Live music industry news

EXIT Festival to quit Serbia after “immense financial and political pressure”

public

Exit Festival • 2 min read

EXIT Festival to quit Serbia after “immense financial and political pressure”

EXIT Festival boss Dušan Kovačević says that this year’s event will be the last to take place in Serbia, after the government exerted pressure that saw its funding cut and sponsors pull away. That was a result of the festival giving support to anti-corruption protests in the country…

Sam Taylor • 12 Jun 2025

Ticketmaster offered touts meetings with Live Nation’s top lawyer

public

Live Nation • 5 min read

Ticketmaster offered touts meetings with Live Nation’s top lawyer

Ticket touts who were convicted of fraud were offered meetings with Selina Emeny, Live Nation’s International Group Counsel, says a BBC investigation, with the live giant raking in huge commissions from fraudulent sales. Maybe Live Nation could cough up a similar donation to the LIVE Trust……

Sam Taylor • 12 Jun 2025

As another festival falls, AIF proposes new tax relief scheme

public

Association Of Independent Festivals • 2 min read

As another festival falls, AIF proposes new tax relief scheme

As Homestead, a new festival in Somerset, announces it can’t go ahead due to tough economic factors, AIF has again called for more government support for festivals, switching its main demand from a VAT cut on tickets to a new tax relief scheme for smaller events…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jun 2025

Campaigners say second round of legal action should stop “misuse of planning powers” that allowed Brockwell Park festivals to go ahead

public

Brockwell Live • 3 min read

Campaigners say second round of legal action should stop “misuse of planning powers” that allowed Brockwell Park festivals to go ahead

While the 2025 edition of Brockwell Live is over, the legal battle over the use of London’s Brockwell Park as a festival venue continues. Local campaigners have launched a second judicial review which they say should stop the “misuse of planning powers” that allowed the 2025 festivals to proceed…

Chris Cooke • 09 Jun 2025

BBC says it won’t ban Kneecap from its Glastonbury coverage

public

Kneecap • 2 min read

BBC says it won’t ban Kneecap from its Glastonbury coverage

Glastonbury has confirmed that Kneecap will play this year’s festival on the West Holts stage, which is livestreamed by the BBC. Despite all the controversies surrounding the group, the BBC says it doesn’t ban artists who are playing the festival, but will apply “editorial guidelines” to their set…

Chris Cooke • 05 Jun 2025

TRNSMT pulls Kneecap performance over “safety concerns”

public

Kneecap • 2 min read

TRNSMT pulls Kneecap performance over “safety concerns”

Glasgow’s TRNSMT festival has pulled Kneecap from its line-up. While promoter DF Concerts has been under political pressure to cancel the group’s set ever since their Coachella performance, a statement says they were removed because local police expressed concern about safety if the group performed…

Chris Cooke • 29 May 2025

Ten UK music festivals cancelled following collapse of Wannasee Ltd

public

Wannasee Ltd • 2 min read

Ten UK music festivals cancelled following collapse of Wannasee Ltd

Festivals company Wannasee Ltd has collapsed citing a “difficult trading environment” and a sudden decline in “customer confidence”. It means ten UK festivals due to take place this summer are now cancelled, while the future of two other events depends on ongoing negotiations behind-the-scenes…

Chris Cooke • 28 May 2025

Lambeth Council magics up new paperwork in Brockwell Live spat, but NIMBYs are still not satisfied

public

Brockwell Live • 5 min read

Lambeth Council magics up new paperwork in Brockwell Live spat, but NIMBYs are still not satisfied

Festivals were able to go ahead in London’s Brockwell Park this weekend after Lambeth Council issued a new certificate saying the events could legally proceed, even though a judge cancelled a previous certificate. Local residents say they will continue to fight the council over the festivals…

Chris Cooke • 27 May 2025

“Israeli lobbyists” want Kneecap shut out of Glasto, says band

public

Kneecap • 4 min read

“Israeli lobbyists” want Kneecap shut out of Glasto, says band

Kneecap headlined Wide Awake on Friday, two days after one band member was charged with a terror offence for implying support for Hezbollah at a 2024 gig. The group was as outspoken as ever, insisting that “Israeli lobbyists” are trying to stop them from speaking out about the conflict in Gaza…

Chris Cooke • 27 May 2025

South London festival drama continues as Field Day disses private equity owners and residents vow to fight on

public

Brockwell Live • 4 min read

South London festival drama continues as Field Day disses private equity owners and residents vow to fight on

Dramas around the festivals due to take place in London’s Brockwell Park this month continue. Local residents insist the events shouldn’t go ahead after their win in the High Court last week. Meanwhile Field Day has had a second go at responding to criticism of its owner, private equity firm KKR…

Chris Cooke • 21 May 2025

Lambeth Council insists Brockwell Park festivals will go ahead despite High Court ruling saying they are unlawful

public

Brockwell Live • 5 min read

Lambeth Council insists Brockwell Park festivals will go ahead despite High Court ruling saying they are unlawful

A series of festivals kicking off this Friday in South London’s Brockwell Park seemed to be in jeopardy last week when the High Court said the necessary planning permission was not in place. However, the local council says that the legal issues were administrative and can be easily dealt with…

Chris Cooke • 19 May 2025

Superstruct festivals issue statements following backlash and boycotts over its owner KKR

public

Superstruct Entertainment • 3 min read

Superstruct festivals issue statements following backlash and boycotts over its owner KKR

London’s Field Day festival has faced a backlash in recent weeks because it is owned by Superstruct, in turn owned by KKR, which has investments in Israel. As other Superstruct events also come under fire, both Field Day and fellow London festival Mighty Hoopla have now issued statements…

Chris Cooke • 16 May 2025

Live industry news including ticketing, venues, festivals and more