Emmanuel Patterson, Nhaelan McMillan, Timur Inceoglu and Ryan Penner. The group has previous experience of working within the sector at other major promotion and live entertainment companies, including Live Nation and Union Events. Upcoming events from …

Denmark to lift restrictions, paving the way for live entertainment at full capacity

Denmark is set to remove all COVID-19 restrictions from February 1, except for testing on arrival from abroad, meaning that restrictions on live entertainment, sports and events will be stopped. At present, outdoor and indoor sporting events are able to go ahead, but attendees must present a COVID-19 passport or certificate to show proof of …

Earth Music Agency links up with Evolution Artists

London-based independent music agency, Earth Music Agency, has teamed up with international talent agent Evolution Artists. Evolution co-founders Clive Mill and James Smith will bring with them their ‘revered’ drum & bass roster to Earth. Mill and Smith have 30 years of experience in the music sector between them and started Evolution Artists 10 years …

UK music’s ‘Christmas of misery’ already impacting 2022

The UK’s live music industry is experiencing a “devastating rise in lost income” according to a snap industry survey from trade group LIVE. The group says that up to 50% audience no-shows and widespread cancellations have created a ‘Christmas of misery’ which is set to carry into at least the opening months of 2022. The …

Derbyshire festival will not return due to COVID-19 ‘ramifications’

Indietracks festival, held at the Midland Railway in Butterly, Derbyshire, will not be returning after the COVID-19 pandemic has caused “ongoing ramifications” for event organisers.  The music festival, with its main site located at Swanwick Junction, ran for over 10 years between 2007 and 2019, which proved to be the final time as 2020 was …

Coras partners with Singapore’s SISTIC

Ticket distribution platform Coras has partnered with ticketing agency SISTIC to sell tickets for music, theatre and sporting events across Singapore.  Coras chief executive Mark McLaughlin said that the Asia region is fast “becoming the next big growth market for live music”. Dublin-based Coras enables brands to have access to music, theatre, sport and attraction …