Live music industry news

Consumers keen to socialise but night-time economy still struggling, NTIA annual report finds

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NTIA • 2 min read

Consumers keen to socialise but night-time economy still struggling, NTIA annual report finds

UK consumers are keen to socialise more as we move further away from the pandemic and its lockdowns, and as a result they are spending more in the night-time economy. However, the industry is not seeing any financial boost from this, thanks to inflation and the ongoing impact of COVID losses…

Andy Malt • 01 Mar 2024

Ja Rule says he told promoter criminal record could cause problems for now cancelled UK tour

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Ja Rule • 2 min read

Ja Rule says he told promoter criminal record could cause problems for now cancelled UK tour

Ja Rule’s upcoming UK tour was cancelled earlier this week after the rapper was refused permission to enter the country because of his criminal record. He insists he previously raised concerns about the impact of his criminal record with the tour’s promoter, but was told there wouldn’t be an issue…

Chris Cooke • 29 Feb 2024

UK Music again calls for VAT cut on tickets ahead of budget statement

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UK Music • 2 min read

UK Music again calls for VAT cut on tickets ahead of budget statement

UK Music has again called for a cut to the VAT rate on tickets to help support a struggling live sector, noting that the VAT charged on tickets in the UK is nearly double the average across Europe. This comes ahead of UK Chancellor Of The Exchequer Jeremy Hunt’s latest budget statement next month…

Chris Cooke • 28 Feb 2024

Live Nation figures show a live music boom, yet crisis at the grassroots results in another UK festival cancellation

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Live Nation • 3 min read

Live Nation figures show a live music boom, yet crisis at the grassroots results in another UK festival cancellation

Live Nation published its year-end figures yesterday, with CEO Michael Rapino stating that “the live music industry reached new heights in 2023”. Yet the UK grassroots live sector is still in crisis, with another independent festival cancelling its 2024 edition…

Chris Cooke • 23 Feb 2024

Ticketmaster incentivised TQ Tickets' touting operation, says former employee in fraud trial

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Ticketmaster • 3 min read

Ticketmaster incentivised TQ Tickets' touting operation, says former employee in fraud trial

The fraud trial of former employees at ticket touting company TQ Tickets continues, with one defendant insisting that Ticketmaster knew about the firm’s operations, because they were using resale platforms then owned by the Live Nation ticketing company…

Chris Cooke • 23 Feb 2024

Viagogo to pay out £90,000 compensation in Swiss consumer rights settlement

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Viagogo • 2 min read

Viagogo to pay out £90,000 compensation in Swiss consumer rights settlement

After six years of legal work by Swiss consumer rights organisation FRC, Viagogo has committed to make changes to its website in the country and to pay compensation to 807 ticket buyers who formally complained about the secondary ticketing company…

Chris Cooke • 21 Feb 2024

Ticket tout defendant insists he wasn't actively involved in his wife's fraudulent scheme

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TQ Tickets • 2 min read

Ticket tout defendant insists he wasn't actively involved in his wife's fraudulent scheme

A director of ticket touting company TQ Tickets accused of fraudulent trading has told a court that he wasn’t actually involved in the business. He claims that he simply allowed his wife to list him as a director because she couldn’t perform that role due to an earlier bankruptcy…

Chris Cooke • 20 Feb 2024

Anti-touting campaign hails EU Digital Services Act going into effect as "a landmark moment" for the live sector

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EU Digital Services Act • 2 min read

Anti-touting campaign hails EU Digital Services Act going into effect as "a landmark moment" for the live sector

Secondary ticketing platforms in the EU now have to comply with new regulations set out in the Digital Services Act, which began applying to all online intermediates on Saturday. Anti-touting campaign group FEAT says this is a “landmark moment” in the fight against for-profit ticket resale…

Chris Cooke • 19 Feb 2024

NTIA says nightlife faces cultural crisis after 400 club closures since 2020

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NTIA • 2 min read

NTIA says nightlife faces cultural crisis after 400 club closures since 2020

The NTIA has again called for government support for the clubbing sector after revealing that nearly 400 clubs have closed since the start of the pandemic - the cost of living crisis and changes in student socialising are putting the sector under pressure…

Chris Cooke • 15 Feb 2024

As another grassroots venue closes, MVT renews calls for a ticket levy

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The Chameleon • 2 min read

As another grassroots venue closes, MVT renews calls for a ticket levy

Nottingham’s Chameleon has become the latest UK grassroots venue to close, following warnings that it was at risk last year. Following the news, the Music Venue Trust has again called on the music industry and politicians took at at a levy on large-scale shows to support small venues…

Chris Cooke • 14 Feb 2024

Detailed plans submitted for permanent Printworks venue in London

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Printworks • 2 min read

Detailed plans submitted for permanent Printworks venue in London

Property developer British Land has filed a more detailed plan for the permanent venue that will be opened on the site previously used by Printworks London…

Chris Cooke • 13 Feb 2024

AIF renews call for ticket VAT cut as Standon Calling cancels 2024 edition

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Standon Calling • 3 min read

AIF renews call for ticket VAT cut as Standon Calling cancels 2024 edition

The Association Of Independent Festivals has again called for more government support for the festival sector after organisers of Standon Calling announced they are cancelling their 2024 edition after production costs "significantly increased again"…

Chris Cooke • 09 Feb 2024

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