Second Avicii tribute concert announced
The Tim Bergling Foundation has announced an Avicii tribute concert will take place in Sweden this December.
The second Together For a Better Day event will be held at the 15,000-cap Avicii Arena (formerly the Ericsson Globe) in Stockholm on 6 December to raise awareness of mental health-related issues.
Tickets for the charity concert are priced from SEK195-395 (€17-34), with acts to include Yung Lean, Griff, Cherrie, Dan Tyminski ,Cleo, Jireel, Daniela Rathana, Adaam, Jelassi + Ayan Ahmed, Hurula, Thomas Stenström and Wermland Operas Orkester, among others.
Avicii, real name Tim Bergling, died by suicide in 2018 aged just 28. He had retired from touring two years earlier.
The Tim Bergling Foundation was set up by the Swedish DJ’s family following his death to raise money for mental health-related issues and suicide prevention.
The first Avicii Tribute Concert was held at Stockholm’s Friends Arena in December 2019
The Ericsson Globe was renamed Avicii Arena by Stockhom Live in 2021 in his memory. The ASM Global company partnered with the charity, along with local sponsors Trygg-Hansa and Bauhaus, to transform the venue into a “global symbol for mental illness prevention”.
“With our worldwide reach, ASM Global takes tremendous pride in not only presenting unparalleled entertainment experiences but also in playing a positive role in the lives of our millions of guests in countries throughout the world,” said ASM president and CEO Ron Bension at the time. “We’re honoured to participate in this collaboration to help prevent mental illness.”
Artists including David Guetta, Kygo, Rita Ora and Adam Lambert participated in the first Avicii Tribute Concert in December 2019. The concert was held at Stockholm’s Friends Arena and featured music from Avicii’s posthumously released album Tim, performed for the first time.
The event, which drew the stadium’s record attendance of 58,163, featured 19 of the singers who appeared on Avicii’s songs, performing alongside a 30-piece band. Sets from fellow DJs included Guetta, Kygo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and Nicky Romero.
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Ticketmaster to launch upsell option for MVT
Ticketmaster is launching a charity upsell option for the UK’s Music Venue Trust (MVT) to coincide with its sponsorship of this month’s Venues Day.
The upsell, which will launch on Venues Day (17 October) and run for an entire month, means that anyone purchasing a ticket on Ticketmaster will be given the option to make a donation directly to MVT.
The initiative will run annually, with Ticketmaster pledging to match all donations received.
“This upsell provides a practical method for fans to support grassroots music venues, and we are incredibly grateful to the Ticketmaster team for putting it in place,” MVT CEO Mark Davyd tells IQ. “Ticketmaster matching all fan donations is a powerful message for the whole industry about the support our sector needs and the will of the music community to provide it.”
The move follows Ticketmaster’s booking fee rebate launched in 2021, where venues receive a 50% rebate on all booking fees. The ticketing company has been headline sponsor of Venues Day since 2016.
“Ticketmaster has been a long-term and committed partner of MVT, and their core support has been vital in developing us as the authentic voice of grassroots venues, artists and fans,” says Davyd.
The music charity’s annual Venues Day event will take place at The Fireworks Factory in London next Tuesday 17 October. Hundreds of delegates from across the UK’s grassroots music venue (GMV) sector, representing venues throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, have already booked their places at the event.
“We need a radical intervention by everyone: the government, the music industry, artists and fans, to stop these closures”
This year’s theme, ‘Behind the Scenes’, covers workshops, discussions, presentations and networking to offer practical support to the people running venues and connect them with services that can help them.
“This year’s Venues Day is bigger than ever, with more venues attending, more delegates, more partners, and more on offer,” says Davyd. “Our goal is to match the size of the event with the size of ambitions for what is delivered on the day, and what we can bring to the sector.”
Last week saw the UK organisation announce the first acquisition under its Own Our Venues scheme. The Snug (cap. 100) in Atherton, Greater Manchester, became the first GMV to be bought by Music Venue Properties (MVP), the independent Charitable Community Benefit Society (CCBS) created by the MVT.
Own Our Venues was launched as a crowdfunded project in June 2022 as the first step in a long-term campaign to take control of the freeholds of music venue premises and bring them under a protected status of benevolent ownership.
“We believe that live music fans understand exactly how vital these venues are to the future of our whole music ecosystem and how much financial difficulty they are currently facing,” adds Davyd.
“127 grassroots music venues have closed in the last 12 months – more than one is permanently closing every week. We need a radical intervention by everyone: the government, the music industry, artists and fans, to stop these closures and turn this around.”
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Italy to hold benefit concert for flooding victims
A benefit concert has been announced for victims of the devastating flooding in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna area.
The Italy Loves Romagna event will take place at the RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia, near Bologna, on 24 June in the wake of the flooding, which has left 13 people dead and thousands homeless, and has been described as the country’s worst disaster in a century.
Domestic artists including Blanco, Elisa, Elodie, Emma, Giorgia, Luciano Ligabue, Madame, Fiorella Mannoia, Gianni Morandi, Negramaro, Laura Pausini, Max Pezzali, Salmo, Tananai and Zucchero have been confirmed for the fundraiser, as the Italian music community unites to raise funds in support of Romagna and its inhabitants.
The show comes 11 years after Italia Loves Emilia, a fundraising concert held in 2012 to support the earthquake victims of Emilia Romagna. A presale starts tomorrow (30 May) on TicketOne, Ticketmaster and Vivaticket.
The event, which is being organised by Friends & Partners, Riservarossa, Vivo Concerti and Magellano Concerti, was announced by undersecretary for culture Gianmarco Mazzi.
“There are two objectives: to raise as many funds as possible and launch an invitation to spend the summer 2023 holidays in Romagna”
“There are two objectives: to raise as many funds as possible and launch an invitation to spend the summer 2023 holidays in Romagna, to bring life and help that splendid territory to recover,” says Mazzi. “Romagna is a wonderful land that has always evoked sun, joy and well-being, a place of the soul for the Italians, today hit hard.”
The 100,000-cap RCF Arena got up and running last year after its opening was delayed by two years due to the pandemic. Harry Styles will play the venue on 22 July as part of his Love On Tour European run.
The venue is operated by the SPV C.Volo network of seven enterprises and was built on unused land at the Reggio Emilia Airport, with audio company RCF acquiring the naming rights.
A separate fundraiser – Music Valley-Romagna Mia, Live Charity Concert – is also being planned for 5 August at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Circuit in Imola, as part of its 70th anniversary of the motor racing venue.
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DHP Family’s festival raises £89k for the homeless
DHP Family’s charity festival Beat the Streets raised £89,500 for the homeless population in Nottingham, England.
The award-winning festival takes place in January across multiple venues in the city, where the UK independent venue operator is based. The money raised this year surpassed the £76,000 ($95,000) raised last year.
Since launching in 2018, Beat The Streets has raised more than £400,000 ($500,000) for Framework, the charity that supports the homeless population of Nottingham, and has directly benefitted more than 300 individuals.
This year’s funds will go towards the creation of eight self-contained flats for people who have been on the streets for more than 20 years.
The accommodation will provide rough sleepers with permanent housing combined with a program of unlimited person-centred support towards independence.
They will also be able to access Framework’s other services dedicated to drug, alcohol, mental health, and employment support, and more.
“We hope to continue to use our expertise as music promoters and festival organisers to make a difference”
This year’s Beat The Streets lineup featured Ferocious Dog, 7th In Line, Alt Blk Era, Jerub, Lacey, Palm Reader, The Publics, Victory Lap, and many more.
“As a Nottingham-based company, it means a lot to all of us that work here to continue to deliver a fantastic Beat the Streets festival each January as we know how vital the funds are to Framework and the people they support across the city,” adds DHP Family’s MD George Akins.
“We hope to continue to use our expertise as music promoters and festival organisers to make a difference. We are extremely grateful to all the artists who give their time to play and each and every person that bought a ticket as together, we are helping to support something very worthwhile.”
Beat The Streets is delivered by DHP Family in collaboration with local organisations and music groups including I’m Not from London, Farmyard Records, Hockley Hustle and Rough Trade.
DHP promotes national tours and concerts, operates music venues, organises festivals and manages artists.
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Mini Global Climate Concert Series announced
AEG Presents is to produce the inaugural date of the newly announced Right Here, Right Now Mini Global Climate Concert Series.
The show is the first activation of the Right Here, Right Now Music initiative, launched by the Recording Academy and the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance (Right Here, Right Now) in a bid to combat the human rights crisis resulting from climate change.
The series will present arena acts at small concert venues around the globe, while shining a light on alarming climate issues. It will launch on Thursday 13 April at the Boulder Theater in Colorado, headlined by Wesley Schultz, lead singer of the Lumineers. The show, which will also feature special guests including Yola, will be filmed by Citizen Pictures for a later broadcast.
“We are honoured to be working with several United Nations-supported global music initiatives to bring together artists and create unique music events to promote social justice around the world,” says Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. “Music has no boundaries so we are excited to partner with the artist community and work with the United Nations to further their human rights goals and ultimately, better the world.”
“Music provides a platform for the biggest megaphone in the world”
Further concerts are being planned in cities on multiple continents, with discussions underway for potential events in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, London, Johannesburg, Bogotá and Dubai. Proceeds will go to United Nations Human Rights climate justice initiatives and music charity MusiCares.
“It is a privilege and honour to be partnering with the Recording Academy in the development of multiple global music initiatives supported by United Nations Human Rights, including Right Here, Right Now Music, which will elevate global awareness to help reframe climate change as the human rights crisis that it is,” adds David Clark, founder and CEO of Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance.
“Music provides a platform for the biggest megaphone in the world, and working with the Recording Academy, the most renowned music organisation in the world, will help ensure the Right Here, Right Now Mini Global Climate Concert Series gives voice to those who all too often have none.”
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ASM Global and Nordoff Robbins ink partnership
ASM Global has announced a new three-year partnership with Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity.
The partnership will roll out across ASM Global’s portfolio of venues in the UK, which includes AO Arena, first direct Arena, Utilita Arena Newcastle, Olympia London, OVO Arena Wembley, York Barbican, Bonus Arena and more.
According to a release, visitors to the venue and venue teams will be engaged in driving fundraising initiatives and activations as well as in opportunities to educate themselves.
ASM Global and Nordoff and Robbins will join forces to raise funds to expand the charity’s services to more children and adults across the UK, and protect current and future funding for music therapy delivery, education and research.
This partnership is supported by ASM Global’s corporate social responsibility platform, ASM Global Acts, which launched in October 2021 to protect the environment, invest in people and strengthen communities around the globe.
Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists “use the power of music to break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation, creating space for people to express themselves and find connection in society”.
“We have always admired the exceptional work of Nordoff and Robbins”
The charity reaches thousands of vulnerable people annually through their bases across the UK, and by working in partnership with organisations including care homes, schools and hospitals. Its work can be transformative, from an adult with dementia reconnecting with family, to a child with autism finding their voice.
“We have always admired the exceptional work of Nordoff and Robbins,” says Chris Bray, EVP of Europe at ASM Global. “As a live entertainment experiences business, we are committed to making music accessible and through this new partnership we have the opportunity to work alongside a leading, ground-breaking charity to deliver just that.”
“On behalf of all at ASM Global, we are very much looking forward to getting started in what we hope to be a long and successful partnership with Nordoff and Robbins, bringing music therapy and all of its lifechanging benefits to people around the UK who need it the most.”
Sandra Schembri, CEO, Nordoff and Robbins, adds: “We are truly delighted and grateful to be partnering with ASM Global for the next three years. Having the support of their network of amazing venue teams to help amplify Nordoff and Robbins’ mission to millions of visitors nationwide, will be an enormous boost to our fundraising activity. We look forward to working with ASM Global on a whole host of exciting initiatives and activations throughout this extensive partnership, with all money raised going directly towards making music therapy accessible to even more people across society.”
ASM Global and Nordoff and Robbins formally announced their partnership on Tuesday 28 February at ILMC. A team of Nordoff and Robbins’ music therapists attended to deliver a music therapy workshop to ASM Global teams, offering a chance to see first-hand, the work that they do with such outstanding results.
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Metallica benefit concert raises $3m for charity
Metallica’s latest ‘Helping Hands’ benefit concert and auction has raised US$3 million for charity.
The show, which was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on 16 December.
Metallica were joined onstage by St. Vincent, Greta Van Fleet and leaders from six non-profit organisations.
All proceeds from the gig went to Metallica’s charity All Within My Hands, which “is dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services”.
“The funds raised from the ‘Helping Hands Concert & Auction’ will have a lasting impact on All Within My Hands’ ability to grow our Metallica Scholars initiative, combat hunger, and aid in response to natural disasters,” says Peter Delgrosso, executive director at All Within My Hands.
“The Los Angeles event was the largest fundraiser in our history, and we profoundly appreciate the generosity of everyone involved. We could not have achieved these results otherwise.”
“The Los Angeles event was the largest fundraiser in our history”
As part of the ‘Helping Hands Concert & Auction’, All Within My Hands provided grants to organisations including Baby2Baby, First Star, Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, mikeroweWorks Foundation and The Skatepark Project.
The first donations generated from Metallica’s 2021 tribute album ‘The Metallica Blacklist’ have also been made, bringing in more than $1m.
All profits from the covers record are being divided equally between All Within My Hands and charities chosen by the contributing artists, including Happy Hippie Foundation (Miley Cyrus), RAINN (Phoebe Bridgers), Dhamma Mahavana (Weezer) and Outlaw State Of Kind (Chris Stapleton).
All Within My Hands was launched in 2017 by the members of Metallica and the band’s management team.
Metallica are due to release their 11th studio album ’72 Seasons’ on April 14. They’ll return to the UK in June to play two unique headline sets at Download Festival 2023 alongside Bring Me The Horizon and Slipknot.
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Global Citizen Festival raises $2bn in pledges
Global Citizen has announced its 10th anniversary Global Citizen Festival campaign has culminated in over $2.4 billion in commitments to end extreme poverty.
The six-week campaign concluded with a nine-hour festival across two stages in New York City’s Central Park in the US and Black Star Square in Accra, Ghana last Saturday (24 September).
Performers on the Central Park stage included Metallica, Charlie Puth, Jonas Brothers, Maneskin, Mariah Carey, Mickey Guyton and Rosalía, while Accra’s Black Star Square saw live performances from acts such as Usher, SZA, Stormzy, Gyakie, H.E.R., Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and TEMS.
The 2022 project saw two million actions taken by global citizens as part of Global Citizen’s mission, more than doubling the record previously set by the international advocacy organisation.
“Hope lies in the fact that millions of citizens are rising up to take action, more than any other point in history”
“Amidst all the doomsday messages we hear today, hope lies in the fact that millions of citizens are rising up to take action, more than any other point in history,” says Global Citizen co-founder and CEO Hugh Evans. “Ten years ago, Global Citizen was just an idea – and 10 years from now we’ll see a generation of global citizens running for office, starting companies, and transforming communities.
“Ending extreme poverty is not a partisan issue, and those most in need can not be treated like political pawns. Our job is to not let our leaders forget that. If you are lucky enough to live in a democracy, use your voice!”
On the Global Citizen Festival: Accra stage, the governments of Ghana and South Africa announced the African Prosperity Fund, a joint initiative that aims to deploy $1bn to fund projects for economic inclusion and financial participation across the continent.
At the New York City leg, meanwhile, US members of Congress stood alongside world leaders, philanthropists and trailblazers from the private sector to make announcements. Over a video message, president Macron announced France will reallocate 30% of its special drawing rights to the world’s poorest countries, specifically in Africa, to fight extreme poverty, pandemics, inequalities and climate change.
First held in 2012, the Global Citizen Festival is the world’s longest-running global campaign calling for an end to extreme poverty
The days leading up to festival also saw major commitments from world leaders, including prime minister Trudeau of Canada and president von der Leyen of the European Commission, who respectively committed CAD $1.209bn and €715m at the seventh replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
First held in 2012, the Global Citizen Festival is the world’s longest-running global campaign calling for an end to extreme poverty. The event was broadcast and streamed on ABC, ABC News Live, FX, Hulu, iHeartRadio, TimesLIVE, Twitter and YouTube, among others.
Tickets to the festivals were free and could be earned by downloading the Global Citizen app or visiting its website to take action on the campaign’s issues. For each action taken, users earned points that could be redeemed for tickets to the festivals.
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Help Musicians creates new mental health charity
Help Musicians has created a new single-focus charity, Music Minds Matter, to support the mental health of all who work in music across the UK.
Earlier this week, BRIT Award-winning singer Arlo Parks became the latest artist to pull tour dates due to mental health concerns, following similar cancellations from Shawn Mendes, Sam Fender, Russ, Wet Leg and Disclosure.
Music Minds Matter’s first board of trustees will provide insight and focus to drive awareness and help improve access to necessary mental health support. Association For Electronic Music (AFEM) CEO Silvia Montello has been announced as the new charity’s first chair.
“Having worked in music my entire career, I have sadly seen and experienced first-hand the devastating impact on the mental health of too many great colleagues, friends and artists,” says Montello. “Music brings such joy to so many people; we need to ensure that no-one involved in creating and sharing it across the music-loving community is left to suffer the effects of stressful, unhealthy and often precarious livelihoods, and is able to share in that joy and to thrive in their own daily endeavours.”
The new board will be made up of: Gareth Mellor (FUGA); Juliette Edwards (PPL); Maria Wray (UTA); Melanie Johnson (Utopia Music); Paul Firth (Amazon Music) and Reni Adadevoh (Warner Music International). Jim Benner, one of Help Musicians existing trustees will also serve on the board.
“We have seen the need for mental health support continue to grow year-on-year”
Music Minds Matter was established in 2017 as a 24/7 mental health support line for all who work in music across the UK, and has since evolved to encompass peer support groups, self-care sessions and a music-focused mental health guidance website, Music Minds Matter Explore.
“Since Music Minds Matter launched in 2017, we have seen the need for mental health support continue to grow year-on-year,” says Help Musicians CEO James Ainscough. “Musicians and those who work in music have been through an incredibly difficult time during the pandemic. And, sadly, coming out the other side is proving just as challenging, if not more. So the time is right to set up Music Minds Matter as a single-focus charity.
“With the full backing of the Help Musicians team and resources, the Music Minds Matter board will have the freedom to drive forward our work on mental health, so we can reach more of those who need our support, and build vital partnership right across the music industry. Silvia and the new board of trustees bring the wealth of knowledge, understanding and passion needed to guide Music Minds Matter in this new and exciting phase and I look forward to working with them.”
Music Minds Matter will bring together significant influencers within the music industry at Abbey Road Studio 2 on 10 October for World Mental Health Day to lead a discussion about best practice in mental health support and how to drive positive change.
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Charmenko’s Nick Hobbs plans Ukraine fundraiser
Charmenko owner Nick Hobbs is planning a charity climb to raise money for Humanity & Inclusion’s Ukrainian Emergency Appeal.
The Istanbul-based promoter will scale the 4,478m Matterhorn mountain of the Alps on 2 September, and is bidding to raise £5,000 through his efforts.
“In April, I saw Thom Yorke play a wonderful solo gig in Zermatt just under the Matterhorn,” says Hobbs. “I’m a mountaineer (not a technical climber) and I’ve hiked around – but not up – the Matterhorn in the past. It’s the iconic mountain of Europe – if you like mountains, you want to climb it, as crazy as that might be. And thus came the idea to try to climb it and raise money for a charity working in Ukraine at the same time.
“I cover all the costs for the trip and guides out of my pocket. All the money raised through Gofundme goes straight to our chosen charity – Humanity & Inclusion’s Ukrainian Emergency Appeal to help injured and disabled people in Ukraine.”
Hobbs chaired the Ukraine: Conflict in Europe panel at this year’s ILMC, which analysed the future of the concert business in Russia, Ukraine and neighbouring countries. He also wrote a column for IQ about his trip to Russia in February, weeks before the war began.
“The Russian regime’s invasion of Ukraine has affected me like no other war during my lifetime”
“The Russian regime’s invasion of Ukraine has affected me like no other war during my lifetime,” says Hobbs. “It’s so wanton, so insane, so monstrous. As a company, we’re trying to do what we can – all drops in the ocean. And as an individual too – panels, articles, discussions with Ukrainians and Russians. Wanting to engage as best I can, wanting to support Ukrainians, and Russians who’ve come out against the dictatorship.”
He continues: “At the end of July, I spent some days in Turkey’s Kaçkar mountains getting into shape (hopefully), mountain walking and scrambling between 2,000 and 3,000m; then at the end of August I go back to Zermatt where I do two technical (meaning bloody hard) 4,000m climbs with a guide before attempting the Matterhorn (with a guide…) on September 2nd, with a couple of days spare in case of bad weather.
“If I don’t make it to the top of the mountain – the guide has the last word on whether I’m skilled and fit enough to complete the climb safely, or because they say the weather’s too bad – it’s your call whether to make the donation or not.”
To make a donation, click here.
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