National Arenas Association announces Marshall Arts Chairman and founder Barrie Marshall as winner of the NAA Award for Outstanding Contribution to the National Arenas Association and the Live Music Industry

08 July 2024 - Press release

Barrie Marshall, legendary British promoter and the Chairman and Founder of Marshall Arts has been voted unanimously by the Association members to recognise his outstanding commitment and contribution to the UK’s live music and entertainment scene.

Marshall, who founded Marshall Arts in 1976, has worked with P!NK since 2002, Paul McCartney since his 1989/90 world tour, and has also promoted many iconic artists including Elton John, George Michael, Tina Turner, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Cher, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Sade, Joe Cocker, Stevie Wonder, Eurythmics, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Al Jarreau, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Spice Girls, Amitabh Bachchan, The Highway Men, Moody Blues and John Denver in an illustrious 45-year career.

“It was an incredible surprise to receive this very prestigious Award and so nice that Alecia would take the time to present it to me. My thanks to John Drury, Debbie McWilliams and the members of the NAA. My first arena show was at Wembley with the Commodores in 1979 – having at that time been ‘interviewed’ by Mr. John Evans, who ran the Arena, to make sure our company was suitable and honourable enough to hire the venue! We followed that in 1980 with a very memorable week of “Wonder At Wembley” with Stevie – and it has been such an honour to work with so many talented artists and fellow promoters across the decades at so many tremendous arenas. A true privilege for which I am extremely grateful.” Barrie Marshall, Marshall Arts. 

“As the figurehead of Marshall Arts, Barrie and his team have become almost as legendary as many of the acts they represent and have been a consistent and welcome supporter of the UK’s arena business for many years. We’re so pleased to be able to present this well-deserved award to such an industry icon. NAA members look forward to hosting many more Marshall Arts shows to come!” – John Drury, Chair of National Arenas Association and VP/General Manager OVO Arena Wembley

The NAA Outstanding Contribution award has been selected and presented annually by the NAA members since 2009 to recognise those who have gone above and beyond in their venue and/or industry at that time. Previous winners of the award are David Vickers (2009), Danny Betesh (2010), Paul Latham (2011), Simon Moran (2012), Phil McIntyre (2013), Geoff Huckstep (2014), Pete Wilson & Dennis Arnold (2015), Matt Wooliscroft (2016), Anne-Marie Harwood (2017), Phil Bowdery (2018), Annette Robinson (2019), Lucy Noble (2020), Chris York (2021), Greg Parmley (2022).

The National Arenas Association brings together the UK and Ireland’s Arena network promoting best practice and knowledge sharing between its members, established in 1991 as a forum for event and concert venue managers with a minimum seated capacity of 5,000.