Roger Field to depart Live Nation APAC
Live Nation Asia-Pacific president Roger Field is stepping down after more than a decade with the company.
Melbourne-based Field was named president of Live Nation APAC in September 2020. He joined the firm in 2010 to set up Live Nation Australia alongside VP of touring Luke Hede, and led the growth of the Australian and New Zealand businesses, initially as COO and then CEO from 2017 following LN’s acquisition of Michael Coppel Presents in 2012.
Field was tasked with overseeing all of Live Nation’s businesses across the Asia-Pacific region, including tours by the likes of Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Pink, U2 and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The Music Network sources describe the split as “amicable”, with Alex Klos set to become COO of LN Australia & New Zealand, alongside his position as APAC CFO.
Speaking to IQ earlier this year, Field said: “Australasia is going great. This will be our biggest year ever and we’re seeing unprecedented attendances at all levels from club to arenas. We have more artists coming to our shores and we’re having our biggest stadium year.”
“It seems that the years of being unable to tour and operate have enabled a number of arena acts to take the leap into stadiums with huge success”
“It seems that the years of being unable to tour and operate have enabled a number of arena acts to take the leap into stadiums with huge success. This in turn creates the opportunity for more acts to step up to fill those arena dates – and fans are really getting behind these artists and demanding even more.”
Live Nation’s suite of venues in the region includes The Palais Theatre in Melbourne, the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, the Hindley Street Music Hall in Adelaide, and Anita’s Theatre, and it has continued to expand its portfolio of venues and live assets.
“Our venue development is a huge priority for us across both Australia and New Zealand – we’ve just celebrated the return of the iconic Festival Hall in Melbourne to a full-time live music venue after signing a multi-lease and that’s only the beginning,” added Field. “Our interest in venues of all sizes is partly motivated by having the ability to engage with a variety of artist content, even if we’re not promoting it, but also open to new ticket buying markets.”
Field also served on the executive committee of the Live Entertainment Industry Forum (LEIF), which comprised all major Australian live businesses and was set up at the height of the pandemic to ensure fans could return safely to live events once restrictions on mass gatherings were lifted.
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Live Nation acquires Hong Kong’s Clockenflap
Live Nation has acquired a majority stake in Hong Kong-based promoter Clockenflap and its flagship music and arts festival.
One of Asia’s best-known festival brands, Clockenflap made its return in early March after a four-year hiatus, featuring artists including Arctic Monkeys, Balming Tiger, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Cardigans and Wu-Tang Clan.
The Clockenflap team will continue to curate, manage and produce its events, with co-founder and music director Justin Sweeting confident that Live Nation’s support and resources will help cement its status internationally.
“It was a wonderful feeling seeing a capacity crowd at the festival last weekend – Clockenflap has one of the most positive and open minded audiences in the world,” he says. “The Live Nation team share our vision for Clockenflap being one of the best city festivals in the world, and with Live Nation’s support and resources, I’m excited for the future of the festival.”
Founded in 2008, the three-day, 30,000-cap festival takes place at Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront Event Space. Its next edition has been confirmed for 1-3 December 2023.
“By joining forces with Live Nation, we can continue to grow the festival and expand our event activities in Hong Kong and regionally”
Clockenflap also organises regular touring concerts in Hong Kong under the Clockenflap Presents banner, with recent sold-out shows announced for Cigarettes After Sex and Honne, and its partnership with Live Nation comes at a time events in the region are seeing a bloom in activity.
“Over the last 15 years we have grown Clockenflap into a world-class three-day festival,” says Clockenflap co-founder and MD Mike Hill. “By joining forces with the global leaders in entertainment, Live Nation, we can continue to grow the festival and expand our event activities in Hong Kong and regionally.”
“Partnering with Clockenflap further demonstrates that Live Nation is committed to bringing world-class festivals and live entertainment experiences to Hong Kong fans,” adds Live Nation APAC president Roger Field. “Our team is dedicated to supporting Mike, Justin and their team’s exceptional skills and capabilities, and through Live Nation’s global network we will enhance and grow the Clockenflap brand and deliver new and exciting live opportunities to the region.”
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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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Live Nation applauds Brisbane Arena plan
Live Nation has applauded the announcement of A$7 billion (€4.5bn) funding deal for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, which will include a new state-of-the-art arena.
The plan, unveiled by Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, will see the federal government provide $2.5bn (€1.6bn) for the development of the 17,000-cap venue.
“That will be a venue that will last for many decades into the future and that will create that economic activity here on an ongoing basis,” says Albanese.
Live Nation and consortium partner Oak View Group says it is now eagerly awaiting the opportunity to present its vision for the proposed Brisbane Arena site at Roma Street in Brisbane’s CBD.
“With a new and improved venue, Live Nation is dedicated to supporting Brisbane’s vision as a leading city for blockbuster live events”
“Together, we know we can transform this Brisbane precinct into Australia’s premier entertainment destination for generations to come,” says Roger Field, president, Live Nation Asia Pacific.
Brisbane’s biggest indoor venue is currently the 13,601-cap Brisbane Entertainment Centre, which opened in 1986 and has hosted acts such as Taylor Swift, Pink Floyd, Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish.
“The announcement couldn’t be more timely after Live Nation have delivered a record summer of live entertainment in Queensland with the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, and with Harry Styles to come in a few weeks, Pink in 2024 and many more major acts yet to be announced,” adds Field. “With a new and improved venue, Live Nation is dedicated to supporting Brisbane’s vision as a leading city for blockbuster live events.”
The consortium has previously collaborated on project such as Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, the first zero-carbon arena in the world, powered exclusively by renewable energy including both on-site and offsite solar.
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Stray Kids break Aussie K-pop ticket sales record
Stray Kids have broken the record for the most tickets sold by a K-pop boy band in Australia.
The group have sold more than 42,000 tickets across four shows – two nights each at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena (17-18 February) and Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena (21-22 February) – on their current Maniac tour, produced by Live Nation.
The previous record was held by Big Bang, who played two nights at Qudos Bank Arena and one night at Rod Laver Arena on their Live Nation-promoted 2015 Made tour.
“The immense popularity of Stray Kids highlights the strong demand for K-Pop in the market and the ever-growing fanbase of the genre in Australia”
“Live Nation is committed to the development of K-pop, not just within Australia but across the Asia Pacific,” says Live Nation Korea MD Yongbae Cho. “This is evidenced by our commitment to touring K-pop in the region, having toured Blackpink, Big Bang, G-Dragon, GOT7, and many others.”
The run marks Stray Kids’ first arena tour in Australia, with the first arena dates selling out within hours of tickets going on sale. The tour will also mark the return of Aussie-Korean members Bang Chan and Felix to Australia, who are set to perform in front of their hometown crowd in Sydney.
“The immense popularity of Stray Kids highlights the strong demand for K-Pop in the market and the ever-growing fanbase of the genre in Australia,” adds Cho.
“There is a broad community who’s very engaged in the genre in pretty much every market around the world”
Blackpink are also set to visit Australia in June. Roger Field, president of Live Nation Asia Pacific, discussed the K-pop phenomenon in a recent interview with The Australian.
“It’s increasingly part of the mainstream pop offering,” says Field. “A lot of people may not be across it, but there is a broad community who’s very engaged in the genre in pretty much every market around the world, because it delivers fashion, catchy songs, and a lifestyle.
“We’ve had the privilege of a long commitment to growing the genre across the globe, and that commitment is pulling all the levers to escalate these artists very quickly into arenas and stadiums.”
The rise of the genre will be explored in How K-pop Conquered the World, the opening panel of this year’s ILMC at 10am on Wednesday 1 March, chaired by Tommy Jinho Yoon of ICA-Live-Asia.
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Live Nation to operate Australia’s Anita’s Theatre
Live Nation is expanding its Australian venue portfolio with the addition of historic New South Wales venue Anita’s Theatre.
The company will operate the intimate, 1,000-cap theatre in Thirroul, approximately 60km south of Sydney, which has hosted artists including City of Colour, Eric Burdon, Suzi Quatro, Angus and Julia Stone, and John Butler Trio.
Australian rock band Midnight Oil included Anita’s Theatre as a special stop on their 2019 The Final Tour, which also included shows at Australia’s biggest arenas.
“Keeping venues, such as Anita’s Theatre, open is imperative to the ongoing growth of local Australian artists,” says Roger Field, president of Live Nation Asia Pacific. “As advocates for developing local Australian talent, we are aware of the cultural significance Anita’s Theatre holds within the Illawarra region, and we are looking forward to showcasing an array of amazing live entertainment and talent for local fans to enjoy.”
“Live Nation will be taking over theatre operations, working very hard to bring a high calibre of performers to our venue”
Initially opened in 1925 as the ‘King’s Theatre’, the venue was used for a variety of purposes throughout the decades until it was re-opened in its current guise in 2007.
The owners of Anita’s Theatre Thirroul add: “We are very excited to announce that we will be partnering with Live Nation to deliver the best of live entertainment that Australia and the world have to offer to the people of the Illawarra and outer Sydney. Live Nation will be taking over theatre operations, working very hard to bring a high calibre of performers to our venue for music fans.
“We would also like to thank everyone who has supported the theatre over the past decade, especially through the last two years which were particularly difficult. The magic of live brings people together like nothing else, and we look forward to the community’s ongoing support and patronage as we begin this new chapter of the theatre.”
Live Nation’s global portfolio of over 300 live entertainment venues includes Australia’s The Palais Theatre in Melbourne, the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane and the recently announced Hindley Street Music Hall in Adelaide.
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LN steps up Thailand operations with TERO deal
Live Nation has acquired the concerts and entertainment division of Thailand-based TERO Entertainment (TERO C&E).
The strategic acquisition builds on the existing JV between Live Nation and TERO, launched in 2015, and signals further growth within the country through a commitment to developing local Thai talent, while also continuing to bring major international acts to the region.
Established in 1998, TERO C&E is a leader in domestic touring, family entertainment, exhibitions, musicals, and artist management within Thailand.
“TERO C&E has it all – local expertise delivering outstanding experiences to fans, and career growth for international and local artists,” Live Nation Asia Pacific president Roger Field. “Our deepened partnership with TERO will expand our presence not only in Thailand but across the region, and we are looking forward to bringing an ever-growing and incredible roster of domestic and international talent to fans, connecting them with the magic of live.”
“Our vision is to extend and grow the partnership”
Brian Marcar, MD of Tero Entertainment PLC, says: “Our partnership with Live Nation has grown over the years and we have seen many benefits from this union for international artists. Our vision is to extend and grow the partnership to enable the same benefits to local talent so they too can have the opportunity to develop internationally, making this hugely beneficial to both the local fans and the local artists.”
The deal expands Live Nation’s reach in the region, as well as deepening its strategy to offer new events to brand partners across the region which include Marriot Hotels, Mercedes, Toyota, Pepsi, Budweiser, and Samsung.
Revenue from domestic artist shows across Thailand is predicted to grow rapidly year-on-year between 2022 and 2025.
“We are excited by the growth opportunities of the entertainment business under the one company, this will not only increase the number of leading acts coming to perform in Thailand but now will give local artists the opportunity to work with a global company to manage their live touring here in Thailand, the APAC region and the rest of the world,” adds Neil Thompson, CEO of Live Nation Tero and DMD of Tero Entertainment.
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Live Nation launches in Philippines with MMI deal
Live Nation has launched in the Philippines following its acquisition of promoter Music Management International (MMI).
MMI has brought the likes of Coldplay, U2, Shawn Mendes, Blackpink, The Chainsmokers, Maroon 5, One Direction, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and Backstreet Boys to the country’s capital Manila in recent years.
In the wake of the deal, which signals Live Nation’s further expansion across Asia, MMI boss Rhiza Pascua has been appointed to the role of MD of Live Nation Philippines.
“Rhiza has put the Philippines firmly on the global touring map,” says Roger Field, president of Live Nation Asia Pacific. “We have a long-standing and successful relationship with MMI and the launch of Live National Philippines is a the natural next step in our committed growth in the Asia Pacific region.”
“MMI has delivered industry leading world-class service to attract the biggest and best talent to the Philippines”
The companies are long-term collaborators, having entered into a partnership to promote concerts in the Philippines back in 2014.
“MMI has delivered industry-leading world-class service to attract the biggest and best talent to the Philippines,” adds Pascua.
“Through the launch of Live Nation Philippines, the sky’s the limit. We look forward to bringing even more of the globe’s biggest stars and connecting fans with the artists they love and the magic of live.”
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Australia to host first arena concerts since March
TEG, Live Nation and the government of New South Wales (NSW) have announced plans for The Greatest Southern Nights, Australia’s first arena shows since the shutdown of the concert business in March.
Taking place as part of Great Summer Nights, the state-backed 1,000-show concert series running in NSW throughout this month, the Greatest Southern Nights shows will play to more than 12,000 fans at Qudos Bank Arena (21,000-cap.) over two nights in a seated, ‘Covid-safe’ setting.
Ocean Alley will headline the first gig, on Saturday 28 November, joined by Jack River, Ruby Fields and Jack Botts, with Bernard Fanning and Matt Corby, supported by Merci, Mercy, playing the second on Saturday 5 December. For each, co-promoters TEG Live and Live Nation will welcome more than 6,000 fans to the Sydney venue.
Geoff Jones, CEO of TEG and a key figure in the pan-industry Live Entertainment Industry Fund (LEIF), comments: “These shows are vital for our industry because they will show that we can stage big live concerts safely and that Australians cannot wait to get out and share great live entertainment experiences with their friends and family.
“We have seen the successful and safe return of large crowds to major live sport, and it is time for live music to make a return at scale at a world-class venue, Qudos Bank Arena, which we will operate in a reduced, Covid-safe capacity for these shows.”
Tickets for the Ocean Alley show cost A$91.60 (€56), while the Bernard Fanning-Matt Corby date is priced at $99.90 (€60). The shows go on sale at 10am local time Monday and Tuesday, respectively, via TEG’s Ticketek platform.
“After eight long months of zero arena shows, these concerts will see great musicians bring thousands of fans back together”
“After eight long months of zero arena shows, these concerts will see great musicians bring thousands of fans back together,” comments Roger Field, president of Live Nation Asia Pacific, who also serves on the LEIF executive committee. “Not only will these two wonderful nights of entertainment deliver significant employment but they are sure to inject a vital economic boost to our industry and the economy.”
The shows are supported by New South Wales’s tourism agency, Destination NSW. The state’s minister for jobs, investment, tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, says: “NSW has led Australia in reigniting the live music industry through Great Southern Nights, and now we are excited to announce these landmark concerts that will be the hottest tickets in the country.
“The NSW government is proud to be getting artists, roadies, venues, hospitality staff and tourism businesses back to work and we hope this heralds the safe return of major indoor arena events.”
Arena shows have already returned to neighbouring New Zealand, where Live Nation recently promoted a headline tour by local star Benee. At press time, Australia had just 12 new cases of coronavirus today (6 November), while NZ had one.
“I’m so happy to be part of the reopening of the live music scene in NSW,” adds Bernard Fanning. “It’s a great opportunity to get people safely together again, but just as importantly to give the music industry workers whose lives have been so upended by Covid a chance to get back to doing what they do best.”
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Australia’s LEIF releases Covid-safe guidelines
The Live Entertainment Industry Forum (LEIF), which represents Australia’s largest live entertainment and sport businesses, has released a new set of ‘Covid-safe’ guidelines for the safe restart of live events.
The new recommendations by LEIF – formed in June this year by Australia’s biggest concert and sports promoters, venue managers and industry associations – have been drawn up by industry experts from more over 50 organisations, in consultation with government and health agencies.
They include measures on cleaning and sanitisation, crowd management, physical distancing plans, health monitoring and contact tracing.
LEIF chair James Sutherland comments: “LEIF is committed to ensuring the passionate people of the industry have the safest, staged and most considered route back to full employment, which in turn, will deliver significant positive economic outcomes for the community through events, which are integral features of healthy and connected communities.
“These guidelines have been developed by LEIF to provide guidance, support and a point of reference”
“These guidelines have been developed by LEIF to provide guidance, support and a point of reference to live entertainment venues, event promoters and service providers to reactivate live events in a Covid-safe way.”
The guidelines, which can be found on the LEIF website, have been released in advance of the Event Summit, which takes place in Sydney on 14 October. At the conference, Sutherland and LEIF members Geoff Jones (CEO of TEG) and Roger Field (president of Live Nation Asia-Paicifc) will present a study assessing the economic contribution of the live entertainment industry in Australia, developed in cooperation with Ernst & Young.
The launch of the LEIF guidelines follows the release in August of a similar set of ‘Covid-safe’ measures developed by trade body Live Performance Australia.
At press time, some live events (particularly sports) had restarted in Australia, albeit with social distancing and with different restrictions by state.
This article forms part of IQ’s Covid-19 resource centre – a knowledge hub of essential guidance and updating resources for uncertain times.
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