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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Oz Grand Prix sued for $8m over Robbie Williams gig
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation is being sued for more than $8 million for the last-minute cancellation of a performance by Robbie Williams at the 2020 Formula One event in Melbourne.
Williams was paid $1.94m to headline the first World Tour Melbourne concert event on 14 March, but his show was cancelled as fans queued to enter on 13 March.
World Touring Melbourne (WTM) says it was only informed of the cancellation during a teleconference with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and local touring partner Dainty on that same day.
WTM is now seeking $7.594m for costs it incurred, another $1.128m in lost profits, and interest
The touring agency, part-owned by Hollywood actor Will Smith, is alleging the cancellation was a breach of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation’s obligations.
It is now seeking $7.594m for costs it incurred, another $1.128m in lost profits, and interest.
A writ filed in the Supreme Court last week lists venue hire, backstage catering of $32,500, production costs such as sound and lighting, publicity and legal fees among other costs. Williams’ talent fee was reported as $1.94m.
The $99 tickets to see the British star perform were refunded to fans.
Miley Cyrus, Pete Murray, Seb Fontaine and The Veronicas were also booked to perform.
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Australia set to gain two major rock festivals
Australia is set to gain two new rock festivals in 2021 and 2022.
Leading Australian promoter Destroy All Lines is bringing a two-day alternative music festival to Victoria this winter.
Knight & Day will take place at Kryal Castle (Australia’s only medieval adventure park) in Ballarat between 30 and 31 December 2021.
According to the festival, attendees will be able to enjoy “a mesmerising maze, medieval performances, dungeons, torture museums, knights towers, secret dragons and a labyrinth,” alongside full-band and acoustic performances, as well as DJ sets.
Parkway Drive, Polaris and Alex Lahey are set to headline the event.
Early Bird pre-sale tickets are available on Tuesday 21 September at 10:00 AEST. Camping is not available. Find out more information here.
“The time was right to introduce a new summer festival, one which will appeal to a wide cross-section of rock fans”
Australian rock fans can also look forward to the inaugural edition of Uncaged, produced by Silverback Touring.
The East Coast touring festival will feature “a diversely curated blend of hard rock, punk [and] metal” acts, exclusively from Australia and New Zealand.
The three-city run will kick off in Brisbane showgrounds on Saturday 22 January 2022 before stopping off at Melbourne’s Coburg Velodrome (Saturday 29 January) and Sydney’s Olympic Park (Saturday 12 February).
Danny Bazzi, head of Silverback Touring, said in a statement today (15 September): “The time was right to introduce a new summer festival, one which will appeal to a wide cross-section of rock fans.”
The first line-up announcement for Uncaged will be made next Wednesday 22 September. Tickets are yet to go on sale. More information can be found here.
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Live Nation GSA announces Download Festival Germany
Live Nation GSA (Germany, Switzerland, Austria) is launching a German edition of Download Festival, the UK’s premiere rock event.
Download Germany will take place on 24 June 2022 at the Hockenheimring, a motor racing circuit situated in the Rhine valley near the town of Hockenheim, which Live Nation GSA head Marek Lieberberg has prior experience with.
Lieberberg’s former company Marek Lieberberg Konzertagentur (MLK) previously held Rock’n’Heim at the same location, in cooperation with Live Nation.
The festival took place annually from 2013 to 2015, welcoming around 40,000 fans across three days for the first two years. In 2015, the event was reduced to a one-day event.
MLK also housed both Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, started by Lieberberg in 1985 and 1993 respectively, the twin festivals that from 2022, will be programmed by eventimpresents and CTS Eventim-owned DreamHaus.
At the time of writing, Download Germany has not announced any artists or released tickets for the 2022 event
At the time of writing, Download Germany has not announced any artists or released tickets for the 2022 event.
Download Germany will be the UK brand’s fourth sister event. Other sites are Download Australia, which would have debuted in 2020, Download Madrid and Download France in Paris (both of which last took place in 2019).
The UK event, promoted by Festival Republic, this year took place over the 18–20 June weekend as part of the second phase of the UK government’s scientific Events Research Programme (ERP).
Download Pilot welcomed 10,000 metal fans to the hallowed grounds of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire, to enjoy a fully-fledged festival experience with no social distancing, no masks and moshing allowed. The event was the UK’s first major camping festival of its kind since lockdown.
The flagship event is set to return to the UK between 10-12 June 2022 with a line-up that includes Deftones, Korn and Megadeath.
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Gudinski’s ‘Music From The Home Front’ returns
Frontier Touring has announced the second edition of Music from the Home Front, a special Anzac Day concert spearheaded by the late Australian industry icon, Michael Gudinski.
The second instalment will take place at Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Saturday 24 April, the eve of the national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand.
The Kid Laroi, Jimmy Barnes, Dean Lewis, Amy Shark, Tina Arena, Vance Joy, Lime Cordiale, Tash Sultana and You Am I are slated to perform.
Music from the Home Front was conceived by Gudinski, the late Barnes and Frontier Touring/Mushroom Group founder, to pay tribute to both the service people who were involved in the Gallipoli campaign (1915–16) of the First World War, as well as those who were “fighting on the Covid-19 front line”.
The inaugural Music from the Home Front was watched by over 1.4 million viewers on Anzac Day 2020.
“Music From The Home Front is a project [Michael Gudinski] was immensely proud of in 2020”
Matt Gudinski, the son of Michael and the newly elected CEO of Mushroom Group, told Billboard: “It’s incredibly fitting that Music From The Home Front, a project he was immensely proud of in 2020, was one of the events he was working on right up until his last day.
“That we can bring to life a broadcast concert version from his hometown of Melbourne, supporting the industry he loved, in a city he long promoted as the leading music capital of Australia, resonates deeply with all of us at Mushroom.”
Michael Gudinski passed away suddenly on 2 March 2021 at the age of 68.
Similar to last year, the concert will be broadcast live on television on Nine/9Now and on YouTube at 7:30 pm AEST. This year’s event is presented in partnership with the Victorian government.
Tickets for the Melbourne concert go on sale this Friday (16 April). For more information visit musicfromthehomefront.com.au and frontiertouring.com/homefront.
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