AEG Presents & Avex Entertainment Announce Joint Partnership

AEG Presents and Japanese music company Avex Entertainment Incorporated have announced the formation of a joint partnership called AEGX that promises to “create international opportunities in both artist development and live entertainment.”

Avex was launched as an independent dance music label in 1988 and its business has evolved to include music, artist and talent management, along with concerts, events, merchandising, fan clubs, and music and video subscription services. Avex Entertainment is responsible for the company’s music production and distribution, planning and production of live concerts and events, and merchandise.

In addition to continuing AEG Presents’ expansion in the Japan market, the joint partnership will give international artists a boost in reaching audiences in Japan by utilizing Avex’s resources and platform identity. AEGX is a win for Avex by helping to expand the profile of the company’s artists and brand globally via AEG Presents’ portfolio of venues, festivals, and global touring partnerships.

The March 1 announcement about AEGX notes that partnership’s initial focus is co-promoting AEG artists in Japan, developing music festivals and venues in the market and promoting global tours for Asian artists (both those signed to Avex and otherwise). 

“This is really a perfect example of synergies being scaled for the benefit of global artist development, which is at the core of what we do,” AEG Presents Chairman and CEO Jay Marciano said in a statement.  “Partnering with Avex to launch AEGX gives both Avex and AEG Presents a path to create real opportunities for musicians who increasingly see the world as a borderless global community.  I can’t wait to see what we all do together.”

Katsumi Kuroiwa, President and CEO of Avex, added: “We are very excited to announce the launch of AEGX with AEG Presents. Our companies both share the same goal with this new partnership: AEGX will serve music fans around the world by contributing to the global development of western artists, while also expanding the reach of Japanese artists beyond its borders.  The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of the positive power and limitless potential of music and entertainment.  We are thrilled to take this stride forward together and look forward to the future.”

As one of the leading promoters in the world, AEG Presents’ portfolio of premier events features Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, British Summer Time at Hyde Park, Stagecoach, Hangout Festival, Electric Forest, and Firefly. The company promotes tours for major artists including Kenny Chesney, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift and its network of renowned venues ranges from West Hollywood’s The Roxy to London’s Eventim Apollo. AEG’s partners include Concerts West, Messina Touring Group, Frontier Touring, The Bowery Presents, PromoWest Productions, Marshall Arts, and Zero Mile Presents.

After wreaking havoc on 2020 tours and festivals COVID-19 has continued to affect 2021 dates. While the vaccine rollout continues some events have postponed to the fall. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which was originally scheduled for April 22-May 1, has announced it is moving to Oct. 8-17 this year, with details about the lineup coming in the spring. Hangout Music Festival organizers announced in February that they won’t be able to host its fest in May but they “are exploring options for a 2021 Hangout event in the fall.”