The Future is Decentralised: Reinventing the Wheel of Live Events

Despite still reeling from the pandemic and being overlooked for several big-name shows in Southeast Asia, Malaysia still managed to host 31 out of 43 music festivals announced in 2024.

While some were amazing, others left fans wanting more. Yet, considering the challenges facing event organisers worldwide – inflation, rising operational costs, and poor ticket sales – this is by no means a small feat.

Southeast Asia’s live event market is also booming. With Rolling Loud and Wonderfruit taking place in Thailand and concerts from icons such as Coldplay and Bruno Mars setting new standards, the region is projected to generate close to US$770 million by 2028.?

Large-scale events alone are expected to contribute US$550 million in ticket sales, with spending on concessions and merchandise forecast to grow steadily at a 15% CAGR. This positions Malaysia perfectly to re-establish itself as a live entertainment hub in Southeast Asia in 2025.?

Breaking the Cycle: Why Traditional Forms of Live Entertainment No Longer Cut It

However, organisers in Malaysia are dealing with a creativity crisis. Out of the 31 music festivals held last year, 12 were headlined by the same three bands: Hujan, Masdo, and Bunkface.?

While we have a ton of respect for these legendary acts, having the same performers headline nearly 40% of festivals feels like a missed opportunity to showcase fresh talent.?

But this isn’t just happening in Malaysia; it’s a global trend. For example, seven artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Lizzo, and Tame Impala, performed at 12 major festivals between 2013 and 2023. Meanwhile, Chromeo (2014) and Vince Staples (2016) set the record for playing 10 out of these 12 festivals within a single year. More recently, in 2023, the Arctic Monkeys were announced as the headliners for Glastonbury — their third time after 2007 and 2013.

The reality is that today’s fans aren’t just buying concert tickets. Social media, K-pop, eSports, and pop culture have reshaped expectations, driving Millennials and Gen-Z in Southeast Asia to seek unique, shareable experiences. Coupled with improved infrastructure and newer venues enhancing accessibility across the region, organisers have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tap into a market that could grow to US$925 million by 2028.?

More importantly, this shift allows fans to actively participate in the experience instead of just being passive observers.?

All-Access’ AI-Powered Future: Building Better Fan-Creator Connections

Recognising this, All-Access (AAA) has built a platform that fosters deeper connections between fans, creators and communities.

Using Web3, we engage fans through interactive quests and tasks before or during an event. As they participate, they earn points that unlock exclusive rewards, including ticket upgrades, VIP treatment to and from events, meet-and-greets, and backstage passes.

Looking ahead, we’re introducing an AI-powered companion that will learn fans' preferences and design quests tailored to their unique interests.

But these tools will not only boost fan engagement but can also transform event planning. Here’s how:

• Fan predictions: By analysing past data, market trends, and event-specific factors, organisers can make more informed decisions.
• Financial projections: With better budgeting, ticket pricing, and resource allocation, organisers can maximise profitability while keeping fans happy.
• Task automation: By streamlining processes like venue selection, registration management, and data analysis, organisers can focus on strategy rather than logistics.

We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: the future of live entertainment is decentralised. Why? Because decentralisation frees creators from corporate gatekeepers and third-party platforms, and enables them to produce experiences that transcend music. By integrating AI and Web3, brands can open doors to unprecedented opportunities for fan participation, and usher in a new era where fans are the driving force, not just passive consumers.

All-Access (AAA) is on a mission to bring live experiences on-chain, unlocking the power of fans and rewarding them with real-world experiences (RWEs). We tokenise fan loyalty through hyper-engagement campaigns featuring quests, tasks, and RWE rewards, catering to the Global Experience Economy, which is valued at US$12 trillion. With over 53 independent brands and creators in the AAA network, we are the largest network of festival IPs in Asia and Australia. For more information, visit https://www.all-access.io/.