Asia News: Vampire Weekend Joins Fuji Rock; Live Nation Expands To Philippines; Korean Restrictions Lifted

JAPAN

Vampire Weekend Joins Fuji Rock

The Fuji Rock Festival, which takes place July 29-31 at the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, has announced its third headliner to join Jack White and Halsey.

Vampire Weekend will be playing the final night of the festival on the main Green Stage. Also added to the roster are The Hu, JPEGMAFIA and Bloodywood.

In other tour news, Sigur Rós has announced the Asian leg of their upcoming world tour. The Icelandic group will play the Star Theater in Singapore on Aug. 17, Seoul on Aug. 19, Zepp Osaka Bayside in Osaka, Japan Aug. 22, Tokyo Garden Theater Aug. 25 and Bangkok, Thailand Aug. 28. The venues for Seoul and Bangkok have yet to be announced.

PHILIPPINES

Live Nation Expands Into Philippines

Live Nation has acquired the Manila-based promoter Music Management International to launch its own business in the Philippines.

Rhiza Pascua, who runs MMI, was appointed managing director of Live Nation Philippines.
MMI, which was established more than 20 years ago, is the Philippines’ leading concert promoter, having brought Madonna, Coldplay, U2, Harry Styles and many others to the southeast Asian country.

Since 2014, Live Nation and MMI have collaborated on concert tours. In a statement, Roger Field, the president of Live Nation Asia Pacific said that his company has had “a long-standing and successful relationship with MMI” and the launch of Live Nation Philippines “is the natural next step in our committed growth in the Asia Pacific region.”

In addition, Field wrote, “Rhiza is a formidable operator and has put the Philippines firmly on the global touring map. MMI adds another part to our network and our vision to deliver exceptional live entertainment experiences to music fans and more opportunities for artists to grow their audience across the world.”

KOREA

COVID Restrictions Lifted

According to the Korea Herald, on April 18 all COVID-related restrictions on pop concerts were lifted, meaning that fans could cheer and sing along with their idols on stage during performances.

In recent months, audience members at pop shows were asked to not vocalize at all during concerts and only show their appreciation through applause.

The Herald reports that Korean music fans are particularly fond of singing along with artists, and that the ban on singing was acutely felt.

One critic told the newspaper that this habit is “rooted in the nation’s traditional performing arts, in which audience participation played an essential part.”