Latest news with #NewYear'sEve
Business Insider
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
NEON Countdown's 10th Anniversary Features Asia's First Fully On‑Chain Blindsale with PLVR
Bangkok's signature New Year's Eve festival unveils limited-edition digital collectible tickets (THB 3,500) and moves to Rajamangala Stadium for its milestone edition. NEON Countdown, Bangkok's landmark New Year's Eve music festival, marks its 10th anniversary with a move to Rajamangala Stadium and a new chapter in digital ticketing. Partnering with PLVR, NEON Countdown becomes the first festival in Asia to launch a fully on-chain 'Blindsale', offering limited-edition digital collectible tickets, each minted as a verifiable NFT and available for THB 3,500. After a decade of lighting up the Bangkok skyline, NEON Countdown's 2025 edition finds a new home at Rajamangala Stadium. The move puts the festival in the heart of the city, offering greater accessibility, best-in-class transit links, and space for the biggest crowds in NEON's history. Organizers promise a landmark production, an all-new mega stage, and a lineup of surprise international headliners to be announced soon. Setting a New Standard for Festival Ticketing NEON Countdown tickets are issued on-chain using PLVR, APAC's leading Web3 ticketing platform, giving fans access to digital collectible passes that are verifiable, tradable, and future-ready. Each Blindsale ticket acts as proof of entry, a collectible keepsake, and a potential unlock for exclusive perks. All Blindsale tickets are available starting July 24th at 6PM GMT+7 only via with a dedicated link for Chinese and Singapore guests: 'As we celebrate 10 years of NEON Countdown— we're building forward. Partnering with PLVR for our Blind Sale is part of that evolution,' said Renelle, spokesperson for NEON Countdown. 'Trust has always been the heart of our community, and PLVR's platform mirrors that — giving fans full ownership of their tickets and transparency. It aligns perfectly with what NEON stands for: real connection, real value, and unforgettable experiences.' 'For us, this partnership is about making live events better for everyone. Fans get secure, verifiable tickets that are truly theirs, and organizers can engage their audience in new ways,' said Marco Zhu, Growth Lead at PLVR. 'When a ticket becomes a collectible with real value, it changes how people experience and remember a festival. We're excited to see how this shapes the future for NEON Countdown and events across Asia.' Collaboration with RaveDAO NEON Countdown 2025 is also presented in partnership with RaveDAO, a global Web3-powered collective dedicated to transforming live entertainment through social impact and technology. With a track record of curating large-scale, purpose-driven festivals across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, RaveDAO is recognized for connecting artists, fans, and communities through next-generation innovation and a focus on real-world impact. At NEON Countdown, RaveDAO brings its expertise in on-chain community engagement and innovative event design to one of Asia's most celebrated New Year's Eve gatherings. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to giving festivalgoers more than just a night out but making each ticket a symbol of connection, creativity, and positive change. Key Highlights for NEON Countdown's 10th Anniversary With all these innovations and partnerships coming together for the 10th anniversary, NEON Countdown promises a New Year's Eve experience like no other. Here's what sets this year apart: 10-Year Milestone: Special anniversary production, expanded staging, and surprise global headliners, all to be revealed soon. Venue Upgrade: Rajamangala Stadium's central location makes access easier and welcomes the festival's largest audience yet. On-Chain First: Fully verifiable NFT tickets eliminate fakes, enable transparent resale royalties, and unlock future perks for holders. Fan-Centric Experience: Clicking on 'Interest' on the event page to join the waitlist now for priority reminders to never miss the Blindsale or key festival updates. With limited-edition digital tickets available in the Blindsale, NEON Countdown's 10th anniversary promises to be one of the most exciting New Year's Eve celebrations in Asia. Fans are encouraged to join the waitlist and follow NEON Countdown for the latest updates on lineup reveals and festival announcements. About NEON Countdown Since 2014, NEON Countdown has transformed Bangkok's skyline each New Year's Eve with world‑class EDM, immersive visuals, and a midnight spectacle rivaling the planet's greatest celebrations. The 2025 edition promises the festival's biggest stage design and line‑up yet as it celebrates ten years of electric memories. About PLVR PLVR is an omnichannel ticketing and fan-data platform built for Web3 and Web2 interoperability, enabling organisers to unlock secondary sales, loyalty programmes and granular audience insights. About RaveDAO RaveDAO is the next-gen community-driven engine for live entertainment, powered by crypto and AI — combining globally distributed community-driven live and virtual events, AI-assisted UGC, community-driven, reputation-based vendor marketplace, and fan engagement system. RaveDAO onboards the next billion through immersive, token-powered entertainment experiences that also generate real-world social impact. Since 2024, the collective has welcomed 30,000+ attendees across Europe, MENA, and Asia.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The new ‘local oasis' you can watch fireworks from – but not until 2028
A new foreshore park on Sydney's lower north shore being touted as a destination for viewing New Year's Eve fireworks will transform a derelict industrial site into open green space, but only when it opens in early 2028 after a three-year delay. The Berrys Bay parkland was slated to open late in 2024 but has been pushed back for more than three years, and construction began in June – almost two years after it was supposed to start. The site, tucked between Balls Head and Blues Point in Waverton, was originally earmarked for construction of the Western Harbour Tunnel before the NSW government scrapped plans to lay massive tubes on the harbour floor in favour of digging a deeper tunnel. The about-turn in engineering techniques means construction sites for the tunnel are no longer needed at Berrys Bay. The government will aim to open the park before the Western Harbour Tunnel opens to motorists in 2028. Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison expects the parkland, with its stunning view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to become a popular destination for those watching New Year's Eve fireworks. 'Certainly, it will be a real drawcard. It's one of the most iconic Australian views – and it just gets better the more you walk through this area,' Aitchison said. 'It will drive tourism. It will provide that local oasis for community members from the business of Sydney with a fantastic, priceless view of Sydney Harbour.' Draft designs show the park, which spans 1.6 hectares, will introduce accessible foreshore pathways, barbecues, play areas and a community pavilion.
The Age
a day ago
- Business
- The Age
The new ‘local oasis' you can watch fireworks from – but not until 2028
A new foreshore park on Sydney's lower north shore being touted as a destination for viewing New Year's Eve fireworks will transform a derelict industrial site into open green space, but only when it opens in early 2028 after a three-year delay. The Berrys Bay parkland was slated to open late in 2024 but has been pushed back for more than three years, and construction began in June – almost two years after it was supposed to start. The site, tucked between Balls Head and Blues Point in Waverton, was originally earmarked for construction of the Western Harbour Tunnel before the NSW government scrapped plans to lay massive tubes on the harbour floor in favour of digging a deeper tunnel. The about-turn in engineering techniques means construction sites for the tunnel are no longer needed at Berrys Bay. The government will aim to open the park before the Western Harbour Tunnel opens to motorists in 2028. Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison expects the parkland, with its stunning view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to become a popular destination for those watching New Year's Eve fireworks. 'Certainly, it will be a real drawcard. It's one of the most iconic Australian views – and it just gets better the more you walk through this area,' Aitchison said. 'It will drive tourism. It will provide that local oasis for community members from the business of Sydney with a fantastic, priceless view of Sydney Harbour.' Draft designs show the park, which spans 1.6 hectares, will introduce accessible foreshore pathways, barbecues, play areas and a community pavilion.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Newport man hit girlfriend ‘after she mistreated pet spider'
Gwynfor Bowden, 44, also strangled the woman when he put her in a headlock after they fell out while celebrating New Year's Eve together at her Newport home. The couple, who had been in a relationship for four years, were both 'heavily intoxicated' at the time. Bowden attacked her because he 'wanted to teach her a lesson', Cardiff Crown Court was told. Ross McQuillan-Johnson, prosecuting, said: 'An argument broke out with the defendant claiming his partner was mistreating his pet spider. MORE NEWS: Money-laundering family caught red-handed with £14,000 in criminal cash 'It escalated to the point of physical violence after he asked her, 'How would you like it if I treated you like that?' 'The defendant struck her across the top of her head with a bottle of prosecco.' Blood poured from the cut he caused her. 'To his credit, realising what he had done, he contacted the ambulance service,' Mr McQuillan-Johnson added. Bowden admitted the assaults after he was arrested by the police and he was granted conditional bail. Whilst on that bail, which prevented him from contacting her, he went to her house on Saturday, May 10 where they started drinking and listening to music. Another argument broke out and the defendant smashed her phone as she was calling the police. He then got into his car and drove off before he was stopped by officers on Ogmore Crescent in the Bettws area of Newport. Bowden refused to be breathalysed at the scene but later gave a sample at the police station. The defendant's reading was 60 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath with the legal limit being 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Bowden, of Power Street, Newport pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), criminal damage and drink driving. He has one previous conviction for ABH from 2012 which was also committed in a domestic violence background. His barrister Paul Hewitt said his client was a former soldier who had suffered from psychotic depression following tours in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. 'There is remorse here,' Bowden's lawyer added. The defendant had spent more than two months in prison after he was remanded in custody by magistrates following the May matters. The judge, Recorder Simon Stephenson, told him that his offending was aggravated by three factors. They were that it occurred in a "domestic abuse context", that he had been drinking and by his previous conviction for a similar offence. Bowden was jailed for 16 months and two weeks with the sentence suspended for 12 months. He will have to attend an accredited programme, complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and he was made the subject of a 90-day alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirement. The defendant will have to pay a victim surcharge.
Western Telegraph
6 days ago
- Health
- Western Telegraph
How sea swimming changed everything for Pembrokeshire woman
In December 2020, Karen Steadman, 55, took her first dip in the sea at Tenby's North Beach during a difficult time in her life. Having moved to Pembrokeshire during the pandemic to care for her mother after a major stroke, she said she felt 'overwhelmed, lonely, isolated and useless.' Ms Steadman, who lives in Haverfordwest, said: "As soon as the water touched my feet, my breath was taken away and it felt good. "Really cold, but so good. "As I eased myself gently into the calm, turquoise water, my partner watching me from the shore." That swim, she said, brought a sense of freedom and hope. Ms Steadman said: "My body felt light and free, no joint pains, no headache, no anxiety, no stress. "I had energy, I had hope, I felt powerful and capable, I felt I was no longer pouring from an empty cup. "Sea swimming for me is like pressing the reset button. "When I got in the sea that day, it restored me to factory settings." Soon after, she found Wild Swims Wales, a beach-based wellbeing group led by Sue Christopher. Ms Christopher, a volunteer with Mind Pembrokeshire, has run outdoor health programmes through the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum's Outdoor Health Project, which promotes nature as preventative therapy. Ms Steadman said: "Christmas was pretty difficult that year and a Boxing Day and New Year's Eve dip helped me keep it together. "Swimming in the sea helps me to process the difficult times and put them into perspective, enabling me to feel the joyous moments that are also out there. "But it all means so much more when done in good company. "It's not just a challenge but a shared experience, whether we're swearing at waves, supporting a friend through a tough time or tucking into someone's homemade cake. "The warming up process is not just a physical one, we share the warmth of love and friendship." Ms Christopher runs a weekly Tuesday swim group year-round and encourages others to take part in outdoor activities to support their wellbeing. She said: "We hear week after week that even after a relatively short time outdoors, people feel more able to cope with whatever is going on in their lives, even though nothing has changed since they arrived for the session. "The benefit I hear most from participants is that connection with others and nature, being in or near water, brings a natural mindfulness and a resilience and strength that they use in other areas of their life."
