SYDNEY, Australia — Lizzie Butterworth is appointed chief executive of the Australian Festival Association (AFA).

Butterworth brings to the role a wealth of policy expertise, government experience and industry knowledge. Previously, she worked for six years alongside minister for the arts, music and the night-time economy John Graham in the New South Wales parliament and government, serving as director of policy — arts, music and night-time economy, jobs and tourism.

There, Butterworth helped shape some of the most significant policy developments in NSW’s contemporary music sector.

The incoming AFA CEO’s major contributions have included the formation of Sound NSW, reforms to festival regulation, protections for live music venues, and the development of new regulatory and funding frameworks that support artists, venues and festivals.

AFA chair Adelle Robinson welcomes Butterworth to the trade body.

“Lizzie has spent her career working at the intersection of music, government and public policy. She knows how government works from the inside, she knows our industry’s challenges, and she knows how to bring people together to drive change,” Robinson remarks in a statement.

Butterworth joins the Australia’s festivals industry at a time of complex regulatory, financial and operating pressures, and changing ticket-buying behaviors, and other issues, Robinson notes.

Looking ahead, she continues, “Lizzie has built trusted relationships across government and industry and is exactly the kind of leader the Association needs as we continue advocating for a strong, sustainable and thriving festival sector.”

Butterworth succeeds Olly Arkins, who departs this Friday, Aug. 21 after five years with the association.

The AFA publicly launched in December 2018, representing festival organizers, suppliers and stakeholders across Australia’s music festival sector. Its mission, to advocate the festival industry, promoting best-practice safety and operational standards, providing a unified voice, and facilitate policy reform and investment.

Today, its members include Fuzzy, CMC Rocks, Live Nation, Hardware, Laneway, Groovin’ The Moo, Lost Paradise and many others.

“Festivals are a vital part of Australia’s cultural identity and music industry,” comments Butterworth. “They have launched the careers of countless Australian artists, connected fans with unforgettable live experiences and created opportunities for workers, businesses and communities across the country. I’m excited to work with our members, Board and industry partners to build on the AFA’s strong foundations and continue advocating for a festival industry that is creative, resilient and sustainable.”

Calle 24 has canceled the remaining dates of his Eterno Tour in the U.S. after his U.S. work visa was unexpectedly revoked. The Mexican singer, whose real name is Diego Millán, announced the news Tuesday (Aug. 18) in a statement posted on Instagram.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond my control related to the unexpected revocation of my U.S. work visa, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our upcoming scheduled performances in the United States,” he wrote. “This decision is being made out of the utmost respect for the laws, regulations, and processes established by the U.S. authorities.”

The seven affected performances are the Aug. 15 show at Payne Arena in Hidalgo, Texas; Aug. 21 at The Underground in Charlotte, N.C.; Aug. 22 at the Tabernacle in Atlanta; Aug. 23 at House of Blues in Buena Vista, Fla.; Sept. 12 at The Aztec Theatre in San Antonio; Sept. 13 at 713 Music Hall in Houston; and Sept. 18 at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago.

The artist performed the tour’s first seven dates — from July 30 in San Jose, Calif., through Aug. 14 in Irving, Texas — after Billboard Español exclusively announced the trek in May.

“Our team is actively working to resolve this matter and completing the necessary steps, with the hope of returning to U.S. stages very soon and reuniting with our amazing fans,” he continued. “It is important to note that this situation affects only the performances scheduled in the United States. All other commitments and appearances outside the U.S. will continue as planned.”

As of press time, the exact circumstances that led to the revocation of his work visa remain unclear. Billboard Español reached out to Live Nation and Street Mob Records for comment on the cancellation. The label shared with a reel posted by Calle 24, in which the artist spoke directly to his fans about the situation.

“I’m very, very sad to tell you that the Eterno Tour in the United States is canceled until further notice because my visa was revoked,” he said in Spanish. “And I truly ask for your forgiveness. I wanted to fulfill all of those dates and all of those commitments […] I’m sorry. It’s out of my hands.”

Calle 24 was named one of Billboard’s Latin Artists on the Rise in 2023, the same year his breakthrough hit “Qué Onda,” with Fuerza Regida and Chino Pacas, debuted at No. 61 on the coveted Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 5 on Hot Latin Songs. More recently, the Chihuahua, Mexico-born artist earned his first Billboard No. 1 when his Fuerza Regida collaboration “Noche Perfecta” topped both Latin Airplay and Regional Mexican Airplay in August. The song also marked his second top 10 on Hot Regional Mexican Songs.

Read the full statement below, second slide for English.

And watch the reel below: