POWER 50 2025: Mark Vaughan (Live Nation)

BACKGROUND CHECK:

Having launched his career with years spent in Norway as a multi-hyphenate manager, promoter, and agent for Up Front Artists, and the General Manager for Atomic Soul ahead of its acquisition by All Things Live, Mark Vaughan's globe-trotting expertise has seen him establish a position as one of the country’s most impactful figures in the world of music

2025 sees Vaughan wrapping up his third year with Live Nation APAC, having joined the company as VP of their Talent & Artist Development AUS/NZ division in 2022, and moving up to Senior Vice President of Concerts and Touring in early 2024. In this position, Vaughan has been an instrumental force in delivering some of the most successful tours across Australia and New Zealand, including treks from the likes of Pearl Jam, Stray Kids, The Weeknd, and many more.

THE YEAR IN AUSTRALIAN MUSIC:

Vaughan’s leadership has seen Live Nation’s concerts division reach record-breaking results, with the company not only seeing their most successful year to date in 2024, but also delivering more than 50 stadium shows within the same year. This momentum has also seen Live Nation bringing their massive successes into 2025 as well. 

Alongside huge national treks from the likes of Oasis, Metallica, Green Day, Dua Lipa, and more in 2025, Vaughan’s vision as also resulted in recognition from the marketing worlds, with campaigns for Pearl Jam and The Weeknd taking home awards, including at the Clio Music Marketing Awards and Campaign Asia: Event Marketing Awards, celebrating innovation, creativity, and fan engagement.

The year isn’t over yet, either, with the summer period set to see the Spilt Milk festival taking place throughout December, while 2026 is shaping up to be a big one, with a strong championing of Aussie acts already resulting in huge tours for Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers, 5 Seconds Of Summer, Bernard Fanning, and more for the new year.

THE MUSIC SPEAKS:

While Live Nation is best known for bringing international superstars to stadiums near you, Vaughan is the one answering to industry legends Michael Coppell and Alex Klos and is where the buck stops for opportunities at the global behemoth for Australian music.

While Live Nation haven’t delivered Australian supports on all of their international shows this year, the reverence given to Ball Park Music on the recent Oasis shows, Lane Pittman on the Luke Combs tour, as well as headline tours for RÜFÜS DU SOL and Crowded House show that the power to create opportunities for local artists is understood.

Through the Ones To Watch and Sound Check series, the company has also used its immense audience to shine a light on local talent, campaigns that demonstrate an understanding that the whole ecosystem is important.