Taiwanese city Kaohsiung has reported an economic boost from concerts, driven by international stars performing at the National Stadium.

The southern Taiwan city hosted 96 pop concerts between January and August this year, attracting 950,000 people and resulting in revenues of at least NT$3.2 billion (US$100 million).

In 2024 so far, the National Stadium in Kaohsiung has hosted concerts with the likes of Ed Sheeran (UK), Bruno Mars (US) and One Ok Rock (JP), as well as domestic stars including Energy and Mayday.

Concerts by superstars have attracted overnight and same-day visitors, bringing in an estimated tourism revenue of NT$32.7 bn (US$ 1bn), according to the city’s department of tourism.

It has been projected that more than 120 concerts will be held in the city this year, attracting more than one million concertgoers.

It has been projected that more than 120 concerts will be held in the city this year, attracting more than one million concertgoers

Last year, Kaohsiung hosted 117 concerts with artists including Coldplay at venues such as the Kaohsiung National Stadium, Kaohsiung Arena, Kaohsiung Music Center and Pier-2 Art Center.

The 15,000-capacity Kaohsiung Arena is mainly used for sporting events but has also welcomed local talents such as Zhang Qing Fang, Rene Liu, and A-Lin over the past 12 months.

Data from the city government showed that 1.39 million people attended these events in Kaohsiung, with their consumption of food, accommodation and other services or products generating more than NT$4.5 bn (US$ 141m).

To multiply the economic benefits of pop concerts, the city government has launched a programme to give out NT$50 night market coupons with concert tickets to boost the income of shopping areas.

The city’s catering industry generated gross revenue of NT$39.7 bn (US$1.2m) and the hotel industry saw NT$9.2 bn (US$ 288m) in revenue in the first half of this year – both a record high.

Kaohsiung’s airport, harbour, five-star hotels and 55,000-seat National Stadium has made the city the top destination in Taiwan for international stars, Kaohsiung Bureau of Cultural Affairs Deputy Chief Chien Chia-lun said.

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Mexico City’s newly renovated GNP Seguros Stadium (previously called Foro Sol) was unveiled last week with three sold-out concerts by Bruno Mars.

Inaugurated in 1993, the 65,000-capacity venue is the world’s only permanent stadium that is purpose-built for concerts.

“The goal of other stadiums is usually sport or some other event,” the stadium’s architect Pepe Moyao tells IQ. “Usually, in those venues, you lose a bleacher when you put in a stage. That doesn’t happen in GNP Seguros Stadium – it’s built for concerts. We also have the flexibility to move the stage – back or forward or into the middle – and to host whatever concert is wanted.”

The venue’s operator, Live Nation-backed Ocesa, declined to reveal the cost of the latest update but Mexico City’s head of government Martí Batres recently revealed that the firm has invested 2.3 billion pesos (€36m/US$121m) since the stadium opened in the ’90s.

Following the renovation, the GNP Seguros Stadium now boasts a roof spanning more than 13,000 m² (139,930.84 ft²) that collects rainwater stored for reuse, plus 280 state-of-the-art screens to improve the viewing of the shows inside the venue and provide timely information to attendees.

“The stadium will continue being the global benchmark venue where the best national and international artists connect with their fans”

Other additions include more comfortable seating, new and improved spaces for food and beverage consumption, hospitality areas for the public and corporate clients, panoramic elevators, more accessible spaces, increased restrooms, and internal and peripheral lighting that will allow better visibility and safety.

Ocesa founder and CEO, Alejandro Soberón Kuri, said the renovations will enable the stadium to “continue being the global benchmark venue where the best national and international artists connect with their fans”.

While Ocesa COO George Gonzalez told IQ the firm expects a banner year for the venue, which will likely beat last year’s ‘incredible’ ticket sales despite being closed for six months.

The venue closed in February 2024 and was originally due to re-open in September with a concert by Metallica but the renovation was sped up to secure Bruno Mars’s first shows in Mexico for six years.

For the stadium’s first renewal since 1993, Ocesa enlisted Pepe Moyao, the renowned architect behind the original stadium and other iconic music venues such as Auditorio Telmex (cap. 11,500) in Guadalajara and Pepsi Center (7,500) in Mexico City.

“Since the [first stadium build], international artists have always been in mind”

The first incarnation of the stadium – four huge temporary bleachers – was assembled in November 1993, especially for Madonna, who performed three shows there as part of her world tour The Girlie Show.

These shows marked the beginning of large-scale concerts in Mexico, which until then was only equipped to host shows with up to 20,000 attendees.

The temporary stadium, then named Foro Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, also hosted concerts with Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones.

Given the success of the blockbuster concerts, Moyao was commissioned to build the permanent stadium, which opened in October 1997 with a concert by David Bowie as part of his Earthling Tour.

“Since the beginning, international artists have always been in mind,” Moyao told IQ. “And all the new amenities in GNP Seguros Stadium are a result of what we have learned during these 30 years. I know the chain of command very well now, from production to ticketing to food and beverage. Many of the people that work for my company are younger people who go to the stadium and have given feedback on their lived experience.”

“All the new amenities in GNP Seguros Stadium are a result of what we have learned during these 30 years”

Crowd flow in the venue was especially important in the renovation design as the GNP Seguros Stadium is part of a complex, which is operated by Ocesa and includes the 26,000-capacity Sports Palace (Palacio de los Deportes) and Formula 1 racetrack Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez runs through the standing section of GNP Seguros Stadium while another corner of the racetrack is used to host Ocesa’s biggest Mexico City festivals such as Corona Capital, Coca-Cola Flow Fest and Electric Daisy Carnival.

Other artists lined up to perform at the new GNP Seguros Stadium include Feid, Natanael Cano, Caifanes, Eric Clapton, The Killers, Blink 182, Paul McCartney, Iron Maiden, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Morat and Twenty One Pilots.

In other news, Ocesa announced yesterday that it will open a new 40,000-capacity complex in Bogotá, Colombia.

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Mexico’s Foro Sol has been been given a new name ahead of its reopening with a concert by Bruno Mars later this summer.

Operated by Ocesa, the 65,000-cap Mexico City site will now be known as the GNP Seguros Stadium after securing a naming rights deal with insurance company GNP.

The venue, which opened in 1993, has been closed for renovation since early 2024, but will relaunch with Mars’ performance on 10 August.

“The GNP Seguros Stadium will reopen its doors to continue being the global benchmark venue where the best national and international artists connect with their fans,” says Ocesa founder and CEO Alejandro Soberón Kuri. “Thanks to GNP Seguros for being the ally with which this venue will live a new era.”

Other upcoming shows at the stadium include four nights by Metallica (20, 22, 27 & 29 September), plus two dates with The Killers (5-6 October), as well as headline shows by Feid, Natanael Cano, Caiphanes Eric Clapton, Blink-182, Iron Maiden, The Fabulous Cadillacs, Morat and Twenty One Pilots.

Mars will embark on a 14-date tour of Brazil in the autumn, including multiple stadium concerts

Following the Mexico gig, Mars will also become the first act to play at the new 18,000-cap Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on 15 and 16 August before resuming his Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live on 20 August.

In the autumn, the hitmaker will embark on a 14-date tour of Brazil, including multiple stadium concerts. The run will stop at São Paulo’s Estádio MorumBIS for six nights on 4-5, 8-9 and 12-13 October, followed by three shows at Estádio Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro (16, 19-20 October).

The 38-year-old American will then perform two gigs each at Arena BRB Mané Garrincha in the capital Brasilia (26-27 October) and Estádio Couto Pereira, Curitiba (31 October & 1 November), finishing up at Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, on 5 November.

Mars has already proven to be a huge draw in Brazil, headlining two sold out days at the inaugural edition of 105,000-cap Rock in Rio spin-off festival The Town, which debuted in São Paulo last year. The star also made history in Japan with seven sold-out shows at the 55,000-capacity Tokyo Dome in early 2024.

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The Intuit Dome in Los Angeles has announced that Bruno Mars will be the first artist to perform in the arena – the new home of the LA Clippers basketball franchise, as well as the city’s latest state-of-the-art concert venue.

Mars will take to the stage at the 18,000-cap venue on 15 and 16 August, with arena operators promising that the new building will offer “fans and performers alike an unforgettable experience featuring the venue’s premium acoustics, back of house artist offerings, and intimate seating.”

The construction of the US$2 billion arena has been mired in controversy and lawsuits, after the Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) accused Inglewood mayor James Butts of colluding with the Clippers to secretly acquire a plot of land from MSG for the venue.

However, those claims were dropped when the billionaire owner of the basketball team, former Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer, paid US$400 million in cash to acquire the Forum venue from MSG.

“Bruno, who has a strong connection to Inglewood, will undoubtedly deliver an iconic performance that is worthy of this moment, and will leave a lasting impression on everyone who attends these two shows”

Gillian Zucker, CEO of Ballmer’s Halo Sports and Entertainment operation comments, “We are thrilled Bruno Mars will open Intuit Dome. Bruno, who has a strong connection to Inglewood, will undoubtedly deliver an iconic performance that is worthy of this moment, and will leave a lasting impression on everyone who attends these two shows.”

While the venue is still under construction, its owners say it will offer world-class amenities, and a commitment to fan satisfaction, claiming that Intuit Dome will set a new standard for music and sports venues.

Fans will enjoy an intimate viewing experience with their seats hovering over the floor, bringing them closer to the show. The premium seating is designed to reduce the gap between sections, ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted viewing experience.

Intuit Dome will also feature an 80,000-square-foot outdoor Plaza, housing a 5,000-square-foot retail store and three bars and restaurants. “The Plaza’s LED screen, the largest outdoor 4K LED screen in Los Angeles, will serve as the backdrop for community events, artist activations, and viewing parties – forever changing the pre-game and pre-show scene,” says the company.

Tickets for both Bruno Mars dates go on sale Thursday, April 11 at 10am local time via ticketmaster.com.

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Bruno Mars is set to make history in Japan with seven sold-out shows at the 55,000-capacity Tokyo Dome in early 2024.

The American singer-songwriter and producer returns to the venue between 11-21 January, a little over a year after he sold out five shows at the venue, which amounted to more than 200,000 tickets.

“These shows will be the biggest by any international act in Japan this century,” says Kaori Hayashi of Tokyo-based Hayashi International Promotion (HIP), which is promoting the run alongside Live Nation.

Speaking in the Global Promoters Report 2023, Hayashi suggests that Mars’s achievements in the region recall the heyday of Michael Jackson.

“Bruno has regularly toured Japan and actively promotes his shows here,” adds Hayashi. “I think his incredible success will encourage other artists to invest more time in Japan.”

The star has emerged in recent years as an example to western stars seeking success in the country’s live music landscape, which is dominated by domestic acts.

“I think his incredible success will encourage other artists to invest more time in Japan”

Anecdotally, homegrown talent makes up 90% of Japanese concert ticket sales, though that figure may finally be on course to rise again – and may, according to some reports, have already done so.

“Japan is getting closer to the overseas market as distribution grows and YouTube and TikTok become mainstream,” Naoki Shimizu, president of Creativeman, told IQ in August. “Our goal is to return to the 25% share of western music that existed 20 years ago. Now it is said to be 10%, but I believe that the share has risen to about 15%.”

Creativeman is the operator of the prominent Summer Sonic Festival and one of the leading Japanese promoters, which also includes HIP, Kyodo Tokyo, Fuji Rock promoter Smash, UDO Artists and, given half a chance, a familiar group of eager western newcomers.

Live Nation Japan operates under former UDO Artists executive Kei Ikuta and has made no secret of its ambition to grow its share of a live market ranked second in the world after the US. Likewise, CTS Eventim has identified Japan as a key Asian priority, with Jason Miller at the helm of its Eventim Live Asia operation. AEG Presents is there, too, in partnership with local indie giant Avex Entertainment.

With its massive domestic J-pop industry, Japan does not have a burning need for either international talent or promoters – though Bruno Mars serves as an example that artists who work hard enough can do very well.

Read more about the world’s leading promoters and touring territories in the Global Promoters Report (GPR) 2023, out now.

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The last remaining tickets have been snapped up for the inaugural edition of Brazil’s The Town festival in São Paulo, which will welcome more than 500,000 fans over five days.

The brainchild of Rock in Rio founder Roberto Medina, the 105,000-cap festival launched last weekend at the Interlagos race track, headlined by Post Malone and Bruno Mars from 2-3 September. Other performers included Demi Lovato, Iggy Azalea and Bebe Rexha.

The event broke records by selling 350,000 tickets in less than three hours, selling out three days of the festival. And organisers have now revealed that the last date with tickets still available – tomorrow’s (7 September) show topped by Maroon 5, has now sold out, making the event’s debut a complete sellout.

“We are living history before our eyes,” says Medina, president and creator of Rock World, the company behind The Town and Rock in Rio. “Almost 40 years after the debut of Rock in Rio, in 1985, I feel again the emotion of witnessing the birth of a new festival, with all the quality, structure and scope that São Paulo deserves.

“Now, the party is complete with 500,000 people confirmed for this first edition of The Town”

“What we saw on the first weekend in Cidade da Música will be forever etched in our memory, it was a very special moment. Now, the party is complete with 500,000 people confirmed for this first edition of The Town, experiencing unforgettable days in this magical place.”

The Town wraps up this weekend with bills starring Maroon 5, The Chainsmokers, Joss Stone and Ludmilla (7 September); Foo Fighters, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Garbage and Pitty (9 September) and a second headlined by Mars, also featuring H.E.R., Kim Petras and Iza (10 September). Full-price day tickets cost 815 reals (€152).

The festival has partnered with transportation company the CCR Group, which guarantees that the trains that provide access to the Interlagos Circuit will run 24 hours a day on festival days.

From 2024, Rock World will also take over the running of Lollapalooza Brazil in partnership with C3 Presents. Both are majority owned by Live Nation.

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All 124,000 tickets for Bruno Mars first ever performances in Israel have sold out within hours.

The 37-year-old American will play Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park on 4&7 October, promoted by Live Nation Israel. The 62,000-cap shows reportedly sold out in two hours and six hours, respectively. Tickets were priced from 385 shekels (€100).

The venue has hosted recent shows by acts including Guns N’ Roses and Maroon 5, as well as the Summer in the City festival, which featured the likes of Sam Smith, Robbie Williams, Martin Garrix and Papa Roach.

The Jerusalem Post reports a third show by Mars could also be in the works.

Mars will grace the Starring Georgia festival in Tbilisi, Georgia on 1 October – three days before debuting in Israel

“It depends on Bruno’s schedule and if he can add another show on some other day,” says a source close to the production. “He has more shows in other places and it depends if it will be possible to move all the equipment in time.”

WME client Mars is slated to perform at the Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium in Seoul on 17-18 June under the banner, Hyundai Card Super Concert 27 Bruno Mars – his first gigs in Korea since 2014. He will also headline two nights at Brazil’s new 105,000-cap festival The Town in São Paulo, with tickets for the 3&10 September dates selling out in just 72 minutes.

Additionally, he will grace the Starring Georgia festival in Tbilisi, Georgia on 1 October – three days before debuting in Israel.

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Promoters of Bruno Mars’ upcoming concerts in South Korea have cancelled dozens of tickets being touted online at almost six times’ face value.

The American singer and songwriter is slated to perform at the Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium in Seoul on 17-18 June under the banner, Hyundai Card Super Concert 27 Bruno Mars – his first gigs in Korea since 2014.

Tickets went on general sale last month, priced from 77,000 won (€53) to 250,000 won (€172). However, Korea JoongAng Daily reports that despite organiser Live Nation Asia banning the trading of tickets on unauthorised sites, several have changed hands on resale platforms for double their original price, while two ground floor tickets were being offered at 300,000 won (€2,058).

Live Nation has confirmed it intervened and cancelled the initial transactions after discovering more than 60 tickets that were dealt illegally on the secondary market. It says it will continue to check for unauthorised sales.

The shows form part of the 37-year-old’s first tour of Asia in five years

Mars will also play the Philippine Arena in Manila, Philipines, from 24-25 June. The shows form part of the 37-year-old’s first tour of Asia in five years.

His 24K Magic Tour, which garnered US$367.7 million worldwide and is the 17th highest-grossing tour of all-time, stopped off in Japan, Taiwan, China, Macau, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong from April-May 2018.

Mars will also headline two nights at Brazil’s new 105,000-cap festival The Town in São Paulo, with tickets for the 3&10 September dates selling out in just 72 minutes.

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Bruno Mars will launch the newly rebuilt Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia with two concerts from 14-15 October.

The 45,000-cap AUD$828 million (€564m) venue will replace the original Sydney Football Stadium, which hosted the likes of U2, Robbie Williams and Red Hot Chili Peppers before closing in 2018.

“It’s incredibly exciting to welcome audiences back to Allianz Stadium in the heart of Sydney and who better to lead the opening celebrations than the legendary, record-breaking artist Bruno Mars,” says Paul Dainty, president and CEO of promoter TEG Dainty. “These opening shows will go down in history as not to be missed.”

“It’s incredibly exciting to welcome audiences back to Allianz Stadium in the heart of Sydney”

Mars last performed in Australia in four years ago as part of his 24K Magic World Tour, which was No.5 in Pollstar‘s 2018 rankings after grossing US$167.6m from 75 concerts. The tour was also the fourth highest-grossing of 2017, generating US$200.1m from 121 performances.

The Allianz Stadium, which boasts 42,500 uncovered seats, will host a free community day headlined by Guy Sebastian and Baker Boy as a warm-up event on 28 August. It also has confirmed shows by Justin Bieber on 30 November and Elton John from 17-18 January 2023.

Germany-headquartered Allianz was announced as the venue’s naming rights partner back in March. The company also has partnerships with venues in Germany, the US, Austria, Italy, Brazil and France.

Through our stadium partnerships, we are committed to bringing communities together to enjoy an array of sport, international concerts and important cultural events,” said Allianz Australia MD Richard Feledy.

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Grammy-award winning artist Lady Gaga will return to Dolby Live at Park MGM for a new Las Vegas residency this spring.

Presented by MGM Resorts International and Live Nation, Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano will comprise nine dates starting from 14 April at the 5,200-capacity venue.

The show will see Gaga perform stripped-down versions of her hits alongside music from the Great American Songbook.

The 2022 stint will be Gaga’s second at Dolby Live after her 2018/2019 residency debut which comprised two shows: Lady Gaga Enigma and Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano.

Taking place in between Gaga’s Thursday, Saturday and Sunday shows at Dolby Live will be An Evening with Silk Sonic.

Silk Sonic – which comprises Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak – will deliver their first-ever residency on various nights between 25 February and 29 May.

The show will see Gaga perform stripped-down versions of her hits alongside music from the Great American Songbook

Elsewhere in Vegas, country star Keith Urban is picking up five of Adele’s dates at the Colosseum (cap. 4,300), Caesar’s Palace, following the postponement of her residency.

The five new dates, between 25 March and 2 April, will be in addition to Urban’s previously announced Colosseum gigs between 27–29 May.

Adele last month announced that she would be postponing her entire residency because the show “isn’t ready”.

The announcement came just 24 hours before her Live Nation-promoted residency, Weekends With Adele, was due to kick off.

The star, who is represented by Lucy Dickins and Kirk Sommer at WME, was due to perform two shows every weekend at Caesars Palace’s Colosseum theatre (cap. 4,300) from 21 January until mid-April.

Also due to deliver residencies at the Colosseum this year are Van Morrison, Sting and Rod Stewart.

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