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McGowan’s
Musings
A Retrospective Look at McGowan’s 2018
I am often accused of being British enough
year, and it’s very name contests the very,
Musings:
to concern myself with the weather a little
unacceptable, premise of Brexit, which
overmuch, but January 2018 kicked off
continues to cause so much of a problem
So here we are at the end of another year,
with a wind that delayed, and in some
throughout the year!
and it seems to be a good time to consider
cases denied the attendance of delegates to
what went on in the world of the live music
Eurosonic Noorderslag in Groningen. Storm
The vexed question of Secondary Ticketing
industry in 2018, via a few dips into the
Friederike unleashed 125 mile an hour winds
was again raised in April, when a statement
Musings. Next year of course will be the last
on Holland and Germany, with the whole of
was issued declaring, “Fans of live events
of the decade, who knows what we’ll have
the Dutch railway system being suspended,
are set to benefit from new rules which
to deal with before 2020 Vision (see what I
and flights being delayed and cancelled!
will demand more information from sellers
did there…?!)
Still, the event went ahead in it’s usual fine
on secondary ticket websites. Under the
form, with a slew of acts going on to play a
new rules, which were to come into force
record number of ETEP festivals.
in April 2018, ticket resellers will be required to
COLOPHON >
provide
purchasers
with
additional
We lost a few outstanding artists early in the
detailed information about tickets including
year, Motorhead’s Fast Eddy Clark, Dolores
the location of seats, disclosure of any
O’Riordan of the Cranberries, Jim Rodford
restrictions and the original price of the
of The Kinks and Argent, Hugh Masakela
ticket itself” Secondary Ticketing continued
and Mark.E Smith of The Fall passed on.
to dominate discussion throughout the year!
In February Sweden’s prestigious Polar
ILMC 30 took place in March, and this
prize was given to a metal band for the
edition certainly included some particularly
very first time with Metallica picking up
serious topics. The vexatious Brexit, (even
the honour. The judges enthused, saying,
though spellchecker refused to recognise
“Not since Wagner’s emotional turmoil and
this ludicrously over used word.), Ethics,
Tchaikovsky’s cannons has anyone created
Mental Health, Gender observations and
music that is so physical and furious, and
of course Security, were discussed in depth,
yet still so accessible. Through virtuoso
perhaps indicating the increasing maturity of
ensemble playing and their use of extremely
our industry?
VIP-News is published by: VIP-Booking.com Enghaven 19 Attrup 8444 Balle Denmark Managing Director: Ronni Didriksen rd@vip-booking.com General Manager: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com Writer and editorial: Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Writer: Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com For advertising enquiries please contact: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com +46 70 77 60 480 Charlie Presburg cp@vip-booking.com +44 (0) 7980 817496
accelerated
tempos,
Metallica
were
considered to have, “taken rock music to
Another topic that is still high on any
places it had never been before.”
agenda concerns ways of taking seriously the importance of Saving the World! The
IMPALA and other organisations from across
Association of Independent Festivals (AIF)
the music sector gathered in Brussels to
decided that it’s the last straw– literally –
welcome a new pilot programme, “Music
as they imposed a ban on plastic drinking
Moves Europe”, for music in Europe and
straws, intending to outlaw single use plastic
urge the EU to support a full European
by 2021. They are not the only ones; other
Music Programme in its future budget.
major European events took the same sort
The programme has developed over the
of action, as part of the international efforts
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VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
to save the planet and its inhabitants and to
Mumford & Sons
clean up the oceans. In May The Great Escape again took place in my home town of Brighton, and the attendant and enthusiastic audiences showed that fans are undeniably resilient, putting aside the minor discomforts of queues and cold weather; recent festival research revealed that one year on from the Manchester Arena bombing, festival goers were still defiant after that atrocity and other recent terrorist attacks, and although aware that they have to be alert the majority do not intend to be intimidated into staying away from their favoured events. By mid June we were seriously into the festival season, with no easing off in the
Bucharest. Hundreds were injured and
game. I suggest that it’s worth keeping an
number of events. Drugs were, and still
charges of police violence are still being
eye on what’s going on in Africa!
are high on the agenda; as it had become
investigated. As Codruta told us, “What I
increasingly obvious that the consumption
would like to mention in particular about
October means Paris and the MaMA Event
of a wide range of drugs by festival goers
EEMC is the launching panel & the Take a
in Montmartre and Pigalle. I’m pretty sure
was not likely to be stopped, and the efforts
Stand campaign. It seems this topic is way
that these down to earth areas of Paris
of organisers and police became more and
more important than even I would have ever
are no strangers to a little bad language,
more focussed on making sure that what
thought. Standing for freedom of speech,
in London though this was off the agenda!
is taken is safe, or as safe as possible. The
values and justice is the only thing that will
At the demand of Haringay Council the use
balancing act involved in sticking to the law
at this point save Romania from falling back
of such language will not be tolerated at
while trying to minimise drug risks is difficult
to an authoritarian regime. And it’s the duty
The Wireless Festival in London’s Finsbury
but essential. Licensing is at stake, but
of people working in the cultural sector to
Park next summer – oh no! The event has
following six or more drug related deaths at
spread this message, as much as they can.”
managed to avoid having its license revoked
festivals last year, safety is paramount.
We agree!
following nearby residents complaints, but organisers will have to ensure that, “The
4
Summer saw international events being beset
September
and
licensee shall reasonably request that
by forest fires, floods etc. crazy weather
Reeperbahn for the Vip team head. I had
performers do not sing or play any vulgar,
which seemed to echo the present insanity
the pleasure of chairing a panel discussing
obscene or banned songs!” Also they must
of the world, Trump, Brexit, cars being driven
the African market. I’ve been to a festival in
not “carry out indecent acts; or make any
into innocent pedestrians and worse!
South Africa and briefly visited Morocco, but
vulgar gestures, actions or remarks during
I have to admit scant knowledge of the music
the performance; or at any point whilst
In August we attended the second EEMC,
business in this huge territory. Now, due to a
using an amplification device, including the
the Eastern European Music Conference.
very knowledgeable panel I know a lot more.
use of expletives”. Furthermore the Wireless
Organiser Codruta Vulcu from Artmania
Did you know that there are 54 countries in
team will “also ensure that the attire of
put together a really good set of discussions
Sub – Saharan Africa, and that the average
the performers do not offend the general
aimed at bringing more industry knowledge
age group is made up by mobile phone
public, for example attire which exposes
to musicians and business from the region.
carrying social media savvy people in their
the groin, private parts, buttock or female
However much as events like this are striving
mid twenties. The music and media markets
breast(s)”. So, no wardrobe malfunctions
to develop music and the arts in Romania,
are developing fast, and it appears to me,
then – sounds unmissable!
only a few days later tear gas grenades were
and many others that the next superstars
being fired at anti government protesters,
may well come from these countries, Kenya,
So in November - cancellations are often
including Codruta, in the main square in
Nigeria and others are already ahead of the
unavoidable, so the Musings had to feature
means
Hamburg
VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
at least one or two; Mumford & Sons
and broken my leg (or more accurately his
More and more work is being done to back
fans who’d planned to see their heroes in
daughter did...) Larking around with the kids
up the grass roots venues, and I’m sure
Manchester, Sheffield, Cardiff and Liverpool
I got Bruce Lee’d by my fifteen year old, and
we will muse more upon this. But generally
on the “Delta Tour’, are a bit miffed with the
let’s just say she connected too well.”
the business is successful, particularly at
band, following postponements till next year.
the top end. The ten biggest touring artists
The usually quite down to earth Mumfords
So – there’s a stroll through some of the
of 2018 brought in a collective US$2bn+,
had indulged in a particularly ‘ambitious’
themes noted in the Musings of 2018 –most
with all grossing more than US$100 million
stage design, which, although they’d played
still abide now we’re in December and will
each, in a year packed with “remarkable
two Irish dates, they weren’t really up to
endure into January and beyond.
box-office feats”, according to Pollstar’s
speed with. The band apologised, saying, “It
traditional end-of-year ticket sales chart.
is with a really heavy heart (only one between
Brexit for instance -UK Music says UK
them – surely not!?) that we have been
government’s “clueless” post-Brexit immi-
Ed Sheeran was by far the biggest tour of
forced to postpone shows on this UK tour
gration policy will be “devastating” for
the year, jumping from the eighth spot in
due to unforeseen technical and logistical
British music, which I think will be the case.
2017 to claim No 1 in 2018. With a gross
challenges”. The Mumfords however were
of $432.4m from 94 shows, the Sheeran
not the only ones to have to pull shows due
Secondary Ticketing seems to be coming
tour is the highest gross ever recorded for
to ‘unforeseen challenges’; Gaz Coombes
into a more controlled space as Artists and
an artist in a single year, according to the
should have kept an eye out for his daughter
promoters have been empowered. The terms
top 100 worldwide tours chart.
who surprised him with a flying kung fu kick
and conditions placed on their tickets can
that broke his leg! And forced him to cancel
now be presented and enforced in a way that
And we should all be happy to know that
a number of European shows and postpone
both disrupts the rip-off secondary sites and
Kylie Minogue will play Glastonbury in the
UK dates. Coombs tweeted, “I’ve only gone
promotes consumer-friendly resale.
summer! Bye for now!
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27.11.18 16:15
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VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
Appointments in 2018 From VIP-Daily News
The most important resource for any company and industry is people. When people become employees they are always on a mission for new adventures. We have gathered 6 interesting appointments from 2018 that have featured in VIP News.
New General Manager appointed at O2 London (November 2018) O2’s commercial director Steve Sayer has been appointed VP and general manager.
Steve Sayer
The news arrived just days after former VP & GM John Langford announced his promotion to AEG Europe COO. Since joining The O2 team as commercial director in 2014, Sayer has overseen ticketing operations, merchandising, food and beverage and corporate sales along with securing exhibition content and overseeing Up At The O2, the roof walk attraction over the venue. Prior to joining AEG Europe, Sayer was operations director for Manchester City Football Club. Annonce_79x115_VIP_Book_2018.pdf 1 31/10/2018 16:47:10
NEXT EDITION 13.07.2019
AALT STADHAUS PRESENTS THE OPEN AIR FESTIVAL
Two UK Agents switch agency (November 2018) Agents Tom Taaffe and Anna Bewers have joined Coda Agency from UTA. Taaffe was formerly at The Agency Group since 2010, which was acquired by UTA in 2015, while Bewers had been with The Agency Group/UTA since 2006, starting as an assistant, before being promoted to agent in the summer of 2013. The pair join leading agents Natasha Bent and Geoff Meall in making the switch.
Anna Bewers
BEEN ON OUR STAGES Taj Mahal, Keb Mo‘, Canned Heat, Pee Wee Ellis, Tower of Power, Susan Tedeschi, Della Miles, Lisa Doby, Maceo Parker, Popa Chubby, Lance Lopez, Stan Webb‘s Chicken Shack, Todd Sharpville, Randy Hansen, Fred Wesley, Bernard Allison, Henrik Freischlader, Mungo Jerry, Dr. Feelgood, Steven Seagal, Larry Carlton, Lucky Peterson, Ana Popovic, Candy Dulfer, Desparate Blues Girls, Memo Gonzales, Jimmie Vaughan, Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado, Budda Power Blues, Robert Cray, Shirley King, Lloyd Jones, Robben Ford, Blues Pills, King King, Rachelle Plas, Dawn Tyler Watson, Richie Kotzen AND MANY MORE! www.stadhaus.lu www.bluesexpress.lu
6
Tom Taaffe
VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
New CEO appointed for AEG Europe (October 2018) AEG announced that Tom Miserendino will retire as president and CEO of its European operation. Starting December 31st, Alex Hill will replace him. CCO and chairman of AEG, Jay Marciano, says that Hill is the perfect replacement for Miserendino’s industry experience. “Alex is the perfect choice to succeed Tom,” Marciano relayed. “He has been instrumental in helping to develop and execute our
Alex Hill
corporate strategy in Europe which has strengthened and grown our regional operations.”
New director appointed for Amsterdam Dance Event (August 2018) As of 1 October, Mariana Sanchotene was appointed new Director of the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) foundation. She succeeds Richard Zijlma. Sanchotene’s appointment coincides with the foundation’s transition into an independent foundation. The Amsterdam Dance Event had been part of Buma Cultuur since its beginning in 1995.
Mariana Sanchotene
New Director for Istanbul Jazz Festival (August 2018) Harun İzer
Istanbul Jazz Festival has named Harun İzer as its new festival director. İzer, who had served as assistant director since 2011, replaces Pelin Opcin, who moved to Serious, the producer of London Jazz Festival, in February.
MMF elects new chair & vice chair (July 2018) The UK Music Managers Forum (MMF) has announced that Paul Craig of Nostromo Management has been elected as its new Chair and that Kwame Kwaten of Ferocious Talent has been elected as Vice Chair. Craig, who manages Scottish rock-group Biffy Clyro, replaced Diane Wagg, who stepped down after four years leading the organisation. She will remain a member of the board for another year before becoming an MMF Custodian.
Paul Graig
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VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
VIP Crystal Ball Quiz In the November issue of VIP News we asked the Live Music industry to take a look into the Crystal Ball and predict what will happen in 2019. On the next couple of pages, you will see how they answered.
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VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
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VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
VIP Analytics - Google Trends From VIP-Daily News
In 2018 VIP-Booking.com introduced VIP Analytics that allows our users to gain access to valuable statistics and key social media figures that can help to understand the interest and demand for certain artists. One of the analytic tools VIP-Booking have integrated are the Google Trends where users can benchmark how many google searches artists have in specific territories. The most searched Artists on Google in 2018
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VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
Swedish House Mafia
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VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
European mergers and acquisitions From VIP-Daily News
2018 was a year of many interesting business mergers and acquisitions. We have gathered some of the most interesting ones that have featured in VIP News over the past six months. Transactions that will probably have an impact on the European Live Music Industry for years to come.
6 Nordic agencies and promoters sold (December 2018) Netherlands-based investment firm Waterland Private Equity, has acquired six leading Scandinavian promoters and agencies, bringing them together under a new company named All Things Live described as “the new independent market leader in Nordic live entertainment”. Waterland will be the majority shareholder of the six companies ICO Concerts, ICO Management and Touring (Denmark), Friction and Atomic Soul Booking (Norway) as well as Blixten & Co and Maloney Concerts (Sweden). The All Things Live partnership will have combined annual revenue of around EUR 85 million and approximately 70 employees in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Live Nation acquires Mainland Music (December 2018) Live Nation announced it is acquiring Mainland Music, one of the leading concert promoters in Switzerland. Mainland Music promotes over 650 shows annually across a variety of genres including rock, hip-hop, urban, punk rock and metal. The company, co-founded in 2012 by longtime partners Christian Gremelmayr, Derrick Thomson, Marc Lambelet, Martin Schrader and Santosh Aerthott, with offices in Zurich and Lausanne, has experienced rapid growth across Switzerland, making it a valuable addition to Live Nation’s growing presence in Switzerland. Mainland Music will continue all operations, while also joining forces with Live Nation on tours and other promotion opportunities. This new partnership will add the
From left, in the back: Martin Schrader, Marc Seemann (Live Nation), Christian Gremelmayr, Santosh Aerthott and Derrick Thomson. Front: Marc Lambelet and Matt Schwarz
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independent spirit of Mainland Music to Live Nation’s full range of services in Switzerland, enhancing the live music experience for artists and fans throughout the country.
VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
Four Artists acquisition still a no go (December 2018) The court in Dusseldorf has rejected an appeal by CTS Eventim to overturn the block on its acquisition of German promoter Four Artists. CTS Eventim announced last March that they planned to acquire Four Artists, but the deal was unexpectedly blocked in November after the competition regulators Bundeskartellamt ruled that Eventim held a dominant position in the German ticketing market and that the proposed merger would substantially reduce competition in the sector.
Superstruct invest in Finnish Festival (November 2018) Finnish Flow Festival has entered into an investment and partnership in Superstruct Entertainment, the live entertainment platform backed by Providence Equity Partners. The Founders of Flow – Tuomas Kallio, Chairman of the Board and Artistic Director; Suvi Kallio, Managing Director; and Toni Rantanen, Artistic Director of Electronic Music – will continue to lead the company
Flow Crew
and remain shareholders.
Corida Group acquires French promoter (November 2018) Corida Group, one of the largest independent live music companies in France, has acquired half of Super!, the promoter behind the Pitchfork Paris, Cabourg Mon Amour and Biarritz en Été festivals. The deal – signed on the eve of Pitchfork Paris (1–3 November) – sees Super! join other semi-independent promoters the Talent Boutique and Pi-Pôle, along with Corida itself, under the Corida Group umbrella. The set-up, says the company, offers “a distinct and innovative alternative to multinational
Corida
promoters”, such as Live Nation France and the recently launched AEG Presents France, “in Europe.”
Live Nation buys stake in Irish promoter MCD (August 2018) Irish concert promoters Denis Desmond and Caroline Downey have effectively sold half of their promotion company, MCD Productions, to Live Nation. MCD, one of the largest concert promoters in Europe, has been bought out in full by LN-Gaiety (LNG), a UKbased company that is a 50/50 joint venture between Live Nation and Mr Desmond and Ms Downey’s Gaiety Investments.
Denis-Desmond and Caroline-Downey
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VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
B2B Views on 2018 & 2019 We asked some live music industry professionals about their views on the most important events that have happened during 2018 and what they expect to be the most significant in 2019.
Name: Paulina Ahokas Company: Tampere Hall Ltd. Position: Managing Director Globe trotter from Finland. Lived and worked in five countries and five cities in Finland. MA and EMBA by education. Before Tampere Hall, started and ran Music Export Finland, Arts Manager for the Finnish Institute in London, rock and jazz club promoter in Prague and before that, music writer, marketing director for festivals, musician for several bands. Currently board member of the Finnish Broadcasting Company and member of the Finnish Arts Council, among others. Forever a curious student.
Q1:
our industry has is this: do an environmental
Challenge: to bring great international artists
What event in 2018 do you think will
deed – buy an experience. We have to be
to Tampere, who are also sustainable from
have the most impact on the Live Music
able to make local concert experiences the
an environmental point of view.
Industry in years to come?
most environmentally friendly service and
product there is on earth.
Rock music is officially dead, according to
environment as seriously as we do, and to Q3:
make our practices and targets on that even
Business wise do you see any big
stronger.
Q2:
events/trends on the horizon for 2019?
What do you think will be the most
(Mergers etc.)
Q5:
Spotify, but Drake lives.
important issue for the Live Music Industry in 2019?
14
Task: to make sure everyone takes the
What artist would you like to see Environmental issues.
reunited for a tour in 2019 and why?
Bigger and broader business concepts based
One of us needs to come up with electric
on the live music industry base; this is already
Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Rage Against the
airplanes and fast, otherwise flight travelling
happening in Finland.
Machine, Eva Dahlgren (always timely, but
will come to an end with environmental
she has a wonderful birthday in 2019),
consciousness (finally) increasing. National
Q4:
Einstürzende Neubauten, Björk, Mumford
identities in music will rise and get stronger
What will be the biggest challenge/task
&Sons, Sting, Alicia Keys, Jonas Kaufman,
in Finland and elsewhere. The biggest chance
for you and your company in 2019?
Cecilia Bartolli, Barbara Hannigan…
ESNS: EU
STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG
ESNS: EU creative europe
STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG
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JANUARY 2019
My biggest worry is the rise of extremism and nationalism - religious extremism, political extremism, even moral extremism. As our intolerance grows, our wealth of culture shrinks away and is hidden and crowded out by the loud shouts and biased opinions of those who seek to dominate society, business, politics, culture and the social agenda. As a lawyer I have to say that regulators seem surprisingly indifferent to consolidation and market dominance in the music sectors - the live sector, recorded music
and
recently
music
publishing
have all seen a level of concentration of ownership that would never be tolerated in other sectors. I am not sure it’s healthy, but it’s ongoing. Name: Ben Challis Company: Charming Music
Q4:
Position: Legal consultant
What will be the biggest challenge/task for you and your company in 2019?
Ben is a music industry lawyer and his clients include the Glastonbury Festival where he has been General Counsel for twenty five years. A graduate of Kings College
Dealing with Brexit!
London and the City University, Ben also acts for the European festival association Yourope, Africa Express and Arcadia Spectacular.
Q5: What artist would you like to see reunited for a tour in 2019 and why?
Q1:
‘Brexit means Brexit’ I haven’t got the faintest
I am getting to the age where all of my
What event in 2018 do you think will
idea what leaving the European Union
dream reunions are fatally flawed because
have the most impact on the Live Music
means. I suspect they are equally as clueless,
of the passing of key members - I loved
Industry in years to come?
but hey, a slogan is a slogan! I fear the worst
the Clash but without Joe Strummer I
and I DO remember the so called ‘good old
cannot see that ever happening: if it did
From where I am based in the United
days’ of folders full of visas, work permits
I would not be there. Crowded House are
Kingdom, Brexit in what ever shape it
and carnets, slow border crossings and
another firm favourite but drummer Paul
comes in will be a major change. At the
additional costs. It was rubbish. Secondary
Hester is another key member who is sadly
time of writing everything is undecided and
ticketing remains a massive concern for many
missing. I remain a huge fan of Neil Finn’s
unclear in the United Kingdom, but with a
in the live sector, and it’s interesting to see
songwriting. I have to say in all honesty
March deadline if the UK does leave there
Ticketmaster belatedly taking a proactive
I am not a big fan of reunions and have
has been almost no attention to detail and
approach to its involvement in the market
actively avoided going and seeing new
the live sector will be left with a real mess
as press and regulatory interest deepens
‘versions’ of my former heroes. If I could
to deal with.
and court cases multiply. Viagogo remains
go back in time I would dearly love to see
a constant reminder of what happens to a
David Bowie one last time (but I would be
Q2:
healthy sector when secondary ticketing
watching through a waterfall of tears), I
What do you think will be the most
becomes entrenched.
would love to see Queen at the peak of
important issue for the Live Music Industry in 2019?
16
their powers, and one band I feel are still Q3:
under rated are the British band Slade - I
Business wise do you see any big
never saw them live as they were marketed
In Europe it has to be Brexit. But whilst in my
events/trends on the horizon for 2019?
as ‘glam rock’ and I was a punk - but I
country many of those who support Brexit say
(Mergers etc.)
wish I had.
VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
Name: Georg Leitner Company: Georg Leitner Productions GmbH Position: Managing Director GLP´s foundation was laid in 1977, when Georg Leitner returned from South Africa to Austria. Georg Leitner and his team launched some of the first Punk (e.g. THE Clash), Reggae (e.g. Peter Tosh) and Stadium open Air festivals ( e.g. Rod Stewart) in Austria. Today GLP delivers some of the world’s top performers to promoters across the globe. GLP has booked artists such as Ray Charles, James Brown, Miriam Makeba and Sean Paul. GLP also puts together “Package Tours “ such as “The Tribute to Bob Marley – World Tour” which featured Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Pato Banton. Today GLP tours longstanding legends such as George Clinton Parliament / Funkadelic, Kool & The Gang, Earth Wind & Fire exp.feat Al.McKAY and many more. GLP also delivers “turn key solutions“ and artists for corporate and private events (e.g. Shakira, Michael Bolton). Clients include Blackberry, IBM, Dolce & Gabbana and Coca Cola, Replay.
Q1:
African music is expanding faster than any other type of music –
What event in 2018 do you think will have the most impact on
with artists such as Black Coffee, Wizkid (who e.g. sold out the O2
the Live Music Industry in years to come?
in London this year), Sauti Sol etc.
The biggest development is the EU´s attempt to regulate YOUTUBE etc.
I believe this trend will continue in 2019.
The European Union (EU) is moving ahead with its proposed law that
Q4:
will require video streamers like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to
What will be the biggest challenge/task for you and your
devote at least 30% of their on-demand libraries to local content.
company in 2019?
To ensure that national cultural streams will at least be presented –
Our biggest challenge is the launch of our travelling festival:
which will help to maintain the wonderful cultural diversity that our
AFROBEATS CIRCUS - A unique touring project including 6-8
globe consists of.
Afrobeats / Dancehall / Afrohouse and -jazz Artists in a great set up
with acrobats, dancers and an extraordinary light show.
Q2: What do you think will be the most important issue for the
The audience will enjoy a full day travelling through different kinds
Live Music Industry in 2019?
of afro-based music.
The biggest issue is how we as an industry can make sure that the
Q5:
creative industry (musicians, managers etc.) gets a fair share of the
What artist would you like to see reunited for a tour in 2019
overall income derived from musical content on the various platforms
and why?
such as YOUTUBE, SPOTIFY etc.
18
LED ZEPPELIN – having had the honour of booking FOREIGNER on
Q3:
the bill with Led Zeppelin at their reunion in 2007 at the O2 – I´d
Business wise do you see any big events/trends on the horizon
love to see this double bill go on tour (I´m allowed to wish for a
for 2019? (Mergers etc.)
miracle – after all its Christmas…:-)
VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
We would not call this an event but we feel
place in 2018 – we see a shift from a market
that the biggest issue regarding the Live
in which there were many independent
Music Industry is the increase of artist fees
festivals, to a market where really big festival
being disproportionate to the speed at which
sectors are created working together and
the market is growing. We find the gigantic
creating a unified capital. In all my career,
increase of fees to be a huge problem together
I do not remember a year in which such a
with the resulting sky-high ticket prices.
large consolidation of the festival market
Name: Mikolaj Ziolkowski
took place. Of course, above all, it is related
Company: Alter Art
Q2:
to two factors: the peak of the economic
Position: CEO
What do you think will be the most
cycle, prosperity in Europe and all over the
important issue for the Live Music
world and new money and investment funds
Industry in 2019?
that have appeared in our industry. This has
MIKOLAJ
ZIOLKOWSKI Open’er
resulted in the domination of many subjects/
Festival (PL). Mikolaj Ziolkowski is an expert in promoting culture, music,
Something we have been observing for years,
parties instead of two or three music entities
art and entertainment. His interest
which has recently taken a really extreme
like we used to have.
in live music events evolved into
form: growing fees and costs of artists vs
Alter Art agency, one of Poland’s
ticket prices and revenues, in festival and
This is also an answer to the first question:
leading promoters in music and
concert markets. Our music industry will
1. The increase in prices, fees that we pay
entertainment events.
soon start losing out to other areas of widely
to the artists and despite the fact that we
understood entertainment, for instance to
have been talking about it for a long time,
It organises the most important music
the gaming industry. We are already at the
this process has now gained strength.
festivals in Poland: Orange Warsaw
borderline and we should not go any further.
2. Consolidation, merges and purchases of
Festival, Kraków Live Festival and the
This huge pressure from both manaagements
independent promoters, mainly festivals.
biggest one – Open’er Festival with
and artists is dangerous and we should not
Until now, very important and almost iconic
its 17 successful editions. Open’er
cross the line in this matter. We’ve just come
festivals have become part of larger business
has been acknowledged outside
up against a brick wall – there is a border that
entities, whether through investments made
Poland,
two-time
will exceed the audience’s outflow. We all are
in them or through purchases.
European Festival Awards winner as
now at the peak of development of the music
Best Major Festival.
industry and its popularity but this situation is
Q4:
becoming
a
mainly related to the prosperity that appears
What will be the biggest challenge/task
On top of all the aforementioned
in the economy during last few years. As soon
for you and your company in 2019?
successes, Alter Art was awarded
as there is a crisis or economic slowdown, we
the title of Promoter of the Year
will be faced by problems: high ticket prices
After the great success of 2018 and actually
at the European Festival Awards
in combination with much smaller audiences
selling out all of our three festivals, the
in 2016. Since 2016 Mikolaj has
that suddenly cannot afford to go to concerts
biggest challenge is to maintain the great
been a board member of Yourope,
and festivals.
level we managed to achieve - both at the program level and at the level of the overall
the European Festival Association founded in 1998.
Q3:
functioning of the festivals. And probably
Business wise do you see any big
the most difficult challenge will be having
events/trends on the horizon for 2019?
such great weather as we had last year.
(Mergers etc.) Q1:
Q5:
What event in 2018 do you think will
As we are at the peak of the business cycle,
What artist would you like to see
have the most impact on the Live Music
the largest consolidation is taking place in
reunited for a tour in 2019 and why?
Industry in years to come?
the music market in many years. If you look at the festival market, it turns out that a lot
As far as I am concerned, seeing Abba
Our music business is now bigger than ever
of independent festivals, have either been
together again would be a huge thing. It
before - it is dynamically growing and it has
bought or merged into groups, they have
is not my cup of tea music-wise but they
just become a huge business. But as in any
also become part of larger “organisms” and
were an amazing band and it would be a
industry, we need sustainable development.
this is definitely the biggest change that took
fantastic reunion.
19
VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
flourish due to local production costs and high talent fees. Outdoor concerts & EDM will fade, pure music with live bands will rise again. Promoters will look for talent and original shows from other territories, such as Russian music and folklore shows, Regaton from South America, as well as others. Most importantly, local talent will take the market which has previously belonged to foreign talent. Q3: Business wise do you see any big events/trends on the horizon for 2019? (Mergers etc.) With respect to overseas talent, we are facing a poor year to come in our territory, due to the weakness of the market - Promoters will have no other choice but to merge in order to find a way to survive in an industry that is suffering from the current “boycott”. Name: Gad Oron
As of 2018, signs of mergers can be seen,
Company: Gad Oron Productions
promoters are starting to promote together
Position: CEO
in order to share the risk – this situation will lead to mergers. On the other end, promoters
Gad Oron, founder of the company, is one of the top promoters and live shows
and producers will look for projects overseas
producers in Israel. He is a world renowned expert in the world of event planning
– my company is currently looking for some
and live music promoter & production. Oron has produced dozens of open air
initiatives out of the country.
events, outdoor events presenting both local and International artists.
Q4: What will be the biggest challenge/task for you and your company in 2019?
Q1:
I believe that some of the promoters will
What event in 2018 do you think will
survive and stop looking for those foreign
Everything will have to change, we will have
have the most impact on the Live Music
talents, who have in the past played Tel Aviv
to reduce the day to day costs in order to
Industry in years to come?
and other cities. The unstable geo-political
overcome the poor season we are facing
situation will not change, it might even get
for 2019. The fact that we play for people
In my opinion, all indoor live shows in arenas
worse, this factor will affect the type of risk
and not for governments, we shall have
and theaters are taking a massive position
local promoters take as well.
to force our colleagues to ignore the local
in the industry. As for the Israeli territory
geo-political situation, I’m not optimistic for
– cautiously, I’d like to believe that the
Q2:
2019.
“cultural semi boycott” – which means the
What do you think will be the most
negative reactions local promoters receive
important issue for the Live Music
Q5:
from foreign agents & management will
Industry in 2019?
What artist would you like to see reunited for a tour in 2019 and why?
bring a big change to the local live stage,
20
causing the market to withdraw, this will
For Israel, I believe that it’s too early to say,
create a bad effect on the major local
I expect a big change, live concerts will
I miss, very much, bands and soloist from the
promoters who will have to look at new
become smaller, promoters will risk small
80’s & 90’s, shows with live musicians and
areas in order to gain a turn over to survive.
capacity shows and so indoors shows will
less technology.
VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
at ticketing and reselling in the future. The
business. It’s going to be interesting to see
artist and his team really put effort into
how the private equity will show in practice.
removing touting and demanded promoters
Touring wise the partnerships will probably
to work equally hard to fight touting.
mean an increasing amount of wider offers
Ticket touting and reselling platforms have
for artists instead of individual offers. For
obviously created heated conversation for a
festivals and events it will be even more
while now within the business. The reselling
important to choose partners in accordance
platforms have taken part in the business
to their values when it’s necessarily not
quite aggressively and even though Sheeran
about a sponsorship deal for a couple of
isn’t the only one trying to fight touting,
years, but a deeper partnership.
it seems that his approach ignited a wider conversation around the topic, and even
Q4:
changing ticketing legislation.
What will be the biggest challenge/task for you and your company in 2019?
Q2: What do you think will be the most
The biggest show for our company so far
important issue for the Live Music
will be Ed Sheeran playing two nights at
Industry in 2019?
Malmi Airport in Helsinki in July 2019. It’s not only Fullsteam’s biggest event, but the
Equality, and also bringing forward the
two shows combined might even gather
values that steer your company’s or event’s
the biggest audience any artist in Finland
operations. Gender equality has been talked
has had. The airport has only once hosted
about for some time now, and though
an event, which was significantly smaller,
there’s still a lot to do on that front as well,
so this is the first time the venue will be
we will need to see equality in a wider
used at a 60,000 people capacity. It will
Name: Aino-Maria Paasivirta
sense. I think events and companies need to
be an exciting project on many levels.
Company: Fullsteam Agency
strongly represent and bring forward values
We also have our two festivals Provinssi
Position: Promoter
they stand for. With the political climate we
(June 27-29th) and Sideways (June 6-8th),
live in at the moment, not just in Europe but
and we also have two other big outdoor
at
around the world, it’s more important than
shows in addition to Ed Sheeran at Malmi
Fullsteam as assistant to founder
ever to take a stand. Companies, not just in
Airport; Rammstein (Ratina Stadion) and
Rauha Kyyrö. She has been booking
the music business but business in general,
The Offspring (Suvilahti). These big shows
foreign acts to Provinssi Festival
have been using values as a competitive
combined
(cap 32,000) together with Rauha
edge. I think this will grow to be a bigger
throughout the summer will make this next
for the last 3 years, and took on the
part especially for events and festivals. Your
summer our busiest so far. It’s very exciting!
role of full-time promoter in 2017.
event needs to have a personality and feel,
Paasivirta
started
working
and values are a core ingredient to that.
our
festival
bookings
Q5: What artist would you like to see
She is shortlisted on IQ’s New Bosses 2018 feature.
with
Q3:
reunited for a tour in 2019 and why?
Business wise do you see any big events/trends on the horizon for 2019?
I grew up loving Spice Girls and now that
(Mergers etc.)
they announced their UK shows I’m of
Q1:
22
course hoping for a European tour to
What event in 2018 do you think will
Deeper partnerships and mergers seem to
happen. I’ve been wanting to see more
have the most impact on the Live Music
be a growing trend for festivals, agencies
female acts tour and headline festivals
Industry in years to come?
and promoters. Partnerships have evolved
for a while now, so this would be great.
to changes in ownership. The live business
Another nineties favourite is Wu Tang Clan,
I believe Ed Sheeran’s Divide tour was a
seems to be more lucrative than ever before
after having cancelled a couple of shows in
game changer ticketing wise and will have
to companies outside live music, and there’s
Finland the past years, I’d love to see all the
an effect in the long haul on how we look
more private equity coming into the live
original members together.
VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
Q3: Business wise do you see any big events/trends on the horizon for 2019? (Mergers etc.) Consolidation is happening everywhere and global players will want to “own” as much of the “lifestyle” experience as they can concerning their target audiences so no doubt media and retail brands as well as communication platforms will continue investing in and benefitting from live music events just as we on a Middle Eastern level see a now fully established model of live music events taking center stage at major sporting, cultural, retail and indeed Name: Thomas Ovesen
government events – the volume and
Company: AEG Ogden Dubai Arena
frequency of live events regionally will
Position: COO
increase and with that focus on fan and customer experience will have to play a
Before joining the Dubai Arena team early this year and what is now the most exciting
major role just as ticket pricing and ticket
and game changing venue project in the region I have been promoting public and
servicing will have to be optimized here.
private live events across the Middle East with stints of mainly private shows globally
since 1999. Past events include new festival IP launches in the UAE and feature shows
Q4:
with the likes of Justin Bieber, J-LO, Eagles, One Direction, Shakira, Ed Sheeran, Bon
What will be the biggest challenge/task
Jovi, Beyonce and many more.
for you and your company in 2019? At AEG Ogden Dubai Arena there is only one, and major, challenge for 2019 and
Q1:
the live events business and Middle Eastern
that is successfully opening the new Dubai
What event in 2018 do you think will
music industry will move to the next level.
Arena – lots of work for all involved parties
have the most impact on the Live Music
still remain but once the doors open to the
Industry in years to come?
Q2:
first events in the new building the region
What do you think will be the most
will have an amazing new entertainment
Globally, and after the industry crying out
important issue for the Live Music
facility in a fantastic city, servicing millions of
for the next level of stadium acts for the
Industry in 2019?
regional fans and event goers and hopefully
past many years, seeing Ed Sheeran and
setting the trend for how best to experience
Taylor Swift becoming stadium sell out
Globally I think VR in general and AR
live entertainment as new arena projects
artists, new talents like Shawn Mendes and
in particular will become a factor in live
have helped do elsewhere across the globe.
Post Malone becoming Grammy nominated
events but regionally I will have to think
arena acts on the back of few albums and
the Dubai Arena opening will make the
Q5:
little international touring and latin artists
biggest difference for performing artists
What artist would you like to see
breaking through across mainstream media
and their fans when it comes to changes
reunited for a tour in 2019 and why?
and still singing in Spanish is just an incredible
and improvements in the Middle Eastern live
and very exciting live entertainment industry
music industry. The developments in KSA
Well if Liam and Noel could agree to do a
development and true testimony to how
concerning access to and consumption of
run with Oasis we could easily do 4 nights in
buoyant our industry is right now.
live entertainment and live music will also be
the new Dubai Arena – if they would offer
a positive for the region and only underline
us global exclusivity they could play every
Regionally, the count down to the new Dubai
the need for optimal fan experiences and the
night with us and for months on end no
Arena opening has started and with that
need for purpose built venues.
doubt!!.....wishful thinking!?!
23
VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
Q1: What event in 2018 do you think will have the most impact on the Live Music Industry in years to come? Nothing to report Q2: What do you think will be the most important issue for the Live Music Industry in 2019? A real debate on the issue of ticket distribution. In Europe exploitation of ticketing and the death nail of the official ‘secondary market’ has become a Governmental issue. Many fans, who have been ripped off are now using their voice to push authorities into passing legislations to outlaw this scourge. Our business has been too slow to pick up the challenge and create a fair and equitable distribution network for tickets to be sold as close to their face value as possible. Once and for all, we have to deal with Name: Harvey Goldsmith
the greed in our industry. We have a duty of care to our fans and we
Company: Harvey Goldsmith
should exercise that care.
Position: CEO
Q3:
Harvey is as legendary as he is prolific as a rock and pop
Business wise do you see any big events/trends on the horizon
promoter.
for 2019? (Mergers etc.)
He is a visionary producer and has worked with most of the
I see further consolidation in the recording and publishing world.
world’s major artists, being responsible for not only two of
The major social network companies are starting to buy and control
the world’s largest ever music events, Live Aid and Live 8 but
content and will continue to do so. Spotify will become under threat
also an astounding range of television broadcasts and charity
from other agencies. This means that content will become ‘King’
events – he is also shortly to take on the role of theatre
once again.
impresario! Q4: Harvey has received numerous awards including a CBE in
What will be the biggest challenge/task for you and your
1996, the Chevalier des Artes et Lettres from the French
company in 2019?
Minister of Culture in 2006, an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Brighton in the UK in July 2012, and
We are establishing and immersive theatre venture which will launch
more recently to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee,
in mid 2019. To encourage artists and the music business as a whole
Harvey received the Diamond Award for his contribution to
to pay more attention to its heritage and engage with The British
the Arts in the UK.
Music Experience (BME).
Harvey is Chairman of The British Music Experience, the UK’s
The BME is the UK’s only museum of British contemporary music, it
only Museum of contemporary music and in September 2018
resides in the Cunard Building in Liverpool and should be supported
became the non-executive Chairman of YM & U (formerly
more by the whole industry.
James Grant Group). Harvey sits on many boards including Editorial Intelligence, Captive Health and Investment Board
Q5:
of Edge VCT. Harvey is also on the Board of ImagineNation, a
What artist would you like to see reunited for a tour in 2019
Dutch immersive theatre company.
and why? Mott the Hoople best band ever
24
www.novitas-hamburg.de
Wenn unvorhergesehenes ein loch in ihr BuDgeT reissT. novitas. Wir versichern Veranstaltungen.
VIP NEWS ANNUAL > BUSINESS >
MUSIC IN SHARES
JANUARY 2019
Music In Shares Recap 2018 Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com
Pump Up The Volume - Emotionally Volatile This recap of the business year 2018
sector faces a decline of 17.17 percent. On
companies all over the world. This was
revealed some strange insights.The ongoing
December 28 2017, the share price remained
however, also affected by the general nervous
trade war between the US and the rest
at 38.66 Euro, peaking in mid July with a
mood of investors towards the end of 2018.
of the world impacted on international
share price of 43.86 Euro and decreasing
In December 2017, it’s share price stood at
stock markets and ...caused an even more
further towards December 28 2018 with a
$42.81, by November 8 2018 it reached
impressive cash burn rate.
share price of 32.58 Euro.
$57.43 and then within a few weeks only dropped to $48.82....... Such impressive
Towards the end of 2018, pretty much all
The company still had a market capitalisation
relevant stock market indices such as the
of 3.08 billion Euro but the long upward
DAX, Dow Jones and FTSE100 indicated
trend for this share was interrupted.
losses. In more detail, since December 2017,
movements need emotionally stable investors. The market cap on the day this story went to print still stood at $10.17 billion.
these stock market barometers dropped.
At least DEAG’s share gained a tiny increase.
Taking into consideration the overall trillions
Currently around 3.10 Euro, within twelve
One of the most emotional share price
of investment in shares, the losses were
months, the share price gained an increase of
developments in 2018 was that of Spotify.
significant. The Dow Jones down just 6.6%,
1.6%, moving up from 57.3 Euro. However,
The ups and downs of this company said a
the FTSE100 -13.5% and the DAX -20.5%.
the market cap is only just 57.3 million Euro
lot about the speculative character of the
Besides mainly solid business results reported
which for a company with an expected
financal community. The company undertook
by stock market listed music companies, this
turnover of 200 Euro, is really far too little for
its stock market debut at the beginning of
development of course affects the share price
2018.
April. On April 4, the closing bell at NYSE
levels of these companies.
recorded a share price of of $144.22. In 2018, Live Nation reached new levels
26
The shares of CTS Eventim appeared to be a
of revenues, following a growth strategy
Between then and August, the share price
solid gainer for years But at the end of 2018
that fed the requirements of analysts and
rose towards $198.99, before gradually
the crown jewel of the European live music
institutional investors when buying concert
descending to as little as $113.88!
VIP NEWS ANNUAL > BUSINESS >
MUSIC IN SHARES
JANUARY 2019
The market cap before the end of the year
to $29.36. Nevertheless this company is
12. The IPO has been rescheduled twice and
was still $20.5 billion.
considered to have a market cap of $2.29
hoped to gain $1.2 billion.
billion. Since its debut on NYSE on September 20,
stock
market
newbie
Eventbrite
Nevertheless, the company considered The newest newbie appears to be Chinese
to have a market share of 56 percent for
experienced a closing price of $36.50, a
music
music streaming in China has market cap
share price decline and then fell further
Cashing in $1.1 billion at NYSE on December
streaming
giant
Tencent
Music.
of $22 billion.
What’s in the pipeline for 2019? Taking into consideration the fact that external investments are
to be expected as international stock markets currently don’t deliver
currently floating the live music industry, sooner or later one or the
the profit margins that investors usually take for granted for their
other IPO’s of such companies is to be expected. Newly prominent
kind of activities.
names such as Superstruct, backed by the investment firm Providence Equity Partners, already swallowed festivals such as Sziget, Sonar
The most interesting update on these developments, which will
and Flow Festival. China Media Capital already purchased a
have a significant impact on the internal settings of the live music
minority stake in CAA in 2017 while the Dutch investment company
market, is to be expected to take place at ILMC 2019. As part
and the Waterland Private Equity formed a new consortium of six
of the conference agenda one session will cover the aspect of
Scandinavian concert companies among them are Blixten, ICO
“Industry Investment: The power broker.” This will be an exciting
Concerts and Maloney Concerts.
new chapter when these fellows, besides promising forecasts, will discover things such as how stage riders and contract details might
The magic term therefore is “exit-strategy”, with investors cashing in
lead to lower profits. A fact which, from an investors perspective,
for the capital they once invested. But sooner rather than later, it is
is totally forbidden...
MEGAFORCE
‚ ‘ Roll k c Ro n sion e v li we h pas it w The Stage Company r e to g e t h
MEGAFORCE Joehlinger Strasse 118 D – 76356 Weingarten
Phone +49 72 44 72 02 0 info@megaforce.de www.megaforce.de
27
VIP NEWS ANNUAL >
JANUARY 2019
EUROPEAN TRADE FAIR & CONFERENCE
CALENDAR 2019 January Eurosonic Noorderslag : Groningen, The Netherlands · 16-20 January · www.esns.nl
February by:larm : Oslo, Norway · 28 February - 2 March · www.bylarm.no
March ILMC: London, UK - 5-8 March · www.ilmc.com Tallinn Music Week: Tallinn, Estonia · 25-31 March · www.tmw.ee
May c/o pop: Cologne, Germany · 1-5 May · www.c-o-pop.de The Great Escape: Brighton, UK · 9-11 May · www.greatescapefestival.com Primavera Pro: Barcelona, Spain · 29 May - 2 June · www.pro.primaverasound.com
June MIDEM: Cannes, France · 4-7 June · www.midem.com
September Plasa Show: London, UK · 15-17 September · www.plasashow.com Reeperbahn Festival: Hamburg, Germany · 18-21 September · www.reeperbahnfestival.com International Festival Forum: London, UK · 24-26 September · www.iff.rocks Waves Vienna: Vienna, Austria · 26-28 September · www.wavesvienna.com
October Music & Media: Tampere, Finland 3-4 October · www.musikkimedia.fi MaMA Event: Paris, France · 16-18 October · www.mama-event.com Amsterdam Dance Event: Amsterdam, The Netherlands · 16-21 October · www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl WOMEX: Tampere, Finland · 23-27 October · www.womex.com BIME Pro: Bilbao, Spain · 30 October - 1 November · www.bime.net
November Sonic Visions: Esch/Alzette, Luxembourg · Dates t.b.a. · www.sonicvisions.lu
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