2026 Impact INTL: Australia/New Zealand Honoree: Mark Vaughan

Mark Vaughan
SVP, Concerts & Touring
Live Nation Australia/New Zealand

FIRST/MOST RECENT LIFE-CHANGING CONCERT: “First concert –  Bon Jovi ‘Keep The Faith tour.’ Most recent – Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball – theatrical in every sense and an absolutely epic show.”

Starting out in Norway as manager, promoter and agent Mark Vaughan joined Live Nation APAC in 2022 and took over his current role two years later.

That year, Live Nation staged 50 stadium shows and Vaughan took home marketing awards for Pearl Jam and The Weeknd campaigns.

“The last 12 months have been incredibly busy,” he says, noting tours on the continent by Metallica, Oasis and Lady Gaga. Of festivals, Spilt Milk was revived with Kendrick Lamar headlining, and Strummingbird launched with Jelly Roll as headliner. 

“It’s been a massive year, and seeing fans turn out in huge numbers across so many different genres has been incredibly rewarding,” he says, adding that the Australia and New Zealand markets “Per capita, punch well above their weight in ticket sales and fan engagement. 

“The challenge is geography. Touring here requires a significant commitment in travel, freight and cost, so every visit has to stack up. But artists who make the trip are rewarded with some of the world’s most passionate crowds, and that’s why so many come back.”

LN is on track to deliver twice as many tours in the second half of 2026 as it did in the same period 2025. Zara Larsson, Noah Kahan and Hilary Duff are sold out. 

In 2027 BTS bring their massive in-the-round production, more major events are to be announced.

“Work hard, stay grounded and treat people well,” is some sage advice from Vaughan, who says the best he’s received personally is to “Get out and meet people. Go to shows, festivals and conferences. You can’t build relationships from behind a desk.” 

Previous highlights include “Working with Kraftwerk and their 3D Catalogue shows in Oslo,” which he says “was a pivotal moment and changed the course of my career.” 

These days outside of work, he likes “Spending time with my 3-year-old daughter and making sure I’m taking care of my health and staying active.”