FESTIVAL LAUNCHES of a really high-level live music event like Come Together . The stadium and arena are not so large and so they miss out on a lot of the big artists , but when you go to Newcastle you see a thriving nightlife , amazing university scene , and a community that loves to go out .”
Prior to joining TEG Europe , Leighton- Pope was AEG Presents co-CEO , and before that he spent 15 years as a promoter for Live Nation where his roles included senior vice president of music . At Live Nation he was behind the launch of the Hard Rock Calling Festival in Hyde Park . With Come Together , the experienced promoter makes no secret of the fact he is looking to mirror the huge success of what is now known as BST Hyde Park ( cap , 65,000 ).
“ I worked on Hyde Park for 20 years , at Live Nation and AEG , so I know how that format works ; multi-genre events across a period of days that mean you can attract the best talent and different audiences ,” he says .
While the initial goal for Come Together is around 50,000 , Leighton-Pope says that there is scope to grow the event to 70,000 , and that the size and location of the festival site means there is
Perrie will perform at the Come
Together Festival
remarkable flexibility .
“ Newcastle ’ s Town Moor is the biggest inner-city park in Europe ; it ’ s bigger than Hyde Park and New York ’ s Central Park – it ’ s absolutely amazing ,” he says . “ They call it the lungs of Newcastle . It ’ s right in the centre of town , and it ’ s enormous . We can go up to 70,000 people , which separates us from everything else out there , and it means we can put offers in for the biggest artists in the world .
“ We have a great relationship with the local authority in the city , and we ’ ve gone in with an ambition to do something much bigger than anything that has ever been attempted in Newcastle . I think the opportunity has been overlooked .”
Making a splash AEG Presents is to launch its 35,000-capacity LIDO Festival in Victoria Park in June . Building on the success of AEG ’ s 10-day All Points East ( APE ) festival in the park , LIDO will run across two weekends with each headliner curating the line-up for their day . Jamie XX has selected acts including Arca and Sampha for his 7 June show , while Charli xcx ’ s 14 June event will involve acts including
Toby Leighton-Pope
“ WE CAN GO UP TO 70,000 PEOPLE , WHICH SEPARATES US FROM EVERYTHING ELSE OUT THERE .”
Bladee and The Japanese House .
AEG Presents European Festivals CEO Jim King says , “ We wanted to work with the headliners so that they can take their fans on a music journey throughout the day , showcasing the artists and music that they love .”
Named after Victoria Park ’ s historic Lido Field , LIDO will be produced by LS Events and feature three main stages and a ‘ secret club venue ’ that will feature surprise unannounced performers each day . Like APE , LIDO will involve a midweek programme of free arts , culture and wellbeing activities that offer a platform for local talent , aimed at the local community .
King says sustainability is a major focus and a founding principle for LIDO , with the event being designed to become the most sustainable in AEG ’ s festival portfolio : “ We aim to be one of the most sustainable events in the UK . Sustainability does not just end with reducing our carbon footprint but with accessaa . co . uk 25