Unlocking the Secrets of K-POP Tour Security

Hello, this is Klab Insight. Starting today, we’re bringing you a series of interviews featuring stories of people who make a living through K-pop.

For this feature, we’re excited to introduce Rob Weekes, the co-owner and operator of LIVE Management Consulting, a leading safety, security, and risk management company specializing in international events, festivals, and music tours.

With over two decades of experience, Rob has become a trusted name in the security industry, managing high-profile events for renowned companies like Live Nation and Insomniac Events. His expertise has taken him around the world, working with major artists, including K-POP stars, to ensure their safety during international tours and festivals.

What began as a passion for protecting others has grown into a thriving business, where Rob and his team design customized security solutions for some of the largest events on the globe. His company’s commitment to safety, proactive planning, and experience-driven strategy has made them an invaluable partner to artists, promoters, and fans alike.

In this interview, Rob shares his journey, the challenges he's faced, and his insights into the evolving security needs of international tours, particularly in the K-POP industry. His story is an inspiration to those looking to make an impact in the entertainment security space and beyond.

Through Rob’s story, we’ll explore how a strong sense of responsibility and dedication to safety can transform the way we experience large-scale events around the world.

This newsletter highlights:

• Proactive Security Strategies for Large-Scale Events

• Unique Security Challenges for International K-POP Tours

• The Growing Importance of Technology in Event Safety

Q. Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Rob Weekes, and I am the co-owner and operator at LIVE Management Consulting. We are a safety, security, and risk management company for international events, festivals, and music tours.

Q. What initially sparked your interest in the field of security, and how did you get started in this line of work? 

I’ve always had a protective mindset. I remember sticking up for my little sister in grade school, which continued as I served my country in the military. I caught the entertainment security bug while working part-time as a security guard at our local concert venue.

As a normal progression, I worked my way up, gaining experience in all aspects of concert venue security and the confidence of my peers. This time was pivotal in learning about the music business and its overall operation. I live in the Los Angeles market, which is constantly striving and at the forefront of the industry. I didn’t realize it then, but my first concert venue was one of the world’s largest amphitheaters with a 65,000 capacity, Glen Helen, California. I wanted to learn more and reach out past the city lights; what better way to get involved in other festivals and tours than touring?

Q. Can you tell us about your journey and how you became the founder of LIVE Management Consulting? What challenges did you face early on? 

I’ve always said that life is a journey; you take on the best experiences, integrate them into your business, learn from the opposing challenges, and plan to ensure success. In 2018, that plan became LIVE Management Consulting. Once the word got out about our new company, the challenge was taking on all the work; we were ready and succeeded.

Q. What sets your security consulting services apart from others in the industry, and why do clients choose to work with you?

What sets us apart from others is our people. We hire people who are focused on the passion to keep people safe. If our staff are focused on pay or drama, they aren’t focused on our goal. We’ve had great success hiring and keeping the right women and men for the job.

Q. You mentioned that you've had great success in hiring and retaining people who are a good fit for your company. What's the secret to that?

We work with many safety and security professionals worldwide, from touring to events.  Like other occupations, there are people who standout.  For me personally, there are those who confidently conduct themselves, and I will see similarities in work ethic.  If a person is a problem-solver, respectful, and communicates well with others it the most important value to our company.

Q. During your time working with Insomniac Events, you managed security for shows with up to 140,000 attendees. What specific security measures did you implement to handle such large crowds?

While with Insomniac, I learned one of the most important lessons about dealing with people: managing the safety of over 140,000 guests is stressful. Preparing thousands of security guards for that experience is challenging for a director of security. The best you can do is not add to that stress and allow them to do their jobs.

Q. You’ve been involved in security management for red carpet events. What additional security measures are necessary for high-profile, celebrity-driven events compared to regular performances?

The security basics are still there. The perimeter and access controls are essential, and the higher-level threats shift from crowd management to people of interest and event flow. However, I find the red carpet and award events much less stressful.

I have always been a fan of technology. We used anti-drone systems in their early stages. New and improved weapon detection technology is essential as those willing to harm seek new ways. In the military, we use facial recognition and biometric to identify people, and it makes sense that this technology would be used to ticket identities and keep events safe.

Experience, collaboration, and proactive thinking are key to executing a safe, smooth event. I like to contact each department and cover security in their areas to ensure we have the best possible plan. I contribute this collaboration to our overall success.

I constantly think about unforeseen emergencies; it’s what any professional in my industry does. It’s what you do with those thoughts that is important. I like to call it an actionable risk mitigation plan. For example, in Astroworld 2019 (we were not at the tragedy at Astroworld 2021), history showed us that the crowd flow would need to be slowed to prevent the crowd from crushing. We put barriers in place to slow the crowd from running from the second stage to the main stage for the primary performance.  

The great thing about having experience with venues worldwide is that you’ve kept a record of the risk assessments and advance needs for a great deal of venues and festivals. We also know what to look for when walking through a new venue. There are always plans that blanket situations as they occur, but having agents who are problem solvers is our strength.

The role of the tour security agent has evolved over the years. Yes, there are those doing the basics and those who stand out by providing advanced skills. With this, you have the K-POP movement, which is enhancing entertainment on a global level. Over the last few years, we’ve seen trends and changes in the threats and privacy concerns for K-POP artists and their crews. Although the differences between K-POP and other acts seem minimal, the impact on the culture of the people can be huge.

In 2024, we sent out an agent with a well-known international K-POP artist (name kept confidential), and the difference between that tour and others was the language barrier, which our agent learned important phrases for emergencies. Another is the understanding that different countries and local areas have different threats. Our agents plan and prepare artist movements to eliminate threat contact. Last is having a tour security agent who advances and operates with performance venues to ensure the performance is safe for guests and protects the artist’s name.

Working with top companies like Live Nation has helped me learn that this is a business. There is a fine line between safety and budget. Yes, I said it. But it took me time and, ultimately, with my own company to master the skills and pass them on to my company to understand that you can safely budget security. It's not something security companies like to hear, but the good ones get it.

Q. What are some key qualities that you look for when hiring security personnel for large international events? 

I rarely hire an unknown applicant when I hire for my company. We usually hire someone who stands out, those hard-working women and men who handle the job without complaints or drama and have a safety mindset. The same applies to security companies. Security companies who can’t collaborate or work with other security companies are never in consideration.  

Q. Could you share an example of a particularly rewarding experience from your work in international tour security? 

Success comes in different forms. I don’t know when a particular experience was more rewarding than another. I was recently awarded the Pinnacle Award for Tour Security of the Year from the Live Production Summit. I believe it takes a great team to make great players. Having a great tour that is safe and profitable is one thing, but we do all this for the fan experience. To create lasting memories for the guest. There is nothing better than seeing smiles, sing-a-longs, and happy tears.

Q. Where would one start if they want to pursue a career in this field?

Q. Does your company have any job openings?

If so, where do you typically post the job listings? We always have positions available to those we choose. As previously mentioned, we rarely hire someone unknown to our team.  

Q. You said that you don't hire unknown applicants. Does that mean you find these people through recommendations from others or by actively seeking them out yourself?

We have agents who not only work on our events and tours but also work with other companies.  They will recommend women and men that they see fit the company values.  They normally inquire if the person is interested in working with our team, then we will reach out to them.  It happens with our agents as well.  We promote our agents to working with other companies, it broadens their experience and sometimes brings new and different ideas to our company.

Q. What specific challenges have you encountered when securing K-POP events in countries with strict governmental regulations or high security concerns?

When touring in different countries, the promoter often informs us of specific policies and regulations agreed upon in the contract. These are not difficult to follow. There was one instance where an artist broke the regulations on the first day of a music festival. Our band was to perform on the festival's second day, and the government canceled it. Half the band was already in flight; I was with the singer about to leave our hotel to fly when we found out.

Q. What key advice would you offer to aspiring security professionals who want to work in the entertainment industry, specifically in international tour security for artists?

Work hard, make mistakes, and learn everything about everything.  I had an opportunity to learn how to be an audio engineer on tour and passed on that opportunity. Take every opportunity to learn.

Q. Lastly, do you have any final thoughts or comments you’d like to share?

For the management of K-POP artists, companies like my own will provide great women and men to keep your tours and artists safe. Trust their experience.  

Stay positive. Be nice to everyone; just being nice calms the worst situations. Plan for the best, but prepare for the worst. Stay safe!

Rob's journey is a testament to the power of dedication, experience, and proactive planning, showing us that with a strong commitment to safety and a clear vision, one can transform a passion for security into a global influence in the entertainment industry.

Key Insights

1. Preparation and Adaptability Are Crucial: Successful event security relies heavily on thorough preparation. It's essential to anticipate potential risks and create clear plans ahead of time. However, it’s equally important to be adaptable, as every event or venue brings its own unique set of challenges that require adjustments in the security approach.

2. Collaboration Across All Levels: Security isn't just the responsibility of the security team—it requires collaboration between multiple departments and organizations. From event organizers to local law enforcement, effective communication and coordination are key to ensuring smooth operations and a safe environment for everyone involved, from artists to the audience.

3. Technology and Experience Go Hand in Hand: Modern security measures heavily rely on technology, such as facial recognition, anti-drone systems, and crowd management tools. However, technology alone is not enough. Experienced security personnel, who can assess and respond to real-time situations, are equally important in making sure the security plan is executed effectively and efficiently, especially in international tours like those of K-POP artists.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this interview! Feel free to leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]. Your insights and questions are always welcome as we continue to explore the vibrant world of K-pop.

And feel free to connect with me on X, LinkedIn, & Thread.