VIP-News Premium - February 2017

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PREMIUM > VOLUME 198 > FEBRUARY 2017

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FEBRUARY 2017

McGowan’s

Musings

I don’t know about you, but I’m increasingly

a takeover, let’s face it we humans have

13th and 14th (my birthday by the way…)

very keen on talk radio, could be a matter

been doing some dreadful things for a long

of July, 2019 at the same location as the

of age I suppose, in my case it’s usually BBC

time, and recently in particular making

first three legendary years, - Escalarre, in

Radio 4. Of late of course the airwaves are

some pretty stupid decisions, so machines

the Vall d’Àneu, in the Catalan Pyrenees.

largely devoted to Trumpisms and Brexitism

guided by A.I. probably wouldn’t do much

Founder and CEO of Doctor Music, Neo

(you’re allowed to make up words in the

worse. But what – I hear you cry – is he

Sala announced all this with a no expense

Musings…), but also I have found myself

banging on about, what has this to do with

spared presentation at London’s Groucho

listening to a lot of material dealing with

the world of live music? Well, quite a lot

Club, to a gathering of the great and the

Artificial Intelligence and Robots, to the

really, after taking all this radio material on

good of the live industry. The food was

extent that I think there’s something going

board I found myself in London last night

fantastic – so I’m told… and there’s no

on… Perhaps we’re being ‘softened up’ for

attending a conference event that dealt

doubt that the aims of all aspects of the

specifically with ‘How AI and Robotics

festival are more than ambitious.

will be used in the events industry ‘. Also

COLOPHON > 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

2

the upcoming editions of IPC and ILMC,

Finally, the stars of the ultimate spoof

include technology sessions which I am

rockumentary, ‘This is Spinal Tap’ have

sure will make reference to these terms in

gone all serious to the tune of $400 million,

connection to applications which will have

this being the amount they are seeking

a significant bearing on the development

from the owners of Universal Music,

of the touring industry. When will the first

Vivendi, claiming that the Company failed

all-robot band take to the stage? As my

to accurately report on all sorts of revenues

own intelligence wains will the Musings

accruing from the cult movie. Harry

be written by a non – human? – The mind

Shearer, who played bassist Derek Smalls in

boggles! I was however heartened when

the film initiated the lawsuit and was then

reference was made to the supposed

joined by his three co-creators, Christopher

holographic on stage reincarnations of

Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner. He

Tupac and others, to hear that these

commented: “Their participation will help

appearances were actually achieved by the

demonstrate the opaque and misleading

use of a hundred year old bit of trickery and

conduct at the heart of this case. We’re

illusion known as Pepper’s Ghost.

even louder now”. Presumably that means turning up to eleven….

We’re obviously very used to including reports of bands re-forming, but it’s

Right – hopefully we’ll see at least some

not often that a whole event makes a

of you in London in a couple of weeks at

comeback; but that is exactly what is

ILMC, all of the VIP team will be there so

happening with Spain’s Doctor Music

come and chat. In the meantime don’t be

Festival. Last held in the year 2000 the

misled by artificial intelligence, and, Ladies

event will again take place on the 12th,

and Gentlemen – here’s the News…

VIP NEWS >

FEBRUARY 2017

Where’s the Music Commemorate Viola Beach Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com This edition of Where’s the Music took place from February 2 -4, and

Viola Beach

was again organised in Norrköping by FKP Scorpio. This edition of the Conference and Showcase event attracted 5013 visitors and 497 delegates.

This was my second visit at which I chaired a really interesting panel on The Future of Festivals, which concluded that yes- there is a future! I also interviewed Natasha Bent of Coda Agency, a very honest and very ‘human’ discussion which revealed that you can be a very successful agent and still be a devoted mother! Organiser Emelie Stockhaus confirmed that the conference had 60% female speakers and talked about everything from the second hand market of tickets to playlisting to female music producers.

She added, “On the whole this was a very successful WTM. The changes for this year included removing Flygeln, the largest venue, and adding two smaller venues (Hedvigs Kyrka and Cromwell) which was very much appreciated.”

Last year WTM was dominated by the news that the band Viola Beach and their manager had all died in the terrible accident when their car plunged into a canal on the way back to Stockholm after playing at the Festival. I well remember the sense of shock that affected everyone that night. In memory of those that died the WTM organisers this year introduced The Viola Beach Memory Award, which will be a recurring feature of future WTM’s, and will highlight one international act and one manager in the spirit of Viola Beach and their manager Craig Tarry. Viola Beach’s agent, Mark Bennett of UTA, having made a very moving speech about the band and manager and the accident, in obviously very difficult and emotional circumstances, made the first presentation to The Amazons (band) and Paul Sonkamble (Deerlily, manager of Ängie, Thea, Albin Lee Meldau etc). The Memorial event also showed film of Viola Beach,

Emelie Stockhaus

which brought home the fact that all of them were great characters, and obviously great friends.

Need to know who is touring Europe?

®

Go online - www.vip-booking.com vip-booking.com

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VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

FEBRUARY 2017

Ever Increasing Reports on Touting Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com / Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com The flow of news regarding secondary

release describing the sales proceedings

ticketmaster.es. It almost needs no saying

ticketing and touting is constant these

as “surreal”, warning fans not to buy

that plenty of tickets for other shows of

days, mirroring the financial dimensions of

tickets above the face value and to report

the artist are available at Ticketmaster’s

the dark side of ticketing. The current hot

questionable purchase experiences by mail

subsidiary Seatwave, even if on Ticketmaster.

spots are Italy, Spain, the UK and the US

to

es a clear notification is given that the resale

delivering seemingly continuous reports

furthermore announced investigation of

involving, in alphabetical order, Live Nation,

each case and the intention to report every

Seatwave, Stubhub, Ticketmaster, and of

suspicious transaction to legal authorities.

‘nosecondaryticketing@siae.it.’

SIAE

course Viagogo.

of tickets for this tour is forbidden.

Other news stories cover the sale of tickets

by Viagogo in the UK for a charity concert

In Spain the group of promoters The Project,

in the Royal Albert Hall by Ed Sheeran

Live Nation Italy once again came into the

Get In and Riff who are jointly promoting

for the Teenage Cancer Trust on March

headlines when the company tried to launch

the Joaquín Sabina “I Deny Everything

28, despite the fact that the Charity had

a special pre- ticket sale for the one and only

tour” announced the launch of legal action

already released a statement on its website

Lady Gaga show scheduled for September

against Viagogo for selling tickets for a

that tickets would be strictly controlled by

on February 9. As with its Coldplay show in

show in A Coruña on July 22nd, that has

the production of ID’s and that “tickets

Italy, it appeared that the majority of ticket

been postponed and for which no tickets

purchased on the secondary market will

buyers were not able to purchase tickets

have even been released

not be admitted.” However, a statement on

minutes after the presale started, repeating

Viagogo’s website says “buyers of tickets

this questionable Live Nation Italy sales

Together with the management of the artist

for this event will be accompanied into the

strategy, tickets for the Lady Gaga show in

the group of promoters in a joint statement

venue by the seller

Milan appeared on Viagogo immediately

appealed to the Spanish government to

after the presale.

install a law similar to that in France banning

The sell-out concert was raising money for

the unauthorized resale of tickets. On the

the Teenager Cancer Trust, but second-hand

The Italian copyright collection society

artist website furthermore the primary

tickets have been advertised for up to £5,000

SIAE on February 13 released a press

ticket companies are listed, among others

Campaigners have accused the company of “moral repugnance”. “The only people who should profit from Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall are young people with cancer,” the charity says on its site.

Ed Sheeran has recently publicly condemned the secondary ticketing market, accusing some in the sector of “unethical practices”.

The singer has asked fans not to buy tickets to his gigs at over-inflated prices, and has teamed up with face value ticket platform Twickets for his April and May concerts.

The Guardian furthermore reported on a couple named Michael Mayiger and Michelle Meiger that had previously been convicted for a £ 2 million fraud involving the resale of tickets for the premier league

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VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

FEBRUARY 2017

in 2012. Currently they are selling tickets

article Church is quoted as saying “They

in all mentioned territories. For those in

for an Ed Sheeran show in Glasgow

buy thousands of tickets across the U.S.,

Italy, Spain and the UK it is furthermore

on Seatwave. Interestingly Mayiger is

not just mine, and they end up making a

interesting to mention that often the lack

officially considered by Ticketmaster as a

fortune. They use fake credit cards, fake IDs.

of a proper law against the unauthorized

“trusted seller”.

All of this is fraud.” The artist is playing more

resale of concert tickets is noted. Since

than 50 shows until May and sold around 1

secondary ticketing within just a few years

million tickets in total.

has attained an industrial level, it might now

In another case The Washington Post reports that country singer Eric Church is cancelling

become easier for politicians to recognise

25.000 tickets for his upcoming North

All these stories have in common the

demands to regulate this market that has

America tour throughout this spring. In the

attraction of massive media coverage

emerged from a black to grey.

The Industrialisation of Secondary Ticketing Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com In the heyday of secondary ticketing it was

But times have changed and this initial

choreography

just a question of time before the institution

conference

different.

objective at the same time. However, one of

of an entire industry conference dedicated

Organized by Claudio Trotta of Barley Arts

the main reasons why Trotta implemented

to the theme of “No Secondary Ticketing”

on January 26 in Milan in Italy, the agenda

the conference was the recent ticketing

took place. For many years the usually

and mission was clear: to ban secondary

scandal in autumn 2016, when the Italian

controversial

debated

ticketing. Along with statements by various

TV-Magazine La Iene revealed that Live

issue of resale of tickets had appeared on

players ranging from artists and agents

Nation sold upfront ticket contingents

international conferences agendas.

to lawyers and politicians, the content

for a Coldplay show directly to the resale

and

emotionally

appeared

to

be

remained

subjective

and

platform Viagogo.

“We are not only fighting Live Nation, because there are more companies acting in this way, but we want to fight those who are speculating and exploiting this practice, (of secondary ticketing), said Trotta in his opening speech for the conference. Since the screening of the TV-report by Le Iene caused nationwide awareness, it was not a surprise that his conference was very well attended with around 350 visitors and not surprising that the event also attracted intensive media coverage.

From an industry perspective the conference furthermore delivered some interesting insights such as Stefano Lionetti, MD of the primary ticketing platform Ticketone, a subsidy of CTS Eventim, stating that they needed to have their sales process

Claudio Trotta

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for U2 in Italy monitored by the auditing company Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC),

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

FEBRUARY 2017

proving that 84 per cent of ticket sales took place in the first hour of being on sale. In fact, similar to the regulations in

France

the primary ticketing business in Italy operates under much stricter regulations than elsewhere in Europe. Among others tickets are considered as being financial certificates, monitored and controlled by financial supervisory authorities.

But while primary ticketing is heavily regulated in Italy, until now secondary

Stefano Lionetti, Ticketone

ticketing isn’t. That is where lawyers and politicians, also represented at the “No

agreements with Viagogo, among others,

were of the opinion that the solution to this

Secondary

come

these few figures underline the international

problem could be a ‘package’ consisting of a

into the game But in order to cover the

scale and the financial volume of the resale

regulation, a code of ethics and a clear sales

phenomenon

business so far attained.

policy.

Adam Webb from the Fan Fair Alliance and

But Live Nation’s ‘Coldplay-Gate’ also

Just shortly after the Coldplay ticketing

Alex Bruford from ATC Live in the UK.

shows how thin the line between touting

scandal, Dario Franceschini, the Italian

and secondary ticketing is. So it wasn’t

minister for culture already announced

The appearance of Webb and Bruford

surprising

moves to pave the political process to

underlined how quickly the resale of tickets

Ticketing Conference other aspects such

institute

has become an international industrialized

as the manipulation of ticket prices, tax

resale of tickets. A first hearing in the

business

evasion and even money laundering were

lower chamber of the Italian government

also covered.

is scheduled for early February.

Ticketing of

Conference secondary

ticketing

appropriately, Trotta additionally invited

with

various

improved

sales

strategies such as online bots purchasing

that

at

the

No

Secondary

tickets in bulk or using algorithms to lever dynamic

pricing

automatically.

a

law

against

unauthorized

In line

with this, politicians and lawyers in Milan

Webb

Bruford at least delivered one positive

already discussed legislative options and

emphasized the ‘romantic’ self regard of

example of how to “prevent touting”. For

proceedings, Trotta at least said that he

those companies as being part of the ‘shared

recent shows with Lumineers in London

is determined to launch an observatory

economy, being on a par with Uber, Airbnb

with 10.000 tickets sold, he together

monitoring secondary ticketing and an

or even Ebay, but unlike those ‘completely

with management of the band required

awareness

built on anonymity’, claiming as usual ‘that

the promoter to sell personalized tickets,

free hotline for consumers, providing

they cannot police their platforms’ in the

which resulted in only a handful of tickets

information about the business practices

shared economy.

appearing on resale platforms. Bruford

and the disadvantages.

campaign

including

a

toll

clearly explains that it is possible to regain Additionally

Webb

mentioned

that

control about how and where tickets are

secondary ticketing in the UK had reached

going to be sold, when concluding that it

revenue of £1 billion. But also figures

is the agent’s responsibility to take steps to

from other players proved how quickly the

ban secondary ticketing “before confirming

financial dimensions had grown. Among

the show.” He closed his speech with the

others figures quoted by Stubhub in the

recommendation that it is not necessary to

annual business report for 2016 of its

sell out shows on “day one.”

Dario Franceschini

parent company Ebay, amounted to $1.239 billion. Prior to this Live Nation reported in

Probably one of the strongest allies for

its business report for Q3-2016 that up till

Trotta’s mission to ban secondary ticketing

September 2016 alone, the company gained

in Italy is the Italian copyright collection

revenues of £1 billion on its secondary

society SIAE. Their speaker, Gennaro Milzi,

ticketing platforms. In reference to the

emphasized the lack of a proper control

scandal of Live Nation Italy with its sales

over financial transactions and that SIAE

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VIP NEWS >

FEBRUARY 2017

Venue News Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

Boosts to ‘Agent of Change’ Proposals UK Music, the Music Venue Trust and

as soundproofing, rather than the venue

and businesses. Any new measure which

the Musicians’ Union have welcomed

when residential properties are built near

acts to preserve, improve and protect

Government proposals to boost ‘agent of

to existing venues.

these venues has the full support of our industry”.

change’ protections to safeguard music venues from new property developments.

UK Music chief exec Jo Dipple said ”UK

The need for law bringing better protection

Music has long argued that grassroots

Music Venues Trust CEO Mark Davyd adds:

as more music venues have been put out of

music venues need to be cherished as they

“This extends the impact of existing ‘agent

business, by new residential developments

are the incubators of music talent. That

of change’-style legislation and advice. It’s

has become vital in recent years. The ‘agent

they are under threat has direct knock-on

another huge step forward for protecting

of change’ principal, a law that previously

implications for the future of the sector,

music venues and ensures residents and

protected many venues in Australia, puts

one that contributes £4.1 billion to the UK

musical culture can exist side-by-side in

the onus on the developer for things such

economy and supports thousands of jobs

towns and cities”.

Famous London Venues to Combine Operations The Old Blue Last in Shoreditch, a long established and famous

Head booker of Vice, Cal McRae, said: “We’re beyond excited to be

London live venue has announced their takeover of one of Hackney’s

working on Sebright Arms, there’s a real simplicity and authenticity

equally favoured establishments the Sebright Arms. The operators

to it all – it’s a straight up boozer with an incredible sounding venue

of the Old Blue Last and Dalston’s night spot Birthdays, with partner

that myself, along with a lot of other people hold in high regard.

Vice, will further their support and development of London’s

Most importantly, it’s another bar I can get away with spending

indigenous nightlife, with this welcome city takeover. The semi

most of my time in, and calling it work.

refurbished 150 capacity Sebright will re-open on March 6. A series

of intimate gigs by some of the best known names on the circuit will

We want to bring Sebright back to it’s original form, filling it with

continue throughout the month.

an in house programme consisting of some of the most exciting, up and coming acts as well as established acts in a setting you’d never normally be able to see them in, which is something that we’ve developed a great reputation for doing so over at our other sites.

The response from everyone we’ve told so far has been overwhelmingly positive so it’s already been a total pleasure to work on. We can’t wait to properly move in and invite everyone over for a pint.”

The venue will also be partnering with DICE, the ticketing app dedicated to supporting independent venues and growing the live music industry. Ross Allmark, Head of Venues, said: “We’ve spent more of our lives than we probably should have propping up the bar at The Old Blue Last, so we’re ridiculously excited to work

Sebright Arms, Hackney

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with the team behind The Old Blue Last to introduce a whole new generation of music fans to The Sebright Arms”.

VIP NEWS >

FEBRUARY 2017

DEAG sells part of Manfred Hertlein From VIP-Daily News DEAG has sold its stake in the Würzburgbased Manfred Hertlein Veranstaltungs GmbH,

which

it

held

through

Gold

Entertainment GmbH, the company it cooperated together with Sony Music.

In addition, DEAG has taken full control of Gold Entertainment, the company it co-founded in 2010 with Sony Music Entertainment

Germany

to

promote

schlager (crooner) shows.

Furthermore, the DEAG Group will hold more events in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main metropolitan region that it produces itself in the future.

“We have achieved a great deal together with Manfred Hertlein and his team since 2010, and we will realize certain productions together in the future. Nevertheless, this step was important in order to be able to take better advantage of our opportunities in this segment,” commented Christian Diekmann, COO/CDO of DEAG.

Christian Diekmann, Andrea Blahetek-Hauzenberger and Ossy Hoppe

Rockavaria Festival cancelled in 2017 From VIP-Daily News The Rockavaria festival in Munich will not

However, it would remain faithful to the

Zenith and Kiss on 18 May and Deep Purple

happen in 2017.

idea of ​​ presenting Rockavaria only if “it

on 19 May at the Olympiahalle.

was good enough”.

In 2015 and 2016, Global Concerts and DEAG organized the Rockavaria festival

Blahetek-Hauzenberger does not tell which

in Munich`s Olympiapark but for the

acts he has dealt with.

2017 edition there were so far neither confirmations nor advance sale so its hardly

Instead, she refers to various concerts by

surprising that the organizers are now

Rockbands, which brings Global Concerts to

pulling the plug at Rockavaria.

Munich in the Spring: “We offer audiences a whole series of high profile singles or

“We have worked hard to make a line-up

singers? in great locations.” The global

that meets our high standards “Explains

director points out, among other things,

Andrea Blahetek-Hauzenberger, Managing

Aerosmith`s appearances on the Königsplatz

Director of Global Concerts (pictured).

on 26 May, Dream Theater on 19 May at

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VIP NEWS >

FEBRUARY 2017

Legendary Spanish festival returns From VIP-Daily News Spain`s legendary Doctor Music Festival is

of thousands of lovers of peace, music and

be free of agrochemicals, transgenics and

being resurrected after a 20-year absence.

nature,” said Sala. “The combination of the

any kind of toxins.

stars right above our heads, the greatest The news was announced in a presentation

music legends and the most outstanding

World renowned chef Albert Adrià will

at the Groucho Club in London last night,

young

transfer his team from his Barcelona

attended by a number of high-profile music

experience.”

talent,

will

create

a

heavenly

managers and agents. Last held in 2000,

restaurant Tickets in order to completely integrate it into the festival. “Myself and

the festival hosted the likes of David Bowie,

All the food that will be consumed at

all my team at Tickets are really excited

Bob Dylan, Blur, Lou Reed and Rage Against

the festival will be sourced from organic

to close the restaurant in Barcelona for a

The Machine.

agricultural and livestock farming and will

full weekend and move it to a wonderful mountain valley,” said Adrià. “I’m looking

The reincarnated event will take place from

forward to the challenge of preparing all the

July 12-14, 2019 at the same location as its

food using the resources available from the

first three years up to 1998 - Escalarre, in

region of Pallars. It will undoubtedly create

the Vall d’Àneu, in the Catalan Pyrenees.

a unique experience.”

According to Neo Sala (pictured), CEO

The opportunity to pre-reserve tickets will

and founder of concert music promoter

open on February 21 via the applications

Doctor Music, the festival would be

page on the event`s website. The early bird

50,000-capacity, with bookings to begin a

price for the first batch of tickets will be 175.

year in advance.

A 50 discount will be offered for everyone who can prove, before April 30. (provided

“The Doctor Music Festival is an ecological

there are still tickets left), that they attended

Shangri-la, an unspoilt valley providing

one of the Doctor Music festivals at Escalarre

limitless space to roam and surrounded by mountains, where we will welcome tens

Neo Sala

in either 1996, 1997 or 1998, or at the 2000 edition in Asturias.

Eurovision organising team quits From VIP-Daily News The Eurovision Song Contest has hit a

timeline” despite the upheaval. It insisted

for whom this contest has become not only

major road bump, after 21 top level staff

the event would go ahead as planned in

part of our work but also part of our life,

organising the event resigned.

Kiev this May. Among the team members

officially inform that we are resigning and

who resigned were two executive producers

stopping work on preparations for the

of this year`s show.

organisation of the contest.”

The Ukrainian Eurovision team say they were stripped of major responsibilities

10

in December, when a new boss was

All the staff were appointed by the Ukraine

appointed to the organising committee.

Public Broadcaster (UA:PBC), which is

According to their resignation letter, they

organising the contest after Ukrainian

were “completely blocked” from making

singer Jamala won last year`s event with

decisions about the show.

the song 1944.

The EBU, which founded Eurovision, told

In an open letter published by Strana, the

Ukraine`s public broadcaster to “stick to the

team said: “Hereby we, the Eurovision team,

Jamala wins the Eurovision 2016

VIP NEWS >

FEBRUARY 2017

Nick Cave announces European arena tour From VIP-Daily News

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds have announced details of a long-awaited arena tour of the UK and Europe This time its the arenas and it will be a rare arena show that will be compelling and intimate.

“We’ve been in a strange place, I’m coming out and blinking into the light… It’s good to be playing again.

Now after touring his native Australia and the US, Cave will return to the UK and Europe for a run of shows in September,

Dates: Dates: September 24 Bournemouth UK, Bournemouth International Centre 25 Manchester UK, Arena 27 Glasgow UK, The SSE Hydro 28 Nottingham UK, Motorpoint Arena 30 London UK, The O2

Dates: November

October 3 Paris France, Zénith 6 Amsterdam Netherland s, Ziggo Dome 7 Frankfurt Germany, Jah rhunderthalle 9 Hamburg Germany, Sport halle 10 Luxembourg, Rockhal 12 Düsseldorf Germany, Mitsubishi Electric Halle 13 Antwerp Belgium, Sport paleis 16 Oslo Norway, Spectrum 18 Stockholm Sweden, Eri csson Globe 20 Copenhagen Denmark , Royal Arena 22 Berlin Germany, Max-S chmeling Halle 24 Warsaw Poland, Torw ar 26 Prague Czech Rep., O2 Arena 28 Belgrade Serbia, Komb ank Arena 30 Ljubljana Slovenia, Dv orana Tivoli

ria, Stadthalle 1 Vienna Aust many, Zenith 2 Munich Ger na ly, Kioene Are 4 Padova Ita Forum 6 Milan Italy, atica , PalaLottom 8 Rome Italy llenstadion itzerland, Ha 12 Zurich Sw na itzerland, Are 13 Geneva Sw ce,

e 16 Athens Gre on Do) rena (Tae Kw A s rt o p S ro li Fa rena el, Menorah A 19 Tel Aviv Isra

Nick Cave and the bad seeds

11

N E P O N O I T A R T S I G E R ESNS: EU

ESNS: EU creative europe

017

MARCH 1, 2

VIP NEWS >

NAMES & JOBS

FEBRUARY 2017

New MD appointed for Concert Concept

New booking manager at The SSE Arena, Wembley

From VIP-Daily News

From VIP-Daily News

DEAG has appointed Lutz Grotehöfer as Managing Director of the

The SSE Arena, Wembley, has announced the appointment of

Concert Concept Veranstaltungsgesellschaft.

James Harrison as booking manager.

Founded in 1978 by the current chairman of the board, Peter

Harrison was previously with Andrew Lloyd Webber`s Really Useful

Schwenkow, DEAG`s subsidiary is active in Berlin as a local promoter.

Theatres, where he was concert and venue hirings manager for the

Concert Concept promotes more than 100 events per year.

company`s six London theatres including London Palladium.

The 31-year-old Lutz Grotehöfer has been working for DEAG for

“I’m incredibly proud and excited to get to work on such an iconic

nine years. After working for Hamburg-based River Concerts. Most

venue,” he said. “The SSE Arena, Wembley has a unique role to

recently, he served as a member of the management board.

play in London and is a real milestone for so many artists making their step up to arena shows, it’s a real privilege to be able to offer

According to Christian Diekmann, CEO of DEAG, Grotehöfer is the

that opportunity.”

ideal candidate to further develop and expand Concert Concept in the future.

Upcoming concerts at The SSE Arena, Wembley include Bob Dylan And His Band, Craig David and Alice Cooper.

Lutz Grotehöfer

Harrison`s stint at the Palladium came during a transformative time for the legendary venue, which moved its focus to music concerts in 2016, away from the traditional long-runs of other West End theatres. Highlights included Coldplay, Bon Jovi and a trio of Brian Wilson Pet Sounds’ shows, along with shows by the likes of Primal Scream, Bryan Ferry, Elvis Costello, Kenny Rogers and Ball & Boe.

James Harrison

13

VIP NEWS >

FEBRUARY 2017

Let’s talk Politics Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com The connections between popular music

Eerdenburg, festival director of the Lowlands

legislation increased funding for the

and politics grow ever closer within the

Festival in the Netherlands. For the current

creative and culture sector in Canada.

era of populism and “alternative facts”.

edition it is Neill Dixon, the president of the

Trump instead is facing the fact that

The US provides a perfect example, but

music convention Canadian Music Week

many popular US artists and musicians

Europe is also affected by this development.

(CMW). Dixon joined this conference in 1983

do not bother to conceal their dislike of

The news of significant donations by the

as programme director and has operated

him. With this in mind, are you pleased

billionaire and AEG-owner Philipp Anschutz

as event director since 1993. But Dixon’s

with having Trudeau instead of Trump?

to

that,

experience in the music industry goes back

amongst other policies, oppose scientific

to 1967 when he arrived in Toronto and

Dixon: Ecstatic. I’m also pleased to have

climate change data and regulations, or the

start working as venue manager for the

Trudeau instead of his predecessor Stephen

news that international artists avoid playing

folk club Grumble, then he managed artists

Harper. There are people who look at the

live in Turkey, are just the tip of the iceberg,

like Martha Reeves, Jr. Walker, Triumph and

arts as frivolousness, and others who feel it

indicating that the live music sector relies

Long John Baldry before becoming the co-

feeds the soul. Canada’s famed inclusiveness

more on political developments than many

owner and president of Solid Gold Records.

is no accident. Traditionally, we’ve sung our

conservative

political

groups

own songs and had leaders who encouraged

industry insiders may think.

VIP News: Do you expect the Trump

our storytelling. May it always be so.

However, there are plenty of ‘political’

administration to have an impact on

ramifications that matter for the live music

the music sector in North America?

VIP News: Even before Trudeau took

sector and it is about time to raise awareness

over, funding and support for the music

of these kinds of developments, especially

Neill Dixon: There are a couple of angles

sector was very common in Canada.

when there more elections to come this

here. When people feel oppressed, artists

What could European governments or

year in European key countries such as the

become passionately creative in opposition.

even the EU-Commission learn from

Netherlands, France and Germany.

You could hear powerful musical statements

such policies and if so, what should

over the next few years. Conversely, there

they avoid?

Previous candidates for the VIP News

will be people who’ll want to escape and

interview series Let’s Talk Politics have been

tune out politics to save their sanity. The

Dixon: We learned that it takes a relatively

ILMC-director Greg Parmley and Eric van

happiest, most effervescent sort of pop

small investment to foster an industry and

escapism could also find a huge audience.

dispel insecurities about our talent pool. If

Good news for Pharrell!

there’s anything to avoid, it’s becoming a

slave to bureaucracy, and trying to quantify

VIP News: How important is the US-

concepts like “Canadian enough” on a

music market for the Canadian music

spread sheet.

Neill Dixon

industry?

VIP News: Would you say that Canadian Dixon: As important as it is for any other

politicians are more progressive than

country’s industry - times 10! Having a giant

those in Europe when it comes to the

next door is a tremendous opportunity

support of music?

for Canadian artists to find an audience.

And culturally, we assimilate easily (Drake,

Dixon: What others see as ‘progressive’

Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen)

we might see as an urgent and necessary response to the flood of pop culture that

14

VIP News: The Canadian Prime Minister

the U.S. sends us every single day. It’s not so

Justin Trudeau is more or less the

much that our politicians choose to support

political opposite of Donald Trump.

our music, but that it’s needed and we

Trudeau

demand it.

at

the

beginning

of

his

VIP NEWS > VIP

News:

FEBRUARY 2017

Populism

unfortunately

Dixon: I listen to Beyonce’s Lemonade and

the US, Hungary, Poland, France and

grew in the US but also in Europe. What

recall the defiance she unleashed at the

elsewhere. What are your political

is your recommendation on how to

Super Bowl, and I think those days are back

expectations for the near future and

fight these movements?

(if they ever left). I think of The Tragically

what is your assumption of how these

Hip’s terminally ill Gord Downie and his

developments might affect the music

Dixon: Support your local ethnic restaurant.

fight for indigenous issues as his last act.

industry?

It’s hard to hate people who feed you.

Think of a cause, and you can probably

More seriously, it needs to be said that both

find an artist that embraces it. And the

Dixon: You’re asking for a silver lining to

Canada and the U.S. are long-time nations

audience “reach” for your message these

a dark cloud. So here goes. I expect to

of immigrants – a new status for Europe.

days is as far as the Net can get.

hear more musical voices from among

Its no accident that the angriest populist

the disenfranchised – a strong creative

sentiment comes from homogenous, rural

VIP News: Since the time of Reagan and

wave that could bring new energy to our

regions of the US (and Canada) that tend

Thatcher political and global economic

industry. Those artists who are fortunate

not to interact with the people they resent

developments in the industrialized

enough to have profited greatly will be

and distrust. This was also true of Brexit

countries lead to ta rise in the social

more motivated to use their influence on

voters. Integrate, integrate, integrate.

gap, while international corporate

a global scale to shame the “haves” into

companies paying hardly any taxes

addressing the inequities of the “have-

VIP News: Pop-culture in the past

and the de-regulation of the financial

nots.” Loss of income and livelihood is a

proved that it is able to raise awareness

sector caused massive burdens to be

big component of the angriest populism.

for social issues or even to improve it.

carried by generations of tax payers.

Address that, and you’ve gone a long way

Are these days gone?

Now we see the rise of populists in

toward defusing hate.

ImagIne if you could go to one website and get aLL the contacts you need for the european Live music Industry?

WeLL you Can! www.vip-booking.com

®

145-157 St John Street | London Ec1V 4PW United Kingdom | Phone: +44 (0) 870 755 0092 www.vip-booking.com | vip@vip-booking.com

vip-booking.com

15

VIP NEWS > BUSINESS >

MUSIC IN SHARES

FEBRUARY 2017

Music In Shares Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

Live Nation

The last reported share price in January

494.9 to 439.2 million Euro and gained

- The American Way Of Live (Nation)

issue of VIP News was $27.88.

an EBITDA-result of 27.2 instead of 38.1 million Euro.

There’s no doubt, Live Nation is growing fast, in almost every area - except

CTS Eventim

CTS Eventim announced to keep the focus

profitability. The Company is, according

- Cheering Investors and Analysts

on its growth strategy for the business

to its financial report for the business

year 2017 and “to scrutinise for inorganic

year 2016 producing nothing less than

CTS Eventim has once again pleased

a solid success story of global leadership in

its shareholders and even analysts. The

the live music industry.

company that over the last year has had to

Most comments by analysts covered the

cope with the departure of the former team

positive aspect that CTS Eventim delivered

Revenue impressively increased by $7.254

of MLK.com to Live Nation Germany is slowly

results above its expectations in reports.

billion in 2015 to $8.354 billion, in terms

filling the figure gap the absence of one its

On January 24 the share price was 32.31

of constant currency even a rise of $8.478

main previous results provider has caused.

Euro, this time on February 23 when this

billion. The operating income grew from

issue of VIP News went to press it is 34.55

$131.3 to $194.9 million. The concerts

When releasing its preliminary business

division gained revenue of $5.96 ($4.96

figures for the full year report of 2016, the

billion in 2015), the ticketing division

results show ticketing is still the driving

reported growth from 1.63 to $1.85

profit source for the company, while the

DEAG

billion and for its secondary ticketing

live entertainment division still leaves some

- A Sort of Struggle

outlets even announced a significant

room for improvement.

transaction growth rate of 26 percent.

Euro.

The news flow for DEAG indicates that Even if the reported turnover went down

the company has redefined its portfolio of

But as usual Live Nation did not deliver

slightly from 834.2 in 2015 to 829.9

business activities. The festival Rockavaria

profits. Unlike in previous years the

million Euro in 2016, the company almost

in Munich is definitely off for 2017, DEAG

company produced a net income of $2.9

compensated

furthermore

million (-$32.5 in 2015 and -$90.8 in 2014)

figures in its ticketing segment that had

that it sold its stake in Manfred Hertlein

but allocated a loss peshare of $0.23

assumed expectations of a decline.

The

Veranstaltungs GmbH it previously held via

(-$0.33 in 2015 and $0.49 in 2014.)

revenue results for CTS Eventim’s ticketing

Gold Entertainment GmbH at the company.

division again reached new record levels,

Gold Entertainment once a joint venture

In 2016 the loss maker referred to the

moving up 14 per cent from 346.2 to

shared with Sony Music is now instead

so called “Net income (loss) attributable

395.1 million Euros and EBITDA (Earnings

owned 100 per cent by DEAG. Last time

to noncontrolling interests”, resulting in

before Interests, Taxes, Depreciation &

the share price of DEAG stood at 3.30, this

$47.01 million as filed in “Basic and diluted

Amortisation) up to 167.3 compared

time it is 3.16 Euro.

net loss available to common stockholders

to 142.9 million one year before. Due

of Live Nation.”

to acquisitions in South America and

with

significant

growth

Scandinavia the number of tickets sold In the days before the results were

online have grown to 43.7 million tickets.

published on February 23 the share reached

16

growth opportunities.”

an alltime high with an opening price of

The results for the Live-Entertainment

$30.75. The closing price was $29.76.

segment in contrast went down

from

announced

meanwhile

VIP NEWS > MISC >

FEBRUARY 2017

MEMBER PRESENTATION

ARTIST AVAILS FUN LOVIN CRIMINALS Territory: Europe Period: 2017 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Dave Chumbley Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: dave@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.facebook.com/funlovincriminals

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DIZZEE RASCAL Territory: Europe Period: 2017 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Peter Elliot Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: peter_elliott@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.dizzeerascal.co.uk

PHIL RUDD BAND (EX AC/DC) Territory: Europe Period: April to June 2017 inclusive Agency: Fizzion and Frusion Agent: Ian Smith Phone: +44 77 9169 9889 E-mail: ian@frusion.co.uk Homepage: www.fizzion.eu/artist.php?id=139

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17