China’s live music market set for explosive growth
China’s live music business is set for explosive growth in 2023, even as the market grapples with a myriad of prevailing challenges.
Following extensive pandemic restrictions, the business is now seeing a major uptick in ticket sales, new events and fan demand.
In a recent report, the China Association of Performing Arts (CAPA) predicted that the concert market’s box office will reach three billion yuan in the first half of 2023.
Damai, the largest entertainment ticketing website in China, revealed that, in February and March, its box office for concerts was up 127% compared to the same period in 2019.
Also in February and March, ticket buyers on the platform were up 87% and the volume of events on the platform tripled compared to the same period in 2019.
CAPA expects the number of concerts and music festivals to surpass those held in 2019 and predicts “explosive growth” in large-scale performance activities this year.
China’s festival market is also booming, with Damai selling tickets to 106 music festivals in February and March. The box office scale increased by 11 times compared with the same period in 2019.
Among the festivals selling well are Changzhou Taihu Bay Music Festival, Nanjing Midou Music Festival, Qingdao Phoenix Music Festival, Dalian LMF Music Festival and Guangzhou Ocean Wave Universe Music Festival.
Demand for music festivals is perhaps best evidenced by this year’s Labour Day celebrations, which took place across five days in early May and saw a whopping 40 music festivals take place across 19 providences.
CAPA expects the number of concerts and music festivals to surpass those held in 2019
This year saw the May Day festivals expand beyond major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu to smaller regions, from Changzhou in the eastern Jiangsu province to Guiyang in the southwestern Guizhou province.
However, the quality of the increased offering has come under fire from fans who have taken to social media to complain about inflated ticket prices, long lines for food and toilets, and a lack of diversity in lineups.
The median ticket price for a single-day performance during Labour Day celebrations was between 300 and 400 yuan ($43-$58). Among the highest-priced music festivals on the list was the Cactus Music Festival in the southwestern city of Chengdu, which cost 1,380 yuan for one-day VIP tickets and 1,800 yuan for two days.
On Xianyu, a second-hand platform, scalped tickets to the festival sold for nearly 2,000 yuan.
Aside from increased ticket prices, there has been an unusual spate of sudden cancellations or shutdowns across the country, according to Japan Times.
Last week, What the Folkstival outdoor concert was due to kick off in the early afternoon in a Beijing suburb near the airport, with 10 live acts, including foreign performers.
Before live music started, organisers announced that the police had ordered them to vacate the premises.
Organisers of the scrapped events issued apologies that are thin on detail, citing a variation of “unforeseen circumstances” or “force majeure” – a legal term to waive liability in the event of circumstances outside a supplier’s control.
In the Chinese context, it’s considered a euphemism for higher powers — police or other government bodies that enforce rules or apply pressure to stop activities deemed harmful to the state or society.
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Debut Puerto Rico festival draws sellout crowds
A new festival in Puerto Rico curated by rapper Eladio Carrión and co-promoted by Move Concerts and Noah Assad Presents drew sellout crowds to its debut editions.
The Sauce Boyz Fest was the first music festival to be staged on the Caribbean island since the Covid pandemic began in 2020.
The first event took place on 18 May at Cervecera de Puerto Rico in Mayaguez before a 7,000-strong crowd and was headlined by Carrión, who was joined by surprise guest Bad Bunny to perform Coco Chanel live for the first time. Acts such as Tokischa and Young Miko also performed.
The leg was held at the Convention District in San Juan – at just five days’ notice after switching from the original venue Estadio Sixto Escobar due to an infrastructure problem – on 20 May before a sold-out crowd of 25,000. Artists included Bizarrap and Duki, Wiz Khalifa and Carrión, who was joined onstage by Lil Wayne, Myke Towers and Jhayco.
“I’m so proud of all of the people that pushed and worked day and night to make this festival a world class event in just five days of buildup”
“I’m so proud of all of the people that pushed and worked day and night to make this festival a world class event in just five days of buildup, proud to be a part of this team and experience,” says Alejandro Pabon, MD of Move Concerts Puerto Rico.
Other attractions included a gaming area, multiple art structures, three stages and more than 30 international and local artists. The festival was also the first in Puerto Rico to be livestreamed via YouTube.
Move Concerts is Latin America’s biggest independent concert promoter with offices in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru and Puerto Rico, as well as its headquarters in the US in Miami, Florida.
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Drug harm reduction scheme partners with festivals
A drug harm-reduction campaign piloted by HSE (Health and Safety Executive) at last summer’s Electric Picnic is being rolled out across a number of other Irish festivals.
The Safer Nightlife programme, which will begin at the upcoming Life Festival in Mullingar, with other participating events still to be announced, will include “back of house” drug checking through the use of surrender bins, media awareness and a social media campaign.
Teams of HSE trained volunteers will available to talk about the scheme, drug trends and harm-reduction practices with attendees, while also supporting people in cases of drug emergencies.
“I am delighted to launch the second phase of our Safer Nightlife campaign that includes an expanded ‘back of house’ drug checking service with an aim to identify drug market trends of concern,” says Prof Eamon Keenan, HSE’s national clinical lead, addiction services. “This approach will improve our drug monitoring capabilities and help to tailor our harm reduction services in Ireland.
“Through a ‘back of house’ approach we can access drugs in a safe, non-judgemental manner to quickly gain insight on what drugs may be in circulation and issue real time drug alerts about substances of concern to festival attendees via our social media channels.”
The multi-component campaign aims to help educate people who use drugs at events so they can make informed decisions
The multi-component campaign aims to help educate people who use drugs at events so they can make informed decisions. Keenan notes that the first phase, conducted at Electric Picnic last summer, shows the approach has the potential to identify trends otherwise unknown.
“The HSE found trends of concern including high potency drugs, 12 new psychoactive substances and four drugs which had never been identified before in Ireland,” he says.
The HSE’s message is that it is always safer not to use drugs at all, but that it needs to acknowledge that festivals can be risk-taking settings where people may try drugs for the first time, or try new types of drugs.
“The programme was incredibly successful in 2022, and allowed us to highlight particularly dangerous substances encountered in festival settings while also creating greater awareness for people who use drugs as part of the night time economy,” adds Hildegarde Naughton, minister for public health, wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy.
“The programme for government contains the commitment to increase drug monitoring at festivals, and harm reduction interventions, such as the Safer Nightlife Programme, can save people’s lives. I will continue to work alongside colleagues in the HSE to see this invaluable initiative rolled out even further in the months and years ahead.”
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Scottish fest cancelled days before event
Organisers of Scotland’s Midnight Sun Weekender have announced the cancellation of the event just days before it was due to take place.
Acts including Pretenders, Primal Scream, John Fogerty, Spiritualized, Public Service Broadcasting and Edwyn Collins were among the artists lined up to perform at Lewis Castle in the town of Stornoway from 25-27 May.
However, it has now been called off, with promoters citing “rising costs and limited availability on festival infrastructure, as well as the cost of living crisis having an impact on ticket sales means that we are not in the position to deliver the event”.
“As organisers, we have tried everything we can to overcome the challenges we have faced to stage this event, however it has become impossible for us to move forward,” says Midnight Sun Weekender director Ian MacArthur. “We are deeply disappointed to confirm this news, especially at this late stage and would like to reassure our customers that anyone who has purchased tickets will be able to claim a refund.
Western Isles Council reportedly loaned organisers £150,000 three months before the event was called off
“We deeply regret the impact this cancellation will have on the local retail and hospitality sector and the economic impact overall to Stornoway but would like to thank the Safety Advisory Group, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Stornoway Trust, Breedon Hebrides, Stornoway Port Authority, Scottish, Scottish Water and Woody’s Express for all their support to us over recent weeks and months.”
According to the Press & Journal, Western Isles Council loaned organisers £150,000 three months before the event was called off. The authority says it has been “reassured” it will get the money back.
“On the news breaking that the festival was to be cancelled, the Comhairle met with the promoters to seek reassurance that full refunds would be provided for those who had bought tickets and that the Comhairle’s loan investment was safe,” says a council statement. “Reassurance was provided regarding these two issues and repayment of the loan will commence, in due course, to an agreed schedule.”
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IFF 2023: Emma Banks and Mike Greek set for keynote
CAA chiefs Emma Banks and Mike Greek will deliver a joint keynote at this year’s International Festival Forum (IFF), taking place between 26-28 September in London.
After more than 30 years of working together, the powerhouse duo behind CAA’s London office will share the conference stage for the first time ever.
This year’s keynote is due to take place at 11:30 on Thursday 28 September at IFF’s new home in south London.
Iconic music venue Omeara and its surrounding spaces will form the campus, hosting booking agency and export office showcases, pop-up offices, speed meetings, conference debates, parties and more.
Iconic music venue Omeara and its surrounding spaces will form the campus
Since launching in 2015, IFF has become the leading annual gathering for festivals and booking agents, bringing the industry’s principal buyers and sellers together each autumn, when conversations about the following year’s festival line-ups are well underway.
Booking agency partners on this year’s IFF include CAA, WME, Wasserman, UTA, X-ray Touring, Primary Talent, ATC Live, Earth Agency, Solo and many others.
The 2023 edition is in association with TicketSwap, and backed by leading festival associations including the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), YOUROPE and international festivals federation DeConcert!
In addition, Music Venue Trust will host a National Lottery-funded ‘Revive Live’ show on the final night.
IFF is an invitation-only event organised by the ILMC. Full details, including how to apply to attend are at www.iff.rocks. A 90-second video summary about the event can be viewed below.
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Afro Nation to launch in Detroit
The world’s biggest Afrobeats festival Afro Nation has announced details of its inaugural Detroit, Michigan edition.
The brand, which celebrates Afrobeats, Black music and culture, makes its US debut later this month at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida from 27-28 May, headlined by Burna Boy and Wizkid and presented by Event Horizon, SMADE and Live Nation.
A Detroit spin-off has now been confirmed for 19-20 August in partnership with Bedrock at the local real estate company’s Douglass site.
“When considering which US cities would be right for our Afro Nation festival, Detroit was a clear choice,” says Event Horizon CEO Natasha Manley. ” The musical legacy, culture, people and community of Detroit connects to why we started Afro Nation: to celebrate Black music and culture. Our diverse global audience will undoubtedly enjoy the unique Detroit show and appreciate the immense influence of Detroit on the evolution of music.”
Launched in 2019, Afro Nation festivals have taken place in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean
The event is being positioned to become Afro Nation’s flagship festival in the US. It will feature additional activations and events to honour “Detroit’s musical contributions to the world and highlight its connection to present day American, African and global Black culture and music”.
Launched in 2019, Afro Nation festivals have taken place in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, with the 2023 Portugal event scheduled for Portimão from 28-30 June, headlined by Burna Boy, 50 Cent and Booba.
The brand, which also showcases hip-hop, R&B, amapiano, dancehall and reggae, debuted in North America last year with Afro Nation Puerto Rico, as well as its return to Portugal for the second time and Ghana, for the first time since 2019. A Mexican edition had also been planned for September 2020, before the pandemic intervened.
“We launched Afro Nation Miami recently and would love to do more shows in the US,” co-founder Obi Asika told IQ earlier this year. “A lot goes into selecting locations for an Afro Nation festival, the beauty of the site, event infrastructure, travel logistics and accommodation for guests, but most importantly, everywhere you’ll find an Afro Nation event will be bringing joy to sites of cultural significance around the world.”
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Cops charged with stealing champagne from festival
Three NYPD detectives have been charged in connection with the theft of almost $3,000 worth of champagne from the VIP area of the Electric Zoo festival.
Jonathan Gonzalez, 33 and Wojciech Czech, 44, are each charged with one count of grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, while Gonzalez and Warren Golden, 31, are both charged with official misconduct.
According to court documents and statements, the trio were on narcotics enforcement duty at the electronic music festival on Randall’s Island, New York on 3 September last year, and were in the VIP area when attendees at a nearby table had ordered bottles of Ace of Spades champagne.
It is alleged that when festival-goers stepped away from the table, Gonzalez took two of the unopened bottles – which cost a total of $2,900 – and set them on a table as he retrieved a backpack. Czech then handed the bottles back to Gonzalez, who put them into the backpack.
“In addition to the alleged theft that occurred, none of these officers stepped up and stopped this activity”
The DA’s office says the defendants were stopped by a security officer as they went into a restricted, staff-only area, and were confronted by two of the people who ordered the champagne in the VIP area – one of whom had witnessed the alleged theft.
The bottles were taken from Gonzalez’s bag and returned to the attendees, while the festival security officer notified his employer, who then notified the NYPD.
“In addition to the alleged theft that occurred, none of these officers stepped up and stopped this activity,” says Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. “Public confidence in the criminal justice system depends on members of law enforcement acting with the utmost integrity while on duty and following the same rules that apply to everyone else.”
The New York Times reports that the NYPD has suspended Golden and Czech from duty and that police officials would “initiate further discipline where appropriate”. Detectives Golden and Czech have both denied the allegations, while Gonzalez is due in court later this week.
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Officer sacked for lying to get backstage at APE
A Metropolitan Police officer has been sacked after admitting lying to gain free entry and backstage access to All Points East (APE) festival in London.
PC Hasnain Awan worked a shift at the AEG-promoted festival on 28 August 2021 and returned the following day while off-duty, when he gained entry to APE for himself and a friend without paying the entrance fee.
A misconduct panel heard that Awan deceived staff at the festival accreditation desk by saying he required a new wristband as his own had been “seized as evidence after getting stained with blood”.
“Former PC Awan omitted to tell the staff that he was not working as a police officer and he was therefore given a second wristband,” the panel was told. “Former PC Awan then gave his friend the second wristband and both then entered the festival without paying the £95 per person entrance fee.
“Later the same day… Awan then sought to gain entry to a restricted, backstage area using his Metropolitan Police Service warrant card. There was no proper policing purpose for his showing his warrant card.”
Awan then attempted to put himself on duty by then contacting a colleague and asking to change shifts.
The panel found that the allegation was proven at the level of gross misconduct
“When Inspector May-Robinson, who was responsible for policing at the festival, was informed of former PC Awan’s actions and spoke with him, former PC Awan sought to mislead Inspector May-Robinson by saying that he had informed the festival staff that he was not on duty that day,” the panel heard.
“He also sought to mislead Inspector May-Robinson by suggesting that festival staff had been prepared to allow his friend free entry into the festival albeit they were aware that his friend was neither a police officer nor contractor.”
Awan resigned from the police on 19 February this year. However, the panel found that the allegation was proven at the level of gross misconduct, therefore Awan would have been dismissed without notice had he still been serving.
“Former PC Awan deliberately chose to repeatedly lie first to festival staff, by fabricating an account that something had happened to his wrist band which was untrue, then by seeking to use his warrant card to gain access to a restricted area, then by seeking to ‘cover up’ his inappropriate actions by putting himself on duty by swapping shifts with a colleague, then by lying to a senior officer Inspector May-Robinson about how he came to be in possession of a second wristband and how he and his friend had come to be in the festival without purchasing tickets,” concluded the panel.
Acts who performed at APE on 29 August 2021 included Bicep, Floating Points, Hot Chip and The Blessed Madonna.
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Sting and Shaggy launch One Fine Day festival
Sting and Shaggy have announced the launch of the One Fine Day Festival, which will debut later this year in collaboration with Live Nation and The Cherrytree Music Company.
The duo, who are both managed by Cherrytree CEO Martin Kierszenbaum, have curated the eclectic music festival and will co-headline its main stage. The pair previously teamed up on the Grammy-winning 2018 album, 44/876.
One Fine Day will debut across two stages at The Mann in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, on Saturday 9 September. Additional performers will include Koffee, Tank and the Bangas, G Love & Special Sauce, Kes, Flor de Toloache, and Giordana Angi, while Thundercat will headline the Skyline Stage at the Mann.
“I love how Shaggy and I effortlessly push each other to the creative edges,” says Sting. “After having made the 44/876 album together and recording an album of Frank Sinatra covers in a reggae style, a day of hits and musical adventures in one of our favourite cities seemed like the next illogical step!”
“We wanted to invite some of our favourite musicians to gather in real time and share that very vibe at One Fine Day”
The festival will mark the only time Sting and Shaggy will perform on stage together in the US in 2023.
“Sting is a catalyst for musical curiosity,” adds Shaggy. “When we collaborate, we combine our musical tastes, individual cultures and a sense of wonder. We wanted to invite some of our favourite musicians to gather in real time and share that very vibe at One Fine Day.”
Tickets go on general sale this Friday 19 May, with an exclusive VIP experience which includes access to a private lounge with samplings of Sting’s wine, Toscana IGT from Il Palagio paired with Philadelphia’s Di Bruno Brothers gourmet cheeses also available.
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Lawsuit launched against axed Bamboozle festival
A lawsuit has been launched against the ill-fated Bamboozle festival and its promoter over allegedly unpaid loans relating to the cancelled event.
The event was due to return to Bader Field, Atlantic City from 5-7 May following an 11-year absence, with artists such as Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Joey Bada$$, Trippie Red, Rick Ross and A Boogie wit da Hoodie, but was axed just a week before it was due to go ahead, amid claims organisers had failed to submit the necessary paperwork.
NJ.com reported that city officials moved to cancel the event after not receiving the required fees and documents from organisers.
“There was an ongoing concern we were not getting the required documents from festival organisers in a timely matter,” said city business administrator Anthony Swan. “We asked for this information months in advance to protect the city and the taxpayers of Atlantic City. The event was fast approaching, and these issues were still unresolved.”
According to Loudwire, via NJ.com, it has now emerged that an executive called Anthony Martini of Little Silver has filed a lawsuit in New Jersey against Bamboozle Festival LLC and promoter John D’Esposito, alleging he loaned D’Esposito and four separate companies a total of US$500,000 (€458,000) at 20% interest to ensure the event went ahead.
Martini claims he only found out the festival was cancelled when he checked his social media
Martini, who is suing for $630,000 overall, plus interest, costs and fees, claims he only found out the festival was cancelled when he checked his social media, adding that D’Espito “wasn’t being responsive” when he tried to contact him.
Founded by D’Esposito, Bamboozle was staged at numerous New Jersey sites from 2003 to 2012 and featured acts including Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, 50 Cent, My Chemical Romance and Linkin Park.
However, controversy raged over premium tickets after D’Esposito allegedly repeatedly warned on social media that prices would soar as more high-profile headliners joined the bill. Instead, ticket prices fell when the promised big names failed to materialise.
NJ.com reported the New Jersey division of consumer affairs has received more than 20 complaints about Bamboozle about issues ranging from false advertising to refund requests.
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