Industry
Asia & Beyond — Industry
EXIT Festival Founder Speaks Out After "One of the Most Challenging Chapters" in 26 Years
EXIT Festival founder Dušan Kovačević has posted a personal message on the festival's Instagram reflecting on a difficult period in its 26-year history, referencing the journey from Petrovaradin Fortress to the Great Pyramids of Giza.
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U.S. Signs Music Tourism Act Into Law — Industry Calls It a "Jobs Bill"
The American Music Tourism Act, pushed by Senator Marsha Blackburn, directs a federal office to promote tourism to U.S. music festivals and venues, with the sector projected to hit $11.3 billion by 2032.
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REMEL Report Exposes Racial Bias in London's Music Event Licensing
A two-year UK study finds Black-led music events in London face disproportionate cancellations, restrictions and shutdowns compared to similarly sized white-led events, often with no explanation or appeal process.
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Arts Council England Opens Music Creators Growth Fund, Grants Up to £20,000
Arts Council England has launched the Music Creators Growth Fund, offering £10,000–£20,000 grants to artists, bands, DJs, producers and songwriters, with Round 1 applications closing October 29, 2026.
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Universal Music Group Shakes Up UK Leadership, Several Executives Depart
Universal Music Group is undergoing a leadership reshuffle that has pushed out several senior UK and European executives, including the head of Polydor Records UK, according to Billboard.
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Portishead to Receive Pioneer Award at Artist & Manager Awards 2026
Bristol trio Portishead have been named recipients of the Pioneer Award at the Artist & Manager Awards 2026, honoring over three decades of boundary-pushing sound. Tickets for the ceremony are on sale now.
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MandoWave Festival 2026 Postponed — Full Refunds Processed Automatically
MandoWave Festival 2026, originally set for November 28 at Kuala Lumpur's Mega Star Arena, has been postponed. Organizers say all ticket holders will receive automatic full refunds with no application required.
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The Pyramids as a Stage: How Egypt Is Using Music Tourism to Rebuild Its Live Industry
Egyptian promoter Venture Lifestyle closed its four-day Starlight Festival at the Pyramids of Giza on October 11 with roughly 20,000 attendees a day. Founder Rabih Mokbel tells IQ how overseas-first ticketing and five years of government trust-building paved the way for a sold-out Shakira pyramid show on November 28.
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Wang Yen-Cheng Re-Signs with Hanwha Eagles for $300,000 Total
KBO club Hanwha Eagles announced on October 13 that Asian-quota pitcher Wang Yen-Cheng has re-signed on a contract worth $300,000 total, following a season of 11 wins, 6 losses and a 3.97 ERA.
Read more →Industry2026.10.12Destination Festivals Are Betting on Superfans — Where Selling Out Means 3,000 Tickets, Not 30,000
As costs and competition squeeze traditional festivals, promoters are turning to destination festivals: thousands of devoted fans, resort settings, all-inclusive packages and four-figure tickets riding on a single headliner.
Read more →Industry2026.10.12AEG Asia-Pacific Chief: Music-Only Stadiums Could Be Next
AEG International's Asia-Pacific president John Langford tells IQ that top artists' shift toward residency-style touring could drive demand for purpose-built music stadiums, as AEG builds out venues in Shanghai, Bangkok, Nagoya and Osaka.
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Geordie Greep Denies Assault Allegation Made on Flyers Outside Vancouver Show
A man handed out flyers accusing former black midi frontman Geordie Greep of rape outside his Vancouver show at The Pearl; Greep denied the claim onstage and played a shortened solo set.
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