The Curation · No. 2 · 23 October 2026
Bots in court, and the big promoters keep buying
The second Curation goes out on the last weekend of Amsterdam Dance Event. First the news worth knowing from the last fortnight: a federal case against a ticket broker, Ticketmaster's AI hires, AEG's move in France and the first 2027 bills. Then ten tracks by artists booked between now and late November, from Bilbao and Paris to Reykjavik, Utrecht and Mexico City.
The news
- The DOJ sues a broker over 18.5 million tickets
The Justice Department, on referral from the FTC, has charged San Diego broker REPS & Co. and three executives under the BOTS Act. The complaint says REPS used thousands of accounts to get around limits on Ticketmaster and AXS and made at least $120.8 million reselling tickets.
- Boardwalk Rock returns with Iron Maiden, Korn and Bad Omens
C3 Presents' festival, first held in 2025, returns to Ocean City, Maryland, from 14 to 16 May 2027, with Alice in Chains, Judas Priest and The Prodigy also on the bill. Iron Maiden's set ends a new North American run.
- Ticketmaster hires an Amazon veteran as CTO for an AI-first push
Jim Freeman, who helped launch Prime Video, fills a post vacant since February. Ticketmaster announced him on 19 October with two other senior hires and the team behind the AI startup Ragie.
- AEG Presents buys Auguri Productions in France
AEG has acquired the Paris artist development and concert production company led by Charles Bensmaine, which has worked with Stromae, Angèle and David Guetta. Terms were not disclosed.
- The American Music Tourism Act is now law
Donald Trump signed S. 195 on 9 October, the White House confirmed. The law tasks the Commerce Department with identifying US places and events important to music tourism, including venues of all sizes and festivals, and promoting travel to them.
- Live Nation calls the FTC's BOTS Act suit misguided
In a 37-page filing on 13 October in federal court in Los Angeles, Live Nation and Ticketmaster denied the FTC's claim that Ticketmaster profited from brokers who got around artists' ticket limits. The FTC and seven states sued in September 2025.
- Ultra Miami opens 2027 with more than 25 headliners
Armin van Buuren, Calvin Harris, Dom Dolla, Indira Paganotto, Martin Garrix and Mau P lead the first phase for Ultra's 27th edition, at Bayfront Park from 26 to 28 March. SOFI TUKKER's Animal Talk is the festival's first Live Stage takeover.
- WOMADelaide marks 35 years with Underworld and Angine de Poitrine
The Adelaide festival returns to Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla from 5 to 8 March 2027. Fatoumata Diawara and DakhaBrakha are also on the first full announcement, alongside the already confirmed Leon Bridges, Madness and Tinariwen.
Ten tracks
01
Expresso Transatlântico
Avalanche
Second preview of Trópico Paranóia, the Portuguese trio's 2026 album produced by Paulo Furtado, The Legendary Tigerman. Expresso Transatlântico are on the BIME Live bill in Bilbao.
02
DIIV
The Fountain
First single from ZIRP!, produced by A. G. Cook and due on Fantasy Recordings on 30 October. DIIV play Badaboum in Paris on 2 November.
03
Lido Pimienta
Marea
Shared three days before Caribenya, which ANTI- released on 17 July 2026. Lido Pimienta plays the Pitchfork Avant-Garde night across Bastille venues on 7 November.
04
05
06
Ángeles Toledano
X LAS NIÑAS - Alegrías
From Sangre sucia, the 2024 album by the cantaora from Villanueva de la Reina, Jaén, released on Universal. She plays Le Guess Who? on 5 and 6 November.
07
Loraine James
Habits and Patterns
Tirzah sings on this track from Detached From the Rest of You, Loraine James's May 2026 album. She plays Le Guess Who? on Friday 6 November.
08
Juana Molina
Siestas ahí
First single from DOGA, released on her own Sonamos label in November 2025, her first album since Halo in 2017. Juana Molina plays Le Guess Who? on 8 November.
09
10
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