LN announces new NZ festival, Soper Reserve Series

Live Nation has announced the launch of a new summer music festival series at Soper Reserve in Tauranga, New Zealand, next year.

The company hopes Soper Reserve Series, which will launch in January 2020, will attract 28,000 live music fans over an eight-show period. The 3,500-capacity greenfield site, located in Mt Maunganui, on the Bay of Plenty, will be programmed exclusively by Live Nation, which plans to bring “a diverse range of local and international acts” to one NZ’s most popular summer holiday destinations.

Live Nation New Zealand’s co-head of promotions, Mark Kneebone, comments: “The Soper Reserve Series is going to be a terrific addition not only to the region, but the overall New Zealand music landscape. By utilising Live Nation’s global expertise and resources, we are extremely excited to be bringing a world-class event to Soper Reserve that will attract a diverse range of acts, including some of the biggest names in music locally and globally.”

“Continuing to develop New Zealand as a touring market of international profile remains a priority for Live Nation”

Live Nation stages hundreds of concerts in New Zealand annually, with 2018 tours including Maroon 5, Post Malone, SZA, Red Hot Chili Peppers with Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, U2, Troye Sivan and Little Mix. Last year, Live Nation acquired a stake in major music festival Rhythm & Vines, and staged Childish Gambino’s festival, Pharos, in Tāpapakanga Regional Park in Orere, near Auckland.

“Continuing to develop New Zealand as a touring market of international profile remains a priority for Live Nation,” says Live Nation Australasia. “Finding a fantastic new venue such as Soper Reserve and creating groundbreaking and exceptional experiences like the new summer festival series is the cornerstone of our strategy.

“We are particularly excited when these opportunities land outside of major capital cities and we look forward to bringing a truly memorable experience to the Tauranga region in 2020 and beyond.”

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.