AEG Presents has strengthened its commitment to the K-pop market by forming a strategic partnership with South Korean label and content company KQ Entertainment.

The move builds upon recent developments from the multinational promoting firm, which last year announced it would join forces with Korean AI metaverse firm Galaxy Corporation to further technological advancements in the touring and entertainment spaces, specifically around K-pop shows.

With this formal partnership, AEG will now lead producing and promoting breakout K-pop boy band ATEEZ’s worldwide tours. The eight-member group recently concluded the European leg of their Towards The Light: Will To Power trek, selling 180,000 tickets to sold-out crowds across the continent.

The AEG-promoted venture included milestones such as becoming the first K-pop artist to headline Paris’s La Défense Arena (cap. 40,000), and inaugural K-pop shows in cities like Lyon, Milan, and Zurich.

“We are always very keen to open up new arena markets for K-pop and we felt the perfect time to do this was on ATEEZ’s biggest-ever tour of Europe, and introduce Zurich and Milan which have both been resounding sold-out successes,” Simon Jones, AEG Presents’ SVP of international touring, said to IQ following the Swiss gig.

“The appetite for the genre shows no signs of slowing up.”

The recent tour’s North American leg sold 200,000 tickets and included sell-out shows at New York City’s Citi Field (41,800), two BMO Stadium (22,000) shows in Los Angeles, and Arlington’s Globe Life Field (40,300). ATEEZ will wrap up the tour with two Seoul shows at KSPO Dome (15,000) this weekend, 22-23 March.

Another AEG-supported K-pop project has reportedly stalled

AEG and KQ’s previous collaborations also include bringing the Billboard chart-topping band to Coachella last year as the first K-pop boy group to perform at the Goldenvoice festival, an AEG subsidiary. ATEEZ was also recently crowned K-Pop Artist of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

This latest venture with KQ further cements AEG’s efforts in the K-pop realm. In 2022, AEG partnered with K-pop touring and marketing firm Powerhouse, which has worked with some of K-pop’s biggest stars such as BTS and Blackpink.

The two firms had been working in tandem since 2010 when they produced what’s remembered as “the first blast of K-pop in the US”.

AEG also promoted BLACKPINK’s 2022-23 Born Pink world tour, which became the most-attended concert tour by a K-pop girl group with 1.8 million attendees. The group headlined the AEG-backed BST Hyde Park in London in 2023, the first K-pop group to do so, with Stray Kids joining the headliner pool last summer.

Blackpink is due back out this year, with the Live Nation-promoted stadium tour stopping in Seoul, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, London, and Tokyo.

But, another AEG-supported project, the 20,000-capacity, K-pop-specialised CJ LiveCity Arena in Goyang City, Seoul, has reportedly stalled.

Originally slated to open this year, the Goyang city government ended its agreement with CJ LiveCity — a subsidiary of media conglomerate CJ ENM — last year after the company halted construction in the spring of 2023 due to funding issues.

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Live Nation Sweden has announced the appointment of promoter Darren Edwards.

With close to three decades of experience working within the music industry at record labels, artist management and music journalism, Edwards brings a unique and diverse skill set to the new role focusing on promoting rock gigs, according to LN.

During his career, he has managed international artist campaigns for Warner Music Sweden/ADA, Roadrunner Records, Nuclear Blast, Silver Lining Music and BMG, and worked with artists including Slash, In Flames, Iron Maiden, HammerFall, Europe, Sabaton, Gojira, Opeth, Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold.

“His ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate directly with rock and metal audiences, provide rock fans with exclusive, one-of-a-kind events, such as the “Train 666” a collaboration between Live Nation Sweden, Swedish train operator MTRX and directly with Iron Maiden management, continues to set him apart as a key influencer in the rock industry,” per a release.

Live Nation Sweden’s promoter business is led by head promoter Richard “Sejka” Ardermark.

AEG has promoted Andrew Klein to president of global partnerships

Elsewhere, AEG has promoted Andrew Klein to president of global partnerships. In this role, Klein will oversee all sales and activation business for AEG Presents’ Global Partnerships division, reporting to executive vice president and chief operating officer Shawn Trell.

Klein, who previously held the title of senior vice president of global partnerships, will continue to be based in New York.

He has spent two decades with AEG Presents and is responsible for spearheading its sponsorship sales efforts across the company’s tours, festivals and music venues. These assets include marquee properties such as Stagecoach Festival, Camp Flog Gnaw, the New Orleans Jazz Fest & Heritage Festival, and the company’s 55+ owned and operated venues, as well as a plethora of music tours.

In the UK, Manchester-based indie agency Echelon Talent Agency has announced a rebrand to Echelon Artists.

Launched in October 2019 by co-founders Liam Spencer and Stephen Moss, the rebrand aligns the company’s identity with the values of innovation, creativity, and collaboration that underpin the groundbreaking alternative artists it represents.

In addition, Echelon Artists is expanding its team with the addition of junior agent Kieran Murphy.

The agency’s roster includes the likes of All That Remains, Massive Wagons, Nekrogoblikon, As Everything Unfolds, The Dangerous Summer, Incantation, We Lost The Sea, Lake
Malice, Party Cannon and Venus Grrrls.

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Massive Attack is set to deliver a 100% battery-powered festival headline set during the inaugural LIDO Festival in London this summer.

The British duo, comprised of Robert ‘3D’ Del Naja and Grant ‘Daddy G’ Marshall, will expand on their Act 1.5 show series during the AEG-backed event. Last year, the group pioneered decarbonised live music events with shows in their native Bristol and Liverpool.

In partnership with clean energy provider Ecotricity, the hip-hop group plans to deliver a historic day in the UK capital, their first London festival show in nearly a decade.

“To present London’s first ever 100% battery-powered festival day with a dynamic range of artists is an optimum outcome for us. History shows it’s often the combination of art and science that overcomes the greatest challenges we face, so it’s good to see LIDO take learnings from our ACT1.5 event last year and apply those technologies to where they see emissions coming from,” Del Naja says.

“Clean productions beginning this journey to normalisation is good news for everyone, but especially for music fans that come to festivals and the local communities that live around them.”

LIDO is part of AEG’s efforts toward “a broader adoption of industry-leading sustainability principles across AEG European Festivals”, says Jim King, AEG Presents’ CEO of European Festivals.

“Big changes require both courage and determination, and I cannot speak highly enough of Massive Attack and their team for embracing the challenge of launching this important initiative. AEG was fortunate to collaborate with Massive Attack on the ACT 1.5 event in Bristol last summer, which set the standard and inspired our team to continue the work they have started at LIDO,” he says.

“A new line has been drawn in the sand for what we expect of events of all sizes”

Following the initial Bristol performance, A Greener Future’s Claire O’Neill hailed the climate-action concert as a “new dawn” for sustainable events.

“A new line has been drawn in the sand for what we expect of events of all sizes, and what can be done when you really put your mind to it, and your money where your mouth is. I think that we’re going to see fewer and fewer diesel generators being used in the coming years, finally,” she said at the time.

O’Neill will deliver a session on Act 1.5 and the future of battery-power events during both the Green Events and Innovations Conference next Tuesday, 25 February and ILMC Futures Forum next Friday, 28 February.

Support for the day will come from French duo Air, Yasiin Bey, and The Alchemist are FORENSICS, with additional names to be announced. Massive Attack round out LIDO’s headliners, and join Jamie xx (Saturday 7 June), OUTBREAK Fest (Friday 13 June), Charli xcx’s own party girl festival (Saturday 14 June) and London Grammar (Sunday 15 June) for the inaugural event.

Sustainability is at the forefront of some UK events this year, with Boomtown launching a hydrogen-powered stage in partnership with Hydrologiq. Organisers claim they will be the first major UK festival to host a stage of this nature.

The effort adds to previous efforts between the partners, as Hydrologiq provided power to the public transport hub via a hydrogen-powered generator for the festival and the week preceding in 2022.

This year’s edition, set for 6-10 August, will feature Maribou State, the Sex Pistols ft. Frank Carter, Sean Paul, Overmono, Hybrid Minds, Nia Archives, and more.

Festivals in Norway, Germany, the US, the UK, and Brazil have added a variety of names

In additional festival news, lineups across the world have added a variety of names.

Norway’s Øyafestivalen has recently added Mk.gee, BICEP, Lola Young, Kelly Lee Owens, Anna of the North, and Yung Lean & Bladee to its impressive lineup. The 6-9 August event will be headlined by Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and Queens of the Stone Age.

The UK’s Rock N Roll Circus will also boast Queens of the Stone Age, along with the Viagra Boys, Fat Dog, the Bug Club, and So Good in Sheffield on 27 August. They join Reverend and The Makers, headlining another day in Sheffield, along with McFly, Courteneers, Olly Murs, Sam Ryder, and more for the three-day Norwich edition of the festival.

Norway’s Bergenfest has finalised its lineup, adding names including Lucy Dacus, Anna of the North, Lambrini Girls, Confidence Man, 070 Shake, The Wombats, and Princess Nokia. The four-day festival, set on the grounds of a medieval castle and fortress in the Bergen city centre, returns from 11-14 June and will be led by Alanis Morissette, Roxette, The The, Kjartan Lauritzen, Benjamin Ingrosso, and Aurora.

Germany’s Parookaville, set for 18-20 July, has announced Alok, Artbat, Felix Jaehn, and Kshmr will join as headliners, adding to a programme led by Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, and more.

Mariah Carey, Jessie J, and Camilla Cabello will head up Brazil’s The Town in September

Hamburg’s MS Dockville will be headed up by Raye, alongside The Last Dinner Party, Lola Young, Royel Otis, Sigrid, Peter Doherty, and Milleniumkid. The two-day festival will take place from 15-16 August.

The US’s Oceans Calling will see Green Day, Lenny Kravitz, Noah Kahan, Vampire Weekend, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer top the bill, along with co-organisers O.A.R. The C3 Presents-backed festival lands in Ocean City, Maryland from 26-28 September.

Across the country, FairWell Festival will return to Oregon from 18-19 July, led by Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson. Dwight Yoakam, Sierra Farrell, Cody Jinks, Koe Wetzel, Flatland Cavalry, Tanya Tucker, and Ludacris will also perform.

The UK’s End of The Road recently added nearly 100 names to its 28-31 August event, including Viagra Boys, The National frontman Matt Berninger, DIIV, Christopher Owens, Katy J Pearson, Mabe Fratti, and Sofia Kourtesis. Caribou, Father John Misty, Self Esteem, and Black Country, New Road will also feature.

Nottinghamshire’s Forbidden Forest has unveiled the second phase of its lineup, adding Marco Carola, Andy C, I Hate Models, Sam Divine, Sota, and Charlie Sparks to its 29 May-1 June event.

And Brazil’s The Town will return this September, with Mariah Carey, Jessie J, Camilla Cabello, and Ivete Sangalo revealed as the São Paulo festival’s first stars.

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AEG has announced a restructuring of its international divisions in order to strengthen the company’s focus on global growth.

As part of the realignment, Adam Wilkes will assume responsibility for AEG Presents’ regional operations in Asia-Pacific and Europe, in the new position of president and CEO of AEG Presents, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

As part of the newly expanded role, Wilkes will also oversee AEG Presents’ European regional offices, reporting to AEG Presents chairman and CEO Jay Marciano. He will relocate from Singapore to London later this year.

AEG says Wilkes has been instrumental in building the company’s footprint in Asia-Pacific since joining the firm in 2011, having led major initiatives such as a partnership with Frontier Touring, the development of Bangkok’s UOB Live, and Nagoya’s soon-to-open IG Arena.

The reshuffle will also see Alex Hill step up to assume leadership of all of the company’s global real estate and venue operations outside of the US, in the new position of president and CEO, AEG International.

Hill will remain in London and will continue to oversee AEG’s European sports teams and its venue and real estate portfolio, including The O2 in London and German properties in Berlin and Hamburg.

“By ensuring that our talent is focused on the right opportunities, we will be well positioned to deliver growth”

In addition, he assumes responsibility for AEG’s new venue development and operations in Asia Pacific and other international regions outside the United States. Having successfully led AEG’s European operations since 2019 – prior to which he served as COO and CFO – Hill will report to AEG’s president and CEO, Dan Beckerman.

Hill will be tasked with ensuring the success of new AEG venues coming online in Asia, including IG Arena in Japan. Hill will also be focused on advancing other ongoing projects such as the Bangkok Mall Arena and the arena-anchored entertainment district project planned for the redevelopment of the Osaka Expo Park.

Wilkes and Hill will assume their new positions on February 1, 2025.

“This new management structure aligns our international organisation with our corporate business and allows us to better focus our resources to best manage our existing businesses while also achieving our ambitious strategic growth initiatives around the globe,” says Dan Beckerman, president and CEO of AEG. “By ensuring that our talent is focused on the right opportunities, we will be well positioned to deliver growth, as well as new experiences and innovative services for our global artists, partners and fans.”

Beckerman adds: “We have tremendous confidence in Adam and Alex, both of whom are seasoned strategic leaders with proven track records. Their understanding of our customers and markets, their deep industry experience, and their newly restructured responsibilities will position them to continue driving AEG’s international growth.”

Marciano comments: “As the live entertainment industry continues its unprecedented global growth, ensuring seamless integration across our regions is critical to our success. Adam’s track record in building markets, coupled with his strategic vision and operational expertise, makes him the ideal leader to drive AEG Presents’ international expansion in Europe, further strengthening our global business.”

Earlier this month, AEG announced several promotions including Emma Bownes to senior vice president of venue programming across AEG’s European venues.

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AEG is reportedly suing Young Thug over the $16 million sale of his catalogue in the latest chapter of their long-running legal dispute.

As per AllHipHop, the promoter alleges the Grammy Award-winning rapper – real name Jeffrey Williams – violated their deal by selling hundreds of copyrights it says were meant to serve as collateral for an unpaid loan.

AEG is said to have loaned Williams’ record label Young Stoner Life (YSL) $5.25m in 2017, giving the company exclusive rights to his concerts.

However, it alleges that Williams and YSL defaulted on the loan, as well as misrepresenting their ability to fulfil the repayment.

AEG originally launched legal action against Young Thug in 2021

According to legal documents, AEG is seeking the return of the $5.25 million loan, with interest, plus the proceeds the artist received from the 2021 sale of his publishing.

AEG has been approached for comment.

The firm originally launched legal action against Williams in 2021, accusing the rapper of breach of contract. The dispute was set for trial in October 2022, only for it to be delayed after Williams was charged in a separate case.

The 33-year-old agreed a plea deal last month, meaning the matter should now be able to proceed.

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AXS has announced the acquisition of Hamburg-based ticketing company white label eCommerce.

Founded in 2012 by renowned German music and sports ticketing executive Arndt Scheffler, the firm specialises in white-label ticketing that allows music, sports, and festival event operators to ticket events through a simple self-service “autonomous” platform that can be custom branded.

Following the acquisition, white label eCommerce will continue its business but as part of AXS Germany, based in Berlin and Hamburg.

Current white label customers including music festivals Wacken Open Air, Jazz Open Stuttgart, Ulmer Zelt), sporting events (including the handball series champion THW Kiel), live music shows, venues, and theatres (Die Fantastischen Vier, SIDO, 6K United) throughout Germany, will be serviced by the AXS Germany team.

“Their stellar reputation for client service, iconic list of clients, and forward-thinking technology aligns with our brand’

In October, AEG-owned AXS reached an agreement with AEG’s Uber Arena in Berlin and Barclays Arena in Hamburg to service premium ticketing at both venues.

“The entire team is thrilled to become a part of a respected global business like AXS and the broader AEG team,” says Scheffler. “We know that our clients, employees and ultimately the entire German market will all benefit from the world-class platform and operations. Now we are expanding our existing portfolio and becoming part of a highly competent and financially strong sports and entertainment group. We’re excited about what lies ahead.”

Blaine Legere, president, International, AXS, adds: “We’re honoured to welcome white label eCommerce to the AXS global team. Their stellar reputation for client service, iconic list of clients, and forward-thinking technology aligns with our brand. The white label team has a growing and diversified customer base, and is poised to play a meaningful role as we accelerate our business going forward.”

AXS’ growing global footprint includes venues, sports teams, festivals, and live events across UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand such as B.League, Swedish Elite Football, Venues New South Wales, American Express Presents BST Hyde Park, All Points East, The O2, OVO Arena Wembley and Stockholm Live!

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AEG has announced plans to launch a new festival called Lido next summer in east London’s Victoria Park.

The event, named after the park’s historic Lido Fields, will take place across two weekends in June 2025.

Acts are yet to be revealed but AEG says the festival will showcase the “most current headliners and work closely with them to curate the line ups, reflecting their own musical passions, with a strong focus on emerging artists”.

The promoter says the festival will also have a “strong emphasis” on sustainability and will offer “community-driven” activities during the week, taking note from its flagship Victoria Park festival All Points East.

“Lido Festival represents the next stage of AEG’s festival journey,” says Jim King, CEO of European Festivals at AEG Presents.

“Taking place at Victoria Park, one of our favourite locations in the heart of London’s creative districts, Lido Festival allows us to push our ambitions further in working with young people within the industry and those who aspire to be. Most excitingly, this centres a new generation of artists, whether they’re headlining or performing for the first time.

“Most excitingly, this centres a new generation of artists, whether they’re headlining or performing for the first time”

“The vision of supporting the artists’ journey further develops as we programme each day directly with the headliner. This delivers a show that fans know has the artists’ musical soul embedded throughout. This is one of the most exciting aspects of Lido Festival, knowing that everyone on the bill means something to the headliner closing out the show.”

Beyond the music, the festival will focus on sustainable policies and processes ranging from how the festival is powered to waste disposal management, through to partnerships with local food vendors.

Lido will also expand on AEG’s ongoing partnership with East London Arts and Music (ELAM), providing students with hands-on experience such as performing or working in festival production, technology, and the wider music industry.

“This new festival, coming to our multi-award-winning Victoria Park, has the potential to provide more opportunities for residents to benefit from cultural events; increase expenditure in and boost our local economy through visits to the borough; and generate more income to support council services including the upkeep of our parks and open spaces,” says Councillor Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation.

“We look forward to working with AEG, to ensure that community benefits are at the heart of the new Lido Festival.”

News of the new Victoria Park festival comes shortly after Field Day announced its departure from the east London location.

Since 2021, the Superstruct-owned event has taken place as part of AEG’s All Points East but will now move to south London’s Brockwell Park.

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AEG-owned ticketing firm AXS has established its first office in France, in the capital city of Paris.

Lucile Genest, former head of ticketing at Accor Arena in Paris, has been appointed head of strategic operations for the office.

She will spearhead the company’s strategy, development, operations, account management and marketing throughout France.

Previous to AXS, Genest spent 25 years at the 20,300-capacity Accor Arena where she oversaw primary, secondary and VIP ticketing, revenue growth, the digital transformation of the arena and ticketing systems for the biggest international concerts and sports events.

When Accor’s owner, Paris Entertainment Company, acquired the Bataclan Theater and Adidas Arena, Genest added those two venues to her purview serving as head of ticketing for all three venues.

“Lucile is a veteran ticketing executive with an impeccable track record in live events”

“Lucile is a veteran ticketing executive with an impeccable track record in live events,” says Blaine Legere, president, International. “Her expertise and knowledge of the French live event market will be invaluable as we build our portfolio in the country.”

Genest adds: “My career in ticketing started while I was in college, working at the box office of Accor Arena. Over the years, ticketing has only grown more complex and I’ve had the privilege of being at the center of major transformation in my many venue ticketing roles. I am delighted to join AXS and lead their efforts in France to partner with the most iconic French events, concerts, teams and venues.”

News of AXS’s France office comes weeks after AXS announced its expansion into Germany via partnerships with two major arenas.

The firm’s presence in Europe also includes UK partners such as The O2, OVO Arena Wembley, Venues South Wales, BST Hyde Park and All Points East festivals. In Sweden, AXS is the exclusive ticketing provider for Stockholm Live! and Swedish Elite Football.

Elsewhere in the French ticketing market, CTS Eventim has been given the green light to acquire a further 17% of the share capital of France Billet.

CTS Eventim has been given the green light to acquire a further 17% of the share capital of France Billet

The European Commission says it has no antitrust or other objections to CTS exercising the call option to increase its stake in France Billet from 48% to 65%.

The remaining 35% is owned by Fnac Darty, France’s largest retailer of entertainment products, consumer electronics and household appliances.

CTS Eventim first took a stake in France Billet in November 2019, merging its own French ticketing activities into the partnership.

France Billet, along with subsidiaries Tick&Live and Eventim France, manages 36 million tickets in France through its ticketing technology and services activities.

The company was recently named the official supporter of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games ticketing services.

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Welcome to the second part of IQ Magazine’s 2024 Green Guardians – our annual recognition of those eco-warriors and innovators at the forefront of the battle to make the live entertainment industry more sustainable.

The Green Guardians is spearheaded by IQ and an international panel of sustainability experts to highlight and congratulate companies and organisations who are improving the live music business when it comes to being more environmentally friendly.

This year’s list includes 22 entries across a wide range of event suppliers, campaigners, and solutions providers, all of whom are working tirelessly to reduce the carbon footprint of the live entertainment business.

IQ will publish entries across all categories over the coming days, and you can find the whole cohort in the latest edition of the magazine here.

AEG Europe

AEG Europe, a leader in the live sports and entertainment industry, is using its platform and reach to make a significant impact on the planet. With millions of fans and thousands of events annually, the company is committed to minimising its environmental impact and raising public awareness about issues to make meaningful change.

The company made new strides this year, with the world’s first carbon-removed arena events being a highlight. The O2 removed nearly 550 tons of carbon across four shows with The 1975, a monumental moment in event sustainability. The venue also achieved Greener Arena certification from AEG and introduced the Green Rider to promote sustainable practices among promoters and artists.

In addition, the American Express presents BST Hyde Park festival series that takes place in London implemented the next stage of its net-zero strategy, reducing its carbon emissions via Biochar and utilising 100% compostable serveware to limit waste. On the horizon, the company’s proposed 8,500-capacity Edinburgh Park Arena, set to open in 2027, is set to be a net-zero venue and will generate over half of its energy from low or zero-carbon technologies.

Through these industry-leading initiatives, AEG Europe hopes it can be a model for other venues, promoters, and tours worldwide, through promoting a greener future for live events.

ASM Global

Venue and event management giant ASM Global is elevating its buildings worldwide, with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-level certification, or a local equivalent, becoming the new standard. Its P&J Live arena in Aberdeen, Scotland, has been recognised as one of the most sustainable venues in the UK and is part of its expansive portfolio of venues in Europe, the United States, Australia, and Asia.

In late 2023, ASM Global formed a partnership with Voltus, a leader in distributed energy and virtual power plants. Voltus is set to pay ASM Global for cutting back its energy usage at its US venues, a deal that is already yielding results less than one year in.

The transnational company has also joined with r.World, the largest reuse platform, to aid in eliminating single-use plastic throughout ASM Global’s North American portfolio by replacing it with reusable service ware.

This May, the company opened Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in the US’s Ozark Mountains. The amphitheatre has been permanently designated to support a not-for-profit conservation foundation. And to ensure the company’s supply chain meets its green goals, ASM’s Supplier Diversity Program builds relationships with local businesses to support a regional ecosystem of goods and services. Participating venues include The Greek Theatre (Los Angeles), T-Mobile Center (Kansas City), Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas), and State Farm Arena (Atlanta).

Mojo Concerts

Netherlands-based MOJO Concerts launched its Road to Zero Waste policy last January, driven by Kees Lamers and Maarten van Lokven. The company aims to make its festivals, concerts, and offices climate-neutral and circular by 2030, with the initiative also including popular Amsterdam venues AFAS Live and Ziggo Dome.

To achieve this objective, MOJO is working to replace diesel generators with connections to the main electricity network. This year, the events company has introduced a series of policies: from reusable coffee cups and recyclable cups at Goffertpark festivals and a shift to plant-based foods to expanded car-sharing options and a bring-your-own-bottle policy.

The Road to Zero Waste campaigns at Pinkpop Festival and Down The Rabbit Hole have been successful, with attendees receiving recycling kits with sorting information and bags leading to minimal camping gear left behind.

Pieter Smit

The Netherlands-based transportation group’s sustainability goals focus on two main areas: green facilities and sustainable touring using proven and accessible technologies.

For its facilities, Pieter Smit has implemented a range of solutions such as heating with geothermal energy, solar panels, and LED lighting. It has implemented rainwater collection for internal drainage and truck washing in some of its establishments, while its workshops and storage areas are powered by solar energy.

Pieter Smit continues to offer HVO as an interim solution for touring until more advanced technologies become widely available and affordable, while also incorporating electric vehicles and focusing on smaller, longer-distance vehicles as technology improves.

Later this year, the company will embark on an all-electric vehicle tour in collaboration with theatrical company Jakop Ahlbom.

GeoPura

GeoPura is a company providing zero-emission energy solutions by using renewable sources like solar and wind to create green hydrogen. This product is then used to produce clean electricity, a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, using no carbon and producing only water as a byproduct.

In 2024, GeoPura led the way in reducing emissions at major events with their hydrogen-powered generators. At the Isle of Wight Festival in the UK, they replaced diesel generators, supplying clean power to key areas like catering and guest services for the first time with hydrogen. This marked the first instance of hydrogen power being integrated into the festival’s infrastructure.

Their success at Isle of Wight festival led to further projects, including powering welfare and recycling areas at Latitude Festival, the main stage at a 30,000-cap event, the Touch Rugby World Cup, and the live TV broadcast of the BMW PGA Tour, all with zero emissions.

Partnering with brands like Live Nation, GeoPura has demonstrated that green hydrogen can effectively power large events sustainably.

KB Event

Environmental sustainability is at the heart of KB Event, as the company is continuously striving to identify and deliver practical solutions to boost efficiency and reduce impact on the environment for the industry.

By working collaboratively with clients, KB Event merges expertise from different backgrounds to combat communal challenges. An example of this includes KB Event’s introduction of HVO, working with Peak Oils to supply 100% renewable, palm-oil-free diesel into its fleet. A few years out from introduction, this HVO now reduces net CO2 emissions by up to 90% and lowers nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide emissions.

This year, the palm-oil-free HVO Biofuel has been used on tours by Yungblud and Massive Attack and at events like DragCon 2024, Insurtech, Mobile World Congress, and EarthFest. Their dedication to sustainability dates back to 2008 when they became the first event logistics company to receive environmental accreditation.

Their new Wandsworth depot is ready to service events in and around London. Here, they will also provide the industry with the option of HVO, but more importantly, battery-electric vans and trucks, as they trial this with Volta Trucks.

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AEG Presents has joined forces with Galaxy Corporation, a Korean AI metaverse firm, to collaborate on the global expansion of the Korean pop (K-pop) genre.

It comes as AEG Presents gears up to open the “world’s first K-Pop specialised arena“, which will reportedly be enabled by the metaverse and augmented reality.

The strategic collaboration, announced this week during the Korean-Singapore Business Forum, is designed to further technological advancements in the touring and entertainment spaces, specifically around K-pop shows.

Galaxy Corporation began breaking into the music sector last December by signing “King of K-pop” G-Dragon, leader of the influential K-pop band BIGBANG.

The company works to distribute Korean entertainment to a global audience, through VR/AR content production, digital events, and performances. In addition, Galaxy deals with intellectual properties and operates in the television sector, producing Netflix’s Physical: 100.

“We will provide a new type of performance experience to the audience by developing technologies such as AI, augmented reality (AR), mixed reality, and robots into entertainment,” says Choi Yong-ho, CEO of Galaxy Corporation.

“We will also promote sustainable growth of the K-pop industry by discovering and supporting new artists.”

Adam Wilkes, president and CEO of AEG Presents Asia, adds: “We are looking forward to how the collaboration between the two companies will bring about both artists and audiences. We will build a platform for K-pop artists to continue to thrive on the global stage.”

By entering the partnership, AEG Presents aspires to build upon previous successes in the genre

In recent years, AEG Presents has dialled in on the K-pop market. The multinational firm is behind the 20,000-capacity CJ LiveCity Arena, which is projected to open in early 2025.

Set to open in Goyang City, Seoul, the nearly ₩2 trillion (€1.3 billion) development comprises the arena and a 40,000-capacity outdoor performance space as part of a larger K-pop entertainment district.

Projected to welcome over 20 million visitors annually, the innovative venue is reportedly designed with technological advancements at the forefront, such as the metaverse and AR.

In 2022, AEG Presents formally partnered with K-pop touring and marketing firm Powerhouse, which has worked with some of K-pop’s biggest stars such as BTS and Blackpink and is a partner of the world’s biggest K-pop festival CJ ENM’s KCON. The two firms had been working in tandem since 2010 when they produced what’s remembered as “the first blast of K-pop in the US”.

KCON expanded to its fifth region earlier this year, landing in Hong Kong for the first time alongside Japan, the US, Europe and Saudi Arabia.

By entering the partnership with Galaxy, AEG Presents aspires to build upon previous successes in the genre. The firm promoted BLACKPINK’s latest trek, the 2022-23 Born Pink world tour, which became the most-attended concert tour by a K-pop girl group with 1.8 million attendees.

BLACKPINK went on to headline the AEG-backed BST Hyde Park in London last summer, a milestone for the summer series: “Having a K-pop band headline a UK festival for the very first time and deliver a great show was an important moment for us,” said Jim King, CEO of AEG’s European festivals.

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