Empire Entertainment Japan is delighted to introduce its newest venture SOHO Live, an innovative live music company specializing in crafting unforgettable concerts inspired by beloved media franchises.

Collaborating with companies holding iconic IPs, SOHO Live is dedicated to curating live experiences that resonate with each IP's core values, offering fans an unprecedented opportunity to immerse themselves in their cherished franchises.

On October 10th, 2023, SOHO Live unveiled its first original production, "Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons". It's the official live concert of the immensely popular video game Stardew Valley, which boasts a staggering 20 million copies sold worldwide and maintains a prominent presence atop the Steam charts. The trailer for the official Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons concert can be found here.

Embarking on its first tour in 2024, SOHO Live will bring the game soundtrack to life in 19 spectacular shows spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. All 19 shows of SOHO Live’s first original production sold out in mere minutes. With the extraordinary demand and successful launch of its first original production, SOHO Live will be announcing additional dates and cities to the tour calendar in the near future.

Additional upcoming shows in the 2024 SOHO Live schedule include the official concert of Sonic the Hedgehog in Tokyo, and the official Final Fantasy concert in Rome.

SOHO Live is a collaborative endeavor between Empire Entertainment Japan and Gaetano Fazio, a Tokyo-based entertainment professional with a distinguished background in advertising and an unwavering passion for the worlds of gaming and music.

In our ongoing pursuit of delivering unparalleled experiences and harnessing the allure of some of the world's most captivating brands and franchises, Empire is thrilled to welcome SOHO Live into our family of companies.​

The theme for the 78th annual United Nations General Assembly was “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.”

To reflect this theme and to answer the urgent need to put the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track, a bold initiative took shape to create a purpose-built SDG Pavilion on the grounds of the United Nations during UN General Assembly week to bring together world leaders, business decision makers, NGOs, celebrities, and advocates.

The custom-built venue featured a large tent structure, encased by an interactive scenic installation by world-renowned designer Es Devlin, that represented the 17 SDGs. Each 16’-tall monolith represented one of the SDGs and contained a multimedia exhibit from different cultural collaborators that spoke to the Goals, from zero hunger and quality education to responsible consumption and production.

The Pavilion interior transported guests into a forest with over 100 living trees and plants. All fauna species were indigenous to New York and found a second life after the Pavilion with the New York Restoration Project, a local organization whose mission is to work collaboratively with communities across the five boroughs to renovate gardens, restore parks, and plant trees to transform the city’s landscape.

Programming at the Pavilion kicked off with a Half Time Show, a nod to reaching the halfway mark of the 2030 deadline initially set by the UN General Assembly in 2015 to achieved the SDGs. The Halftime Show commenced with a performance by Brooklyn United, a local youth music and arts program, and featured speakers such as Orlando Bloom, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Richard Curtis, and more. The evening ended on a high note with musical performances by Grammy Award-winning artists Yo-Yo Ma and Angelique Kidjo.

Throughout High Level Week, there were over 15 unique programming sessions at the SDG Pavilion including a Women’s Rise lunch which hosted guests such as actress Natalie Portman, Queen Rania of Jordan, designer Diane von Fürstenberg, and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. Invitees listened to a conversation onstage between former New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, and philanthropist, Melinda Gates, before enjoying lunch. Other program highlights include the SDG Advocates Meeting with Secretary General António Guterres and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley; a screening of The Agreement, a film directed by Raeshem Nijhon; and Global Carbon Pricing Challenge, Driving Global Climate Action, which featured remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Empire was honored to collaborate with the United Nations Office of Partnerships, the United Nations Foundation, Project Everyone, and countless other partners to present the 2023 SDG Pavilion.

To learn view the programming from the 2023 SDG Pavilion including the Half Time Show visit https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1w/k1wrak7roa

Co-founded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Project Everyone, the Goalkeepers event takes place during the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York City and brings together Heads of State and international Sustainable Development Goals “Goalkeepers” (those spearheading various missions in their local communities). Among other themes, this year’s Goalkeepers focused on the challenge of fighting global inequality.

Kicking off the two-day event, the 2023 Goalkeepers Global Goals Awards were presented at the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 19, 2023. The Awards program included performances by the renowned Tamil dancer and choreographer, Usha Jey, Swedish singer, Zara Larsson, Tiwa Savage, and the Harlem Gospel Choir.

Award winners included Human Rights Activist, Eden Tadesse, maternal and newborn child health advocate, Ashu Martha Agbornyenty, and Farmlink Project—all recognized for their impactful efforts in combating food insufficiency and hunger.

Host Elaine Welteroth guided the program as global change-makers were honored for their work. Award presenters included Melinda French Gates, Zimbabwean-American actress, Danai Gurira, model and activist, Sabrina Elba, and Olympic swimmer and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Yusra Mardini.

After the Goalkeepers Awards program, guests entered the Atrium space featuring the signature custom-build of the Goalkeeper wheel and a ceiling gallery installation overlooking Central Park to enjoy a networking reception with cocktails and food bars. Guests interacted with a ribbon photo backdrop and bespoke GK lettering as a backdrop to their festive photos, while enjoying the vibe set by Hot 8 Brass Band and DJ Belinda Becker.

The next morning, over 500 guests were welcomed back to the main Goalkeepers event, hosted by Canadian media personality, Lilly Singh, with an uplifting opening performance by Jon Batiste and Hot 8 Brass Band.

After the opening, programming began with keynote remarks by Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates presenting The 2023 Global Goalkeeper Award to Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, followed by a seated conversation with Andrea Mitchell, President Ruto, Melinda French Gates, Prime Minister De Croo, and Bill Gates.

Throughout the day, other speakers delivered impactful messages, including a conversation between Phoebe Gates, Karlie Kloss, and Kathryn Finney.

Session moderators included Journalist Andrea Mitchell, Anchor and Political Correspondent, Abby Phillip, Newborn and Child Health expert, Dr. Rasa Izadnegahdar, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Nicholas Kristof.

This year, there were performances by various artistic groups, including the Femme Fatale, and Grammy Award-winning artist, Cynthia Erivo.

Between and after content sessions and as breakfast, coffee breaks, and lunch were enjoyed, guests were invited to experience activations in the Atrium including the “Goalkeeper’s Library”, where the titles from the Goalkeepers community were available for the guests to take. After lunch, the guests networked and socialized to the music of DJ Belinda Becker.

Empire was proud to work again with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Project Everyone, and many other partners to present Goalkeepers 2023.

Empire proudly produced a successful, day-long convening at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City for an international audience focused on scientific advancement. The one day conference included plenary session, breakouts, roundtables, and a reception.

Empire was thrilled to support Pratt Industries to produce the Grand Opening of their sixth, 100% Recycled U. S. Paper Mill & Box Factory, this one in Henderson, KY.

The event featured Pratt Executive Chairman, Anthony Pratt, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, U.S. Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd, Lonnie Ali, and numerous dignitaries, and members of the media.

Upon arrival at the new $700 million facility, guests were received at registration with a warm Pratt welcome and directed inside for a tour of the state-of-the-art factory, leading into the main event space where they were greeted with various mocktails and local southern bites, including Kentucky Fried Chicken.

The stage program began with a bluegrass performance by 14 time Grammy Award-Winning Dan Tyminski Band, followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.

At the conclusion of the stage program, guests enjoyed passed desserts, and left with farewell gifts that included Kentucky Derby glassware, Woodford Reserve Bourbon Balls, and Pratt Industries-branded water bottles.

Empire worked closely with Pratt’s executive leadership, marketing and operations teams to plan and execute each component of this important grand opening. Empire oversaw stage program, staging, screen content, technical production, room layout, tenting, furniture, budgeting, guest experience, and more.

Empire is delighted to work with clients like Pratt Industries in key moments of their corporate growth and to support their involvement in local communities.

Empire was proud to produce an exclusive Andy Grammer concert for top sales performers of one of the world’s leading telecommunication companies during an incentive trip to Montreux, Switzerland, to celebrate their performance and achievements.

The private concert took place at Auditorium Stravinski with Andy and his band performing all his quadruple-platinum and platinum singles including “Honey, I’m Good”, “Keep Your Head Up,” and “Don’t Give Up On Me”.

Guests were treated to a delicious dinner in the impressive venue and premium access to some of the best seating in the house. To cap off the exciting evening, VIP attendees had an exclusive meet & greet with Andy after the concert.

Empire was responsible for securing the artist and advancing all logistical and production elements at Auditorium Stravinski to support the performance.

Empire is a leading provider of headline music & entertainment for corporate events and celebrations around the world.

Empire presented Grammy Winner and movie star Janelle Monáe for a corporate event in Los Angeles.

The energy from Janelle and her band at their first live show in over three years was palpable and reciprocated by the attendees as the superstar performed brand new songs like “Float” and “Lipstick Lover” along with hits from earlier albums, including “Make Me Feel” and “Tightrope”.

Empire is a leading producer of headline music for corporate events.

On Saturday, June 17, Empire worked with one of our private clients to produce a private cocktail reception, dinner, and top tier live entertainment at the spectacular Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia.

The evening featured special performances from comedian Brian Regan and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Daryl Hall, who wowed guests with intimate renditions of “Maneater,” “Rich Girl,” "Sara Smile,” “Private Eyes” and “Out of Touch” among many others.

The comic and musician also treated special guests to an exclusive meet and greet experience.​

Empire was proud to partner with Bravo once again to produce bi-coastal screening parties for Vanderpump Rules’ hotly anticipated Reunion Part 3 episode at SUR Restaurant & Lounge in Los Angeles and at Haswell Green’s in New York CIty.

SUR Restaurant & Lounge, located in West Hollywood and co-owned by Lisa Vanderpump, an original cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, has been the home base for the show Vanderpump Rules, which has documented the drama stirred up by the restaurant’s gorgeous staff since 2013. In the wake of the recent media blitz around a cheating scandal that rocked the cast and was coined the name “Scandoval,” the LA viewing event at SUR provided a thrilling backdrop for fans to celebrate together in the place where it all began. In NYC, Midtown bar Haswell Green’s was transformed into a kind of SUR-annex, with sleek white lounge furniture, lush leafy tropical foliage and an abundance of fresh flora in pink and purple.

The LA & NYC events hosted over 200 guests each, and featured themed specialty cocktails (e.g. “Pumptini!” and “Revenge Dress”), menus that included SUR’s famous goat cheese balls, roaming photo booths, and fan photo ops with Vanderpump Rules cast including Lala Kent, Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright, Scheana Shay, and Brock Davies in NYC, and Katie Maloney, James Kennedy, and Ally Lewber in LA.

Before and after the screening, fans grooved to beats from DJ Dazzler in LA and DJ L3NI in NYC, purchased VPR merch, and shared photos and video on social media. Additional standout moments came when Jax Taylor went behind the Haswell Green’s bar to serve Pumptini! shots, Scheana Shay jumped onstage to sing along to her original song “Good As Gold”, and over at SUR, James Kennedy grabbed the mic and pumped up the crowd before the final reunion episode of Vanderpump Rules’ wild and shocking Season 10.

Empire managed the venues, technical production, design & decor, guest logistics, registration, printing and branded collateral, food and beverage, and security.

Empire is honored to have been chosen to produce this fun-filled night and to work on another event with our collaborators at Bravo.

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Empire is thrilled to have partnered again with The Public Theater to produce their annual Gala in Central Park!

It was another successful Gala on the Green with cocktails, dinner, flower crowns, and performances from Lin Manuel Miranda, Brandon Victor Dixon, Christopher Jackson, Maleah Joi Moon, and Anna Uzele. The program also highlighted remarks by Senator Chuck Schumer, Luis Miranda, Patrick Willingham, and Oskar Eustis, honoring both Marlla Torres and Darren Walker. The event ended with Anna Uzele’s incredible performance of “New York New York,” as it started to downpour. Guests raised their umbrellas and their glasses up high as the show went on.

The Public Theater hit new records in fundraising, bringing in support for the arts, artists, and their commitment to producing theater for all. We are extremely proud to have partnered with The Public Theater to create such a successful event!

To learn more about The Public Theater and their programs and to become a member and supporter, visit http://www.publictheater.org/

📸Simon Luethi