FKP Scorpio has promoted Freddie de Wall to co-CEO, serving alongside founder and CEO Folkert Koopmans and CEO Stephan Thanscheidt. De Wall, who was previously COO at the European concert and festival organiser, will be responsible for driving forward the group’s international business among other things. “I am delighted to be able to open another chapter in my role at FKP Scorpio with this new responsibility,” says de Wall. “We have not only grown strongly as a team in recent years but have also consistently developed business areas in new markets. I am proud that I can continue to drive thi ..read more

The 2024 edition of the O2 Silver Clef Awards has so far raised £760,000 and counting for Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity. The 48th instalment of the event took place last Friday (5 July) at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane, presented by Scottish radio DJ and television presenter Edith Bowman. The likes of Blur, AC/DC, Chaka Khan, Mark Knopfler, Jessie Ware, Loyle Carner, Texas, The 1975, Ezra Collective, Jacob Collier, Cat Burns and Young Fathers were among the award winners. Blur were honoured with the flagship O2 Silver Clef Award, AC/DC won ..read more

Ed Sheeran’s +–=÷× (Mathematics) Tour will officially extend to a fourth year after the star confirmed a final slate of 2025 European stadium dates. The singer-songwriter, who is represented by Jon Ollier of One Fiinix Live outside North America, will play shows in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland and Denmark next year. The run is currently due to start at Civitas Metropolitano in Madrid on 30 May and conclude in Dusseldorf’s Merkur Spiel-Arena on 5 September, with further announcements to follow. Tickets go on general sale on Wednesday (10 July). Sheeran also has u ..read more

A gig by electronic music duo Odesza was cut short and the venue evacuated after pyrotechnics used for the show caused a fire to break out. The incident occurred at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington, US, on Saturday (6 July), as the band were nearing the end of their set. “The incident commander at The Gorge confirms that there was a small brush fire last night during the Odesza show,” says a spokesperson for Grant County Sheriff’s Office. “Nobody was injured and firefighters put out the fire. The cause was pyrotechnics used during the show. “The fire burned a small area adjacent t ..read more

Switzerland’s OpenAir St Gallen has reflected on a “very positive” 2024 edition after the festival sold out for a third consecutive year. Promoted by Zurich-based Gadget Entertainment, the 27,500-cap event triumphed in spite of a myriad of challenges – not least the “rapidly changing and unpredictable weather”. Top billed acts between 27-30 June included The Chainsmokers, Queens of the Stone Age, Placebo, KIZ and Nina Chuba. “The festival was completely sold out for the third time in a row with 110,000 visitors over the four festival days and went off without any significant incidents,” Gadge ..read more

Austrian festival Electric Love was forced to shut down for half a day due to the threat of severe weather. The 70,000-capacity event in Salzburg was scheduled for 4–6 July but its final day was hampered due to forecasted strong winds, heavy rain, and lightning. Organisers announced at 10:30 on Saturday (6 July) that the festival grounds were expected to open at 20:00, which meant the day’s programming was slashed in half. Camping guests were advised to “secure their tents” by 16:00 and “seek shelter in a vehicle” while others were asked to refrain from heading towards the venue until clearan ..read more

British promoting great Barrie Marshall has been honoured by the National Arenas Association (NAA) for his outstanding contribution to the UK’s live music scene. Marshall, who founded Marshall Arts in 1976, has worked with P!nk since 2002 and Paul McCartney since his 1989/90 world tour, in addition to promoting iconic artists such as Elton John, George Michael, Tina Turner, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Cher, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Sade, Joe Cocker and Stevie Wonder. He was presented with the award by P!nk, real name Alecia Moore, and NAA steering group member Debbie McWilliams, directo ..read more

Montreux Jazz Festival (MJF) organiser Mathieu Jaton has previewed this year’s reimagined 58th edition in an interview with IQ. The Swiss event, which typically draws 250,000 people over 16 days, kicks off today with performances from Jon Batiste and Henry Moodie and runs until 20 July. More than 30 shows will be livestreamed for free on the festival’s YouTube channel. MJF has undergone a number of temporary changes for 2024 due to construction work on the Montreux Music and Convention Centre Congress Centre (2m2c), home to the 4,000-capacity Stravinski Auditorium, its main venue. As a result ..read more

Coldplay have reportedly reached a seven-figure settlement with former manager Dave Holmes. Holmes, who worked with the group for more than 20 years prior to being dismissed in 2022, sued the Chris Martin-fronted band for breach of contract last year, seeking more than £10 million (€11.7m) in allegedly unpaid commission. The group said they “vigorously disputed” the allegations and counter-sued for £14m, accusing Holmes of failing to “adequately to supervise and control” the budget for their ongoing Music of The Spheres World Tour. They also alleged that Holmes leveraged his position as manag ..read more

The UK live music business has warmly welcomed Labour Party’s historic landslide general election triumph. Labour will form a government under the leadership of new prime minister Keir Starmer, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Requiring 326 seats for a majority, Starmer’s party have claimed 412 seats to the Rishi Sunak-led Conservatives’ 121 – the worst defeat in the latter’s parliamentary history. Two seats were still left to call at press time. “The change begins right here,” said Starmer. “Because this is your democracy, your community and your future. You have voted. It is now time f ..read more