KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 -- A concert may begin only when the lights go down and the crowd roars as the artist takes the stage, but for cities competing to host the world's biggest acts, the real work often starts long before the first song.

From hotel bookings and flight demand to restaurants, retail and tourism receipts, major live performances are increasingly being treated as economic engines - and Malaysia is now trying to claim a bigger share of that market.

The push is reflected in the recently announced KL Headline Season 2026, a collaboration between the government and industry players including Live Nation Malaysia and the Arts, Live Festival and Events Association (ALIFE) Malaysia.

The initiative - meant to position KL as the re...