International News: Legends Global’s Lister Bows Out After 50 Years; Limp Bizkit Breaks Malaysia

AUSTRALASIA

by Christie Eliezer

AUSTRALIA

Legend Global’s Harvey Lister Calling Time On 50-Year Career

Harvey Lister, president and chief executive of Legends Global’s Asia Pacific and Middle East operations, stepped down effective June 30. 

He will serve as senior advisor for the next 12 months to support the transition of the business and focus on various major pipeline projects.

“We really are in the ‘goosebumps’ industry,” said 73-year old Lister who wants to care for his wife of 46 years, Margie, who is battling Parkinson’s disease.

COO Peter Loxton leads the region from July 1, reporting to Legends Global chief executive Dan Levy. Paul Sergeant continues as executive VP for the region.

Levy said, “Harvey is never short on stories, and he is held in the highest regard around the world in the live entertainment industry.”

Brisbane-based Lister began his events management company in 1975 with A$50 savings.

In the last six months, Legends Global signed a joint venture with Saudi Arabia’s Event Investment Fund to deliver three venues including a 45,000-capacity arena by 2034.

The Queensland government confirmed the biggest upgrade in 23 years to Brisbane’s 52,500-seat Suncorp Stadium which Legends Global operates.

The government is also to decide if Lister’s consortium, one of two shortlisted, is green-lighted for the 17,000-seat Brisbane Arena to be delivered by the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

Suncorp Stadium Hits 1 Million Patrons In 2026

Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium welcomed more than 1 million patrons (1,035,753) on the weekend of June 27/28 after two blockbuster National Rugby League games.

Stadium GM Darren Burden called the venue “the hardest working stadium in Australia and hosting one million patrons in the first six months is an incredible achievement.”

In May it welcomed its 25^th millionth customer since it re-opened 2003 post-redevelopment.

Marvel Stadium Launches ‘365’ Initiatives

Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium has more ‘365’ initiatives to draw more patrons through the year.

From July the 365 Tour uses AI and new tech to take patrons backstage, coaches’ briefing room and boxes, Stadium Square, a walk through 10 murals, Medallion Club restaurants, the Coca-Cola Hub, Field and the Marvel Super Store.

In late 2026, the 365 Climb lets visitors scale the roofline for a sky-high vantage point, watch events from the roof, and abseiling experiences.

“We’re delivering on our vision to make this a true year-round destination, offering world-class experiences every single day,” general manager  Scott Fitzgerald said.

Executive Shine At Venue Management Awards

At the Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific)’s 2026 Venue Industry Awards, Marvel Stadium GM Scott Fitzgerald took venue professional, while Marvel Stadium won Venue Innovation “recognising how it has delivered meaningful outcomes for venues, guests, teams and the broader industry.”

Ticketmaster Australia managing director Gavin Taylor was named allied professional while Esha Kumar, legal counsel at Melbourne Park, was gonged for young achiever of the year.

NEW ZEALAND

Eden Park Gets First Health & Safety Certificate

Auckland’s Eden Park is the first stadium in Australasia to achieve ISO 45001:2018 certification, the internationally recognised standard for occupational health and safety management systems.

It was awarded following an independent audit of the venue’s health and safety management systems, policies and workplace practices, and 

It hass robust processes in place to identify, manage and continually improve health and safety performance across all areas of its operation.

Nick Sautner, Eden Park CEO said, “As New Zealand’s national stadium, we host a diverse calendar of events ranging from international sport and major concerts to community activities and business events. 

“Regardless of the event, the safety and wellbeing of our people, partners and visitors will always remain our highest priority.”

ASIA

by Phil Brasor

MALAYSIA

Limp Bizkit To Make Malaysia Debut

Limp Bizkit has announced their first-ever concert in Malaysia. The American nu-metal band will play at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on December 9. According to the Straits Times, the show is historic in another way: it will be Limp Bizkit’s only concert in Asia for its upcoming tour, so if any Asian fans want to catch the band live they’re going to have to fly to Kuala Lumpur. 

The concert is being organized by Hitman Solutions, whose founder and CEO told the Straits Times, “This is a major milestone, not only for us as organizers, but for rock and alternative music fans across the region. For more than three decades, Limp Bizkit has shaped the sound and culture of modern rock, yet Malaysian fans have never had the chance to experience them live here.” 

The company’s head of special projects, Keeran D, added, “With Kuala Lumpur confirmed as their only stop in Asia this year, this show becomes even more special. We are proud to make Malaysia the destination for fans across Asia to come together and witness a truly iconic band live on stage.” 

SINGAPORE

Janet Jackson, Goo Goo Dolls, Split Enz To Headline Grand Prix Concerts

In other Southeast Asia concert news, the organizers of the Singapore Grand Prix have announced the artists who will appear at the attached concert this fall. The headliners will be Janet Jackson on October 11, the Goo Goo Dolls on October 10 and Split Enz on October 9.

Additional acts include JJ Lin, the hot new K-pop group Cortis, Zara Larsson, James Arthur and Hyo of the K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation,  who will do a DJ set. 

More artists will be announced in coming weeks. 

New Asia Comms Chief For Live Nation

Live Nation has announced the appointment of Arush Maheshwari as director of communications, Asia. Based in Singapore, Maheshwari will be in charge of strategic communications, media relations, crisis communications and stakeholder engagement intitiatives throughout Asia as the company expands its reach across the region. 

Maheshwari has 13 years of experience in corporate communications and public relations. Prior to working for Live Nation, she held a communications position at Netflix Asia, as well as similar positions at BookMyShow and Grab. 

Her appointment comes at a time when Asia has become an important market for live entertainment. Live Nation has expanded its presence beyond the traditional areas of Japan and South Korea to become a key player in Southeast Asia and India, capitalizing on the demand for international concerts and music festivals. Its ties with the Indian market have deepened with its partnership with BookMyShow, which handles the new localized Lollapalooza festival in Mumbai. 

JAPAN

Turnstile, Mitski Add Japan Shows

Two foreign acts who are appearing at the Fuji Rock Festival at the Naeba Ski Resort July 24-26 have set up standalone shows in Tokyo while they’re in Japan. Turnstile, who will be playing on the main Green Stage, has announced a concert at Club Citta in the city of Kawasaki, a suburb of Tokyo, on July 22. Mitski, who will headline the White Stage on the last day of the festival, will play a special show at Zepp DiverCity on the Tokyo waterfront July 28. In addition, Tomora, also a White Stage headliner, will return to Japan in the fall for a concert at the Tokyo Garden Theater on October 1.