James Hanley

London

Music Business Journalist at Freelance

International music journalist. News editor @IQ_Mag. Bullseye obsessive. Cherry Coke lover. All views stolen from people wittier than me.

Articles

Music Week Awards wins for SJM Concerts, CAA, AXS

6 days ago | iq-mag.net | James Hanley

SJM Concerts paid tribute to the late Chris York after being named Live Music Promoter of the Year at the 2025 Music Week Awards. Accepting the award at last night’s ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House, SJM’s Jack Dowling and John Cornell described their hugely respected former colleague, who died last year aged 55, as a “special guy”.
Dutch venues hosted more concerts in 2024

6 days ago | iq-mag.net | James Hanley

The Association of Dutch Pop Venues and Festivals (VNPF) has revealed there was an upturn in the number of concerts taking place in the Netherlands last year. The organisation compared the data from 56 pop venues, which showed concerts were up 4.9% year-on-year from 7,534 in 2023 to 7,903 in 2024. It also reported a marginal 1.6% decrease in the number of club nights from 2,911 to 2,863 in the same period.
The Who unveil North American farewell tour

6 days ago | iq-mag.net | James Hanley

Rock legends The Who have announced a farewell tour of the US and Canada for this summer. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend revealed the news today (8 May) during a press conference at the Iconic Images gallery in Piccadilly, London. “Every musician’s dream in the early 60s was to make it big in the US charts. For The Who, that dream came true in 1967 and our lives were changed forever,” said 81-year-old Daltrey.
German live industry to launch new awards ceremony

6 days ago | iq-mag.net | James Hanley

The German touring sector is gaining a new awards ceremony as a successor to the Live Entertainment Award (LEA). First held in Hamburg in 2006, the LEA had been held at Frankfurt’s Festhalle since 2011 and grew into one of the industry’s most prestigious awards shows, but was discontinued two years ago and the organisation behind it dissolved.
DOJ & FTC to investigate live music business

1 week ago | iq-mag.net | James Hanley

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have jointly opened a public inquiry to identify “unfair and anticompetitive practices and conduct” in the concert and ticketing industry. The two federal agencies are inviting members of the public to submit comments and information on “harmful practices and on potential regulation or legislation to protect consumers in the industry”.
Class action begins over festival strip-searches

1 week ago | iq-mag.net | James Hanley

A class action lawsuit against the state of NSW has begun in Australia over potentially unlawful strip-searches at music festivals by police officers. More than 3,000 alleged victims have joined the legal action, which was launched by Slater and Gordon Lawyers and Redfern Legal Centre and covers the years 2016-22. “There were many thousands of persons strip-searched at festivals in the claim period,” Kylie Nomchong SC, representing the plaintiffs, told the Supreme Court of NSW this week.
Yungblud announces 2025 world tour

1 week ago | iq-mag.net | James Hanley

British singer-songwriter Yungblud has unveiled a 2025 world tour, confirming dates in North America and Europe. The trek, which is in support of the 27-year-old’s forthcoming double album Idols, will begin in the US at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on 23 August. Real name Dominic Harrison, the CAA client will visit cities including San Diego, Washington, New York and Toronto.
Brazil's Umauma Group launches Super Sounds

1 week ago | iq-mag.net | James Hanley

Brazilian entertainment and marketing company The Umauma Group has announced the creation of promoter Super Sounds, with plans to stage events at home and abroad. The firm will be led by the São Paulo-headquartered group’s co-founder Guilherme Teixeira and Tiago Maia, former MD of Move Concerts in Brazil. Super Sounds will be responsible for shows, tours and festivals, and is already working with acts including domestic singer-songwriters Ana Castela and Iza.
Blue Note Jazz Club to open first London venue

1 week ago | iq-mag.net | James Hanley

Blue Note Jazz Club has been granted a licence to open its first UK club, which is due to open its doors in early 2026. Set within the basement of the St Martins Lane hotel in Covent Garden, London, the club will boast two performance spaces: a 250-capacity main room as well as a 100-cap secondary room, with a full-service kitchen and beverage menu open for dinner throughout the week.
Kehlani concert cancelled over 'safety concerns'

1 week ago | iq-mag.net | James Hanley

Kehlani’s SummerStage concert in New York’s Central Park has been called off due to “security and safety” concerns. The cancellation of the 26 June Pride with Kehlani event follows the recent controversy over her scheduled show at Cornell University, which was axed due to her pro-Palestine support.