LIVE announces new round of partners for 2024 talks
Trade umbrella organisation LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) has announced a new round of ‘committed partners’ for its 2024 programme of LIVE Talks.
Launched two years ago, LIVE Talks is a series of free online workshops and conversations supporting EDI, wellbeing and sustainability issues affecting the live music industry.
This year’s programme will be supported by The Royal Albert Hall, OVO Hydro, See Tickets, Skiddle and The O2, which join previously announced supporters AEG, Live Nation, SJM Concerts and Kilimanjaro.
Two new events for 2024 – which are open to all and free to sign up – have also been revealed.
Menstruation and Menstrual Health in the Live Music Industry will take place on Wednesday 14 August between 12:00–13:00 in partnership with The Musicians Union & Hen Picked: Menopause in the Workplace.
“We believe that coming together to discuss and listen can positively contribute to people’s experiences of working in the live music industry”
From Melas to Stadiums: Exploring Opportunities within South Asian Live Music will take place on Thursday 24 October between 12:00–13:00 in partnership with award-winning DEI Specialist & Cultural Consultant Sania Haq. Anyone who wishes to register their interest in attending can email: [email protected].
“We are very appreciative of the support we receive from our committed partners who have fully engaged with what we are trying to achieve with LIVE Talks,” says Gaby Cartwright, head of partnerships at LIVE. “Since we launched this initiative in 2022, we have hosted 15 free talks covering a wide range of topics and issues and believe that coming together to discuss and listen can positively contribute to people’s experiences of working in the live music industry. With that in mind we are always looking to open this platform to other fantastic organisations who can share their insights and expertise and look forward to announcing more events in the near future.”
There have been 15 talks to date since LIVE Talks’s inception, all of which can be accessed via the LIVE website.
Previous topics include: Trans education and inclusion, breaking down barriers for disabled people, ADHD struggles and strengths, supporting parents and carers in music and mental health support for artists and backstage workers.
The importance of representation for Black Event Professionals, understanding sustainability terminology, supporting the music industry’s LGBTQIA+ community and mental health first aid have also been on the agenda.
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Teenage Cancer Trust concerts break charity record
This year’s Teenage Cancer Trust concert series raised more than £2 million for the charity for the first time in its 24-year history.
Held at London’s Royal Albert Hall from 18-24 March, the 2024 series marked the final week of shows with Roger Daltrey as curator. The lineup included three nights of celebrations of Daltrey himself, including two nights with The Who and an orchestra, and Ovation – A Celebration of 24 Years of Gigs For Teenage Cancer Trust.
The latter night featured many of those who helped establish the gigs as a celebrated annual event such as Daltrey, Kelly Jones, Robert Plant with Saving Grace, Pete Townshend, Eddie Vedder and Paul Weller.
The week also saw headline performances by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Young Fathers and Chemical Brothers, as well as a Night of Comedy.
“Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend have tirelessly built up these concerts annually for 24 years and when they started by telling me they wanted to bring their orchestrated Who show to the Royal Albert Hall, we knew we were off to a strong start,” says Rob Ballantine, director at SJM Concerts with responsibility for the shows.
“My fellow director Chris York has promoted The Chemical Brothers from the beginning and they wanted to end this tour cycle with Chris at the Hall. That was a major shift in direction for the venues normal talent and was such an incredible night it will live long in Albert Hall folklore! Noel Gallagher has supported the charity from day one and believes this year’s gig was one of his best in London ever due to the energy of the audience.
“This was the first time Young Fathers had set foot in the venue and they absolutely delivered! All seven nights sold out including the annual comedy night headlined by Kevin Bridges. The curtain came down with an Ovation to Roger Daltrey from Eddie Vedder, Paul Weller, Kelly Jones and Robert Plant all of whom have supported Roger from the start.”
“The stature of the artists ensured we could charge high ticket prices and customers supporting these shows understand there is a premium on the ticket”
Ballantine continues: “The stature of the artists ensured we could charge high ticket prices and customers supporting these shows understand there is a premium on the ticket as it’s a fundraising week. However, to ensure everyone got their money’s worth we also brought special guests such as Squeeze and Blossoms both of whom are headliners in their own right and we kept John Bishop as a surprise guest on the night.
“I believe there is a lot of returning business to these shows from both artists and audiences who both have a real affinity with the charity and its work for teenagers. I know they trust us to deliver a great line up and we are overwhelmed by the support from artists year after year. To break all records and raise over £2million for the charity is phenomenal and makes all the hard work worthwhile. We know since Covid the charity have been hit financially and these funds will be much needed.”
Daltrey, frontman of The Who and founder/curator of historic annual concert series, adds: “To find out that this year’s concerts in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust raised over £2 million for Teenage Cancer Trust was music to my ears. After 24 years of doing the concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, to make that much money in my final year as curator is really special. That’s all I wanted when I started these gigs – to make money and bring awareness to an important cause, which has shown what an amazing difference the people at Teenage Cancer Trust can make to a young person dealing with cancer. With a target of building 28 hospital units, I’ve completed the job I set out to do. We have built 28. I’m not going away from the Teenage Cancer Trust – we still have a lot more to do.
“I’ll continue working with them whilst someone else curates the Royal Albert Hall shows, I’ll make sure it’ll be in good hands. The money we raise during that week of gigs is vital to us. It changes people’s lives. Thank you to everyone who came and donated this year, and every year since we started in 2000 – what a ride it’s been.”
Since launching the series at the history London venue in 2000, Daltrey has persuaded superstars such as Paul McCartney, Oasis, Muse, Florence + The Machine, Ed Sheeran, The Cure, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and Take That, to perform unique, one night only gigs to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, generating more than £32 million from ticket sales in the process.
“We have secured three amazing global superstars to individually curate the next three years and they will have already started behind the scenes planning”
“What an incredible way to mark Roger’s final year curating these flagship fundraising gigs,” says Teenage Cancer Trust chief executive Kate Collins. “The terrific total raised has never been more needed. We rely on donations to make sure young people don’t face cancer alone and these funds will make a difference to teenagers and young people with cancer when they need it most.
“The phrase legend is over-used but totally applies to Roger and what he has achieved. We can’t thank him enough for all he has done over the last 24 years to make these gigs such a spectacular success. When he pulled together his friends for that first one-off gig in 2000, I don’t think anyone could have imagined what it would have grown into. There have been so many memorable moments and he’s inspired the music industry and music fans to change the lives of young people with cancer.”
She adds: “What hasn’t changed over the years is that young people with cancer need us in their corner – making sure they are not forgotten. Young people with cancer face unique challenges – from challenges accessing clinical trials through to the impact of cancer at a critical point in their lives, it is essential that they receive specialist care tailored to their unique needs.
“We’ve come a long way since that first gig but progress won’t continue without an organisation like Teenage Cancer Trust to fight for it. Roger’s achievement is about more than the money raised – it’s about the spotlight he has shone on the needs of young people with cancer and the difference this has made to thousands of young people’s lives over the years.”
James Ainscough OBE, chief executive of the Royal Albert Hall, adds: “It’s a huge honour to have hosted this incredible concert series for more than twenty years – one of the jewels in the crown of our programme, and such a privilege to support the mission of Teenage Cancer Trust. This year’s concerts felt particularly poignant with Roger stepping down after 24 glorious years, but we’re very excited to see how the series develops over the coming years.”
From 2025, Teenage Cancer Trust will work with a series of guest curators to take the shows forward. Next year’s shows will run from 24 to 30 March.
“With Roger standing down we face a new and exciting challenge,” concludes Ballantine. “We wanted to give the amazing opportunity to other artists to curate a week of shows at the best venue in the UK. We know it’s a challenge but for an artist to start with a blank canvas and bring together a week of shows reflecting the best of our industry and raise funds for such a worthy cause is an offer most will jump at.
“We have secured three amazing global superstars to individually curate the next three years and they will have already started behind the scenes planning. We are excited to reveal these annually when the shows go on sale. If there are any agents, managers, artists who would like to schedule a show for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall into their live calendar they are very welcome to contact us at SJM Concerts.”
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BBC Proms celebrates record-breaking ticket sales
The BBC Proms sold a record-breaking number of tickets during last weekend’s 2024 onsale, it has been revealed.
Nearly 103,000 tickets were sold for the classical music series on Saturday 18 May after general booking opened at 9am – the highest number of Proms tickets ever sold online in a single day.
Taking into account telephone and in-person sales, more than 107,000 were sold on Saturday – up almost 36% on last year. When combined with Sunday’s figures and the figures for season tickets, the total number of tickets sold is almost 125,000.
“I am delighted that the 2024 Proms, my last as director, are proving so appealing,” says BBC Proms director David Pickard. “With many of our core classical concerts selling fast, it shows that the public’s appetite for classical orchestral music is as strong as ever. To see such huge audiences for Mahler, Beethoven, Britten, Bruckner, Verdi and Holst reinforces the original vision of the festival – to bring the best of classical music to the widest possible audience.”
Held predominantly at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the 2024 BBC Proms season runs from 19 July until 14 September and features 90 Proms with over 3,000 musicians.
The most in-demand Proms are the First Night of the Proms conducted by Elim Chan (19 July), Everybody Dance! The Sound of Disco (20 July), Sir Mark Elder conducts Mahler’s Fifth (21 July), Verdi’s Requiem (23 July), CBeebies Proms (27 July, two concerts), Yunchan Lim performs Beethoven, Bruckner and Tüür (29 July), Sam Smith (2 August), Anne-Sophie Mutter performs Brahms with the West-Eastern Divan (11 August), Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony (12 August) and Britten’s War Requiem (17 August).
“I am thrilled that this year’s opening on sale weekend has been record-breaking, demonstrating the UK’s passion for live music”
The list also includes Aurora Orchestra performs Beethoven’s Ninth (18 August), Holst’s The Planets (25 August), Doctor Who Proms (26 August, two concerts), Simon Rattle conducts Mahler’s Sixth (6 September) and Florence + The Machine: Symphony of Lungs (11 September).
Tickets for the majority of the 2024 BBC Proms are still available, while up to 1,000 Promming tickets will be released for every single Prom, priced at £8 and available at 10.30am on the day of the concert.
“I am thrilled that this year’s opening on sale weekend has been record-breaking, demonstrating the UK’s passion for live music,” adds Sam Jackson, controller, Radio 3 and BBC Proms. “It’s noteworthy that the 15 best-selling Proms reflect the breadth and variety of what the BBC Proms offers, from international orchestras and star soloists through to family concerts and genre-defying gems.
“While these figures are very encouraging, audiences should be aware that no Prom at the Royal Albert Hall is ever sold out until the day itself, because you can buy standing tickets for every single concert, on the day. And of course, all concerts will be broadcast on Radio 3.”
BBC Radio 3 will broadcast every single Prom, and they will all be available on BBC Sounds. Other BBC Radio networks, including Radio 1 and Radio 2 will broadcast highlights, while 24 programmes will also be broadcast on TV and BBC iPlayer.
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David Gilmour confirms first UK dates since 2016
David Gilmour has announced his first London concerts in eight years.
The ex-Pink Floyd guitarist will return to the Royal Albert Hall, where he last performed in 2016, for a six-night run this autumn.
Presented by Harvey Goldsmith with UTA and One Fifteen, the shows will take place on 9-12 and 14-15 October and will be the 78-year-old’s only UK dates of 2024. Tickets go on general sale on 10 May.
Gilmour’s most recent live outing, 2015/16’s Rattle That Lock Tour, grossed $78.1m at the box office
The gigs will support the release of Gilmour’s new album Luck and Strange, which comes out on 6 September.
His most recent live outing was 2015/16’s Rattle That Lock Tour, which took $78.1 million at the box office from 50 shows and was the 76th highest-grossing concert tour of 2015, according to Pollstar. Gilmour played five nights at the Royal Albert Hall in both 2015 and 2016.
The run also saw Gilmour perform in Pompeii for the first time in 45 years, having famously played the ancient Roman town with his former band in 1971 for the concert film Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii. The site is set to host a programme of 10 concerts this summer.
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ILMC’s Misogyny in Music panel: Key takeaways
In the wake of the recent Misogyny in Music report, key figures from the music industry came together at ILMC last week to discuss the “endemic” misogyny and discrimination in the UK music industry.
Louise Halliday (Royal Albert Hall), Christina Hazboun (PRS Foundation/Keychange), Jen Smith (Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority – CIISA) and John Shortell (Musicians’ Union UK) assembled for last Thursday’s panel, moderated by Eunice Obianagha (Enspire Management/UK Music).
The panel considered the report and its recommendations and what more the live music business can do to combat misogyny and sexual harassment in the workplace. Below are five key takeaways from the session.
Women in senior leadership positions are crucial
Halliday: “If you’ve got women in positions of authority then that people feel that they have allies. For example, at the hall, we have our event managers and I think almost all but one are women. I think that’s a really important statement.”
Christina Hazboun, PRS Foundation/Keychange, said: “The core problem is mainly white cis men being in leading positions and the normativity that comes with the gender expectations and behaviours that come with that. This is very problematic for many women.”
The non-reporting of sexual harassment and misogyny is high
John Shortell, Musicians’ Union UK, said: “Our membership is made of about 35,000 musicians and 40% of that are women. We surveyed our female members about their experiences with misogyny and sexual harassment while working in the music industry. Over 48% of people who responded had been sexually harassed and of that 85% of them didn’t report it.
“So [the report] was an opportunity for us to voice the concerns, opinions and experiences of our female members without them suffering any dire consequences. We provided a written submission to the court for evidence, as well as oral evidence.”
Louise Halliday, Royal Albert Hall, said: “The thing that’s most worrying for us is underreporting. It’s easy to think that if you’re not hearing this as a problem, it means that it’s not a problem. So what we’re trying to do is to instil a culture of listening and hearing.”
Freelancers aren’t protected by existing policies
Jen Smith, CIISA: “70% of people working across the creative industries are freelancers so it’s really difficult to get a grip on the scale of what’s happening to people.
“We’re all reliant on freelancers and individuals who support the music. Sometimes they are left with nowhere to go or a multitude of places to report and that’s one of the failings that the report articulates – that the part of the jigsaw that’s missing is an overarching body.”
Resources and support must become unified within Europe
Hazboun: “This is a huge challenge where the moment you leave the UK and go to other countries, even across Europe, it becomes challenging to feel protected. The tools and mechanisms become less unified, especially after Brexit.”
Smith: “Jurisdiction is one of the key legal technical underbellies of CIISA. So if you are touring abroad, you’re based in the UK normally, we will consider that to be part of our jurisdiction. In terms of an international version, that’s something that the government is very keen to move forward with in the coming year.”
Shortell: “Different legislation in different countries prevents us from taking legal action but we’re definitely someone that you can always call to receive advice.”
If you’re not measuring representation, you can’t change it
Halliday: “We’ve got an audience development plan and we have milestones and targets that we were working towards because if you’re not measuring it, you don’t know where you are. It is a challenge for us, honestly, to get that kind of diversity and that balance in the lineup. But it’s something that having specifically measured and put targets in place, we can start to move towards it.”
To read more about the Misogyny in Music report, click here.
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Daltrey to bow out as TCT concert series curator
Roger Daltrey has announced that 2024 will be his final year as curator of the Teenage Cancer Trust’s annual Royal Albert Hall concert series.
The Who singer, who will continue as a Teenage Cancer Trust honorary patron, has fundraised and advocated for the Trust – the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer – for nearly a quarter of a century.
Since launching the series at the history London venue in 2000, Daltrey has persuaded superstars such as Paul McCartney, Oasis, Muse, Florence + The Machine, Ed Sheeran, The Cure, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and Take That, to perform unique, one night only gigs to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, generating more than £32 million from ticket sales in the process.
“The £32 million raised from these concerts has been the foundation for the 28 specialised units within the NHS, as well as specialist nurses and youth workers to be there for a young person when cancer has turned their world upside down,” says Daltrey.
From 2025, Teenage Cancer Trust will work with a series of guest curators to take the shows forward.
Running from 18-24 March, the series’ 2024 lineup includes three nights of celebrations of Daltrey himself, including two nights with The Who and an orchestra (18 & 20 March). Meanwhile, Ovation – A Celebration of 24 Years of Gigs For Teenage Cancer Trust on 24 March – will feature many of those who helped establish the gigs as a celebrated annual event: Daltrey himself, with Kelly Jones, Robert Plant with Saving Grace, Pete Townshend, Eddie Vedder and Paul Weller.
The week will also see headline performances by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Young Fathers and Chemical Brothers, as well as a Night Of Comedy.
“Quite simply, we would not be the charity we are without Roger and these shows”
“For the 22nd year Roger has put together a remarkable season of shows. Roger’s impact on the lives of young people with cancer in the UK is immeasurable,” says Teenage Cancert Trust CEO Kate Collins. “The very first show for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in 2000, The Who & Friends, was the catalyst for what has become over 20 years of flagship weeks of fundraising, awareness raising and magical moments at this exceptional venue.
“After that first gig, Roger became the driving force behind changing the lives of young people with cancer in the UK. Working day and night, year-round, Roger has enabled these gigs to form the bedrock of Teenage Cancer Trust’s growth to be the leading charity for young people with cancer in the UK. Quite simply, we would not be the charity we are without Roger and these shows and – more importantly than that – thousands of young people with cancer in the UK would not have had the specialist support and care they urgently need.
“These concerts have raised over £32 million for specialist hospital wards, nurses and youth workers – ensuring young people in the UK do not face cancer alone – however we urgently need to continue to raise funds to continue our work.”
Aldi is the headline sponsor for this year’s Royal Albert Hall series, while Domino’s is the official sponsor of the Ultimate Backstage Experience. The shows are also supported by American Airlines, Metro, Absolute Radio, SJM Concerts, Twickets and the Royal Albert Hall.
The full list of 2024 concerts is as follows:
Mon 18 March – The Who with Orchestra, with special guests Squeeze
Tue 19 – Evening Of Comedy
Weds 20 – The Who with Orchestra, with special guests Squeeze
Thurs 21 – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, with special guests Blossoms
Fri 22 – Young Fathers plus special guests
Sat 23 – The Chemical Brothers
Sun 24 – ‘Ovation’ – A Celebration of 24 Years of Gigs For Teenage Cancer Trust with: Roger Daltrey, Kelly Jones, Robert Plant with Saving Grace, Pete Townshend, Eddie Vedder, Paul Weller
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Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis knighted
Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis has received a knighthood in the 2024 New Year Honours List.
Listed under his full name, Athelstan Joseph Michael Eavis, the 88-year-old has been recognised for services to charity and music. He was previously awarded a CBE in 2007.
The English dairy farmer, who gave a keynote interview at the 2017 International Festival Forum, began running music events in Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset in 1970 and has gone on to build Glastonbury into one of the largest and most respected festivals globally.
The most recent edition of the legendary UK festival was headlined by Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses and Elton John.
“I’ve done quite a lot of stuff in my life and I’ve always been fairly sure that I was doing the right thing”
“I have had a good life and managed to keep the festival going for 53 years,” he tells Glastonbury’s website. “It’s all gone so well in the end. It took 25 years for the public to catch on. We started with 500 people in 1970 and we’ve finished up with millions wanting to come every year now. That’s quite extraordinary isn’t it?
“I’ve done quite a lot of stuff in my life and I’ve always been fairly sure that I was doing the right thing.
“Last time I met [King Charles], I got a suit especially. And he said, ‘Why aren’t you wearing your shorts?’! But I think [Prince] William might do the ceremony. He’s made a few mentions of wanting to come to the Festival. So I’ll probably take a couple of tickets in my pocket!”
Elsewhere, current Royal Albert Hall CEO James Ainscough, formerly chief executive of music charity Help Musicians, was awarded an OBE in the Honours List. Other music industry honourees include Dame Shirley Bassey (Companion of Honour), Soho Artists founder Paul Burger, Global executive president Ashley Tabor-King, artist Leona Lewis, broadcaster Tony Blackburn and songwriter Don Black, who each receive OBEs.
In addition, Girls I Rate founder Carla Marie-Williams, Universal Music UK EVP Selina Webb and radio presenter Steve Wright are made MBEs.
Glastonbury recently announced it will have made payments of more than £3.7 million (€3.4m) to charitable causes and campaigns in 2023 by the end of the year. In addition, its Oxfam Crowdfunder DEC Appeal raised over £1m towards the Syria-Turkey Earthquake response, and an online auction raised £116,000 for the Trussell Trust.
This year also saw the opening of another 20 social houses in Pilton on land donated by Sir Michael, using stone from Worthy Farm, taking the total number of homes to 52.
Next year’s festival is set for 26-30 June, with the lineup to be revealed in early 2024
“I’ve been in the village all my life and I’ve seen all the council houses sold off, so there were no houses left to rent for working people. And private renting can be a nightmare,” he says. “I think it’s so important to have a permanent stock of houses to rent at an affordable price. So that was the most important thing for me to do in this village really.”
Next year’s festival is set for 26-30 June, with the lineup to be revealed in early 2024. Tickets sold out in just under an hour last month, as “demand greatly exceeded supply”. Sir Michael’s daughter, Emily, is co-organiser of the event.
All tickets for the 210,000-cap 2024 event had been bought on 19 November by 9.57am GMT – a few minutes quicker than last year’s onsale but slower than 2019’s record of 34 minutes. Festival ticket and coach packages sold out in 25 minutes on 16 November.
The festival’s long-term future at Worthy Farm was secured earlier this year after it was granted permanent planning permission by the local council. Somerset Council succeeded Mendip District Council as the event’s licensing authority following the abolition of the latter in April and made a series of recommendations earlier this month on how to improve the event going forward.
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Royal Albert Hall appoints director of programming
London’s Royal Albert Hall has appointed Matt Todd as director of programming.
Todd, who has been carrying out the role on an interim basis throughout 2023, will be tasked with overseeing all performances on the main stage and beyond, along with the Hall’s engagement work, tours programme and production and technical team.
Following an international search led by recruitment agency Green Park, and a multi-stage interview process, Todd was the unanimous choice of the selection board, which comprised two trustees of the charity, the chief executive and an independent third-party assessor.
“We had compelling, highly-respected candidates from across the music and entertainment industries,” says RAH CEO James Ainscough. “Matt’s strategy for the progressive development of the Hall’s programme of events and activities was clear and positive. And his track record as a team player and organisational leader is strong. I know my colleagues at the Hall are as delighted as I am to see him take on this role on a permanent basis.
“Our vision is for the Hall to be the home of breathtaking moments and lasting memories, for everyone. Matt has the right plan to develop the Hall’s programme so that more and more people will feel welcome and at home in our building.”
“It is a huge honour and privilege to be confirmed in the role of director of programming for the Royal Albert Hall”
The venue’s 2024 programme includes concerts by the likes of Ellie Goulding, Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Joe Bonamassa, 10cc, The Stranglers, James Blunt, Dave Matthews Band and Train, as well as the return of country and Americana festival Highways.
“It is a huge honour and privilege to be confirmed in the role of director of programming for the Royal Albert Hall,” adds Todd. “I can’t wait to get going in 2024, when I’ll continue to work with the amazing team to build on the Hall’s history and to drive the programme to inspire more people than ever before.”
In addition, the Hall has confirmed Dave Gamble as the permanent head of programming, reporting to Todd. Gamble, who first joined the venue in 2015 as programming manager, has been head of programming on an interim basis throughout 2023.
He has been particularly instrumental in the ongoing diversification of the events at the Hall, which has welcomed performers including Cleo Sol, Loyle Carner, Raye, Digga D, The Compozers and Ezra Collective over the past year.
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Royal Albert Hall to host Jeff Beck tribute shows
Triple A Entertainment Group is teaming with Eric Clapton to stage two concerts honouring the memory and artistry of the late guitar great Jeff Beck.
Beck passed away peacefully on 10 January this year after contracting bacterial meningitis. The 2x Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee rose to fame in the 1960s after succeeding Clapton as a member of the Yardbirds, and went on to front the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice, before enjoying success as a solo artist.
The tribute shows will take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London from 22-23 May. The list of artists appearing will be finalised nearer the time, but acts expected to take part in both concerts include Clapton, Doyle Bramhall, Gary Clark Jr, Billy Gibbons, Imelda May, John McLaughlin, Robert Randolph, Olivia Safe, Rod Stewart, Joss Stone, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, in addition to Rhonda Smith, Anika Nilles and Robert Stevenson from the Jeff Beck Band.
Surplus income from the tribute concerts will be donated to the Folly Wildlife Rescue based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent
The actor Johnny Depp is also set to perform on both nights. Depp played a number of dates with Beck, including at the Montreux Jazz Festival, and the pair recorded the collaborative album 18, released in July 2022.
Surplus income from the tribute concerts will be donated to the Folly Wildlife Rescue based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Triple A previously partnered with Kilimanjaro Live to present Beck’s two dates at London’s Royal Albert Hall in May last year.
“We were fortunate to have promoted him on many occasions and he delivered every time,” Triple A’s Pete Wilson told IQ earlier this year. “Our live world has lost a unique genius.”
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Machine Gun Kelly to play one-off show at RAH
Genre-bending rapper Machine Gun Kelly has announced a special one-off show at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall on 31 May 2023.
MGK will follow in the footsteps of counterculture icons such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd supporting Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin in performing at the 152-year-old venue.
“The Hall has been a home for trailblazers, innovators and cultural icons since we opened in 1871,” says Matthew Todd, director of programming at the Royal Albert Hall. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome MGK later this year, one of the leading artists of his generation and someone that has evolved constantly as the best artists do.”
“The Hall has been a home for trailblazers, innovators and cultural icons since we opened in 1871”
MGK performs at the Hall off the back of a major arena tour across North America and Europe and a number 1 album – Mainstream Sellout.
The Cleveland native sold more than 425,000 tickets to the North American leg of his Mainstream Sellout Tour.
His career kicked off with debut studio album, Lace Up, in 2012, followed by further hip-hop releases with General Admissions (2015) and Bloom (2017). His next album, Tickets to My Downfall, marked a revolutionary left turn to rock/pop punk, going on to become his first album to top the Billboard 200 chart. He then followed up with 2022’s Mainstream Sellout, a collaboration with Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker.
For his contributions to music, MGK was named as one of 2022’s Time 100 Next, a list honouring the emerging leaders from around the world who are shaping the future and defining the next generation of innovators. He has amassed over 15.5 billion streams online and sold over 10 million albums.
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