TEG Acquires Major Stake In Handsome Tours

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Sydney-based global promoter, Ticketek owner and data analyst TEG has acquired a major stake in Australia’s Handsome Tours.

Handsome Tours has acquired a considerable reputation for breaking alt-pop, indie rock and hip-hop acts in Australia and New Zealand over the past 20 years. These have included Bon Iver, The xx, Gang Of Youths, Stormzy, Phoebe Bridgers, Freddie Gibbs, Middle Kids, The War On Drugs, AJ Tracey, The National, Fontaines D.C, Jamie xx and Dave.

Handsome’s more recent highlights included Gang Of Youths’ “Say Yes To Life Tour,” which sold over 50,000 tickets and broke venue records, as well as 2020’s “Down To Earth – A Bushfire and Climate Fundraiser at Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne,” which raised over A$1.4 million ($1.08 million) for bushfire relief with a line-up including Gang Of Youths, Tash Sultana, Angus & Julia Stone and Thelma Plum.

TEG CEO Geoff Jones said, “Time and time again, Handsome Tours have showcased their ability to discover new talent and nurture it from the tiniest of clubs to sold out theatres and arenas.

“The team’s passionate work ethic and artist-first philosophy is the perfect complement to TEG’s integrated model, built on client-first technology solutions and customer-first ticketing services.”

As part of the deal Jones and TEG CFO Sandra Rouse join the Handsome board.

Mark Dodds remains with Handsome Tours as managing director while Colin Daniels assumes the role of executive director. Founding partners Ashley Sellers, Mathew Everett and Justin Cosby will depart.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with TEG to write the next chapter for Handsome Tours,” said Dodds in a statement.

“Handsome has always been known for breaking artists but we’re even prouder of our record of contributing to sustained artist careers.

“Belonging to a world-class group like TEG will empower us to speak to more music-lovers in more sophisticated ways than ever before, delivering bigger outcomes for agents, managers and their talent at every point of an act’s journey.”

courtesy of TEG – TEG CEO Geoff Jones

TEG was acquired in October 2019 by U.S.-based private equity giant Silver Lake in a deal believed to be worth close to A$1.3 billion ($1 billion) and has since brought in UK-based promoter and venue operator MJR Group and Australia’s The Dainty Group, concerts and theatrical Van Egmond Group and children’s show touring business Life Like Touring to the fold.