AEG Wants More Acts In China

American entertainment company AEG laid out plans to bring more international artists to the 18,500-seat Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai.

The news comes after the recent announcement that the AEG-operated Wukesong Arena in Beijing would change its name to the MasterCard Centre.

Craig Hartenstine, senior vice president of tours and events, told AFP his company thinks it can make touring China “commercially viable” for international artists.

“Just about everybody we speak to wants to come,” he added.

So far this year, the Eagles and Usher are slated to play the Shanghai venue, with the Eagles also scheduled to perform in Beijing.

Using these two tours as incentives, AEG hopes to persuade other artists who may be planning tours through Europe or Australia-Japan to make side trips to China.

“It’s great to be able to land in China and play both Beijing and Shanghai and have these great venues,” Hartenstine said.