Elton John Kicks Off Apple Music Hall in London

Apple just announced its first slate of artists for Apple Music Hall in London, and they're not messing around. Elton John will be the inaugural performer, which is the kind of prestige move that says everything about how serious the tech giant is about the music venue space.

Charli XCX and Burna Boy are also locked in for early shows at the new spot. It's a wild mix—legend, underground-to-mainstream pop innovator, and one of Africa's biggest stars right now. That's telling you Apple isn't just banking on nostalgia or safe bets.

This is part of the broader play by tech companies trying to own the live music experience, not just the streaming side. Apple Music gets a physical stage, artists get access to an audience that's already there through the app, and fans get intimate shows from serious talent. Whether this model actually moves the needle or becomes another vanity project remains to be seen, but the lineup suggests they're at least thinking about it the right way.

Read the full story at Music Ally → https://musically.com/2026/09/25/elton-john-charli-xcx-apple-music-hall/