LN Makes Bigbang

Live Nation announced it will organize the first world tour by K-pop stalwarts Bigbang, which became the first Asian artist to win the World Act prize at the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards.

Bigbang will also be the first worldwide tour Live Nation has produced and promoted for an Asian act.

“We are very excited to be working with YG Entertainment and Bigbang to bring this tour to K-pop fans around the world,” said Alan Ridgeway, president of Live Nation international and emerging markets. “This represents a great start for our Korean operation that we only launched in December and we look forward to helping spread the K-pop phenomenon.”

The creative director of the tour will be Laurieann Gibson, who directed Lady Gaga’s “Monster Ball” tour and in the past worked with Shakira, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé and Katy Perry.

The tour, which starts March 2 at the Olympic Gymnasium Hall in Seoul, will go to 25 cities in 16 countries in Asia, North and South America, and Europe.