Global snapshot
Access explores live entertainment industry developments around the world
UNITED STATES
Sony to pay $ 160m following Atlanta venue shooting
More than five years after two people were shot dead before a show by rapper Cousin Stizz at an Atlanta venue in 2017 , Sony Music Holdings has been ordered to pay US $ 160 million (£ 132m ) in damages for “ failing to protect patrons ”. The families of the two casualties of the incident at the 1,000-capacity Masquerade venue in Underground Atlanta , were each awarded $ 80m by a jury in Dekalb County , Georgia . Tiffany Simmons , managing partner of Simmons Law said , “ There is no excuse for how poorly secured this production was . These men had over a hundred years of life expectancy left between them . We are humbled by the jury ’ s decision , and we hope this sends a message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated .”
UNITED STATES
Afro Nation festival to debut in US
Live Nation ’ s Afro Nation festival is to make its US debut on 27-28 May at Miami ’ s LoanDepot Park . The festival , which has previously taken place in Portugal , Ghana and Puerto Rico , is focused on Afrobeats , dancehall , hip-hop , amapiano , and other Black-led musical genres . Among the acts scheduled to perform at the inaugural Afro Nation Miami include Burna Boy , Wizkid , Rema , Asake and Beenie Man . The festival will be presented by Event Horizon , SMADE and Live Nation .
THE NETHERLANDS
ESNS Exchange Programme sees 149 acts booked
Organisers of Eurosonic Noorderslag ( ESNS ) in Groningen , the Netherlands , announced the results of its ESNS Exchange initiative in 2022 . Launched in 2003 to help European acts get booked for festivals outside their home countries , the scheme last year resulted in the booking of 149 acts for 357 shows across 86 festivals in 28 countries . Among the most booked UK acts were Wet Leg , Yard Act , Holly Humberstone and Wu-Lu . Swiss-Tamil artist Priya Ragu was the most-booked act of all , achieving 11 bookings via the programme . She was followed by Ukrainian rapper Alonya Alonya , Irish singer CMAT and British band Yard Act , who secured 10 bookings each .
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