Market intelligence for live event promoters and producers | March 2022

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EDITOR Christopher Barrett

JUNIOR NEWS REPORTER Joe Gallop

DIGITAL & COMMUNITY EDITOR Cameron Roberts

SALES DIRECTOR James Linin

SALES MANAGER Joanne Knowles

PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Sabrina Boucher

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Duncan Siegle

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Robert Fletcher

PAGE PRODUCTION PA Media

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The international live music and event community has reacted swiftly , cohesively , and decisively to the tragic developments in Ukraine . Across the industry , global operators , such as Live Nation and Oak View Group , have severed ties with Vladimir Putin ’ s Russia . Meanwhile , events are continuing to provide platforms to enable Ukrainian artists to get their voices heard – not least Tallin Music Week , which is providing accommodation , recording facilities and slots on stages at the festival .

There have been a series of benefit concerts across Europe in aid of charities supporting Ukraine . Berlin ’ s Sound of Peace at Brandenburg Gate raised € 12 million (£ 10m ), Austria ’ s We Stand With Ukraine raised € 2m (£ 1.7m ) and Poland ’ s Together With Ukraine generated € 1.7m (£ 1.4m ). There has also been no shortage of fundraising shows in the UK , but the most impactful by far was Concert For Ukraine ( P . 18 ).

Created by Guy Freeman , MD of the production company Livewire Pictures , the two-hour televised show featured performances by acts including Ed Sheeran , Manic Street Preachers and Camila Cabello . More than 75 event suppliers contributed their services for free to build and service the production . The result was £ 13.4m raised in a single day .

The events industry has suffered huge challenges during the pandemic , and clearly it hasn ’ t fully emerged from the woods yet , so to see events professionals give up their time , energy and resources during one of the busiest years on record is a reminder of why we should all be proud to be a part of it .

Among the other achievements celebrated in this issue are the 10th anniversaries of Portsmouth ’ s Victorious Festival ( P . 35 ) and London ’ s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park ( P . 21 ). We go behind the scenes at Cardiff ’ s BBC 6 Music Festival ( P . 28 ) and examine what the latest UK Government measure to aid EU touring means for the industry ( P . 31 ).

In between preparing for a summer of events that ’ s shaping up to be like no other , we hope you enjoy this issue .

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