"It's always preferable when famous rock venues fall into the hands of those with vinyl in their veins - like those behind the Academy Music Group Ltd perhaps…" - The Stage

Academy Music Group (AMG) is the UK's leading owner and operator of nationwide live music and club venues, including South London's award winning concert venue, Carling Academy Brixton (NME Best Live Venue 2004, Time Out Venue Of The Year 2004) and Shepherd's Bush Empire (London).

Formerly known as McKenzie Group Ltd (MKG), its shareholders include three of the country's leading concert promoters Metropolis Music, SJM Concerts and MCD Productions (Eire), who are responsible for promoting many international acts on the touring circuit, as well as collectively owning and promoting some of the biggest outdoor music events, including the annual V Festival.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Academy Music Group Limited, John Northcote is a founder Director of the company. He took over the running of the organisation in 2000 and his strategic plan to develop the 'Academy' brand included bringing in promoters SJM, Metropolis and MCD Productions. This was followed by new Academy venues opening in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool and Islington. John finds and negotiates agreements on sites as well as new business opportunities and headline sponsorship agreements for the Group. John successfully led the management buy out of McKenzie Group in August 2004 to create Academy Music Group Limited (AMG) and was acknowledged in the Financial Times' Creative Business Top 50 industry executives of 2004. John is a Brit ambassador and is Chairman of Community Music, a music based charity, as well as sitting on other industry related bodies.

AMG venues are famous for offering unrivalled live events and are now an integral part of the UK'S live music scene in several regional cities, as well as owning and operating four venues in the Capital; which range from a capacity of 250 to up to 5,000.