Anne-Marie, promoter at odds over Korea festival cancellation
British singer Anne-Marie put on a free concert for fans in South Korea, after the festival stage she was scheduled to perform on was dismissed as “structurally unsafe”.
The singer was due to perform on Sunday 28 July at Holiday Land festival in the Korean city of Incheon. James Blake, HER and Vince Staples also featured on the two-day festival line-up.
In a social media post, Anne-Marie apologised to fans, stating she was “not allowed” to perform due to safety issues. The singer stressed that the decision to cancel was not hers.
However, a spokesperson for Holiday Land organiser Fake Virgin tells IQ that the decision to cancel was made by the artists.
“The reason that Anne-Marie and Daniel Caesar [the artist billed to perform immediately before] cancelled their performance was [due to] ‘safety issues with the stage'”, says the spokesperson. “The issue did not affect any other artists during the whole event.”
앤마리 종이비행기 이벤트ㅠㅠㅠ pic.twitter.com/ch8q8tQmzW
— Ya (@oriariana) July 28, 2019
Anne-Marie later announced she would be performing at a local hotel instead, telling fans to “be there, it’s free” and stating that “no-one will stop the show”.
The concert, which took place at the Rubik Lounge at the Paradise City hotel, was streamed live for those who were unable to attend.
The festival had been affected by adverse weather conditions. The Holiday Land event page was updated earlier on Sunday, stating that rainfall was ”below the cancellation standard”.
The statement announced the cancellation of a set by DJ Light, the first act scheduled on the festival’s Holiday Square stage. No mention was made to other sets, or to the Sunset stage, on which Anne-Marie was due to appear.
Fake Virgin say an investigation into the situation “between the production company and artists” is ongoing.
Anne-Marie was nominated for four awards at the 2019 Brit Awards in London, including for best British female solo artist and British album of the year.
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Live Nation announces first venues in S. Korea at Project Inspire
Live Nation has signed a multi-year partnership with Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment (MGE) to book talent for Project Inspire, a new entertainment resort currently in development in Incheon, South Korea.
Projected to open in 2021, the US$5bn development will include a three-tower luxury hotel and shopping, gambling and entertainment amenities, including a 15,000-seat indoor arena, the Inspire Super Arena, and an outdoor performance space. MGE – an extension of the Mohegan Indian tribe of Connecticut – and Live Nation are already partners on Mohegan Sun Arena (10,000-cap.), part of the Mohegan Sun casion in Uncas, Connecticut.
“Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment and Live Nation have been long-time partners in creating one of the most successful arena venues in the world for its size, the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut,” says Mario Kontomerkos, MGE’s CEO.
“Now, we are partnering again to do the same, only this time it will be at the Inspire Super Arena at the Incheon International Airport, right in the heart of the burgeoning northern Asian entertainment market. The move further solidifies MGE’s position as the premier global gaming and entertainment resort developer and operator.”
“Touring throughout north Asia has grown significantly over the last few years, and the addition of Inspire Super Arena can only enhance that growth”
“This is an exciting time for our industry in northern Asia, [and] our exclusive partnership with Live Nation Asia will further expand Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment into the global entertainment market,” adds MGE senior vice-president, sports and entertainment, Tom Cantone. “In partnership with Live Nation, our Inspire property is guaranteed to be the number-one destination for guests and fans to embrace our incredible shows and must-see concerts.”
“We have been thrilled by the success of what Live Nation and Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment have built together through the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville and are excited to continue this partnership through Project Inspire,” comments Alan Ridgeway, Live Nation’s president, international and emerging markets.
“Touring throughout northern Asia has grown significantly over the last few years, and the addition of the Inspire Super Arena can only continue to enhance that growth.”
Live Nation has booked the Mohegan Sun Arena since 2001, delivering more than 1,100 performances over the past 17 years.
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