The Curation · No. 3 · 30 October 2026
Bots at the gate, and EXIT goes home
The third Curation goes out as November's showcase run begins. First the news worth knowing from the last week: bots breaking on-sales on both sides of the Atlantic, EXIT's return to Novi Sad, a tax cut for UK venues and a second Sphere. Then ten tracks by artists booked between now and late November, from Paris and Reykjavik to Utrecht and Mexico City.
The news
- A bot attack stalls Sam Fender's Newcastle presale
The presale for Fender's two St James' Park shows in June 2027 was moved by a day after what he called a sophisticated bot attack on ticketing site Gigantic. In Kansas City, Garth Brooks's team cancelled an added matinee after most of the more than 90,000 people in the queue turned out to be bots.
- EXIT is going back to Petrovaradin Fortress
After the student-led list won Serbia's snap election on 25 October, EXIT said it will return to its Novi Sad home with a special edition in 2027 ahead of a full-scale comeback in 2028. The festival says political, security and financial pressures kept it from staging a 2026 edition.
- The UK Budget raises business rates relief for venues to 35%
Chancellor John Healey's Autumn Budget lifted the cut in business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues from the 20% announced earlier this year to 35%. Music Venue Trust called it a positive step, while UK Music asked for the relief to reach recording studios too.
- Brazil's consumer regulator questions Live Nation over BTS screens
Senacon asked Live Nation Brasil and Ticketmaster Brasil why the South American leg of BTS' ARIRANG tour uses four stage screens instead of the 12 seen elsewhere, ahead of three shows at São Paulo's MorumBIS. Live Nation says the setup matches the event map published when sales opened in April.
- A second US Sphere clears its financing vote
Prince George's County Council voted 8-0 to authorise up to $215 million in special-obligation bonds for a 6,000-seat Sphere venue at National Harbor, Maryland. The county would also build a $40 million parking garage.
- Easol raises $30 million and launches AI agents for promoters
The London booking and payments platform says its Series A extension includes a $10 million debt facility and takes its total funding to $60 million. Easol also named Coachella, Stagecoach and Camp Flog Gnaw among its new clients.
- U2 take The Greatest Show On Earth to European stadiums in 2027
The European and UK leg opens at Stockholm's Strawberry Arena on 26 April and runs through Paris, Lisbon, Amsterdam, London and Berlin to Milan's San Siro on 6 July, with Wolf Alice supporting. Dates in Ireland, Spain and North America are still to come.
Ten tracks
01
Iceage
Star
From For Love of Grace & the Hereafter, Iceage's new album, with a video shared in March 2026. They play a double show at Main Room, Paris, on 2 November.
02
Bassvictim
Jagódki (Blueberries)
Shared on Bassvictim's own channel in September 2026. They play Le Trabendo in Paris on 4 November, sharing the bill with Evanora Unlimited.
03
04
05
Deafkids
CICATRIZES
Title track of CICATRIZES DO FUTURO, released by Neurot Recordings on 29 May 2026. Deafkids play Le Guess Who? on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November.
06
Deradoorian
Set Me Free
From Ready for Heaven, her album on Fire Records; Deradoorian has played in Dirty Projectors and Decisive Pink. She plays Le Guess Who? on 7 November.
07
Etran de L'Aïr
Ighre Massina
From 100% SAHARA GUITAR, released on Sahel Sounds in September 2024. Etran de L'Aïr play Le Guess Who? on Sunday 8 November, in the programme curated by Tropical Fuck Storm.
08
09
10
Next Friday, in your inbox
Get in touch
press@musictosee.comWant us to cover your event?
Festivals, showcases, conferences and tours. Send dates, the bill and who handles press.
Write to press@musictosee.com
Host a playlist
Artists, DJs and bookers: pick the ten tracks for one edition of The Curation.
Write to press@musictosee.com
Send your music
A private link is enough. Tell us where you are playing next.
Write to press@musictosee.com
Write to us
Tips, corrections, press releases, or anything else.
Write to press@musictosee.com