MELBOURNE, Australia — Roger Field returns to the live music industry with a new venture, Further Afield.
The former Live Nation Asia Pacific president helms the advisory business, which will guide clients looking to interact with live events, with a focus on business development, market insights and industry advocacy.
His approach, Field explains, is built on creating new ways to “connect the previously unconnected.”
Also, the Melbourne-based executive will leverage his know-how on advocating with government on live events.
“My previous role leading an APAC organization of 300-plus people and tens of millions of dollars turnover gave me the privilege of dealing with prime ministers, premiers, politicians, media and peak bodies,” he comments, “leading to a significantly improved appreciation of the capability, scale and value of the live industry.”
Prior to splitting with LN in late 2023, Field was regularly identified as one of Billboard’s international power players, a key figure in live entertainment who led the concerts giant’s presence across Australia and New Zealand, before taking the reins in a pan-Asia Pacific role.
Field logged 13 years with the company, joining in 2010 at the launch of Live Nation Australia. Two years later, LN acquired Michael Coppel Presents, reuniting the concerts specialists (Field had worked with Coppel in 2003). The promotions would come, with Field elevated from vice president of promotions to chief operating officer, then CEO for Australia and NZ.
Another elevation came in 2020, when Field was appointed LN president, Asia Pacific, a new position.
At the height of the pandemic, in mid-2020, Field was appointed to a leadership role for the Live Entertainment Industry Forum (LEIF), created to help safely reactivate concerts, sports and shows of all kinds as restrictions across the country were eased, and he was part of a music industry delegation that helped secure a A$250 million federal government “lifeline” for the music industry.
During his time leading LN’s affiliate, Field oversaw stadium tours for likes of Taylor Swift, Coldplay, U2 and Red Hot Chili Peppers, the business diversified with its VIP offering, brand partnerships with the likes of National Australia Bank, Telstra and American Express, formed strategic partnerships with government and private entities including Secret Sounds, and added a slew of venues to LN’s portfolio.
“The live events industry isn’t particularly easy for outsiders to understand and navigate, and I see this as a huge, missed opportunity,” he says of his new business. “I’m already working with some fantastic clients, and my time away has reaffirmed that there are so many opportunities for adjacent markets, private equity and venture capital to proactively engage with the live events industry.”
