International News: Cartel Threats Cancel Grupo Firme Show; Laneway’s Attendance Record; Jacky Cheung Goes For A Grand & More

LATIN AMERICA

By Oscar Areliz

MEXICO

Grupo Firme Cancels Show Following Alleged Death Threats From Cartel

Regional Mexican standouts Grupo Firme canceled a March 1 performance in Mazatlán, a city located in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, following the discovery of a human head next to a banner, which had a threatening message.

The Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Baja California told reporters Wednesday that it is investigating the threat, which has not yet been tied to any specific organization.

Photos of the narcomanta — banners written by cartels to publicly threaten people — were posted on X, and the message read: “Grupo Firme, if you perform at the Carnaval de Mazatlán, we will kill all of you. Remember that you guys live in Tijuana. We will even kill the person who puts on the lights.”

Music VIP Entertainment and the group shared a statement on March 26 via Instagram confirming the cancellation but didn’t specify a reason.

“We are deeply saddened to inform you that Grupo Firme’s March 1 show at Carnaval Mazatlán is canceled,” the group’s statement read in Spanish. “For Music VIP, the well-being of those who have accompanied us on this journey: our family, which is all of you, our fans, are and always will be the most important.”

The Mexican leg of Grupo Firme’s “La Última Peda Tour” now begins April 4 at Palenque Expogan in Hermosillo, Sonora. The routing includes stops at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez’s Explanada de la Mexicanidad, Estadio Olímpico in Querétaro and Estadio Revolución in Torreón. Grupo Firme will make their way back to the States this June with performances at La Onda Festival in Napa Valley, California, and at Houston’s H-Town Bash.

It’s not the first time a singer has had to call off a concert following a threat. Gerardo Ortiz, a Southern California native, canceled a show in Acapulco four years ago after his life was threatened. He was also arrested in 2016 by federal police in Guadalajara on the charges of “criminal exaltation” for his “Fuiste Mía” music video, which depicts graphic violence against women and was condemned by the Mexican government.

Mexican superstar Peso Pluma was also forced to cancel performances in 2023 after being narcomantas threatening the singer’s life were found in Tijuana.

Grupo Firme is repped by Creative Artists Agency’s Omar Garcia and managed by Isael Gutiérrez of Music VIP Entertainment. The group is one of the most successful Mexican acts of the past decade with successful outings in major arenas and stadiums. Grupo Firme played a sold-out show at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles last November which grossed $3.5 million off 20,479 tickets, according to Pollstar Boxoffice reports.

CHILE

Viña Del Mar Fest Performances Postponed Due To Blackout

The popular Viña del Mar Festival, produced by Bizarro Live Entertainment along with Megamedia, was forced to postpone performances on Feb. 25 because of a widespread blackout in Chile.

A failed transmission line in the northern part of the country left the majority of the population without power. More than eight million homes were without power as a result of the nation’s worst blackout in over a decade, paralyzing businesses across the nation and forcing the government to declare a state of emergency.

The coastal city of Viña del Mar, northwest of the nation’s capital, Santiago, was also affected, prompting festival organizers to postpone Tuesday’s activities. Colombian stars Morat and Sebastián Yatra, who were scheduled to perform on Feb. 25, will now take the stage Feb. 29.

Many attendees were already present for the festival’s activities and were asked to “leave calmly and peacefully” when the power went out in the afternoon.

“We deeply regret having to inform you that due to the state of the emergency decreed by the Chilean government, tonight’s shows must be rescheduled for March 1, 2025,” read the statement posted on the Viña del Mar Festival’s social media. “We know how much you have been waiting for this moment and how important it is for you, that is why we want to assure you that the confirmed artists and comedian will be present on the new date, maintaining the same schedule.

Fans who purchased tickets for Tuesday have the option of requesting a full refund via puntoticket.com beginning March 3.

“We understand the frustration this may cause, and we sincerely apologize for this unexpected change. We appreciate your understanding and support at this time. The most important thing is that everyone is well and safe.”

The 64th edition of the festival resumed activities on Wednesday with Colombian legend Carlos Vives taking the stage as well as Grammy-winning Mexican star Carin León.

The six-day event continued Thursday with Incubus, The Cult and comedy act Juan Pablo López. Friday’s performers include Duki, Eladio Carrión and Kidd Voodoo. Marc Anthony and Bacilos kicked off the festivities on Feb. 23 and Myriam Hernández and Ha*Ash took the stage the following day.

AUSTRALASIA

By Christie Eliezer

John Watson Wins Artist Manager Gong

John Watson was an advance winner of the Association of Artist Managers awards, to be held fourth time April 30 in Melbourne.

He got the Legacy gong for 30 years of John Watson Management, set up in 1995 to guide Silverchair after he co-signed the teen phenomenon at Sony Music Entertainment.

Sharing the win with long-time GM Melissa Chenery and CFO Skye Nevin, JWM’s roster includes Cold Chisel (co-managed with John O’Donnell), Peter Garrett, Gotye, Missy Higgins, Midnight Oil, Birds Of Tokyo and The Presets.

Watson, a former indie musician, record store staffer and music journalist, is instrumental in the AAM’s Michael’s Rule campaign to ensure Australian acts open on international tours and have the same production and marketing.

“It’s never been more critical to keep advocating for more Australian songs on our stages, on our airwaves, and on the multinational platforms through which most people discover music,” Watson said.  “The AAM is a key voice in this advocacy and I’m very proud to be a part of it.”

Laneway Hits Highest Attendance

Laneway festival wrapped up its Feb. 6 to 16 run with the highest attendance in its 20-year history. It drew 200,000 with sell-outs in six cities, along with 40,000 for sideshows.

Audiences were treated to headliners as Charli XCX, Clairo and Beabadoobee guesting on each others’ sets.

Kylie Minogue Star At Melbourne Park

The Melbourne Park precinct presented Kylie Minogue with a commemorative star recognising her live success there.

Three sell outs at Rod Laver Arena Feb. 20, 21 and 22 as part of her “Tension” tour brought to a total 386,000 tix from 33 shows staged by the singer since Feb. 1990 in her hometown.

CEO John Harnden cited her “longstanding and record-breaking association with Melbourne Park” as “fitting we celebrate her amazing legacy with this star, cementing her name in the history of this great destination for live events.”

Minogue’s star is in the forecourt of Rod Laver Arena near the statue of the late Michael Gudinski who signed her his record label and whose Frontier Touring handled all her tours.

“It seems appropriate that MG will be watching over my star each day,” Minogue commented.

After wrapping up in Australia in Sydney March 3, the “Tension” tour heads to Asia, Canada, North America, the UK, Europe and Latin America.

17 More For Great Escape

Seventeen more Aussie acts were added to the UK’s The Great Escape in May. They included rock bands Beddy Rays, DICE, Eggy, Gauci and Sly Withers; singer songwriters Kita Alexander, Total Tommy and Stella Bridie; First Nations storyteller Tjaka; punk hip hopper Redd; and adult contemporary singer Donny Benét.

They join the already-announced First Nations singer-songwriters Miss Kaninna and Tia Gostelow, writer-producer Nick Ward and guitar band South Summit.

NEW ZEALAND

Lorde, Kimbra On Global Impact List

Pop superstar and live drawcard Lorde remains the most streamed NZ artist outside Aotearoa, with two tracks in the Top 5 of Spotify’s 30-strong Spotify’s Aotearoa Music Global Impact List –  a Charli XCX collab “Girl, So Confusing” at #2 and “Take Me To The River” at #5.

Kimbra topped the list with a remix of her hit duet with Gotye’s “Somebody I Used to Know”.

Also in the Top 30 were major concert attractions, electro-reggae L.A.B, alt-pop star Benee and electronic musician BAYNK.

ASIA

By Phil Brasor

MALAYSIA

Court Backs The 1975 In Kiss Spat With Festival

The Associated Press reports that a London court ruled on February 24 that British band The 1975 is not “personally liable” for losses incurred by a Malaysian music festival that was cancelled by authorities after the lead singer, Matty Healy, kissed a bandmate on stage. The promoter of the Good Vibes Festival, the first night of which The 1975 was headlining in July 2023, had been seeking $2.4 million from the band to cover losses when the festival was shut down after Healy heatedly criticized Malaysia’s anti-homosexuality laws during the group’s performance and then kissed bass player Ross MacDonald. 

Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, and Healy’s rant and kiss scandalized the authorities since homosexuality is a crime that can land violators up to 20 years in prison, not to mention corporal punishment in the form of caning. The group was also criticized by some LGBTQ+ organizations that said Healy’s remarks put its community at risk in the country. 

The promoter, Future Sound Asia, sued The 1975 Productions LP in Londong’s high court, saying the group breached its contract, but The 1975’s lawyer countered that the suit “should only target the company, not the musicians,” according to AP. The judge ruled that the claims against the group were “bad as a matter of law” and that there is no good reason why the matter should go to trial. The case could proceed against the company, but first FSA had to pay the equivalent of $126,000 in legal costs. The band’s lawyer said that the claim was not legitimate because the FSA only had a contract with the group’s company but had tried “to pin liability on individuals.” 

FSA’s attorney claimed that initially the Malaysian authorities had refused to allow the band to perform because of Healy’s reported drug use in the past, but changed their mind after “the band promised he would follow guidelines and regulations.” In fact, The 1975 performed at Good Vibes in 2016 after agreeing to behave themselves, as it were, so in that regard, said FSA’s lawyer, it appeared they had “deliberately provoked Malaysian authorities in 2023 by smuggling a bottle of wine on stage” and carrying out an “obscene speech.” 

The 1975 has since been banned from ever again playing in Malaysia.

CHINA

Jacky Cheung Hits 1,000 Shows

On February 23, Cantopop singer Jacky Cheung marked the 1,000th concert of his 40-year career with a show in Haikou, China, making him the first Chinese-language singer to pass such a landmark, according to China Daily. Cheung has embarked on 10 world tours since his first solo outing in 1987, comprising more than 100 cities in 18 countries and regions for millions of fans. The 63-year-old artist is still in the midst of his “Jacky Cheung 60+ World Tour,” which has already compiled 218 shows. 

Cheung debuted in 1984 and has released more than 50 albums. Adam Granite, the executive vice president of marketing at Universal Music Group said during a special ceremony in Haikou, “Jacky Cheung’s…profound influence on popular culture has long transcended the Chinese music industry. In terms of album sales…Jacky Cheung is truly a world-class superstar. Reaching 1,000 tour concerts is an achievement few musicians experience, even globally.”

Timothy Xu, CEO of Universal Music Greater China, added, “It is an honor to witness this milestone. Jacky Cheung is not only our pride but also a benchmark in the Chinese music world. We look forward to continuing this journey with him, exploring the infinite possibilities and advancing the global influence of Chinese culture.”

Some of Cheung’s world records over the years include 100 concerts performed in 1995 alone, and a 2010 world tour that attracted more than 2 million fans in a single year. His 2016 “Classic Tour” went on for two years and three months, culminating in 233 shows, thus making it the biggest tour by any Chinese artist at the time. 

In celebration of the 1,000th milestone, Cheung himself reflected, “One thousand performances signify nearly 3,000 hours spent on stage over the past 40 years. I believe I have shown enough sincerity and love for this platform. Thank you to every fan who has allowed me to stand here, whether present today or not. My past is filled with your love and support. Without you, I could not pursue what I love most.”

JAPAN

Fred again…, Vulfpeck, Vampire Weekend Top Fuji Rock

Smash Corporation has announced the first list of artists who will appear at this year’s Fuji Rock Festival in the mountains of Niigata Prefecture, Japan, July 25-27. The tentative headliners are Fred again…, Vulfpeck and Vampire Weekend. Other acts include Ezra Collective, OK Go, Tycho, Mdou Moctar, Four Tet, James Blake, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, Faye Webster, Haim, Galactic, Ovall, the Hives and Jake Shimabukuro Band. Among the Japanese acts are the country’s number-one rap outfit Creepy Nuts and hugely popular rock band Radwimps, but the big surprise is the appearance of the acknowledged creator of the genre known as City Pop, Tatsuro Yamashita, whose live appearances have become very rare in recent years. 

The other big international summer music festival in Japan, Summer Sonic, also announced the first two acts for its 24th edition on the weekend of August 16-17 in Tokyo and Osaka: Fall Out Boy and the Japanese group Official Hige Dandism. Fall Out Boy is being touted as one of the headliners, so it remains to be seen who will be the other. 

INDIA

Eminem Latest To Break Into India

Eminem has announced his first-ever concerts in India. According to various local media, he will perform in Mumbai on June 3 as part of his upcoming world tour. So far, no details have been disclosed about the venue or ticket prices. During the Asia leg of the tour, Eminem will also visit Tokyo on May 20 and Seoul on May 27.

In other concert news, Elton John and K-pop star G-Dragon will headline the concert portion of the Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2025, which will take place along the Marina Bay Street Circuit. 

Also, according to the website Travel + Leisure Asia, the electronic music festival Creamfields Hong Kong 2025 has been cancelled by the organizers “due to unforeseeable circumstances.” No further details were made available.