Superstruct Entertainment Acquires Portfolio Of Live Events From Global

Jody Hartley – Kendal Calling 2017
Aerial shot of the English festival, which is now part of Supertruct’s event portfolio

Superstruct Entertainment, the live entertainment platform backed by Providence Equity Partners, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of several live music and entertainment festivals from Global Media & Entertainment.

Financial terms were not disclosed. 

Global owns the largest commercial radio group in Europe, and is also one of the largest outdoor advertizers in Europe, after acquiring Primesight, Outdoor Plus and Exterion Media late last year. 

Global had developed into the second-largest festival operator in the UK through strategic acquisition over the past years, but now seems to have decided to divest its festival business. The former festival section on Global’s website is gone.

Superstruct will acquire a portfolio, which includes UK based Victorious Festival, South West Four, Kendal Calling, Truck, Tramlines and Boardmasters as well as Hideout which is held in Croatia.

Some of those festivals were owned and operated by Broadwick Live, which Global last invested in back in 2016. Other Broadwick festivals, such as Electric Elephant, Snowbombing, Festival No. 6, Field Day and others, are believed to remain under Broadwick’s control, according to a report by IQ Magazine.

James Barton, CEO of Superstruct, said: “This acquisition further demonstrates that Superstruct is committed to building a strong portfolio of live entertainment brands. We look forward to supporting the different festivals in their growth in their respective markets.”

Superstruct, backed by Providence Equity Partners, owns and operates festivals and live music events including Sziget, elrow, Sónar, Øyafestivalen, Flow Festival and others.