Live Nation & DF Entertainment in $34m arena deal
Live Nation and subsidiary DF Entertainment have secured a 40-year deal to operate Buenos Aires’ Luna Park in Argentina.
The companies won an auction to manage the 92-year-old, 8,400-capacity arena in the downtown San Nicolás neighbourhood, and will invest US$34 million (€32m) to increase the venue’s capacity to 13,000 – rivalling the city’s 15,000-cap Movistar Arena.
The agreement is for an initial 20 years, with an option to extend it for a further 20 years. According to La Politica, the firms will pay the stadium owners a $1m premium and guarantee a minimum of $1m in annual profit.
Since 2013, Luna Park has been owned by two branches of the catholic church. International acts to perform at the indoor arena in recent times include Placebo, Interpol, and 5 Seconds of Summer.
Live Nation bought a majority stake in DF Entertainment in 2018
Buenos Aires-based DF was founded in August 2015 by leading promoter Diego Finkelstein. Live Nation bought a majority stake in the company in 2018.
DF, which runs Lollapalooza Argentina, inked an exclusive multi-year deal to promote concerts at Buenos Aires’ River Plate Stadium, aka the ‘Monumental’, in 2023.
It also sold out an unprecedented 10 nights at the 65,000-cap stadium with Coldplay in 2022, staged Taylor Swift’s first ever concerts Argentina last year and is collaborating on Oasis’ upcoming reunion gigs at the venue on 15-16 November.
The next edition of Lollapalooza Argentina, meanwhile, is slated for 21-23 March 2025 at San Isidro Racecourse, also in Buenos Aires. Headliners include Justin Timberlake, Alanis Morissette, Shawn Mendes, Tool, Olivia Rodrigo, Rüfüs Du Sol and Tan Bionica.
Read our lowdown on the Argentina market from IQ‘s 2024 Global Arena Guide here.
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Rock in Rio’s 40th anniversary draws 730k fans
Rock in Rio bosses have given an update on the brand’s expansion plans after its 40th anniversary edition in Brazil pulled in 730,000 fans across two weekends.
Held at the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, from 13-15 & 19-22 September, the festival’s headliners included Travis Scott, Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Avenged Sevenfold and Mariah Carey, as well as the likes of Evanescence, Ne-Yo, Deep Purple, Charlie Puth and Hollywood star Will Smith.
Roberta Medina, EVP of Rock World, the company behind the biennial event, trumpets the 2024 flagship as a “tribute to the ability that music and culture have to unite people in peace and harmony and to show new possibilities”.
“It was a peaceful event, where thousands of people came together, vibrating with happiness and sharing unforgettable moments,” she says.
The Brazilian festival, which will return in 2026, also upped its sustainability push – initiating a reusable cup drive for the first time in partnership with Heineken, Red Bull, Coca-Cola, Schweppes and Braskem, which encouraged conscious consumption and correct disposal.
More than 150,000 cups were collected, washed and returned for use, while 1.5 tons of cups were collected for reuse in the VIP area. Consequently, the festival avoided generating more than 14 tons of waste.
At last count, Rio-based company Comlurb had collected 288.5 tons of waste from inside Rock in Rio, of which 129.8 tons were potentially recyclable materials.
“We’re not planning international expansion at this point, but we decided to expand to the closest market to Rio – that is São Paulo”
Earlier this month, Rock in Rio founder Roberto Medina unveiled a “visionary project” to turn the area around the Rock in Rio site into the largest entertainment complex in Latin America. In partnership with financial group Genial Investimentos, the Imagine scheme will transform the Olympic Park, home to Rock in Rio Brazil since 2017, into a leisure, sports and entertainment centre.
The Rock World portfolio also includes Portugal’s Rock in Rio Lisboa, which takes place in the even years, and The Town in São Paolo, held in the odd years. It also took over the running of Lollapalooza Brazil in 2023. Rock in Rio Lisboa staged its 20th anniversary edition in June at the 80,000-cap Parque Tejo, attracting 300,000 attendees and selling out three of the four dates. Acts included Scorpions, Jonas Brothers, Doja Cat, Macklemore and Ed Sheeran.
Meanwhile, The Town (cap. 105,000-cap) launched at the Interlagos race track in September last year, headlined by Post Malone, Foo Fighters, Maroon 5 and two nights with Bruno Mars. It welcomed more than 500,000 fans over five days.
Roberto Medina discusses potential future expansion of Rock in Rio as part of a feature celebrating 40 years of the festival in the new issue of IQ.
“I think expansion in Latin America is possible, but it is not in my plans because I am now focused on Lollapalooza and The Town in São Paolo, and Rock in Rio, which makes us one of the biggest festival companies in Latin America,” he says. “This year, with the three events all put together, we made R$1.1bn, while we sold 2m tickets over the past two years. So I want to focus more on these [existing] markets where there is lots of opportunity to grow.”
Roberta Medina adds: “We’re not planning international expansion at this point, but we decided to expand to the closest market to Rio – that is São Paulo. They are both big cities, but São Paulo is very different to Rio. It’s been a conversation for a number of years to take Rock in Rio to São Paulo, but what we realised is that Rock in Rio sees 50% of our revenues coming from sponsorship and 50% from ticket sales – it’s a very different model, and we understand it’s not similar in other territories. But we can definitely grow in our own markets and become bigger in Brazil, while the new site in Lisbon allows us to concentrate on making that bigger, too.”
The full feature on 40 years of Rock in Rio appears in the issue 130 of IQ, out now.
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Rock in Rio CEO plans LatAm’s largest ents complex
Rock in Rio founder Roberto Medina has unveiled a “visionary project” to create the largest entertainment complex in Latin America.
In partnership with financial group Genial Investimentos, the Imagine scheme will transform Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Park, home to Brazil’s iconic Rock in Rio festival since 2017 and site of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, into a leisure, sports and entertainment centre.
The complex will house at least 10 distinct areas, including the main 100,000-cap space – the largest events park in Brazil – plus Latin America’s biggest amphitheatre (cap. 40,000), capable of attracting top international acts.
“Forty years ago, we created an innovative project that came back to stay in 2011. Now, we are going even further,” says Rock World president Medina. “In addition to Rock in Rio maintaining its permanent structures, we are valuing the legacy and making the space ready for various entertainment events. We will use all of our expertise to build, together with the various levels of municipal, state and federal government, a policy that places tourism as the main vocation of this city and the country.
“What would take years to build will be done in a period of three to four years. We already have the structure of the Olympic Park practically ready to bring Imagine to life. We have to embrace entertainment as the key to boosting the city’s economy, creating jobs, bringing companies from various sectors and even more development to Rio de Janeiro.”
Other attractions will include the Rock in Rio Factory, which will take people behind the scenes of the festival, a museum in honour of the Rio 2016 Olympics and various parks, as well as a creative hub, theme park, gamer arena, skate park, ice rink, gastronomic hub and resort. It will be the stage for celebrations such as Carnival, Easter, Oktoberfest, Halloween, Christmas and New Year, as well as music, dance and sports events.
“This is a transformational project for Rio de Janeiro”
The project also includes a mobility scheme integrating all types of transportation in the city and is expected to generate an economic impact of R$9.2 billion (€1.5bn) for the Rio economy, along with more than 140,000 jobs
“This is a transformational project for Rio de Janeiro,” says Genial Investimentos CEO Rodolfo Riechert. “Genial Investimentos has been a long-time investor in Rio de Janeiro, and together with our partner Roberto Medina, we will help transform Imagine into reality.”
Rock in Rio returns to the Olympic Park over two weekends this month for its 40th anniversary edition from 13-15 & 19-22 September. Headliners will include Travis Scott, Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Shawn Mendes and Avenged Sevenfold.
A special feature celebrating 40 years of the biennial festival will appear in the forthcoming issue of IQ.
Medina debuted spin-off music festival The Town last year at the Interlagos race track in São Paulo, attracting 500,000 fans over five days for acts such as Post Malone, Foo Fighters, Maroon 5 and Bruno Mars.
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Primavera Sound cancels South American festivals
Primavera Sound organisers have cancelled all of the brand’s South American festivals in 2024, blaming “external difficulties”.
Festivals in Argentina and Brazil, plus Primavera Day events in Uruguay and Paraguay had been slated to take place in late November and early December this year.
The Spanish institution debuted in Brazil, Argentina and Chile in 2022 to commemorate the event’s 20th birthday, and expanded its footprint on the continent last year.
“This is undoubtedly a difficult decision, taken after many months of work and after pursuing numerous paths in order to be able to hold these events with guarantees, especially in the context of the current musical industry situation and its challenges,” says Primavera Sound director Alfonso Lanza. “Now that we have exhausted all of the possibilities, we must be prudent and focus all our energy on future plans.”
Citing sources from the festival, La Vanguardia suggests the reason for the cancellations is related to complications around securing headliners.
Primavera attracted close to 350,000 people across its events in Latin America in 2023, with second editions of the festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina and São Paulo, Brazil drawing 120,000 and 115,000 people respectively, according to promoters.
Organisers stress their commitment to returning “stronger” to Latin America “as soon as possible
In addition, 35,000 people attended Primavera Sound concerts in Santiago, Chile, over 12,000 fans experienced the first Paraguay event to mark Asunción Spring Day, and more than 30,000 people went to the inaugural Road to Primavera concerts in Lima, Peru.
Headline acts included The Cure, Blur, Pet Shop Boys, Beck and The Killers, with The Cure also selling out standalone Primavera concerts in Montevideo, Uruguay and Bogota, Colombia.
Primavera organisers say they are already looking to the future and stress their commitment to returning “stronger” to Latin America “as soon as possible”.
“We want to thank our local partners for their dedication and effort,” adds Lanza. “They have given invaluable support for a project in which we continue to believe for its cultural value and for extending the musical routes in the southern hemisphere at atypical times of the year, something that we consider positive for all the parties involved in the process, from fans to artists.”
After debuting in Madrid in 2023, the Barcelona-hailing festival opted against running another instalment this year following a “complicated” debut edition.
The flagship Primavera Sound Barcelona will return to Parc Del Forum from 5-7 June 2025. Full festival tickets are available from €265. Portuguese spin-off Primavera Sound Porto is set for 12-14 June 2025 at Parque Da Cidade. Remaning three-day tickets are priced from €160.
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Colombia’s MedPlus Coliseum welcomes 550k fans
Colombia’s MedPlus Coliseum is celebrating its second anniversary, having welcomed more than 550,000 people and a raft of international stars since its Covid-delayed opening.
The 24,000-cap multi-purpose venue in Bogotá is the brainchild of Colombian-born US promoter Henry Cardenas, president and executive director of US-based promoter Cárdenas Marketing Network (CMN).
“It’s about time that Colombia had a building that was able to offer more and better shows,” said Cárdenas at the time.
Artic Monkeys, Imagine Dragons, Roger Waters, Twenty One Pilots, Swedish House Mafia and Luis Miguel are among the 180-plus acts to have graced the building since it launched with a show by Latin singer Marc Anthony in August 2022.
As well as its 20,000+ capacity main room, the Coliseum houses more than 750m2 of LED screens, ten loading and unloading docks and a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. Healthcare company MedPlus agreed a five-year sponsorship deal with the venue last year.
“This alliance with the MedPlus Coliseum has been fundamental in promoting well-being beyond the physical,” says MedPlus CEO Hernando Botero, as per La Republica. “Through this collaboration, we have been able to show that well-being is not only about health, but also about enjoying high-quality experiences and balance, essential aspects for a full life.”
“Inflation here in Colombia is hitting pretty hard, but the big names are selling out, both in stadiums and in arenas”
Upcoming acts set to perform at the US$100 million entertainment and sports venue include Travis Scott, Eric Prydz and Feid.
CMN entered into a “historic” partnership with AEG Presents in March this year in a strategic alliance to create “the world leader in live Latin music”, with ambitions to develop “elevated and expanded experiences” for artists and audiences globally.
The Colombian capital is also home to the 13,000-capacity Movistar Arena, operated by Colombiana de Escenarios – a joint venture between Movistar Arena Chile owner HLR Group and Colombian ticketing market leader Tuboleta.
“Inflation here in Colombia is hitting pretty hard, but the big names are selling out, both in stadiums and in arenas,” Movistar Arena Colombia general manager Luis Guillermo Quintero told IQ‘s 2024 Global Arena Guide.
The country is South America’s fourth-biggest economy, and its second city of Medellín is also set to gain a 16,000-capacity multipurpose arena by 2026. Built by CLK Group, the company behind Tuboleta and promoter TBL Live, Arena Primavera is projected to host 600,000 spectators across 75 events each year.
“We are convinced of the potential of the entertainment market in Medellín and [the administrative department of] Antioquia, which has become a musical and cultural reference for the country, a must-stop for national and international artists,” said Hernando Sánchez, CLK general manager. “Therefore, a venue is needed to place the department as a leader in the global arena circuit.”
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Ecuador plans tax incentive to entice foreign acts
Concert organisers in Ecuador hope to attract more international acts through a 10% tax reduction applied via the country’s new Tourism Law.
South American promoter CKConcerts believes the revised regulations will enable it to take advantage of a lower tax withholding of 15%, compared to the previous 25%, when paying foreign artists who perform in Ecuador.
CKConcerts manager Cristian Sosa, who has worked on recent shows in Ecuador by acts such as Laura Pausini, Il Divo, Julieta Venegas and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, tells El Universo a 10% reduction in taxes “is super good and can encourage more and bigger shows”.
The firm is bringing Swedish metal band Amon Amarth to El Teferico in the capital Quito on 24 October, and Sosa notes that, at present, around $30,000 of his $150,000 budget for the show would be allocated for taxes, but that amount would be reduced to $20,000 under the new rules. Tickets cost $47 (€43) or $77 (€71) VIP.
Dfabis Producciones owner Fabián Vallejo agrees the potential tax reduction would be a “great attraction for event producers”
Despite the Tourism Law being drawn up in March, Sosa says he has thus far been unable to access the lower rate due to a lack of clarity with the authorities. However, he is now hopeful of a breakthrough after the rules were published in the Official Registry last week.
Dfabis Producciones owner Fabián Vallejo agrees the potential tax reduction would be a “great attraction for event producers”, but adds that clear rules must be in place as there are local regulations to consider in each city.
Ecuador witnessed its biggest rock gig in almost three decades last year when Roger Waters performed at the 40,000-cap Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito on 9 December 2023, presented by Move Concerts, DG Medios and Sight Concerts.
The event, which served as the finale of the Pink Floyd co-founder’s 2022/23 This Is Not a Drill Tour, was the South American nation’s biggest rock show since Bon Jovi played the venue in 1995.
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Mexico’s Foro Sol reveals new name, reopening date
Mexico’s Foro Sol has been been given a new name ahead of its reopening with a concert by Bruno Mars later this summer.
Operated by Ocesa, the 65,000-cap Mexico City site will now be known as the GNP Seguros Stadium after securing a naming rights deal with insurance company GNP.
The venue, which opened in 1993, has been closed for renovation since early 2024, but will relaunch with Mars’ performance on 10 August.
“The GNP Seguros Stadium will reopen its doors to continue being the global benchmark venue where the best national and international artists connect with their fans,” says Ocesa founder and CEO Alejandro Soberón Kuri. “Thanks to GNP Seguros for being the ally with which this venue will live a new era.”
Other upcoming shows at the stadium include four nights by Metallica (20, 22, 27 & 29 September), plus two dates with The Killers (5-6 October), as well as headline shows by Feid, Natanael Cano, Caiphanes Eric Clapton, Blink-182, Iron Maiden, The Fabulous Cadillacs, Morat and Twenty One Pilots.
Mars will embark on a 14-date tour of Brazil in the autumn, including multiple stadium concerts
Following the Mexico gig, Mars will also become the first act to play at the new 18,000-cap Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on 15 and 16 August before resuming his Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live on 20 August.
In the autumn, the hitmaker will embark on a 14-date tour of Brazil, including multiple stadium concerts. The run will stop at São Paulo’s Estádio MorumBIS for six nights on 4-5, 8-9 and 12-13 October, followed by three shows at Estádio Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro (16, 19-20 October).
The 38-year-old American will then perform two gigs each at Arena BRB Mané Garrincha in the capital Brasilia (26-27 October) and Estádio Couto Pereira, Curitiba (31 October & 1 November), finishing up at Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, on 5 November.
Mars has already proven to be a huge draw in Brazil, headlining two sold out days at the inaugural edition of 105,000-cap Rock in Rio spin-off festival The Town, which debuted in São Paulo last year. The star also made history in Japan with seven sold-out shows at the 55,000-capacity Tokyo Dome in early 2024.
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Paul McCartney unveils European Got Back Tour
Paul McCartney has announced a European tour including his first UK dates since headlining Glastonbury 2022.
The Got Back Tour will land in Europe in December this year for two shows at each of La Defense Arena, Paris, France (4-5 December) and Wizink Centre, Madrid, Spain (9-10), before heading to the UK for nights at Manchester’s Co-op Live (14-15) and The O2 in London, where the run finishes on 18-19 December.
The 81-year-old’s last show in the French capital was at La Defense Arena six years ago and he last played Madrid eight years ago in 2016 at Estadio Vincente Calderon. His most recent gig in London was in 2018 at The O2, while his last Manchester show was in 2011 at the Manchester Evening News Arena (now AO Arena).
Last week, McCartney announced his first 2024 live dates, which will take place in South America this October, visiting Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru.
“It’s going to be an amazing end to the year”
“I’m excited to be ending my year and 2024 tour dates in the UK,” says the Beatles legend. “It’s always such a special feeling to play shows on our home soil. It’s going to be an amazing end to the year. Let’s get set to party. I can’t wait to see you.”
McCartney launched his Got Back tour in 2022, completing 16 shows across the US before performing his acclaimed Glastonbury set in June 2022. In 2023, he played 18 shows through Australia, Mexico and Brazil.
The full list of tour dates is as follows:
Tuesday 1 October – Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay
Saturday 5 October – River Plate Stadium, Bueno Aires, Argentina
Sunday 6 October – River Plate Stadium, Bueno Aires, Argentina
Friday 11 October – Estadio Monumental, Santiago, Chile
Wednesday 23 October – Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina
Sunday 27 October – Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru
Wednesday 4 December – La Defense Arena, Paris, France
Thursday 5 December – La Defense Arena, Paris, France
Monday 9 December – Wizink Center, Madrid, Spain
Tuesday 10 December – Wizink Center, Madrid, Spain
Saturday 14 December – Co-op Live, Manchester, UK
Sunday 15 December – Co-op Live, Manchester, UK
Wednesday 18 December – The O2, London, UK
Thursday 19 December – The O2, London, UK
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Rock in Rio sells out four days in two hours
Brazil’s Rock in Rio sold out four of the seven days of its 40th anniversary edition within around two hours of going on sale at the start of this week.
The biennial 100,000-cap festival returns over two weekends from 13-15 & 19-22 September 2024 at the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro.
Organisers say hundreds of thousands of tickets have already been snapped up for the event, with days headlined by Travis Scott, Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry and Shawn Mendes completely selling out. Fans from more than 31 countries have already bought tickets.
“This week was very special for us,” says Ana Deccache, marketing director at Rock World, the company behind Rock in Rio. “Since Monday, we have been following the public’s excitement for general ticket sales and we have witnessed a presale sell out in record time.
“On social media and on the festival website, the numbers were impressive, with very engaged and eager fans. On TikTok we reached more than a billion views. Finally, with sales open, in less than two hours four of the seven days of the festival were already sold out.”
The Portuguese edition, Rock in Rio Lisboa, celebrates its 20th anniversary from 15-16 & 22-23 June
Tickets are still available for performances by Avenged Sevenfold, Evanescence and Deep Purple (15 September), Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth and Gloria Groove (19 September) and the Brazil Day celebrations (21 September), which will feature domestic artists such as Capital Inicial, Detonautas, NX Zero, Pitty, Rogério Flausino, Toni Garrido and Ana Castela. Full price tickets cost R$795 (€141).
This year marks 40 years since the beginning of preparations for the festival’s first edition, designed by Roberto Medina, which debuted in January 1985 with acts such as Queen, AC/DC, Tina Turner, Iron Maiden and Rod Stewart.
A series of events have been held in the run up to the 2024 festival, starting with a tribute from the city as part of its New Year’s Eve celebrations in Copacabana.
Rock in Rio spin-off The Town debuted in São Paulo, Brazil last September at the Interlagos race track, attracting 500,000 fans over five days for artists such as Post Malone, Foo Fighters, Maroon 5 and Bruno Mars.
Festivals have also been held under the Rock in Rio banner in Lisbon, Portugal, Madrid, Spain and Las Vegas, USA. The Portuguese edition, Rock in Rio Lisboa, celebrates its 20th anniversary from 15-16 & 22-23 June, headlined by Scorpions, Ed Sheeran, Jonas Brothers and Doja Cat.
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Promoters unite for Colombia’s La Eterna festival
Promoters Cárdenas Marketing Network (CMN) and Breakfast Club are partnering with booking and management agency La Industria Inc to launch new one-day Colombian festival La Eterna.
The Latin music event will debut at Atanasio Girardot Stadium in Medellín on 3 August as part of the traditional Flower Fair. General sale tickets start at COP135,000 (€33).
“La Eterna is a festival-type experience never before seen within the framework of the Flower Fair,” says Henry Cárdenas, CEO of CMN. “We will have capacity for more than 42,000 people at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium with two alternate areas of the stadium with differential experiences, two stages – one of them on a 360º platform – and infinite experiences that will allow us to have an eternal party in the city.”
Artists will include Marc Anthony, Ana Gabriel, Nicky Jam, Xavi, Fonseca, Elder Dayán Díaz, Proyecto Uno and Nath, reports Revista DC.
“The Flower Festival was born to proudly celebrate our Antioqueñidad, our music and our culture,” says Breakfast Club CEO Carlos Franco. “Medellín is an abundant land, of vibrant people who have no restraints when it comes to enjoying themselves. Without a doubt, it is the eternal capital of music. That is why we will present rhythms from reggaetón, salsa, rancheras, merengue and much more.”
“Medellín is the home of the great urban artists, the square of the great concerts and festivals”
Founded by music entrepreneur Cárdenas in 2001, Chicago-based CMN promotes global tours by artists such as Marc Anthony, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Chayanne, Ana Gabriel and Nicky Jam. Most recently, it launched the largest global Latin music tour with Luis Miguel.
Breakfast Club was launched in 2013 and currently holds 15 to 20 events per year including electronic music festival La Solar, which was held at Parque Norte Medellín in February.
Both companies announced major moves back in March, with US-based CMN forming a strategic alliance with AEG Presents to create “the world leader in live Latin music”, and Colombia’s Breakfast Club and TBL Live joining forces to create new entertainment company Breakfast Live.
Medellín-based La Industria Inc, meanwhile, has helped launch the careers of acts such as Nicky Jam, Manuel Turizo and Chocquibtown.
“Medellín is the home of the great urban artists, the square of the great concerts and festivals,” adds La Industria Inc CEO Juan Diego Medina. “That is why we will celebrate with Eterna, a party for everyone.”
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