Live Nation is stepping-up its activities in the Far East. The live music juggernaut has struck an agreement with Chinese company Cosmedia Group that sees it manage the new 10,000-capacity outdoor Pop TV Arena (Zhong Tian Di) in Hong Kong.
The multi-purpose West Kowloon venue will open for business with a string of concerts by Chinese superstar Jackie Cheung, beginning Jan. 25, 2008.
Also from January 2008, Live Nation will strengthen its executive set-up in Hong Kong with the appointment of Luke Hede as director of booking, Asia.
Hede joins from leading Australian promoters Dainty Consolidated Entertainment, where he was director of touring.
In a statement issued today to mark the developments, Live Nation’s senior VP Pan Asia, Colleen Ironside, said the arena would offer “an ideal platform for both local and international artists to perform and enhance local culture in Hong Kong.”
She adds, “we look forward to bringing an increasing number of local, regional, mainland and international artists to both Hong Kong and the rest of Asia.
Live Nation’s enterprises in the region include offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing and Shanghai, which have promoted tours by such acts as Roger Waters, the Cure, Christina Aguilera, Muse and Gwen Stefani. Live Nation also staged this year’s Live Earth concert in Shanghai, China, on July 7.
