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Ticket scammers target Swifties ahead of Oz gigs

Australian Taylor Swift fans have lost in excess of A$260,000 (€157,000) in a fake ticket scam for the star’s upcoming concerts in the country.

Swift will perform seven shows in Australia this month, with three nights at Melbourne Cricket Ground (16-18 February) followed by four dates at Sydney’s Accor Stadium (23-26 February). More than four million users attempted to buy pre-sale tickets for the shows last June.

Victoria Police say they have received at least 250 reports of ticketing scams for The Eras Tour since the dates went on sale, including 40 complaints since 30 January this year.

A common tactic has seen scammers hack social media accounts and then use the profiles to sell fake tickets to the victim’s friends. The scammers advertise their tickets “at cost price”, with a story behind why they can no longer attend, and may rush interested parties into buying the tickets and transferring them money.

“As well as the ticket price, they’ll likely ask you to pay the extra fees to change the name on the ticket,” say detectives from the cybercrime squad. “They will often send what they purport to be a screenshot of the email confirmation of having bought the tickets, making the scam look more legitimate. Then, once you’ve transferred the money… the profile will block you.”

“Keep your side of the street clean and protect yourself. Only buy tickets from an authorised reseller”

Det Sgt John Cheyne of Victoria Police’s cybercrime squad warns Swifties: “We know you’re often too in love to think straight when it comes to nabbing a ticket to the Eras Tour, but please, keep your side of the street clean and protect yourself. Only buy tickets from an authorised reseller.”

Swift wraps up a four-night run at Japan’s Tokyo Dome tomorrow (10 February) on the latest stop of her record-breaking world tour.

In December 2023, Eras officially became the first tour in history to surpass $1 billion in revenue, and is projected to generate another $1bn at the box office this year,

It was revealed earlier this week that The Eras Tour concert film is arriving on Disney + globally on 15 March, with five additional songs. The streaming service will make available ‘Taylor’s Version’ of the film, which includes the performance of ‘Cardigan’ and four acoustic songs that were cut out of the theatrical release.

In January, The Eras Tour concert film became the highest-grossing concert/documentary film in box office history with more than US$261.6 million earned globally.

 


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Eight suspected overdoses at Australian festival

Eight people were placed in medically induced comas after suspected MDMA overdoses at Hardmission Festival in Melbourne, Australia over the weekend.

Paramedics at the electronic music festival, held at the Flemington racecourse on Saturday (6 January), transported nine festivalgoers to hospitals across the city.

Ambulance Victoria confirmed eight people were placed in comas with breathing tubes in their throats.

Of the nine admitted patients, three remain in a critical condition, one is in a serious condition, one in a serious but stable condition and one is stable, Guardian Australia reported yesterday. Two have been discharged from hospital.

The Victorian Ambulance Union’s secretary, Danny Hill told the publication that the patients at the festival were “really sick”.

“You had patients with high temperatures – some over 41 degrees and seizure activity. In order to be transported, [paramedics] have to do intervention that is normally left for patients suffering a head injury or a stroke,” he said.

Hill said it was unusual to have a high number of people affected at one event. “I don’t think we’ve seen it for some years, if ever,” he said.

“I don’t think we’ve seen it for some years, if ever”

Hill said he hoped Saturday’s event would prompt a rethink of pill testing in Victoria.

“These drugs are not made in batches of seven or eight tablets,” Hill said. “They’re made in batches of hundreds or thousands so there are many more of these deadly tablets out there.”

The incident has sparked renewed calls to state governments to legalise pill testing, with many saying the scale of the overdoses highlight the urgency of the issue.

The Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA), the social justice non-profit Uniting NSW ACT, plus the Greens, Legalise Cannabis and the Animal Justice parties have all reinforced calls for pill testing.

The ACT (Australia Capital Territory) introduced drug-testing services in 2022 and the Queensland government announced a pill-testing trial last February. However, Victorian government frontbencher Steve Dimopoulos on Monday said the cabinet had no plans to introduce pill testing in their state.

Hardmission Australia featured performances from the likes of Anderex, AniMe, Krowdexx, Miss K8, Riot Shift presents “Dystopia”, Sound Rush, Sephyx and more.

The event was promoted by United Music Events, which has a presence in Europe, Australia and Asia.

 


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Australia gains new touring alt-rock festival

Leading Australian rock promoter Destroy All Lines has announced a new touring festival for alternative rock and punk fans.

New Bloom Fest will hit the East Coast of Australia between 15–17 March 2024, visiting Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, UNSW Roundhouse in Sydney and Melbourne Pavilion.

The inaugural event, co-presented with triple j and Short.Fast.Loud, will be headlined by US rock band Citizen for what will be their first tour of Australia since 2019.

Other North American acts on the bill include post-hardcore bands Movements and Touché Amoré, pop-punk outfit No Pressure, rock band Fleshwater and Canadian grunge duo Soft Cell.

New Bloom Fest is “a festival overflowing with exceptional fresh talent from the alternative and punk scene at home and abroad”

Domestic acts on the bill include Eat Your Heart Out performing at the Brisbane date, Amends in Sydney, Born Free in Melbourne and more.

Promoters have dubbed New Bloom Fest “a festival overflowing with exceptional fresh talent from the alternative and punk scene at home and abroad”.

Destroy All Lines’ festival portfolio also includes Good Things, currently Australia’s largest alternative and rock music festival, which will be headlined by Fall Out Boy and Limp Bizkit this year.

The independent promoter’s upcoming concerts include All Time Low, Dance Gavin Dance, Mayday Parade, Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls, The Aces, Bloc Party and Interpol.

 


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New festival celebrates trans and non-binary acts

A new festival celebrating transgender and non-binary artists in the Australian music industry is launching this year.

The inaugural TRANSGENRE festival will take place at The Red Rattler Theatre in Sydney on 17 December, with Melbourne duo Cry Club topping the bill.

The all-ages event will also feature Perth siblings Josh and Hazel Meyer (aka Those Who Dream), Adelaide pop-punk luminary Nonnie (with frontwoman Lilly Peterson delivering a rare solo performance), Melbourne hyper-pop artist Wolfjay, and some of Sydney’s brightest up-and-coming talents.

Also on the bill is pop-rock gem Blake Williams, punk band Final Girls, hardcore outfit Cherish, hyper-pop dynamo KHAOS EMRLD, emo outfit FVNERAL, experimental rocker enpriestess, post-hardcore favourites Two Knives and alt-pop mastermind NOCTICA.

“We hope this festival encourages people to pay closer attention to the wealth of gender diversity that exists in Australia”

The festival is being produced by music journalist Ellie Robinson and FVNERAL’s Tim Blunt, in partnership with BLUNT magazine, Young Henrys brewery and Cistem Error.

“It’s been a pretty wild year to be trans (to say the very least) and especially now, it’s so important to champion our community as loudly and proudly as possible,” says Robinson.

“We need to be visible, defiant and thriving – and at the core of that is positive representation in all corners of society. Our aim with TRANSGENRE is to offer a bit of that representation to the Australian live music scene, showing that trans and non-binary voices are among some of the strongest and most incisive in the country.

“Personally, we hope this festival encourages people (cis, trans and everyone in-between) to pay closer attention to the wealth of gender diversity that exists in the Australian music industry, and be louder in supporting it. The show is obviously open for everyone to enjoy, but we’re so bloody keen to see a bunch of our fellow trans and gender-diverse people having an incredible day at the first-ever TRANSGENRE, enjoying some of the best live music in Australia, and celebrating their identities as excitedly as they want without having to worry about being judged for it.”

Tickets for the all-day event range between AUS$40-50.

 


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Paul Dainty receives AO honour from Australian gov

Live music veteran Paul Dainty has been appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), one of the country’s highest honours which recognises an individual for making a significant impact in society.

The TEG Dainty boss was saluted during a ceremony last Wednesday (13 September) at Melbourne’s Government House for his “distinguished service to the community” — specifically, his efforts in organising the 2020 Fire Fight all-star concert in Sydney, which raised more than A$10 million for bushfire relief efforts.

The UK-born exec established the Dainty Group/Dainty Corporation in Melbourne in the early 1970s and has since sold 50 million tickets. Bee Gees, Diana Ross, Cat Stevens, the Jackson Five and the Rolling Stones were among the company’s first clients.

The UK-born exec established the Dainty Group in Melbourne in the early 1970s and has since sold 50 million tickets

It was Dainty who produced ABBA’s legendary 1977 tour of Australia. Subsequently, ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus entrusted Dainty to tour Mamma Mia! 25 years later. Dainty also has the option to produce the hugely popular ABBA: Voyage in Australia.

“We’re looking at it closely,” he told Billboard. “It’s probably one of the most exciting entertainment events I’ve ever seen.”

Dainty has also produced tours for the likes of Paul McCartney, U2, Guns N’ Roses, Eminem, David Bowie, George Michael, Prince and Britney Spears, and in recent years has expanded the business into international markets, including tours for Eminem and Lionel Richie in South Africa and South East Asia, and pan-Asian dates for Michael Buble. Forthcoming tours include Ms. Lauryn Hill, Il Divo, and Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets.

Since 2016, TEG Dainty has been a part of the TEG Group of Companies. The following year, Dainty was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

 


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LGBTIQ+ List 2023: Kane Kete, Ticketmaster

The LGBTIQ+ List 2023 – IQ Magazine’s third annual celebration of queer professionals who make an immense impact in the international live music business – has been revealed.

The ever-popular list is the centrepiece of IQ’s third Pride edition, sponsored by Ticketmaster, which is now available to read online and in print for subscribers.

To get to know this year’s queer pioneers a little better, we interviewed each of them on the development of the industry, the challenges that are keeping them up at night and more.

Throughout the next month, IQ will publish a new interview each day. Check out yesterday’s profile with Adem Holness, head of contemporary music at Southbank Centre in London, UK.

The series continues with Kane Kete (he/him/his), client development manager for major events, promoters & music venues at Ticketmaster in Melbourne, Australia.

Aside from being a proud gay man, Kane Kete is a proud New Zealand Māori who has descended from the iwi (tribe) of Ngāti Maniapoto. When he’s not working, he tries to get to as many gigs as he possibly can while also enjoying many a pint of beer with friends and family.

At work, Kane is a client development manager for Ticketmaster, responsible for the development and growth of their major event, promoter, and music venue clients. His focus is on the continuous improvement of relationships, product adoption, and revenue growth across an extensive portfolio of clients.

Across more than 14 years at Ticketmaster, Kane has worked his way through a range of positions starting in the box office, through to event programming, client management, and artist services. This experience allows Kane to provide business-wide solutions that drive ticket sales, generate growth, provide an exceptional fan experience, and deliver true value to his clients.


Tell us about the professional feat you’re most PROUD of in 2023 so far.
2023 has been a monster year already here in Australia. Working on the delivery of massive stadium tours such as Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, and Red Hot Chili Peppers over the summer, as well as getting stadium tours including Pink, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, and Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe up and on sale recently. It’s been a lot of work and some long hours, but I do like to remind myself it’s all been done perfectly by our teams.

Name one queer act you’re itching to see live this year.
I don’t know if I could choose just one – I would love to tick off Christine and the Queens. Orville Peck, Girl in Red, and Arlo Parks – I would jump at the chance of seeing them again and would love to see a Kim Petras headline tour in Australia. Closer to home for those who aren’t easily shocked, Big Wett always puts on an eye-opening show!

“Be confident in yourself and what you bring to the table and don’t compare yourself to everyone else around you”

What advice could you give to young queer professionals?
It sounds cliché, but – just be yourself, don’t go back in the closet or hide who you are. Be confident in yourself and what you bring to the table and don’t compare yourself to everyone else around you. I’m a big fan of letting your work do the talking for you.

What’s the best mistake you’ve ever made?
The people who work with me know there’s one mistake I made years ago that still haunts me. That stomach-churning feeling stays with me to this day, and I will never make that mistake again! All mistakes come with learnings, so if you can apply what you’ve learnt moving forward, a work mistake isn’t the worst thing that can happen to you.

In terms of challenges in the industry, what’s currently keeping you up at night?
Ensuring real fans are the ones getting tickets to their favourite artists’ gigs. It’s not keeping me up at night as I think our teams are doing fantastic work in ensuring we’re beating the bots and scalpers, but I would love to see more time and innovation going into this across the industry.

“I would like to see ticketing agents and venues become a more valued partner in the tour planning process”

How do you see the live music business developing in the next few years?
I think it’s just going to get bigger and bigger. Demand is unprecedented, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. We have a generation of new fans obsessed with seeing live music and more and more artists playing to bigger audiences than ever before. I think we’re going to see these artists and their vocal fans telling us exactly what they want from a live music experience, and it will be exciting to see how the industry listens and reacts.

Name one thing you’d like to see the live music business change.
I would like to see ticketing agents and venues become a more valued partner in the tour planning process – it’s so important for us to have a seat at the table in the early phase of discussions. A more collaborative, two-way partnership only maximises results for fans and artists.

Name one thing the industry could do to be a more equitable place.
Keep pushing on implementing the things we as an industry say we support. Be equitable from the top down. I’d like to see more women in leadership roles, more queer and gender-diverse people in leadership roles, more wage equity, and more equitable access.

“I’d like to see more women in leadership roles, more queer and gender-diverse people in leadership roles”

Shout out to your biggest ally in the live music industry.
I don’t think I have one specific ally in the industry, rather a whole range of people from all different types of backgrounds who support not only me but our community in their own unique ways. Ticketmaster/Live Nation have so many initiatives to help support our community, and I think working in such an environment makes you feel like you are constantly surrounded by allies that see you.

Do you support any LGBTIQ+ causes?
Black Rainbow. A First Nations organisation that’s working to enact positive change to the health and well-being of the queer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

 


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LN Australia to run Melbourne’s Festival Hall

Live Nation Australia has secured a multi-year lease to operate Melbourne’s Festival Hall.

The company plans to invest in several upgrades to the 5,000-cap venue, which has hosted artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ed Sheeran and Foo Fighters.

Previously, LN has successfully revitalised heritage entertainment venues in Australia such as Palais Theatre in St Kilda and Anita’s Theatre in Thirroul (NSW) as well as investing in new live music venues in Hindley Street and the Fortitude Valley in Adelaide and Brisbane respectively.

“We are extremely excited to be delivering the next chapter of Festival Hall’s life, not only because it will help support the growing demand of shows that are coming down the pipeline across the industry, but also to put the iconic venue firmly back on the global live entertainment map,” says LN APAC president Roger Field.

“It’s a privilege to be part of an organisation that values the protection of existing heritage music assets and sees the importance that these venues play”

Festival Hall was purchased by Hillsong Church in October 2020, with the intention to create a community hub to support live music, entertainment, and other events. “It’s a way to give back to Melbourne and continue the venue’s legacy,” said Hillsong at the time.

The church will continue to use the venue for weekend services and other events

“It’s a privilege to be part of an organisation that values the protection of existing heritage music assets and sees the importance that these venues play in the ongoing growth of the live entertainment sector and the communities they’re a part of,” adds Field. “Our vision is to ensure that Festival Hall remains a cornerstone of the State’s live music scene for artists, industry, and fans alike.”

 


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Bluesfest expands to Melbourne

Australia’s Bluesfest is expanding to Melbourne for 2023.

With the original Byron Bay blues & roots festival running from 6-10 April, the brand is adding an indoor edition at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 8-9 April.

Bluesfest founder and director Peter Noble is teaming up with Melbourne music industry veteran Neil Crocker to stage the multi-stage spin-off. Acts will include Ash Grunwald, Buddy Guy, The Doobie Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass, Henry Wagons, Kaleo, Kasey Chamber, Keb’ Mo’, Lucinda Williams, Paolo Nutini, Robert Glasper and Steve Earle.

With the opening day of Byron Bay’s 2022 Splendour in the Grass festival being cancelled after being hit by adverse weather, organisers stress the Melbourne complex “will be transformed into a fully weatherproof festival precinct”.

“We’ll be bringing some of the absolute premium international and local artists who perform at Bluesfest”

“We’ll be bringing some of the absolute premium international and local artists who perform at Bluesfest alongside the fantastic Melbourne artists to create an experience for music lovers that is unprecedented in this city,” says Noble.

“Offering patrons the chance to see more than 30 performances over a two day period in an environment that is weatherproofed, accessible and safe, right in the heart of the Melbourne and Docklands area.”

Weekend passes start at A$508.69 (€327.66).

Byron Bay Bluesfest returned in April with headliners such as Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Crowded House and Jimmy Barnes. Its 2021 edition did not take place after initially being postponed due to a public health order a mere 24 hours before doors were due to open to the public. A rescheduled date was later cancelled as a result of the pandemic.

 


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Australia’s Falls Festival forced to relocate

Australia’s Falls Festival is set to relocate from regional Victoria for the first time in its 30-year history.

The event, promoted by Live Nation-owned Secret Sounds, will now take place at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne with the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Lil Nas X and CHVRCHES performing across two stages.

Secret Sounds had previously announced the event would move from its longtime home in the seaside town of Lorne to Birregurra in Colac, a small city in the western district of Victoria, after the local authority approved a planning permit.

However, despite strong community support, an application was made to the Victorian civil and administrative tribunal by a group of locals appealing the decision.

A hearing date for the appeal had been set for February and March – after the event was scheduled to take place on 29–31 December – which prompted the relocation to Melbourne.

“Thanks so much for all the support from stakeholders, artists and all who contribute to Falls, we’re thrilled that the show will go on at Sidney Myer Music Bowl, ringing in the new year in downtown Melbourne,” the festival’s co-producer Jessica Ducrou said.

A hearing date for the appeal had been set for February and March – after the event was scheduled to take place

Among those opposed to the event being held at Birregurra are Colac farmers concerned about the event’s potential impact on cattle at neighbouring farms.

Some told local media that noise and light from the show could potentially harm their livestock.

“We’ve heard all about the businesses that are going to benefit from this. But my business is farming,” the Gerangamete farmer Chris Roberts told the Surf Coast Times. “What are we going to get out of this festival going forward? I don’t know.”

The Colac Otway mayor, Kate Hanson, said the appeal application was a blow for the area.

“Council is disappointed for community groups and business owners who were looking forward to an increase in spending in the region this year,” Hanson said. “However, we’re pleased that Secret Sounds is still keen to continue to consider our shire for future Falls festival events.”

Ticket holders who are unable to attend the new venue in Melbourne can apply for a refund.

 


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Australia’s Beyond the Valley reveals new location

Australia’s Beyond the Valley festival has revealed a new site, official dates and full lineup for its comeback edition.

The Victoria-based event was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and last year was reimagined as a two-day event in Melbourne dubbed Beyond The City.

This December, the four-day camping festival will return but at a new location, Barunah Plains in Hesse, some 125km from Melbourne’s central business district.

The scenic site boasts a natural amphitheatre spanning 100,000 square metres with “sweeping trees, rolling hills, a wool shed, mystic bridges and a winding creek”.

All three of the festival’s signature main stages will return, albeit with various upgrades.

The scenic site boasts a natural amphitheatre spanning 100,000 square metres

In addition, this year’s edition will host its first-ever podcast stage, as well as a secret stage installation called the Schmall Klüb where artists will perform impromptu DJ sets on no fixed schedule.

There will also be a heightened focus on accessibility for the 2022 event. Main stage performances will feature Auslan interpreters and dedicated viewing platforms, while a designated accessible campsite will be positioned closer to the main arena.

Other new features include a Beach Club with swimming pools, a series of interactive art installations, an open mic stage, sessions for yoga, pilates and meditation, and a range of other non-musical programs.

News of the relocation comes as Beyond the Valley announces this year’s lineup, led by Nelly Furtado, Kaytranada and Denzel Curry. Diplo, Bicep, Honey Dijon, Aussies Dom Dolla, HAAi and Flight Facilities are slated to join them.

 


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