In this new role, McGregor will oversee the continued growth of global touring businesses across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the UK, Europe, and North America. This portfolio includes TEG Live, TEG Dainty, TEG Van Egmond, TEG MJR, Handsome Tours, Laneway Festival, TEG Asia, TEG Live Europe and TEG North America.

TEG Group CEO Geoff Jones confirmed that McGregor’s new role will be effective today (August 16th).

“I am delighted to appoint Tim to the Global Head of Touring role,” said Jones. “Tim’s outstanding track record in the live entertainment industry draws on more than three decades of experience. His in-depth industry knowledge and excellent business acumen make him the ideal choice to lead the overall Concert and Festival Touring strategy for TEG across the Globe. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Tim in his new role to drive growth and success for the TEG Business.”

McGregor added, “I am excited to further my remit with TEG to build its Touring operations locally and globally. I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved to date, but this is only the beginning. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Geoff for this opportunity and his ongoing support. We’ve been on a long journey together, and I look forward to embarking on the next phase of TEG with Geoff and the Senior Leadership Team.”

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Forshaw already has an impressive 15 million global streams through major dance label releases on Armada, Ultra, and Toolroom and a peak of more than 250,000 unique monthly listeners on Spotify. Beyond his solo endeavors, Forshaw also has co-production credits with renowned artists such as John Newman, Altego, Black Caviar, and more, underlining his fast-growing reputation in the industry.

Recently appointed host of the specialist Dance show on Virgin Radio – the UAE’s most prominent commercial station – Forshaw joins a roster of chart-topping talent at Organized Chaos, including PS1, Tobtok, Tim Powell, and Ros T.

The deal will see Forshaw working closely alongside Organized Chaos co-founders Adam Griffin and Robert Davies of the boutique independent Organized Chaos as the brand continues its rapid growth alongside that of its record label and artist management agency, Perfect Havoc, where Forshaw is also now signed. Over 200 songs have been published from the ever-growing Organized Chaos catalog, including the UK Top 20 hit “PS1—Fake Friends” featuring Alex Hosking (No.19), culminating in worldwide syncs with brands such as Google, Apple and Canon.

Forshaw’s profile is most prolific in the Middle East, where he’s a regular on the festival circuit and club scene. He’s notably been the resident DJ at Zero Gravity, Dubai’s largest beach club, since 2016. His consistency has seen him nominated for five high-profile awards from Time Out and What’s On and winning two in the process.

Griffin said, “We are delighted to sign Scott Forshaw. Having worked together since January, we have been blown away by his speed and quality of delivery. He brings versatile production of the highest standard across all genres for other musical stars and as an artist in his own right. His incredible experience DJing at some of the biggest festivals in the world and supporting artists like The Swedish House Mafia in arenas means he knows what works on crowds, which is a bit lost in the marketplace at the moment. He is one of the biggest and most trusted DJs in the Emirates. Also, working with artists such as John Newman for years is a testament to Scott’s talent. He’s charming, easy to work with, extremely hard-working and very quick. He has a wonderful future ahead.”

Forshaw commented, “I’m excited to embark on the next chapter of my career with Adam, Rob, and the UMPG/Organized Chaos team. I believe that together, we can build upon the strong foundations we have established and advance towards future successes.”

Dougie Bruce, Senior A&R Director at UMPG, said, “We are delighted to welcome Scott Forshaw to UMPG. Scott is a rare, versatile and highly skilled producer. Working with our sub-publisher, Organized Chaos, we are very excited to welcome him to our joint roster and realize the project together.”

New music from Forshaw with Perfect Havoc/Organized Chaos can be expected later this year as the label continues to build on its 10 billion global streams and multiple Platinum, Gold and Silver awards.

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This collaboration, led by Red Light’s managing partner and UK co-founder James Sandom and Starwood founder Robert Swerdlow, will see Starwood’s roster, including artists like Michael Kiwanuka, Wasia Project, and Stone, join the Red Light fold.

Robert Swerdlow shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Right time, the right culture, the right global resources, but most of all, the right people. Team Starwood and Red Light is an incredible partnership. Our combined values and experience make for a brand-new force for good! We are thrilled to move into the next chapter with James, Coran and the team. We share exactly the same ambitions, and there is a real belief in our combined synergies.”

James Sandom emphasized the importance of this partnership, calling it “an exciting era for Red Light, both in the UK and globally.” He pointed out that Starwood’s philosophy closely aligns with Red Light’s values, and this collaboration is expected to strengthen both companies` positions in the industry.

Red Light founder Coran Capshaw also expressed his excitement about the partnership, praising Starwood’s track record in artist discovery and their blend of taste and ambition.

Red Light’s current client roster includes prominent names like Chris Stapleton, Odesza, Lionel Richie, and The Strokes.

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Founded by Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren and guitarist Sylvain Demercastel, Savage Lands raises funds to restore forests and create sanctuaries free from human interference in Costa Rica.

The organization finances its work through song royalties, donations, and various fundraisers, as well as by building nature sanctuaries, establishing green zones and undertaking other land preservation projects.

Hellfest’s donation is part of a five-year partnership, with Savage Lands continuing to host a booth at the festival. The non-profit has protected 60,000 square feet of rainforest, funded entirely by music royalties.

Many notable musicians supported Savage Lands at Hellfest. Sylvain Demercastel was accompanied by Florian Pons (Loco Muerte), Poun and Etienne Treton (Black Bomb A), with special appearances by Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) and Daniel de Jongh (Textures) throughout their set. Chloe Trujillo and The Gathering’s Silje Wergeland also joined in.

For the grand finale, Savage Lands brought out Jesper Liveröd (Nasum), Alejandro Montoya (Cultura Tres), Billy Graziadei (Biohazard), and Shane Embury (Napalm Death).

“Our goals are within reach,” said Demercastel. “By converting the land we purchase into nature sanctuaries, Savage Lands sets a precedent for environmental activism. But time is of the essence. Ecosystems are still under threat, and if we don’t act swiftly, there may be no wildlife left to protect.”

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After leaving Live Nation in April 2024, following a 14-year tenure, Field has set up the agency to support businesses looking to enter the live events sector.

Further Afield will focus on business development, market insights, and industry advocacy, aiming to help companies from various industries integrate live entertainment into their offerings.

Field expressed his enthusiasm for remaining connected to the live events industry: “I’m still engaged with the live industry I know and love while also building a growing portfolio of contacts in related industries that want to diversify their offering to include live entertainment and ultimately improve the experience for all customers and fans,” Field said.

“My previous role leading an APAC organization of 300-plus people and tens of millions of dollars turnover gave me the privilege of dealing with prime ministers, premiers, politicians, media and peak bodies, leading to a significantly improved appreciation of the capability, scale and value of the live industry.”

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According to reports from the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, Kim was indicted on Thursday (August 8) for violating the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act. This indictment follows Kim’s arrest after a thorough investigation that has been ongoing for several months.

Former Kakao CEO Hong Eun-taek and Kim Sung-soo, the former CEO of Kakao Entertainment, were also indicted on the same day Kim was arrested, as reported by JoongAng Daily.

Prosecutors allege that Kim and other Kakao executives engaged in a deliberate campaign to inflate SM Entertainment’s stock price in order to outmaneuver HYBE during the bidding war. They claim that Kim and his associates injected KRW 240 billion (USD $174 million) into SM Entertainment stock across 553 transactions between February 16-17 and February 27-28, 2023.

Initially, Kim was only linked to the latter set of transactions, allegedly carried out with assistance from OneAsia Partners, an asset management firm connected to Kakao. However, further investigations have led prosecutors to believe that Kim was involved in all instances of the alleged stock manipulation, as reported by the Korea Herald.

Additionally, the CEO of OneAsia, identified only by the surname Ji, is also facing trial over the same allegations. Kakao’s Chief Investment Officer, Bae Jae-hyun, was arrested and indicted on similar charges last October.

Prosecutors further claim that Kim and Kakao violated South Korean securities laws by failing to disclose their acquisitions in SM Entertainment. South Korean law mandates that any entity holding more than a 5% stake in a publicly traded company must disclose their share purchases to regulators. At the time of the transactions, Kakao held an 8.16% stake in SM.

According to JoongAng Daily, in response to the indictment, Kakao issued a statement on Thursday expressing its intent to “diligently vindicate the facts during court trial” and to “minimize the management vacancy” caused by Kim’s arrest.

The transactions in question reportedly inflated SM’s stock price above KRW 120,000 ($87) per share, the same price HYBE paid when it acquired a 14.8% stake in SM from its founder, Lee Soo-man. HYBE was also offering to purchase additional shares at this price but ultimately withdrew from the bidding war, leaving Kakao in control with a 39.9% stake in SM.

Despite these serious allegations, Korean trade regulators approved Kakao’s takeover of SM Entertainment earlier this year, albeit with certain conditions designed to prevent Kakao from abusing its dominant position in the music market. Kakao owns Melon, South Korea’s largest music streaming service, which is now required to distribute music from competing labels and distributors.

Kakao also operates KakaoTalk, South Korea’s leading instant messaging service. Amid the ongoing criminal investigation, Kakao has experienced a significant decline in its stock value, losing more than 40% since the start of the bidding war for SM Entertainment. On Thursday, the stock was trading at around KRW 38,450, down from approximately KRW 67,000 in February of last year.

Original Story Below – Published July 17, 2024

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office has requested an arrest warrant for Kim Beom-su, the billionaire founder of Kakao Corp., whose entertainment division now controls SM Entertainment (SM).

According to South Korean news reports, prosecutors claim that Beom-su violated South Korea’s Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act by allegedly plotting to manipulate SM’s stock price to push HYBE out of the bidding for the K-pop agency.

According to the Korea Herald, they allege that Beom-su and other Kakao executives inflated SM’s stock price by injecting KRW 240 billion (USD 174 million) into the company through 553 stock price purchases in mid to late February of 2023. Additionally, prosecutors accuse Kakao of failing to report its stake in SM during the bidding war. Private equity fund management firm OneAsia Partners is also accused of colluding with Beom-su in the stock manipulation, reports Korea JoongAng Daily.

The request for the tech giant founder’s arrest warrant comes shortly after he endured what JoongAng Daily described as “20 hours of intense interrogation” by authorities from July 9 into the early hours of July 10, during which Beom-su reportedly denied most allegations.

In a statement, Kim’s attorneys at Sejong Law Firm denied any wrongdoing by the Kakao founder.

“Kim Beom-su, chairman of Kakao’s Corporate Alignment Council, did not instruct nor condone any illegal activities regarding the purchase of SM Entertainment shares last year,” the attorney said in a press statement. “The transaction was a legitimate market purchase aimed at securing shares for business collaboration purchases. Nevertheless, we regret that this matter has progressed to a stage where the prosecution has filed for an arrest warrant. We will diligently explain and clarify these points during the warrant review process.” the statement read, as quoted by JoongAng Daily.

The Seoul Southern District Court will review the prosecution’s arrest warrant request on Monday (July 22).

SM is considered the second-largest K-pop company behind HYBE. Its roster includes popular acts like Vespa, EXO, Girls Generation, Red Velvet, and Super Junior.

During last year’s bidding war, the Herald reported that SM’s stock price soared above KRW 120,000 ($87) per share. This was the price at which HYBE had purchased 14.8% of SM from its founder, Lee Soo-man, and the fixed price at which it was buying shares from other shareholders.

The inflated stock price led to HYBE’s withdrawal from bidding, effectively allowing Kakao Corp. to control SM with a 39.9% stake.

However, HYBE filed a legal complaint against Kakao, alleging stock price manipulation, which prompted an investigation, including raids on Kakao’s headquarters and SM’s offices.

In October last year, Kakao’s Chief Investment Officer, Bae Jae-hyun, was arrested, and Seoul prosecutors indicted him for violating the Capital Markets Act. Bae and the chief executive of OneAsia Partners, identified only by the surname Ji, are currently standing trial on related charges.

Despite the accusations, Korean trade regulators approved the Kakao-SM deal earlier this year, with conditions to ensure Kakao doesn’t abuse its strong position in the music market. Among these conditions is a requirement for Kakao-owned Melon, South Korea’s largest music streaming service, to distribute music from labels and distributors that compete with SM.

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Sanderson’s move to the European division marks a significant moment for ASM Global as it continues its mission to enhance the fan experience across key markets. His global perspective and success in navigating complex commercial landscapes make him well-equipped to drive ASM GlobalGlobal’sh in Europe and the UK.

Chris Bray, president of ASM Global Europe, emphasized the importance of Sanderson’s role, “Europe represents a dynamic and exciting market for us. Our recent successes in the UK, Portugal, Italy, and Finland have reinforced ASM GlobalGlobal’st-leading position, and this new role is another example of our commitment to further invest in the future growth opportunities that we see. Ed’s leadership and experience will be pivotal as we look to continue to invest in the fan experience in key cities with key clients. His expertise will be instrumental in helping us to bring more best-in-class live entertainment experiences to millions more fans across Europe, and we are delighted to welcome him to our European team.”

ASM Global is known for its partnerships with venues across the UK and Europe, including in Finland, Sweden, and Germany – hosting 20,000 events and nearly 164 million guests annually. The company has hosted tours and events for top-tier artists like Elton John, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift, as well as major sporting events such as the Davis Cup, ArenaCross, the Swedish national football team, and international boxing.

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Daniell joined Defected in 2004 and worked his way up from intern and resident DJ to A&R manager before leaving in 2019. While at Defected, he was instrumental in signing major records such as Storm Queen’s Look Right Through, CamelPhat & Elderbrook’s Grammy-nominated Cola and more. He left for the Warner dance label imprint FFRR in 2019, where he led the label within Parlophone, signing acts like Diplo and contributing to campaigns for artists including David Guetta, Bebe Rexha, and Kenya Grace.

Saunders expressed his confidence, “In this new role, Andy Daniell will oversee the entirety of our musical output, from signing new artists to nurturing the development of our current roster, ultimately securing their futures through recordings, publishing and catalog management. Those aspects of business are at the core of what we do at Defected, and with Andy’s experience, I do not doubt that he is the best at what he does. I’m very excited for this new chapter for Defected and for dance music”.

Daniell shared his excitement about returning to Defected, saying, “Defected” was my home for 14 years and where I started out in the industry, so it will always hold a special place in my heart… I’m eager to start reconnecting with our talented artists and teams, some familiar and some new, and begin this exciting new chapter.”

In his new role, Daniell will be responsible for all 26 labels under the Defected umbrella, including Glitterbox, D4 DANCE, DFTD, and Classic Music Company, as well as the Defected Music publishing arm. With three UK No.1 records and six Grammy-nominated songs under his belt, Daniell is set to bring his expertise to the label’s growth and success.

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With 15 years of experience as a freelance creative producer, Burns has directed From the Other, home to innovative festivals like Sounds From the Other City in Salford, the experimental Fat Out Fest, and the Samarbeta music residency program. She also co-chairs the Greater Manchester Music Commission and serves on the Board of Manchester Music Cities.

Since 2019, Burns has produced and programmed Festival Square for the Manchester International Festival, transforming it into a key venue for free live music. The 2023 edition featured over 190 performers and attracted 83,000 visitors. In 2021, she was honored as a Local Hero for her contributions to grassroots music at the AIM Awards.

Burns has been the acting head of music for Factory International since January 2024 and has already curated several events at Aviva Studios, including the first show from ANOHNI and the Johnsons in a decade, a three-day residency by Janelle Monáe, and a two-day in-the-round residency with Mercury Prize winner Sampha, featuring local artists The KTNA, DJ Paulette, and Isaiah Hull.

In her new role, Burns will develop a year-round program spanning various music genres for the versatile spaces at Aviva Studios. This includes in-house concerts and collaborations with local and national promoters, as well as contributions to the biennial festival.

Working with teams across the organization, she will enhance the venue’s acclaimed acoustics and welcoming atmosphere for both audiences and artists. Burns will also lead Factory International’s efforts to support emerging artists through initiatives like Factory Sounds.

Burns stated, “I’m really excited and honored to be taking on such a huge role within a thriving musical community that I care so deeply about and which has supported and nurtured me for nearly two decades. I bring with me an authentic and collaborative attitude, a passion and a drive to really challenge audience expectations of what live music can be.

“Factory International and Aviva Studios are world-class, and working with musicians from across the world, the UK, and locally to thrive, experiment and wow audiences is going to be a truly exciting adventure.”

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“We are delighted to welcome Camilla Dunhill to the peermusic roster,” said Peer. “Our A&R team has the ideal roadmap to help take her to the next step on her career trajectory, and I have every confidence that our global teams will help boost her journey as a songwriter.”

“Camilla Dunhill is an exciting new songwriter whose music and work ethic caught our attention,” said Sault. “We’re excited to work with her to amplify her music and vision during this next career phase. I look forward to big things ahead.”

“I am thrilled to be signing Camilla, who is an exceptionally talented writer whose drive and ambition matches our own, and to help take her career to the next level,” said Myerscough-Harris. “Camilla is already working across a run of exciting projects, and at peermusic, she’s found the perfect home to go on to even greater heights.” 

“I’m so incredibly excited to be signing to peermusic and want to thank Nigel, Ralph, Mike, Dylan, Lamberto and the team for the confidence and belief they’re showing in me as a new writer, which means the world,” said Dunhill. “I’m also very grateful to my manager, Sylvia and to my lawyer, Ben Foulston, for their unbelievable support over the last few years and going forward. I’m determined to prove everyone’s trust well-founded, and I cannot wait to deliver some huge pop anthems for the world to hear.”

“Having worked with peermusic previously, I knew that they would make an ideal partner to realize Camilla’s huge talent and global ambitions,” said Sylvia Coleman of BPureSounds. “Not only will she benefit from their worldwide platform, but also their creativity and wonderful relationships. The access, speed and flexibility that come with peermusic being a global independent publishing company will help position us to deliver at the highest level for Camilla.”

Dunhill is a London-based rising songwriter. Although fully versatile, her passion is pop, electronic pop and dance-pop, drawing inspiration from artists such as Charli XCX and Caroline Polachek. She is currently working with a range of artists, from Lozeak to Interplanetary Criminal, and writing in Italian for rising pop singer Alfa. She has already amassed millions of streams on releases for artists including BL3SS, Jo Hill and Natalie Shay.

Dunhill is also part of Heeli, a three-piece Dance and Electronic Music collective made up of herself, Luis Navidad, and a third mystery member. As a collective, they’ve written for other artists in the electronic space, including BL3SS, Sub Focus, COMANAVAGO, ATRIP and Rain Radio and are now hitting the clubs with their own music. They launched their first single, “Any Day, Any Night,” on August 2nd and played a sell-out headline show.

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