The CEO of AEG Presents UK, Steve Homer, has previewed the promoter’s tour pipeline and opened up on its expanding venue portfolio and burgeoning business outside live music.

The company has confirmed 2025 runs with acts including Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Kylie Minogue, Tyler, the Creator, Chase & Status, The Offspring, Olly Murs and The Darkness, with further announcements expected before the end of the year.

Speaking to IQ, Homer believes the firm is “in good shape” for the year ahead.

“The framework of our year is looking very solid at the moment, so that’s encouraging,” Homer tells IQ. “There’s still more arena and stadium stuff to come before the end of the year and other, more perennial theatre tours going out. But 2025 feels like it’s in good shape at the moment. You never count your chickens, but it feels quite promising.”

A personal highlight for Homer will be The Darkness’ 29 March concert at OVO Arena Wembley, which will see the rockers supported by Ash.

“It’s a little bit déjà vu, because I’ve worked with them right from the start and the Permission To Land tour that I did with them over 20 years ago had Ash as support,” he says. “Now it’s come full circle and they’re back supporting them on this tour.”

“The catchment area for Watford is staggeringly big, so to be able to do a Watford and a London show is not going to be difficult”

Earlier this month, AEG announced that Watford Colosseum is officially open for bookings ahead of its 2025 relaunch. The company and Watford Borough Council have signed contracts for the venue, which has a capacity of 2,345 standing/1,189 seated.

It follows its successful relaunch of The Halls Wolverhampton, which reopened in May last year with a special show by Blur.

“Wolverhampton has exceeded its target for live music,” explains Homer. “We’ve had some really strong shows with things like Paul Weller, Liam Gallagher & John Squire and Richard Ashcroft. We’ve also got Bob Dylan coming to do two shows in a couple of weeks and The Prodigy coming before the end of the year, so it’s back on the map.”

He continues: “We’re looking to do an opening series [at Watford] in the same way that we did with Wolverhampton, which will be September ’25. Watford is an interesting one as it had been closed for quite a while, but we’re very much on the front foot in terms of addressing the diary and going out there and selling it. Even though it’s quite close into London, the catchment area for Watford is staggeringly big, so to be able to do a Watford and a London show is not going to be difficult.”

In London, Homer reports that Indigo at The O2 is on track to post its busiest year yet with around 230 shows, while business at Hammersmith’s Eventim Apollo has also remained strong despite the reopening of O2 Academy Brixton (“It’s great to have Brixton back and we’re not seeing a downturn in shows in Hammersmith, which is positive,” he adds). AEG’s 4,400-cap live music venue within the Olympia London scheme, meanwhile, is in line to enter the fray by 2026.

“Other parts of the venue business are not quite as strong,” notes Homer. “The corporate side needs a bit of work. It’s not as exciting as live music, but it’s what pays the bills. So there’s some work to be done there for us, because that market has been variable, to say the least. But on the whole, it’s feeling like it’s in healthy shape.”

“There’s a real focus on keeping the business growing at every opportunity, but music is always the main thing”

Homer also touches upon AEG’s expanded remit outside of music, including its comedy and entertainment division.

“It’s becoming an ever-more diverse but important part of our business, and it’s bringing in significant numbers,” he says. “Out of the 1,500 shows we did this year, it accounts for around 350 and there’s more planned for next year. The broader entertainment side – involving podcasts and gaming and things like that – is becoming far more part of our core business, rather than like a bolt on.

“One thing I think we’ve done well over the past 18 months is develop the other parts of entertainment that we provide – we’ve also got [AEG artistic director] Lucy Noble developing the classical and orchestral side of things. There’s a real focus on keeping the business growing at every opportunity, but music is always the main thing.”

Meanwhile, US country music superstar Zach Bryan has announced an additional date at AEG’s BST Hyde Park after the first night sold out. The US singer-songwriter will now perform at the event on 28 & 29 June 2025.

Read part one of IQ‘s interview with Homer, where he focuses on the resurgence of guitar music, ticket pricing and the company’s latest London festival Lido, here.

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AEG Presents has toasted The Halls Wolverhampton’s first 12 months following a major multi-million-pound refurbishment.

The Grade II listed building, which has a musical history harking back to the 1930s, has hosted over 200,000 fans across 133 events since opening.

Blur opened the 3,404-capacity venue on 26 May 2023, paving the way for Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes, Leftfield, Siouxsie, The Darkness, Suede, Kaiser Chiefs, The Black Crowes, Liam Gallagher & John Squire, McFly, Sugababes, James Bay and Jack Whitehall.

Artists and comedians set to perform in the coming months include Fontaines D.C, Nas, Nile Rogers & CHIC, The Cult, Vampire Weekend, Jimmy Carr and John Bishop.

“I’m delighted to raise a glass to one year of music, memories, and magic at The Halls,” says Steve Homer, CEO AEG Presents UK. “As we reflect on the first 12 months, we celebrate the diverse content we’ve brought to over 200,000 fans and I’m so grateful to our brilliant team at the venue, as well as the promoters, agents, and our partner, University of Wolverhampton, for collaborating with us to bring great entertainment to the West Midlands.”

“I’m delighted to raise a glass to one year of music, memories, and magic at The Halls”

Ian Huffam, Blur’s agent, adds: “I was concerned the Civic would lose its heart and soul following its extensive restoration. Do not be concerned, this is a thorough, sympathetic modernisation of a classic English concert hall. Congratulations to the local authority for having the fortitude and vision, to the venue staff for their ongoing commitment and to AEG for their contribution and tasteful fit-out.”

City of Wolverhampton council leader, councillor Stephen Simkins, comments: “As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of University of Wolverhampton at The Halls it is, as expected, proving to be the cornerstone of a resurgent night-time economy in the city centre – and we know businesses are planning use of their resources around its events. The venue is playing a key part in shaping our city centre and is fostering growing confidence in Wolverhampton through more private sector investment.”

In 2019, AEG agreed a 25-year deal with the council to run The Halls Wolverhampton and sister venue the 1,289-cap The Wulfrun.

The firm’s mid-size portfolio also includes London venues Eventim Apollo (cap 5,000), Indigo at The O2 (2,800) and the 4,400-cap live music space within London’s £1.3 billion Olympia scheme, which is on track to open in 2024.

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Steve Homer has given IQ an insight into his plans for the next phase of AEG Presents UK after overseeing a revamp of operations at the firm.

Homer took sole charge of the company’s London office following the departure of former co-CEO Toby Leighton-Pope at the start of 2022. Since last autumn, AEG has made a string of significant hirings including Chris Wareing and Paris Harding from SJM, ex-Live Nation veteran Lee Laborde, Lucy Noble from the Royal Albert Hall and Georgie Donnelly as its first head of comedy, as well as announcing a handful of other new appointments.

Speaking to IQ, Homer says he expects the influence of the new arrivals will not be fully felt until next year.

“It takes a while to get going and settle in and I envisage that, by the autumn, we’ll probably start to be firing on near enough all cylinders,” he says. “So for shows going into ’24, I think that’s when we’ll see a significant change in how we’re performing. That’ll give us a good benchmark, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the autumn brings.”

Former National Arenas Association chair Noble, who joined AEG’s European senior leadership team in late 2022, has been tasked with overseeing content creation as well as the production of new events such as Christmas Classics with the Philharmonia Orchestra, which will take place at London’s Royal Festival Hall on 15 December.

“The aim was always to try and get someone of superstar status. That was always a hope, but it was never a guarantee”

“We’re branching out into other entertainment facets, so it’s exciting on that front,” says Homer. “We’re challenging ourselves a little bit in terms of [deviating from] our traditional core markets of entertainment.”

AEG is also basking in the glory of the successful relaunch of The Halls Wolverhampton, which reopened with a special show by Blur last Friday (26 May).

“It couldn’t get much better than Blur in terms of a big name to reopen a venue that’s close to a lot of people’s hearts,” enthuses Homer. “They’re doing warm-ups before their run of festivals and then stadiums in London, so it was great to have them as the first act and it was a great show. The aim was always to try and get someone bigger than the venue – someone of superstar status, as it were. That was always a hope, but it was never a guarantee.

“We’d decided the first day we were going to be open was 1 June, so we started to look at who was available and who was around. So when Blur said they were looking at doing some warm-up shows, but it would have to be at the end of May rather than beginning of June, you suddenly start going, ‘I don’t care if the paint is still wet, I’m going to open it,’ because when you get an opportunity like that, you have to take it. Luckily, all the paint was dry and the bars were open, so it was a great one to have.”

“We’ve got 24 shows from now until the second week of July, mostly in The Civic, and the autumn is looking pretty solid”

Formerly the Wolverhampton Civic Halls, the West Midlands venue – which comprises the 3,404-cap The Civic at The Halls Wolverhampton and 1,289-cap The Wulfrun at The Halls Wolverhampton – had been closed since 2015 while it underwent a multi-million-pound regeneration project in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton Council.

AEG agreed a 25-year deal with the council to run the complex back in 2019, with Crissie Rushton, who has worked with the venue for more than two decades in various capacities, installed as GM back in March. Concerts by McFly, Sugababes and The Vamps also form part of its opening lineup, with acts such as Seal, James, Future Islands, Royal Blood, Babymetal and Suede slated to visit before the end of the year.

“We’ve got 24 shows from now until the second week of July, mostly in The Civic, and the autumn is looking pretty solid,” he says. “We didn’t open the diary much before December ’22, so a number of tours were already in place for the end of this year. But we’re seeing good usage from all the national promoters, some local promoters as well. There’s a real spread of acts coming in on a weekly basis so we’re feeling pretty confident.

“It never had [its own] sound and lighting before – people used to have to bring it in – so we’ve added another element to it. And there is another balcony which has taken the capacity up to the same as Manchester Apollo for standing shows, so it fits into that theatre level.”

“It was interesting talking to some of my American bosses and trying to explain where Wolverhampton was”

For Wolverhampton native Homer, the venue also has a particular resonance as the site of his first concert – The Clash in 1978.

“The first ever gig I went to was there, and I’ve promoted a load of shows there,” he says. “It’s one of my favourite venues anyway, so when the opportunity came up to have it in our portfolio of venues I just said to everyone, ‘We have to go for this. This is a great room.'”

He continues: “It was interesting talking to some of my American bosses and trying to explain where Wolverhampton was and sharing some of the history but there’s a real appetite for mid-sized venues within the company anyway, so once they understood where it was and how it fitted into the history of venues in the UK, it became easy to get them to agree to go forward. But it means a lot – as I jokingly say, but only half jokingly, it gives me a better parking space near the football ground as well, which is not untrue!”

The Halls Wolverhampton joins AEG’s global network of more than 350 owned, operated and affiliated venues. In the UK, these include the Eventim Apollo London, Indigo at The O2 in London and the new live music venue at Olympia London set to open in 2024. It will also manage the 2,000-cap Watford Colosseum when it reopens that same year.

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AEG Presents has appointed Crissie Rushton as general manager of The Halls Wolverhampton.

Formerly the Wolverhampton Civic Halls, the West Midlands venue – which comprises the 3,404-cap The Civic at The Halls Wolverhampton and 1,289-cap The Wulfrun at The Halls Wolverhampton, will reopen its doors in June following a multi-million-pound regeneration project in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton Council.

Rushton has worked with the venue for more than two decades in various capacities during her tenure with the council, spanning senior roles including head of visitor experience, visitor economy manager and duty events manager.

“We are delighted to welcome Crissie to the AEG Presents team,” says Stuart Dorn, group venue operations director, AEG Presents. “Crissie knows this iconic venue inside and out and, as we gear up to open the doors to the public in June, I am thrilled that The Halls Wolverhampton will continue to benefit from her strong leadership and long-standing passion for this very special venue.”

“I am excited to play a role in this next chapter as we re-establish The Halls as the home of live entertainment in the West Midlands”

In her new role, Rushton will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the venue’s operations and identifying potential new partners and content.

“I have loved being a part of this extraordinary venue for more than 23 years and am delighted to be continuing my journey with The Halls Wolverhampton as part of the team at AEG Presents,” she says. “As the venue prepares to reopen its doors in June, I am excited to play a role in this next chapter as we re-establish The Halls as the home of live entertainment in the West Midlands for generations to come.”

McFly, Penn and Teller, Leftfield, Siouxsie and Sparks will all perform in the venue’s opening month.

Last week, it was revealed that AEG is to manage the 2,000-cap Watford Colosseum when it reopens in 2024. AEG’s UK venue network also includes the Eventim Apollo London, Indigo at The O2 in London and the new live music venue at Olympia London, set to open in 2024.

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AEG Presents has confirmed concerts by McFly, Sugababes and The Vamps as part of its opening lineup for The Halls Wolverhampton.

The 3,404-capacity The Civic at The Halls Wolverhampton and 1,289-cap The Wulfrun officially reopen in June following a major multi-million-pound refurbishment programme by City of Wolverhampton Council in partnership with AEG.

Gigs by Leftfield and Chris Isaak are also part of the launch month following the opening night with American magicians Penn & Teller on 1 June, with more names soon to be added.

“We have a fantastic line up set for June, befitting of the opening of the iconic The Halls Wolverhampton and the renowned artists we’re thrilled to welcome to this great city,” says AEG Presents UK CEO and Wolverhampton native Steve Homer. “I can’t wait to officially open the
doors and be part of the crowd enjoying these performances. From rock to pop and comedy, there really is something for everyone.”

“This fantastic opening month of shows in June will ensure the new-look venue bursts back into life in style after our multi-million-pound transformation works”

The Halls have been closed since December 2015. Visitors will enjoy more comfortable seats, a greater number of bars and enhanced space to socialise, expanded and revamped toilet facilities, lift access for those viewing from the new balcony level, better access arrangements for disabled visitors, a greater number of accessible viewing points and improved room temperatures through the installation of a new air handling system.

“These are exciting times for this much-loved venue in our city – and is what all the blood, sweat and tears have been for,” adds council leader Ian Brookfield. “AEG Presents’ passion for The Halls and ambition for the future matches our own and this fantastic opening month of shows in June will ensure the new-look venue bursts back into life in style after our multi-million-pound transformation works.

“We’re thrilled to be working with AEG Presents on this, who understand the venue’s rich heritage and share our vision of reimagining an iconic institution that will continue to bring joy to the lives of locals for years to come, helping shape our city centre, creating jobs and boosting businesses by attracting 300,000 visitors a year and adding more than £10 million annually to the local economy.”

AEG, which agreed a 25-year deal with the council to run the venues back in 2019, will also operate the 4,400-cap live music space within London’s £1.3 billion Olympia scheme, which is on track to open in 2024. The firm’s mid-size portfolio also includes the 5,000-cap Eventim Apollo and 2,800-cap Indigo at The O2, both in London.

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AEG Presents UK chief Steve Homer has spoken to IQ about opportunities offered by the mid-size venue market after the company confirmed the long-awaited reopening date of The Halls Wolverhampton.

The first shows at the 3,404-cap The Civic at The Halls Wolverhampton and 1,289-cap The Wulfrun at The Halls Wolverhampton will take place in June 2023.

The historic Halls hosted artists such as David Bowie, The Clash prior to closing in 2015 for its multi-million pound refurbishment.

“We’re in a position where the diary is officially opening next week for promoters and agents,” says Homer. “We’re planning on doing a series of launch shows within the first 10 days to two weeks of it opening just to get people reacquainted with the venue.”

The council are due to hand over the keys to AEG on 21 November, with test events set to be held next spring ahead of the official reopening.

“It costs £1 billion to build an arena from scratch now, so it’s a safer business model because it’s not relying on enormous investment to get off the ground”

AEG, which agreed a 25-year deal with the City of Wolverhampton Council to run the venues back in 2019, will also operate the 4,400-cap live music space within London’s £1.3 billion Olympia scheme, which is on track to open in 2024. The firm’s mid-size portfolio also includes the 5,000-cap Eventim Apollo and 2,800-cap Indigo at The O2, both in London.

“Like buses, they come in batches,” jokes Wolverhampton native Homer, who notes similar AEG developments in Denver and Nashville.

ILMC’s New Builds: The venue boom panel previously explored the potential for a boom in the mid-sized sector, and Homer spells out the financial benefits.

“That 3,500 to 4,500 capacity seems to be the sweet spot and it’s definitely something that we’re seeing across the globe,” he says. “It costs £1 billion to build an arena from scratch now, so it’s a safer business model because it’s not relying on enormous investment to get off the ground.”

Homer has overseen a revamp of AEG’s UK operations since taking sole charge of the company’s UK office at the start of the year following the departure of former co-CEO Toby Leighton-Pope, who has since resurfaced as MD of the newly formed TEG Europe.

“I embellished our venues division and split the touring division into three specific sections”

“It was like losing my right arm, and so there was a bit of adjustment that came with that,” reflects Homer. “But once I got over the initial shock of it, I knuckled down and decided it was something I wanted to do. I decided that if it was just going to be me, I needed to structure it in a slightly different way because when Toby was there there were various lines of responsibility that fed down from both of us. So I did some restructuring within the teams.

“I embellished our venues division and split the touring division into three specific sections – one of them was pure touring, everything from clubs to stadia, and then working with the junior promoters and assigning them tours to work on that they wouldn’t necessarily be familiar with, with support from the greater team. So it was a good opportunity for those promoters to work with bigger artists or venues than they’d probably have been familiar with up to that point in their career.”

He continues: “And then I created a new events division for a number of our standalone projects that don’t really fit into touring – our 50/50 ownership of the Eden Sessions, Country to Country and Just for Laughs, the comedy festival we’re partnering on. We put our summer series of shows into that as well – the likes of Michael Buble, Tears for Fears, Bryan Adams and Ball & Boe, so that’s certainly helped me focus the business.”

Revisit part one of our interview with Homer here.

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