NEWS
NETHERLANDS
12 % ticket VAT hike will lead to € 350m losses
Following the Dutch government ’ s announcement that it will raise the sales tax on events tickets from 9 to 21 % in 2026 , industry associations have hit back claiming the government ’ s proposed cultural policy will result in a € 350 million negative impact on the arts and culture sector . The figure is the result of analysis commissioned by private financiers , municipalities and the arts and culture sector , including the Culture Fund and Kunsten ‘ 92 . “ We , as a consortium , are sounding the alarm ,” said Culture Fund director Cathelijne Broers . “ The uncoordinated pile of cutbacks and measures has an enormous impact on the entire arts and culture sector , both in the short and long term .”
HONG KONG
Justice to headline new 30,000-capacity festival
Hong Kong-listed lifestyle and events company Hypebeast is to bring its festival brand Hypefest to the city ’ s Central Harbourfront Event Space having previously staged editions in the US and mainland China . The new , two-day , 30,000-capacity , outdoor event will run from 9-11 November with a lineup of acts including French EDM duo Justice , American singer-songwriter d4vd and Thai rapper Milli . The festival ’ s organisers have received HK $ 15m (£ 1.46m ) in financial support from the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund , which was created by the government as part of a wider programme to boost tourism and the economy by investing in cultural events .
MALAYSIA
The 1975 react to Good Vibes festival lawsuit
The 1975 have responded to the $ 2.4 million lawsuit filed against them by Future Sound Asia over the cancelation of the 2023 edition of the promoter ’ s Good Vibes festival in Malaysia . The lawsuit claimed The 1975 were liable for the cancellation of the festival having broken rules outlined in their agreement . The event was closed by Malaysian authorities after frontman Matty Healy spoke out against the country ’ s anti-LGBTQ + laws and kissed another bandmember during their opening night performance . The 1975 said the rules were “ guidelines ” and they “ do not impose any obligation on foreign artists that is capable of being enforced against such foreign artists .” accessaa . co . uk 09