Live Nation has acquired a controlling interest in regional UK promoter Cuffe & Taylor.
Preston-based Cuffe & Taylor, which opened a London office in 2015, was launched in 2009 and promotes events such as Greenwich Music Time and Lytham Festival. It will continue to be led by founders Daniel Cuffe (pictured left) and Peter Taylor (right) as joint directors.
Last year the company, which focuses on delivering shows in some of the UK's less fashionable regions and unusual locations, promoted Rod Stewart’s 2016 UK stadium tour and works with artists such as Tom Jones, Bryan Adams, Little Mix and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. In 2013 it staged a 40th anniversary celebration concert in the Highlands for Celtic rockers Runrig and has programmed Scarborough Open Air Theatre since 2016.
Live Nation president and CEO Michael Rapino said: “Our mission at Live Nation has never been clearer. We want to connect fans with the artists they love, and through this deal with Cuffe & Taylor we are able to offer fans in the UK, more choices than ever before.”
The deal comes days after Live Nation announced a deal with UK promoter Metropolis Music, which will see Metropolis integrated into the Live Nation team.
Denis Desmond, Live Nation UK chairman, said: “We look forward to welcoming Cuffe & Taylor to the Live Nation team to expand our overall presence across the UK regional markets. Both Daniel and Peter will jointly head up the new venture with Live Nation and the existing Cuffe & Taylor team and continue to deliver exceptional experiences for artists and fans.”
In a joint statement, Cuffe & Taylor directors Daniel Cuffe and Peter Taylor said: "After an incredible seven years operating as an independent promoter in the UK we are now looking forward to our new life as part of the Live Nation family. It's very much business as usual at Cuffe & Taylor as we continue to grow and develop our core brands of Lytham Festival, Greenwich Music Time and Scarborough Open Air Theatre while also developing our touring operation, taking established artists into new and exciting regional venues.”
Upcoming tours for Cuffe & Taylor include Cliff Richard, Shakin Stevens, Olly Murs and Bryan Adams. The company is also soon to announce events in Hull as part of the Capital of Culture celebrations.
Read Music Week's 2016 profile of Cuffe & Taylor here.
