Taxpayers to fork out millions for Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey and Bruno Mars concerts in Malta

Taxpayers will be footing the bill for millions of euros in subsidies to help bring some of the world’s biggest music stars to Malta after the government awarded more than €9.4 million under its new Large Scale Events Support Scheme.

The funding, administered by Festivals Malta, will support concerts by international artists including Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, Bruno Mars, Lionel Richie, Michael Bublé, Pitbull, Black Coffee, Hans Zimmer and Solomun, among others.

Despite the millions in public funding, none of these concerts will be free to attend.

Fans will still be required to purchase tickets at high prices, meaning the government subsidies will primarily benefit the private promoters staging the events by reducing their financial exposure and increasing the commercial viability of their productions.

The biggest single grant, amounting to €1.52 million, was awarded to Greatt Company Ltd, owned by former PN TV official Anton Attard, for a Paul McCartney concert.

Overall, just four promoters secured €8 million of the €9.41 million distributed under the scheme, with each reaching the maximum cumulative allocation of €2 million through multiple successful applications.

NNG Promotions received €2 million for concerts by Pitbull and Michael Bublé. The Pitbull event was awarded €1.18 million, while Michael Bublé’s concert received a further €815,933.

Plus 356 Entertainment Ltd also reached the €2 million ceiling through grants for concerts by Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey and Black Coffee. Lionel Richie’s performance attracted €961,758 in public funding, Mariah Carey’s €898,769, while Black Coffee’s event received €139,473.

Media Exclusive Ltd and GMED, not known for any concerts, were likewise allocated the maximum €2 million through funding for a Bruno Mars concert, which received €980,843, Radio 105 Malta Week, awarded €536,398, and a Benson Boone concert, allocated €482,759.

The remaining successful applicants included Two Rocks Entertainment, awarded €365,000 for Music On Malta 2026; 727 Entertainment, which secured a combined €500,000 for Una Notte Con le Stelle and Hans Zimmer; Bodo Ltd, awarded €308,409 for Glitch Presents; and Outdoor Matters, which received €240,960 for Solomun Live.

In total, the government committed €9,414,369 under the scheme, leaving just under €586,000 of the €10 million budget still unallocated.

The Large Scale Events Support Scheme was launched earlier this year to subsidise large-scale entertainment events that the government says will attract overseas visitors, strengthen Malta’s night-time economy and extend the tourism season.

The publication of the grants is expected to revive questions over the use of taxpayer funds for the benefit of a few businessmen.

Last year, Tourism Minister Ian Borg announced that the Malta Tourism Authority would stop financing summer parties, insisting that public funds would instead be redirected towards promoting Malta as a cultural destination and attracting higher-value tourism.

While the latest funding is being channelled through Festivals Malta rather than the Malta Tourism Authority, millions of euros in taxpayer funds are once again being used to subsidise commercially promoted entertainment events aimed at attracting foreign visitors.

While the government argues that the scheme is an investment in Malta’s tourism product and international visibility, industry insiders believe that the concentration of almost 85% of the funding in the hands of just four promoters, together with the decision to underwrite concerts by some of the world’s highest-profile performers, is likely to fuel further debate over whether such events should be financed through public funds.

The same is already happening with local TV productions, with the same companies getting millions every year from state coffers.