Amazon revenue leaps by almost a third
Amazon's revenue was up 31% to $30.4 billion in the second quarter, in which it made $1.78 per share. Both numbers were significantly above Wall Street projections. The figures represented the fifth-straight quarter of profits for Amazon. (Billboard)
The O2 tops arena rankings
The O2 has retained its position as the No.1 arena for worldwide ticket sales in Pollstar's half-year rankings. The London venue sold 872,809 tickets in the first half of 2016, ahead of AccorHotels Arena in Paris on 513,616 and Manchester Arena, which shifted 493,830. Mexico City's Arena Ciudad De Mexico and Cologne's Lanxess Arena placed fourth and fifth respectively. The SSE Hydro in Glasgow was No.9 with sales of 358,271. (Pollstar)
New venue to open in London
A new music venue, Spiritland, is to open in King's Cross, London, in September. Formerly set up in the Merchants Tavern in Shoreditch, its new home in Stables Street has a café, a bar and a shop selling music on vinyl and CD alongside audio equipment and accessories. (Resident Advisor)
MQA nabs Warner exec Jbara
Music technology company MQA has hired Warner Music Group exec Mike Jbara as CEO. Jbara, who will sit on the board of MQA Ltd, was previously WMG's head of ADA Worldwide, president of WEA Corp. and most recently, EVP of Technology and Business Process. (CEPro)
Production Park launches new initiative
A new initiative to support and reward emerging backstage talent has been launched by music production giant Production Park. Production Futures, the first event of its kind taking place at Production Park in Wakefield on October 6 for students and graduates across the UK, will have a two-fold focus. By day, Production Futures will present a Recruitment Marketplace – offering real employment opportunities for graduates – an Education Zone and an Industry Forum with an inspiring programme of panel sessions, demonstrations and industry-driven networking opportunities. By night, Production Futures will introduce the first-ever Breakthrough Talent Awards in partnership with TPi, celebrating the stars of the future and recognising young talent, whose exceptional commitment sees them excel in their chosen field. The entire event, open to all in the production sector, will be free of charge for students and graduates.
Beyoncé tour grosses $123m to date
Beyoncé's Formation World Tour has grossed $123 million so far, according box office counts submitted promoter Live Nation. The tour’s opening run through the US and Canada attracted 972,719 attendees from 23 sold out performances. (Billboard)
New Music Week out now
The August 1 edition of Music Week includes the lowdown on the singles chart after Drake's One Dance fell one week short of equalling Bryan Adams' 25-year old record. We also look at plans for the new Bristol Arena, Courtyard Management's Brian Message gives a viewpoint on the FanFair Alliance, while Glassnote's Daniel Glass takes the Big Interview slot. Subscribe here.
