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VOLUME 168

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MAY 2014

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MAY 2014

McGowan’s

Musings

I haven’t mentioned seagulls for a while have

for The Spot Festival (see report in this issue),

I? My nemesis, Shitty, has kept himself­to

becomes­City of Culture in 2017.

himself for a some time, preferring to send his squawking offspring to continue the

There are though areas in which the live music­

annoyance­factor, but it could have been

business could well do with help from other

him that I saw swoop upon an unsuspecting

departments of the City authorities. Clubs

Spanish student in the centre of Brighton,

throughout Europe, and no doubt elsewhere­,

snatching his lunch out of his hand without

are suffering from the effects of urban

so much as a “Gracias Senor!” Those of you

development­ ; as previously industrial areas

that were here for The Great Escape may have

are ‘gentrified’ and new apartment blocks are

had your own encounters, if so, please let me

built, many existing venues are receiving noise

know. For the first time I wasn’t here for the

complaints from new neighbours, and even

event, which brings so many international­ though in many cases the clubs have been opmusic people into the City, and though I

erating for years, they can be forced to either

hear the weather wasn’t great, I must admit

undertake extensive and expensive sound-

I missed it and the particular energy­that it

proofing, or shut down completely. We report

generates in the City. Our report­on what

on a recent case in Brighton in this issue­, and

VIP-News is published by: VIP-Booking 145-157 St John Street London Ec1V 4PW

many seem to think was the best edition yet

whilst in Hamburg I was told of incidences­of

is of course somewhat short due to my non-

this throughout Germany where the club as-

attendance­, but next year is the tenth, so I

sociation Livekomm are attempting to raise

Managing Director: Ronni Didriksen rd@vip-booking.com

won’t miss that!

public awareness to help club and venue

General Manager: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com

My reason for being away from home was a

Please let us know if anything like this is

trip to Berlin and Dresden as part of my music

happening­in your area.

COLOPHON >

Writer and editorial: Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

2

owners­and operators.

publishing duties, in fact I have seen a lot of Germany recently, what with a press trip to

Right, as I’ve been writing this whilst suffering­

Hamburg to see how the City is developing

from a terrible cold, I’ll wind up, I’d hate to

Writer: Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

and getting behind its creative population. In

think I was spreading germs on-line. Off to

fact the support of music and other creative

Inverness­in a couple of weeks for Go North,

For advertising enquiries please contact: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com +44 870 755 0092

industries by City authorities has taken up a

the Scottish Highland air will either kill or cure!

lot of my attention recently. Brighton backs

As ever I’ll report back.

The Great Escape, Berlin supports Berlin Music Week, Hamburg highlights Creative Industries

In the meantime, Ladies and Gentlemen – The

and Aarhus in Denmark, which I attended

News!

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

Survey Reveals Problems of Tent Dumping at Music Festivals Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com The

Love

Your

Tent

Buckinghamshire­New

campaign University

and have

published­the results of a survey of festivalgoers­about the waste left by punters on festival sites, an increasingly big issue for the festival sector­with logistical, environmental and commercial ramifications, and something previously highlighted by the A Greener Festival organisation.

Juliet Ross-Kelly has set up the Love Your Tent initiative on the back of environmental work she has done with the Isle Of Wight Festival, and aims to discourage an increasingly common practice amongst festival-goers in the UK and beyond, buying a dirt cheap tent for attending a festival, with the intention of just leaving it in the camping field at the end of the event.

So that someone else has to dispose of it.

Isle of Wight Festival organiser John Giddings has talked about the tent problem at various festival industry events over the past years.

Ross-Kelly’s work at the Isle Of Wight Fes-

from the work that we’ve done with the Isle

In the survey of 1200 festival-goers from

tival has included inviting festival-goers to

of Wight Festival, we know it’s achievable”.

multiple countries, 60% admitted to dis-

sign up to a commitment regarding tak-

carding tents at the end of festivals, with a

ing responsibility for their waste, and their

third then saying they intended to continue

tents, pointing out that by camping along-

doing so, and another third unable to say

side similarly committed people festival-

for certain they wouldn’t do it again in the

goers will be able to stay in a much more

future. This despite the fact 86% of those

pleasant campsite for the duration of the

surveyed recognised waste was a major en-

event. She is encouraging other festivals

vironmental factor at festivals.

to introduce similar measures, with a bid to reducing campsite waste at festivals by

3

According to Bucks New University’s Tere-

10% year on year. She said, “Thanks to the

sa Moore the research confirms a growing

great support and work by Bucks we can

problem not just confined to the UK. As

see how much work still needs to be done

tent prices get cheaper, more are discard-

to encourage a change in audience behav-

ed at festivals. She called for retailers to

iour. By targeting festivals to reduce their

take their share of their responsibility and

campsite waste by 10% year on year we are

work with event organisers to tackle this

leading a change that will help to protect

problem.

festival culture for future generations and

3

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

Gunnar Madsen

SPOT 2014 th

20 Anniversary Edition Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

As usual SPOT was formally opened by the Mayor of Aarhus, Jacob

pad for their messages: Believe Digital, the MaMA Festival and Berlin

Bundsgaard. As well as being one of the youngest looking Mayors I

Music Week – just like SPOT has collaborated with the M’era Luna-

have ever met, he appears to know his music business, and he is obvi-

festival and FKP Scorpio.

ously genuinely enthusiastic about the event . and its importance to the City. The success of the event over the last 20 years has obviously

The highest number of English record labels attended, alongside the

helped in the securing of the appointment of Aarhus as City of Cul-

biggest delegation from France in SPOT history, and once again the

ture in 2017. In fact Mayor Bundsgaard had so much to say that SPOT

German industry with more than 150 delegates boasts the biggest

founder and organiser Gunnar Madson of ROSA, was able to cut down

international delegation by a mile.

his following speech as so many points had already been covered.

Gunnar Madsen, head of SPOT Festival, commented, “It has been Over the 1st-4th of May, more than 6000 music fans, industry peo-

the most comprehensive festival programme so far and with great

ple, guests, musicians, volunteers, etc. made Aarhus a hotspot for

turn-up - and everything has run smoothly. If we have lived up to the

music, film and interactive. Also thousands of Aarhus citizens joined

expectations or exceeded them, we are happy. If we have made mis-

the free SPOT party outside the gates at the new, big outdoor SPOT

takes, we are determined to correct them for next year. We are all ex-

Royal Stage as well as at the free SPOT Film Festival. The Agenda

tremely grateful for the serious interest in Danish and Nordic music.”

included 165 concerts, approximately 40 films and the same number of seminars.

Some of the international delegates had the following to say: “It’s been very exciting. Well-organised, Good stages, and everything

4

More than 1100 Danish music industry people met 350 international

on schedule – that makes it easy to be at a festival. Byrta was excel-

colleagues at networking sessions, which were in great demand.

lent. Sekuoia would be great on the Primavera Festival stage at three

Both those which had been arranged by the Danish music business

o’clock in the morning. Kill J are so ready to be exported.”

and those where the international parties used SPOT as a launching

(Dario Manrique, Rolling Stone Magazine, Spain)

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

“The essence of SPOT Festival lies in it’s name: SPOT. It is a fantastic

Go Berlin frontman – that man needs a stadium! I can’t see him in a

opportunity to spot new talent and meet Danish and international

small club…”

people in the music business. SPOT is the perfect mix of business,

(Helgi Sigurdsson, Morgunbladid, Iceland)

networking and enjoying music.”

(Frank Lenggenhager - Lautstark, Switzerland)

“It’s my third or fourth time here and I always enjoy it. Here I know that I’ll always find some acts to bring back to Hungary. I really love

“I really like the new big, free outdoor venue at SPOT – now the fes-

the festival. It’s a really well organized, very eclectic bill. It’s also really

tival seems less hidden. It’s up front. It’s in your face. It’s happening.

nice to meet the colleagues too. I’ve met a lot of my German col-

This year you have put on a wider range of styles. The quirkier bands

leagues this year. And Aarhus is a really nice city!”

have become quirkier than before. Byrta were outrageous, Penny

(Fruzsina Szep, Sziget Festival, Hungary)

Police and the choir was special, Elin Kåven... People are stretching themselves. I like that.”

“Amazing Festival. It’s my first time here. People are beautiful and the

(Kieron Tyler, Mojo/The Arts Desk, UK)

weather is beautiful. There’s a very relaxed atmosphere compared to other festival like this, and that’s really great.”

“People are happy. There’s a good feel. I have seen many fine shows.

(Natalie Judge, Matador Records, UK)

The concert in the Rainbow at ARoS, Spillemændene, and the Go

5

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

The Great Escape ’14 Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

Founder Martin Elbourne

WATCH THE OFFICIAL TGE14 FILM: http://youtu.be/55gwtIXOIl8”http://youtu.be/55gwtIXOIl8 I asked founder Martin Elbourne for his overview of this 9th edition, his reply was short and to the point,” Clearly the best ever!” Kat Morris, festival director commented, “What a brilliant year, truly the best yet. We are proud to have presented more artists and more secret shows than ever before, produced another industry leading convention programme, and the festival sold out for the second year running. TGE14 was the perfect foundation for next year’s 10th anniversary. Whilst we can’t quite believe it ourselves after three, wonderful days, we’ve already started work on making the 10th birthday very special. We can’t wait to see everyone there.”

The Dome Photo by Tori Clarkson

The Great Escape, again took place in Brighton on the South Coast of England, and these were the results of this 9th edition: TGE 2015 will be mark the event’s 10th birthday and will take place on 14th-16th May 2015. Super Early Bird delegate passes will go on sale in early June.

Festival - 2014 was the 2nd sell out in a row - Over 400 artists performed over the weekend - 15,000 festivalgoers attended over 3 days - 35+ venues were used - Over 300 bands performed in over 30 venues as part of The Alternative Escape.

Convention - 3,000 industry professionals attended from 41 different countries - 14 official delegate parties were hosted - 14 targeted speed networking events took place Convention activity was staged over 8 walkable venues Highlights included a surprise set from Kaiser Chiefs thanks to Amazon Live Lounge, and a record number of secret shows – Peace, Chloe Howl and Klaxons amongst others - around the city, to a pure celebration of 50 years of pirate radio at the TGE convention, to a set from Jon Hopkins.

6

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

Major Press Quotes included: “The perfect ending to a festival that just kept on giving.” – 4*, Daily

“The Great Escape is not about big moments, but chance discover-

Telegraph

ies” – 4*, The Times

“The festival is fast becoming a haven for real-life fans searching for

“The UK’s most comprehensive new music festival.” – Digital Spy

the festival vibe without having to do battle with a tent.” – 4*, The

Independent

“The Great Escape is fantastic on the ears, but goddamn we need to

rest for a week now” – CLASH

Yearly Music Convention Awards Presented The Yearly Music Convention Awards 2014 took place on the final day of The Great Escape, celebrating the showcase festival and music convention season just gone, with hosts - Great Escape co-founder Martin Elbourne and Louder Than War’s John Robb - donning Abba costumes for the event (Abba’s Eurovision win 40 years ago having occurred in TGE’s flagship venue Brighton Dome, just in case you wondered).

Sponsored this year by Brighton’s own ACUMEN MEDIA LAW, new talent and music business events from all over the world took home YMCA trophies, while a new annual prize - the Brighton Legend award - went to Charlie Myatt from 13 Artists, the leading booking agency based in the city.

And here is the full list of YMCA winners.

Best Networking Event Or Service: Wide Days Edinburgh bus tour (UK) Best Delegates Bag:

BigSound (Australia)

Best Delegates Bar:

M&M Finland

Best Convention Centre:

Eurosonic (The Netherlands)

Best App:

Reeperbahn (Germany)

Best New Showcase Festival:

Nouvelle Prague (Czech Republic)

Best Showcase Or Party:

Aussie BBQ at Canadian Music Week

Best Export Office:

New Zealand Export Office

Best City Champion:

Tallinn Music Week (Estonia)

Convention Junkie:

Michael Chugg

Brighton Legend in association with ACUMEN MEDIA LAW:

Charlie Myatt, 13 Artists

Brighton Pier

7

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

Jason Thomas, Ticketscript

Ticketscript continue to march through Europe

Anne Frank Alsted aa@vip-booking.com

Recently the European ticketing company, launched a new ticket-

The other one is the #sellmore reporting suite, enabling event promot-

ing innovation in the UK market called “ticketscript box office” and

ers to understand their sales patterns, customer demographics and

”the #sellmore reporting suite”. Since the company was established in

analyze their online marketing through to point of sale via Analytics

2006, ticketscript has grown at a rapid rate - and now has offices in

Connect.

London, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona and Berlin. The last year has seen ticketscript sell around 11 million tickets for its clients and provide

How do you see the development of the European Ticketing

ticketing services to 70,000 events.

Market in the future?

I’m sure the emergence of smaller, technology led companies will con-

VIP News spoke to Jason Thomas, Chief Commercial Officer at

tinue as an increasing number of event organizers realize that they do

ticketscript.

not need the large outdated traditional ticketing companies anymore.

However within this new ticketing model I’m sure there will be larger

Can you give us a short description of ticketscript?

players hopefully such as ourselves.

Ticketscript is one of Europe’s biggest self-service digital ticketing

It remains to be seen though how many remain fiercely independent

company and we provide event organizers with solutions, tools and

like ourselves, or succumb to merging with larger, more traditional

technology that enable the industry to sell more tickets directly to

and often non-European companies wanting to gatecrash the market.

their audiences and communities. ticketscript works with a range of music events, festivals, trade fairs, exhibitions and sport events includ-

Do you have any messages to the other sectors of the European

ing Awakenings, Dance Valley, i-Motion, Secret Cinema, Hed Kandi,

Live Music Industry on how to change in order to improve tick-

Waterstones and Truckfest.

eting?

They should become less reliant on the outdated distribution of physi-

What are, according to you, the reasons for your success?

cal tickets - all statistics point to the fact that customers are not willing

I believe the reason why we have grown in such a rapid rate is because

to wait or pay for this service anymore - neither online or instore.

we enable our clients to produce successful and profitable events

They should come to understand the importance of owning their own

by returning the power and independence to them. Our business is

data & not allowing agents to send details of rival events to YOUR

to grow their business. We have also instilled the ‘sell more’ culture

customers.

throughout our business and this drives us to deliver the latest, innova-

Finally, I would like to say: Do not underestimate the importance of

tive ticketing technology. An example on this is our recently launched

a slick and professional entrance management solution at the event.

2 industry firsts.

You can kill your brand by a bad customer experience on the day of the

There’s ticketbox, Europe’s 1st on-the-door box office sales app. It is

event - and with instant social media they can spread their dissatisfac-

a simple, portable, high tech, no investment solution for on-the-door

tion whilst still in a long queue!

ticket sales.

Read more at http://company.ticketscript.com/uk”ticketscript

8

14 - 17

januarY 2015

groningen, nl

The

European

music platform The

The

European

music platform

The

European

European

platform

platform

music

Thank you for attending

EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG EUROSONIC WORDT GEORGANISEERD NOORDERSLAGWORDT DOOR WORDTGEORGANISEERD GEORGANISEERDDOOR DOOR

Eurosonic Noorderslag 2014

See you next year Early bird registration and act submission open May 1, 2014 Act submission closes September 1, 2014

SPONSOREN

music

Previous edition in numbers Total amount of visitors (sold out) . . . .

SPONSOREN SPONSOREN Conference visitors (sold out) . . . . . . . .

Nationalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Number of stages @ Eurosonic . . . . . .

Number of stages @ Noorderslag . . . .

Media & journalisten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EBU radio stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ETEP festivals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

International festivals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

38,500 3,275 39 337 36 11 307 30 89 419

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

FKP Scorpio Announce New Addition to the Conference Showcase Calendar Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

a 52,000-capacity sellout. Sell outs are also

Folkert Koopman

expected for Denmark’s 30,000 capacity Northside, started in 2010, and the 27,000 Greenfield started in Switzerland in 2005.

The new event is to be called, Where’s the Music? FKP Scorpio say that this title is their way to describe what state the music business is currently at and where it is heading.

Their press release goes on to explain: This is best done live and through discussion.

The platform is a combined showcase festival and music industry conference, focusing on new music, new collaborations and new solutions. Where’s the Music? is a festival with two purposes, one obviously being the music where we aim at having new artists in focus and presented to a curious and excited industry ready to get into new projects. The other being a comprehensive conference program processing and exploring subjects related to the industry. The festival will include artists performances as well as lectures held by people in the music industry, sharing their stories and experiences. The combination will make a platform for networking, where national

10

Whilst interviewing Folkert Koopmans at

told Billboard, “We’re speaking to 18 venues

and international music industry will ex-

SPOT I was already aware that this outwardly

in Norrköping and we can use several that

change experiences and ideas, explore new

calm and even reserved man always appears

are within walking distance of each other,

artists and find new collaborations, through

to have some new project on the go. Not

just as Reeperbahn does in Hamburg and Eu-

lectures and personal meetings.

satisfied with upcoming tour dates with the

rosonic does in Groningen.”

100 or so artists and 16 festivals in 4 coun-

Things are already looking good for FKP

Folkert Koopmans, CEO of FKP Scorpio is

tries that his Hamburg based Company is re-

Scoroio’s outdoor festival business,

with

excitedly looking forward to launch his new

sponsible for, he already had plans in place

its major twinned German festivals, the

festival in Norrköping. “We have found a

for a new conference and showcase event in

73,000-capacity Hurricane and 60,000-ca-

great and trustworthy partner in Upplev

Sweden.

pacity Southside, having already sold out

Norrköping while promoting Bråvalla Festi-

FKP Scorpio is joining the showcase confer-

with a couple of months to spare. Folkert

val in 2013. It feels great to come back to

ence circuit by creating a Swedish event in

also expects to sell out the second edition

Norrköping with the new concept, Where’s

Norrköping during its Bravalla Festival. He

of Bravalla, which kicked off last year with

the Music?, so that we can show interna-

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

tional professionals in the music industry

sic city and bring us even closer to its vision to

from one stage to another in just a few min-

what Sweden is well known for in Europe –

become the Music Capital of Sweden”.

utes. Our ambition is to make this festival the

to find and bring up interesting new artists and innovative technical solutions.”

best one in the Nordic countries and attract FKP Scorpio will, in collaboration with Upplev

thousands of visitors to Norrköping.

Norrköping, create an annual festival that ”It feels great to develop the collaboration

will be held in various public locations in the

Where’s the Music? is scheduled for 12-14

with FKP by creating a new festival togeth-

unique area called Industrilandskapet in the

February 2015. This is about a month after

er, says Stefan Papangelis, CEO, Experience

central of Norrköping. This location adds to

Eurosonic, a couple of weeks after Midem,

Norrköping. “Where’s the Music?” is going

the experience of the festival as being more

and pretty close to By Larm – a lot of profes-

to improve the image of Norrköping as a mu-

intimate and the visitors will be able to walk

sionals could be very busy early next year!

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22.11.13 09:09

11

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

Brighton’s Blind Tiger Venue Forced to Close Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

Brighton is to lose one of its mainstay live music venues with the closure of the popular Blind Tiger. The venue has been forced to close as the result of a dispute over noise complaints from a resident who moved into the same building as the pub about a year ago. The complaints have led to the issue of a noise abatement order from the local council.

In https://client.ukfastexchange.co.uk a post on their official website, the venue’s management describe trying to resolve the situation with their neighbour following complaints on several occasions about noise levels.

These efforts failed resulting in the neighbour complaining to the local

Apparently attempts to find a new home for the neighbour, and for the

police, followed by the issue of a ‘notice to abate a statutory nuisance’.

club to take over the residential part of the building failed.

Breaching this order, which the staging of a gig would automatically do, would result in court action and a possible fine of £20,000.

A petition against the council’s order had accumulated 9000 signatures (there may be more by now). One petitioner commented, “Only an idiot

The venue’s attempts to deal with the problem by imposing stricter noise

would move into a flat above a live venue and then complain about the

controls in the venue failed, as even drums with no mics were enough

noise. Brighton & Hove Council, don’t pander to idiots, please”.

to cause problems upstairs. The installation of soundproofing was not an

option due to the substantial expense involved. The venue, like so many

Understandably councils have a duty to deal with residents noise com-

others, admitted that as a business it was not in good financial shape.

plaints, nobody wants to endure all night parties going on in the house

The Blind Tiger Club

12

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

next door for instance. But in cases like The Blind Tiger, where the site on

in the surrounding streets has meant the venue has been able to offer

Brighton’s Grand Parade has hosted live music since the 1850’s and oper-

live music seven nights per week and club nights until 4am at weekends

ated as a fully equipped gig for the last thirty years, it is reasonable to say

without disturbing anyone. “During its entire history The Fleece has not

that the venue and the gigs were there first. Brighton has already lost The

had any issues with noise complaints. “If the huge office block located

Free Butt in a very similar case 4 years ago and The Night and Day venue

right next door is given the green light to be converted into approx 80

in Manchester faced the same situation earlier this year.

privately-owned flats we would anticipate a deluge of complaints as

soon as people move in.”

The Fleece Bristol Threatened with Closure:

Just before going to press with this issue of The News the BBC published

Developer Edenlaw Ltd was granted a change of use from offices to

this report of yet another club threatened by residential development:

residential last November but the council was unable to take noise into account during the process.A noise survey carried out on behalf of the

The owners of Bristol music venue The Fleece say it may have to close if

developer said the Fleece had been “identified as a source of noise af-

a plan for new flats is approved, as they would be too close to the stage.

fecting the proposed development” but claimed glazed windows would

The flats, planned for an old office block on Victoria Street, would place

insulate most of the sound from the venue.Council planners are due to

bedrooms within 20m (65ft) of bands playing at the venue.

vote on proposed external alterations to the plans, including changes to

the facade and the addition of balconies, at the end of the month.

In www.change.org online petition calling for the council to turn down

There are a growing number of these cases in which established venues

the plans gained 17,000 signatures in 12 hours.The firm behind the plans

cannot defend their right to continue business as there appear to be no

said it wanted to “satisfy a gap” for flats.The Fleece has hosted many

statutory rights, no matter how long they have operated. Organisations

famous acts since it opened in 1982 including Oasis, Radiohead, Amy

like Livekomm and DMA in Europe are investigating the situation and

Winehouse, the Manic Street Preachers, The Killers and the White Stripes.

Mark Davyd of The Forum in Tunbridge Wells in the UK has also set up an organisation which aims to gain some form of ‘listing’ to give established

Owner Chris Sharp said: “The Fleece has thrived as a venue for 32 years.

venues some form of protection.

One of the key factors in its success is its location. “The lack of residents

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13

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

> INDEPTH STORY

The Socialisation of Ticketing Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

No there isn’t a revolution going on but it seems a sort of a progressive

how to involve them with new ways of contact, I think the companies

evolution is under way as ticketing benefits from new technologies and

that are doing this now are going to be more successful, and I think

consumer trends.

that will be the difference for the future. That is one of the most interesting trends, it’s nothing new, but the change is that the companies

VIP News spoke with Jan Willem van der Meer, COO at the ticketing

really understand it now.

service provider Paylogic, a company that belong to the stock market listed EDM-Imperium SFX Entertainment...

In which part of the event genres is Paylogic most successful?

– As we started in the Netherlands there was a very big electronic music

Which trends are you currently seeing within the ticketing busi-

culture for years. This market is pretty revolutionary and very progres-

ness?

sive, so when we started, this was one of the easiest growing markets

– There are a lot of them, I think the most important one is that for

that we could enter. That is why we are selling the mostly these tickets

years people have been talking about consumer information and

worldwide. I guess that half of the tickets sold by Paylogic could be con-

‘knowing your customers’, but it was more about using the instruction

nected to electronic music. Sure, we ticket other kinds of events, tours

when you don’t really know what it means. Now, the years of 2013

and venues, but that is not our focus market at this point.

and 2014 are the years where the event organizers are really begin-

14

ning to understand the values of their own relationship to their visitors;

In the German market mobile ticketing is less important in terms

they’re doing everything to build the strongest relationship possible.

of the overall share of tickets sold for concerts. When do you

That didn’t just come about through selling a ticket or having a new

expect mobile ticketing to also speed up in Germany?

headliner on the event, it’s about knowing the people that like your

– I think most of the buying of tickets is done trough the desktop internet

brands and knowing how to interact with them. By knowing them and

or laptop internet. Especially in the USA, the UK and also in the Nether-

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

> INDEPTH STORY

lands you see that nearly eighty percent of the event discovering happens on mobile, through social media or discovering with several apps or the mobile internet. In the US the conversion rates of mobile payment are growing incredibly, so they are just one step ahead of Europe. I’m not sure, but I guess the most important reason that not so many tickets are sold by mobile right now, is that the solutions that are offered are not very user-friendly. That is one reason, on the other hand the main players that are well known for ticketing in the German market do not focus on it and push it at all. They don’t inform their customers, if they did they might sell a lot more tickets with better solutions on mobile. For example, a few years ago as the e-commerce started on the European market, the Netherlands were already selling eighty percent of the tickets online, in Germany still over forty percent of the tickets are sold by retail. I think it might be the case that although the technology does not lag behind in Germany, the consumer behaviour does if you compare it to the Netherlands or the US. So, I think it will be a normal way of buying tickets in Germany in 2015.

“Big Data” is a buzzword in terms of the exportation of consumer and consumer behaviour data. What kind of data is really useful and how do you evaluate it, or how does the promoter evaluate it?

– I think the most important thing is, if you are in a direct relationship with the consumer, with the fan, then you can get more and more information on how they investigate and how they make decisions, how they are buying their tickets. If you see that a consumer is always buying

Jan Willem van der Meer, COO Paylogic

tickets on the first day you’re on sale, then you know what kind of consumer that is. So, if you can also connect to his social environment and you see that he is engaging with your event or even alerting others to your event, then you can call him an ambassador or an influencer. Every

How much is social ticketing only a buzzword or already reality?

brand, especially event brands are being pushed a lot by these influences.

– Well, social ticketing is a buzzword, that doesn’t mean that it is not

Now, if you get contact to these people and give them some extra poten-

something that I think of. I don’t think that social ticketing is only on

tial, some exclusive information and you connect them more strongly to

Facebook, I think Facebook is a tool like many other social networks are

your brand or your event that is what we call customer ownership. If you

tools. You should connect those in your entire strategy to get a relation-

give them some extras and they can share it, then they actually sell the

ship to your visitors. What I call social ticketing is to make sure that peo-

tickets for you. Like everything in the world, if people who are paying for

ple could take their relations, their friends, into the same event. You can

something themselves promote something, it has a much stronger effect

help this in a digital way, so that could be social ticketing, it could be a

than being promoted by someone selling something.

group buying process. If people buy a ticket and they have the possibility to tell their friends ,”Hey, I bought a ticket for this event, would you come

About eighty percent of the people who are going to an event are

with me?”, that is social ticketing. But you should not concentrate on

going there because someone else is going too. So, who is the first

one platform, because a user on Facebook in the first way is a Facebook-

one who makes the decision? If you find out who these people are

user, not a user of your brand.

and how they make the decision, if you can connect these people and then connect them to your brand, this is very important. You can have

Do you remember the first big social network from the US? It was Mys-

statistical data about how many women, how many men, how many

pace, and after Myspace collapsed, there were about thirty or forty

people are coming by public transport, that’s also interesting and I’m

bands that completely went out of business, because the only access to

sure you can use that. But that is more interesting for the planning

their fans was through Myspace. So they lost their fan base completely

of an event; if you want to know how to boost the event, how to

because they didn’t realize that they were so dependent on Myspace. I

sell more tickets and get sold out earlier, then you need to know the

think, it is sure important that you use Facebook but it should not be the

influencers and connect to them.

only destination to connect your visitor.

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VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

What kind of plans and innovations do you have in mind, techni-

plays in there is something like “Intel inside”, it’s not about us. You should

cal or strategically, for Paylogic in 2014?

just be able to sell and to buy the ticket on every platform.

– I think the main focus for us is to be able to create strategies to get access to more people, using a lot of different technologies in order to

Okay, but the reality in these days seems that if you have tickets

connect. But it’s just what we discussed about social ticketing, we want

available on various platforms, promoters end up having a couple

to connect and understand our consumer. Together with our customer

of terminals or printed data-lists at the door, trying to figure out

we make a strategy plan in which we point out a list of dates and mo-

where the visitor bought the ticket.

ments in which we make the right contact points with the visitors to get

– I think what we do, is exactly what it needs to solve this problem. What

them connected with the brand. That’s going to be well before the ticket

happens right now is that you work with one consumer brand ticket-

sell starts, for pre-registration, for different kinds of contacts. Everybody

ing platform like Ticketmaster, Ticketonline, CTS Eventim or anyone else.

wants a special product and everybody wants special conditions for it. I

This brand has the goal to find audiences for you as an event organizer.

think, by letting our customers understand that within the tools of Pay-

So you sell seventy percent of the tickets there, but then you decide to

logic you can have so many more contact moments, so many more ways

sell tickets on Facebook or on Songkick or wherever. So, what we try to

to be connected to the event, you can do so much more than just putting

explain is, that we are not a destination platform or a consumer plat-

the ticket on sale. We did this from the start, but now we feel that our

form, you don’t buy tickets by Paylogic.com or on our mobile app, we

customers are really getting it and they like it. As I said at the ILMC, it’s

don’t have that. We are the technology in between the consumer, the

much more important to become a strategic partner to your customer

event organizer and any platform that they want to partner up with. We

than just an online cash register.

give them access in one standardized technological way, to make sure that everybody has the best service, the consumer, the event organizer

Another thing that we going to do, we have now connected many ways

and the promoting platform. And they would be able to make a deal

to RFID (Radio-frequency identification) because I think it is very impor-

together.

tant not only to know what the customer is doing at home, behind the PC or the laptop, it’s also very important to know what the customer’s

Let’s say, Songkick gets one euro of every sold ticket or Songkick gets

doing at the event. When you know what the customers are doing at

fifty percent of every ticket that’s sold in the last week before the event.

the event you can be much more successful, it can bring much more

You know, we are compared to CTS Eventim or Ticketmaster because

feedback and it can influence the entire event, this is very important for

people think that we have the same goal as they have. But we don’t. We

us. I think mobile becomes more and more critical, we talk a lot about

don’t want to have our own relationship with the consumer; we don’t

“mobile first”, which means that whatever you think about in your strat-

want to be the promoting party. We are the technology facilitator; we

egy, you think about how it could be visible on mobile.

want to make sure that in the entire e-commerce system these three different roles can work perfectly together. No problems at the door, no

16

We want to assure our customers that it is possible and important that

problems with being sold out on one platform but not sold out at the

the people are able to buy different products on one website, it can be

other, because we make sure that the technology works. And also we

music, it can be a ticket or something else. Right now it still looks like you

make sure that everybody gets paid. When we collect the money from

promote an event on your website and you divert people to the website

the visitor for the event, also the platform like Songkick will get paid

of, let’s say, CTS Eventim or Ticketmaster and the people have to buy their

immediately and not have to involve the event organizer. We distribute

tickets there. This is a little bit old fashioned, because buying a ticket is a

that money with our technology. With this B2B market place that we are

very simple process and there is no reason to buy it on a separate plat-

creating, the ticketing platforms as we know them will change. It will

form. So, actually it has to be available everywhere. The role that Paylogic

take a little while, but we think that’s what the market wants.

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

Tales of the City – A Trip to Hamburg Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

My invitation from the Media Relations Dept

the Hotel’s brand new Wi-Fi system clearly

Basically this visit aimed to give us an intro-

of Hamburg’s Marketing Dept to join a Press

didn’t want to have anything to do with the

duction to the creative scene of Germany’s

Trip to become better informed about Crea-

rooms, I complained of course, it’s in my ag-

second largest city,covering not just Music,

tive Hamburg was somewhat last minute; in

ing nature…. However, stay with me – things

but Design, Media, Games and Fashion The

fact I was in Dresden when I agreed to take

definitely got better!

other journalists on the jaunt, an interesting

part, then in Berlin. However the sensible

group of people easy to get on with, were

routing was not for me – as usual! Rather

This trip around a fast developing City, with

concerned with these sectors and Archi-

than staying in Berlin for an extra day then

a great trading and docklands tradition,

tecture, Travel and Lifestyle. So we were to

taking a leisurely train ride, I returned to

which I’d already become quite fond of from

cover a wide field of Creativity. However my

Brighton, had a day at home, then flew to

my distantly remembered days of booking

first impression that only a few stops on the

Hamburg at an hour normally associated

bands into still operating venues like the

tour would be relevant to my area of experi-

with going to bed at the many music trade

Markthalle, and several visits to the Reeper-

ence, and hopefully, expertise, were wrong,

events that I’ve still not learned to be sensi-

bahn Festival, was not in any way exclusively

and this trip has reinforced my observation

ble at! Things weren’t looking good when

to do with music.

and contention that music, and all the music

Elbphilharmonie

17

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

industry’s multiple methods of production

creatives. There is also a brand new Univer-

a multifaceted, modern and cosmopolitan

and development of its product are connect-

sity which we visited, where I was struck by

programme of classic, jazz and world music

ed with pretty much all areas of creativity,

the image of a young student concentrat-

in about 100 concerts each season.

and even more so in this digital age that on

ing on the construction of an architectural

the one hand has caused so many problems,

model somehow seemingly not distracted by

Further visits included the very impressive

but on the other has forced all areas of the

a spectacular view through the huge floor

IF Design Exhibition, and the still under

industry to embrace change..

to ceiling window of large ships entering the

construction offices of designxport.

harbour.

25 Hours Hotel, is described as a maritime

Of course Berlin is Germany’s largest city,

design Hotel, but could definitely qualify

and the competition between the two is

Hafen City also gave us our first view of a de-

as a Rock ‘n’ Roll Hotel with its highly im-

more than easily detectable. However, Ham-

velopment specifically concerned with mu-

aginative design, much of it explained to

burg is recognised as Germany’s design

sic. The nearly completed and very beautiful

us by the English designer, Stephen Wil-

capital with more than 14,000 designers

new concert hall - the Elbphilharmonie,

liams. I wish we’d been staying there!

living and working there. According to Ed-

situated right on the waterfront of the river

www.25hourshotels.com

gar Ruhe, CEO of Hamburg Creative Gmbh,

Elbe, on the western tip of the Hafen-City.

80,000 people work in the Creative Indus-

The glass structure is built upon the massive

Visits to buzzing and attractive areas of the

tries in Hamburg, 8% of the total work

red brick construction of the former ware-

City like Schanzenviertel reminded me a lot

force, producing a turnover of €10.5 billion.

house known as the Kaispeicher A and rises

of The Laines in Brighton and parts of East

Hamburg is also financially better off than

up to a height of 110 metres. The Hall con-

London like Dalston. The energies shown

Berlin, and apparently has 42,000 million-

tains a world-class concert hall with a seat-

by the new businesses, assisted in terms of

aire inhabitants, whereas the once divided

ing capacity for 2,100 guests and a height

start –up advice and support through ac-

City has only 10,000. However Berlin is way

of 50 metres, plus two smaller concert halls,

cess to funding, including crowd funding,

ahead on business ‘start-ups’, though Ham-

along with a hotel, a restaurant, 45 residen-

and provision of affordable work, and re-

burg is fast catching up and determines to

tial flats and a plaza with a 360° panorama

hearsal, space reminded me of the ways

use ‘old money’ to finance ‘new start-ups.

view which is open to the public. The project

that the music industry in the UK is finally

is currently guaranteed completion of the

beginning to receive support from parts of

Our first guided tour was around the spec-

whole building on 31.10.2016. The opening

regional and national government.

tacular and still under construction Hafen

will probably take place in Spring 2017. The

City Hamburg – Europe’s largest inner-city

Elbphilharmonie and the prestigious hun-

We met with Hamburg Startups at cowork-

development project. The city is currently

dred year old Laeiszhalle in the city centre

ing space Betahaus Hamburg, and were told

turning old harbour warehouses into atel-

are under one management. The concert se-

about Eifflewerk, a new centre for cowork-

iers and event venues especially for the city’s

ries ‘Elbphilharmonie Konzerte’ will present

ers specialising in digital media startups.

The

Hamburg by Night

18

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

I asked how many applicants referred to

over properties in the area to develop spac-

sat with on a panel that I moderated at last

themselves as operating, or intending to, in

es for creative use alongside the facilities

year’s Reeperbahn. He explained some of

the music business. No actual figures were

originally provided to attract needy sailors

the work his organisation was undertak-

available, but the sector is well represented,

and now curious tourists.

ing to help live clubs in Hamburg and be-

though currently it lags behind games.

yond, there was some good news, but still

It seems that as the ever growing number

problems, including the loss of Hamburg’s

I was surprised by the number of references

of music conference and showcase events

long established Molotov Club due to the

to SXSW, although we at VIP generally think

develop they are attracting more delegates

rebuilding in the area of Spielbudenplatz

of the Austin event as specifically a music

and exhibitors, from gaming and other

(many of you who attend Reeperbahn

and artist showcase, (which of course it was

digital media companies, including the new

regularly will know about this.) The clubs

till a few years ago) Kreativegesellschaft,

companies and individuals, the sort of start-

are having their problems but fighting back

HYPERLINK

“http://www.kreativegesells-

ups being backed by the City of Hamburg.

using initiatives like Die Nacht der Clubs,

chaft.org/” www.kreativegesellschaft.org

It appears that music which has always

The Club Night will take place on Septem-

the funding and advisory body operated by

provided content for all forms of media,

ber 5th, with shows in 25 clubs all available

Hamburg Creative, saw it as an event of-

marketing and entertainment, now also

for entrance with one ticket. HYPERLINK

fering export opportunities to a wider raft

provides promotional outlets and vehicles!

“http://www.dienachtderclubs.de/” www.

of creative companies. They had in fact fi-

dienachtderclubs.de

nanced attendance in Austin, using a varie-

Our full on tour took in visits to the ADC

ty of means including EC social and cultural

Festival which celebrates and awards best

I haven’t told you all; Fancy dancing in one

funds, for a Hamburg delegation including

practice in German Advertising, Product

of the biggest clubs I’ve ever seen – once

the Reeperbahn Conference and Festival.

Design and Creative Communications, and

a fish market? Need a stuffed camel or a

Jung and Matt, one of Germany’s most suc-

huge portrait of Elvis, or the prow of a gal-

They were also working with the Reeper-

cessful advertising agencies.

leon perhaps? Just visit Hanseatische Mate-

bahn Festival Conference to integrate non-

rialverwaltung for whatever props you may

music companies to the exhibition areas of

Other music related stops were at a brand

need for your creative project – another

the event. Co-founder and organiser Detlef

new and impressive recording studio run by

successful startup…As I say, it was a very

Schwarte, well known to VIP, explained

Micky Berg of The German Wahnsinn Team,

full three days!

the history of the event to the journalists.

Micky explained that they had located this

(We will catch up on plans for this year’s

state of the art facility close to the Reeper-

My thanks to Lu Yen Roloff and Matthias

September edition in the next issue.) The

bahn to benefit from the music activities,

Beer of Hamburg Marketing for arrang-

staging of the Festival, started by promoter

and the access to the growing number of

ing the trip, and for feeding, watering and

Karsten Jahnke, in the red light Reeperbahn

local musicians.

looking after us all. I suggest you all book

district was quite an initiative in changing

a weekend in Hamburg, or I’ll see you at

the reputation of the area, and it could be

We also met with Karsten Scholerman of

Reeperbahn – just ask me anything about

said, helped give the green light to take

Clubkombinat and Livekomm, who I had

Creative Hamburg…!

Need to know who is touring Europe? ®

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

19

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

Latest ETEP Results Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com The third set of results of the European Talent Exchange Programme 2014, the initiative of Eurosonic Noorderslag to stimulate the circulation­ of European repertoire on festivals, radio and media in Europe. www.bumacultuur.mailotron.com www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl have been announced: ETEP: 234 confirmed shows by 88 artists from 19 different European countries.

Also the Orange Blossom Festival (DE) has been announced as a new ETEP member! www.orangeblossomspecial.de For more information about ETEP: www.etep.nl (How it works and All ETEP festivals) Download your ETEP and CEETEP logo’s here: www.bumacultuur.mailotron.com (and check out the website> maps, ETEP scores per year, sort on country, festival or act).

Top-scoring countries / top scoring act: 1. UK, 16 artists, Royal Blood 2. The Netherlands, 15 artists, Birth of Joy 3. Ireland, 7 artists, Kodaline 4. Sweden, 7 artists, Elliphant 5. Germany, 6 artists, Milky Chance

Royal Blood, UK

20

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

This is the complete list of ETEP artists and bookings at this point.

Next ETEP and CEETEP press release will follow 25 june 2014: Royal Blood

UK

13

La Pegatina

ES

Jungle

UK 12

I Am Legion

MØ

DK 8

George Ezra

UK

Milky Chance

DE

Kodaline

Afterpartees

NL 1

UK/NL 3

Kensington

NL 1

Girl Band

IE

3

KiT

NL 1

7

Kate Boy

SE

2

La Femme

FR

1

7

Lonely the Brave

UK

2

Le Galaxie

IE

1

IE 6

Mariam the Believer

SE

2

Luca Sapio

IT

1

Wild Beasts

UK

6

Nadine Shaw

UK

2

Melanie DE Biasio

BE

1

Mighty Oaks

DE

6

Thomas Azier

NL

2

Pablo Nouvelle

CH

1

Birth of Joy

NL

6

Truckfighters

SE 2

Repetitor

RS 1

Pional

ES 6

Bondax

UK 2

Scarlett O’Hanna

BE

1

Circa Waves

UK

5

Denai Moore

UK

2

Slick Shoota

NO

1

Ballet School

DE

5

Farao

NO 2

Taymir

NL 1

Hozier

IE 5

Kid Karate

IE

2

Tensnake

DE 1

Jaakko Eino Kalevi

FI

5

Linkoban

DK 2

The Opposites

NL

1

Larry Gus

GR

5

N’toko

SI 2

The Wands

DK

1

Benjamin Clementine

FR

4

Russkaja

AT 2

traumahelikopter

NL 1

Emilie Nicolas

NO

4

The Mispers

UK

Hermigervill

IS 1

Lulu James

UK

4

NoNoNo

SE 2

Noah Kin

FI

The Strypes

IE

4

Jenny Wilson

SE

Djaikovski

MK 1

Baby in Vain

DK

4

Afterpartees

NL 1

Drenge

UK 1

The Animen

CH

4

Baskerville

NL 1

Rhodes

UK

1

Elliphant

SE 4

Brother & Bones

UK

1

Manu Delago Handmade AT

1

Kadebostany

CH 4

C + C = Maxigross

IT

1

Seward

ES 1

Alice Boman

SE

Cairo Liberation Front

NL

1

Mozes and the Firstborn

NL

1

Claire

DE 3

Charity Children

DE

1

Mister and Mississippi

NL

1

Coely

BE 3

DJ Pravda

IT

1

Reverend Shine Snake Oil

DK

1

East India Youth

UK

3

Electric Eye

NO

1

Ásgeir

IS 1

Sam Smith

UK

3

Gudrun von Laxenburg

AT

1

Bo Saris

NL

Hudson Taylor

IE

3

Ja Panik

AT

1

3

3

2

1

1

1

21

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

IMMF Moves to Strengthen the International Voice of Managers & Artists Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

2014 sees the International Music Manag-

operations will be coordinated and admin-

ers Forum (IMMF) taking big steps on the

istered by Daria Wabnitz, while the agency

way towards strengthening the international

FACTORY 92 will be taking over the inter-

voice of music managers and artists. With

national press relations. Committees are the

a new seat in Luxembourg, strengthened

cornerstone of IMMF’s new structure work-

secretariat, new international committee

ing as labs in order to draft ideas, enhance

structure and several new members the

international cooperation and strengthen

IMMF umbrella now represents the interests

policy work, within the following areas:

of national associations from more than 20

– European Committee

countries, with an organizational infrastruc-

– Live Committee

ture able to leverage this ever growing rep-

– Copyright Committee

paper on the issue. The position paper stat-

resentational weight.

– Marketing and promotion Committee

ed the importance of copyright legislation

– Funding Committee

harmonization across the EU in order to give

– Training and Education Committee

a legal answer and a framework for the mass

Kari Karjalainen, lawyer and chairman of the IMMF Copyright Committee explains one of the core drivers for strengthening the IMMF:

usage of content. The position paper also IMMF is moreover experiencing growing in-

underlined the necessity of an international

ternational membership demand. In March

song database in order to build a global and

“…People need music, and in order to sup-

2014 the IMMF thus welcomed MMF Esto-

efficient monitoring tool.

port music making, music creators seek au-

nia as its newest national member. MMF

diences for, and income from their creations.

Latin America is furthermore being estab-

In March 2014 IMMF also attended the Music

For some time the market for music has not

lished and welcomed into the IMMF. MMF

Biz Association summit 2014 at Musikmesse

functioned either fairly or efficiently, imbal-

Latin America will unite managers from Ar-

Frankfurt in Germany where executives from

ances affect the creation of new music, one

gentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay,

several major stakeholder organizations pre-

of the core problems is that the marketplace

Uruguay, Panamá, Costa Rica, Guatemala,

sented their concerns and opinions on recent

for music rights does not work. The grow-

Mexico, Perú and Venezuela.

worldwide evolutions within copyright, EU

ing ambition of IMMF is thus no coincidence, but a necessity...”

22

Karl karjalainen, lawer and chairman of the IMMF Copyright Committee.

matters and international collecting rights.

CURRENT POLICY & REPRESENTATION

Representatives from pan-European and

ACTIVITIES

international umbrella organization within

THE NEW ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

The IMMF Copyright Committee took part in

music industry areas such as entertainment

The new IMMF has been registered as a non

the EU Copyright Consultation at the begin-

law, music publishing and concert venues at-

profit organization in Luxembourg. The daily

ning of March 2014, presenting its position

tended the event alongside IMMF.

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

In general 2014 has thus far seen IMMF be-

through them the artists (performers and

CONTACT:

ing represented and featured across a wide

authors) they manage. The core mission of

General inquiries:

range of international music stakeholder

the IMMF is to defend the economic and

Daria Wabnitz: daria@immf.com

events from Sun Breathe Music Conference

legal interests of artists on an international

Press:

in Cape Town (South Africa) over SXSW in

scale. The IMMF’s vision is to create better

Christian Hald Buhl: buhl@factory92.eu

Austin (US) to Tallinn Music Week in Tallinn

international trade conditions for all artists

Links:

(Estonia).

across the world. The IMMF today repre-

www.immf.com

sents National MMF Organizations from 21

immf.us3.list-manage.com:

ABOUT IMMF

countries.

(IMMF digital licensing position paper,

The International Music Managers Forum

Musicbiz Association Summit,

(IMMF) represents music managers and

FACTORY 92).

The Council at the General Assembly at Midem 2014.

First row: Brian Hetherman (IMMF Chair), Volker May (IMMF Vice-Chair). Second row: Daria Wabnitz (IMMF Project Manager), Nathan Brenner (MMF Australia), Natalia Talayero (MMF Spain), Patricia Hermida (MMF Spain), Christoph Storbeck (MMF Italy). Third row: Stephen Bond Garvan (MMF US), Olivier Toth (IMMF Executive Director), Kari Karjalainen (MMF Finland), Didier­Zerath (MMF France), Toomas Olljum (MMF Estonia). Last row: Jake Beaumont-Nesbitt (IMMF Policy Flow), Nuno Saraiva­(MMF Portugal), Keith Harris (MMF UK).

23

23

VIP NEWS > BUSINESS > MAY 2014

MUSIC IN SHARES

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

CTS Eventim – The Growth Story Continues:

Euro will eventually have to be paid by DEAG according to a successrelated bonus scheme that goes along with the take over.

Again in the first quarter of 2014 CTS Eventim is able to maintain

DEAG furthermore filed an interim injunction against the Senate of

reasonable growth rates within all relevant key figures. In the busi-

Berlin regarding the renewal of the lease deal for the open air arena

ness report for Q1/2014, CTS Eventim reports an increased revenue

Waldbühne in Berlin by CTS Eventim.In 2008 CTS Eventim won a call

result of 24 percent, from 121.1 million Euro in Q1/2013 up to 150.4

for the management of the location. The Berlin Senate intends now

million Euro.

to renew the deal with the arch rival of DEAG without announcing a new call for bids. The injunction filed by DEAG is opposed by the

The Earnings before Interests, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation

Senate and will now lead to a court ruling on June 12.

(EBITDA) went up from 28.7 to 32.3 million Euro. Interestingly the Live Entertainment Division of the company grows stronger than its

Shortly before this issue of VIP News went to press, the trade paper

Ticketing leg. The declared revenue for the Live Entertainment seg-

Musikmarkt reported that the currently not existing call for bids has

ment moves up 37.9 percent from 60.3 to 83.2 million Euro. The

prompted a consortium of the Berlin based concert companies Four

results for the Ticketing unit are 69.4 compare to 62.3 million Euros

Artists, KKT, Loft Concerts and New Berlin Konzerte announced to

in the same period one year ago.

join forces to submit a joint bid for the Waldbühne Berlin, too.

In the last issue VIP News reported a CTS Eventim share price of 45.91

The previous reported share price was 5.65 Euro, this time it is 5.66

Euro. The time share price on the day this report went to press is

Euro.

41.71 Euro.

DEAG – Growths By Take Over:

24

Live Nation – A Bit of a Different Growth Story: Like CTS Eventim Live Nation also reported impressive growth rates

The UK concert company Kilimanjaro Live now belongs to DEAG. On

for the Q1-2014 but as usual produced a net loss even though it cut

May 9 DEAG reported that for 4 million Euro it bought 51 percent

its losses by half. The revenue rose about 22 percent from $923.7

of the company behind the Sonisphere festivals. Another 2 million

million up to $1.127.3 billion. The revenue gained by the Concert

MAY 2014 > MAY 2014 VIP NEWS > BUSINESS

MUSIC IN SHARES

division even went up by 29 percent, from $513.5 to $662.5 million.

F.X. Sillerman is quoted ,as saying: “Throughout the first quarter we

The Ticketing unit gained a plus of 9 percent, from $325.1 up to

made continued progress toward creating what is now the largest

$354.5 million.

global producer of world-class live events and leading digital enter-

The Artist Nation department was able to increase its revenue result

tainment content focused exclusively on EMC. While it is the season-

by 44 percent up to $72.6 million, Sponsorship & Advertising went up

ally slowest period of the year, the first quarter served as a microcosm

from $40.1 to 45.4 million.

of our approach. Total festival attendance more than doubled

The net loss went down $64 to $30 million, the loss per share result from $0.33 to $0.16. The net long-term debt on March 31 was $2.836, compare to $2.255 billion in the same period one year ago.

From the previous reported share price of $21.17 until May 23 it nevertheless went up to $24.01.

year over year, on a pro forma basis, with half of the growth coming from new festivals, while repeat festivals saw attendance growth of 9% year over year and revenue growth of approximately 10%. Our festivals will grow by approximately 30% in 2014 to more than 70, compared to the 54 held in 2013. Much of this growth will be in North America, as we bring highly popular festivals like Mysteryland

SFX Entertainment

to the U.S. for the first time and bring Electric Zoo to Mexico. We are

– A Totally Differently Growth Story:

in the Netherlands and the Hudson Project in Saugerties, New York.

SFX Entertainment also reported its Q1-2014 results. In the first three

Additionally, we see opportunities for further festival schedule expan-

months the company gained revenue of $33.3 million and produced a

sion in North America, South America and Asia in 2015 and beyond.”

also introducing entirely new festivals, such as Don’t Let Daddy Know

net loss of $63.6 million, resulting in loss per share of $0.73.

Since the last issue from $7.33 the share price this time is down to In the period SFX Entertainment completed 14 events of this year’s

$7.02.

17–20 SEPT.

2014

total scheduled number of 76 festivals. In the report SFX-CEO Robert

HAMBURG/GERMANY

Organiser: Reeperbahn Festival GbR and Inferno Events GmbH & Co. KG

INTERNATIONAL

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TALENTS, TRENDS AND TRADE 600 EVENTS IN MORE THAN 70 VENUES

CONCERTS, MUSIC & DIGITAL SESSIONS, NETWORKING, ART PROGRAMMES 30,000 VISITS; 3,000 PROFESSIONALS

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25

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

MU to Remain Neutral on Scottish Independence Issue Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

With just over three months to go until the Scottish independence referendum, the Musicians’ Union (MU) has announced its decision to remain neutral in the debate. The decision follows the MU’s forum on ‘The Future of Music in Scotland,’ which was held on 11 April 2014 at Glasgow City Halls.

MU General Secretary John Smith says: “The debates that were had in Glasgow were extremely informative and our Scottish members were able to express their differing views, whilst also having the opportunity to question industry specialists on what independence might mean for music and musicians in Scotland. “The variety of views expressed means that the MU Executive Committee has decided to take a position of neutrality on the question of Scottish independence in order to respect the positions of our 2,200 members in Scotland.

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MU General Secretary John Smith

VIP NEWS > MISC > MAY 2014

MEMBER PRESENTATION

ARTIST AVAILS Chloe Charles Territory: Europe Period: September/October Agency: Paperclip Agency / Agent: Hilde Spille Phone: +31 243239322 E-mail: hilde@paperclip-agency.com Homepage: www.paperclip-agency.com

ORBITAL ñ 25th year anniversary tour in 2014 Territory: The World excluding USA Period: May onwards Agency: Value Added Talent / Agent: Dan Silver Phone: +44 207 704 97 20 E-mail: dan@vathq.co.uk Homepage: www.vathq.co.uk

TRAIN TRAIN is a privately owned live venue and nightclub placed in the central of Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark.

TRAIN is appointed as a regional live venue by the Municipality of Aarhus and The Danish Agency for Culture.

TRAIN is a fully professional venue and has been running succesfully since 1. april 1998.

TRAIN is one of Denmarks largest regional venues and nightclubs. The concert capacity is 850 guests for live concerts and 1700 guest for nightclubbing. There’s no agelimit for live concerts at Train.

TRAIN presents a broad program of music, covering many different genres and styles.

Throughout the years a lot of international and national artists have been perfoming on the stage. Artists like Snoop Dogg, Iggy Pop, Suede, Bryan Ferry, Motörhead, The National, The The, N*E*R*D, Patti Smith, Kaiser Chiefs, Babyshambles, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and many many others.

Alan Parsons Live Project Territory: Worldwide Period: 2014 Agency: World Entertainment Associates of America Agent: John Regna - Artist Agent/Manager Phone: +1 407-993-4000 E-mail: JPR@JohnRegna.com Homepage: www.AlanParsonsTourPromo.com

Glasvegas Territory: Europe Period: 2014 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Ben Winchester Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: ben@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.glasvegas.net

THE ORCHESTRA starring ELO former members Territory: Worldwide Period: 2014-2015 Agency: World Entertainment Associates of America Agent: John Regna - Artist Agent/Manager Phone: +1 407-993-4000 E-mail: jpr@johnregna.com Homepage: www.THEORCHESTRAonline.com

Afro Cuban All Stars Territory: East Europe, Middle East Period: July Agency: Greensmith Agent: Dragan Greensmith E-mail: dragan@greensmithltd.com Homepage: greensmithltd.com/artistprofile/ afro-cuban-all-stars/

The clubscene has been honoured by perfomances by artists like Major Lazer, DJ Shadow, 2ManyDJs, Modeselektor, Benga & Skream, Andy Fletcher, Simian Mobile Disco, Peaches, Kele Okereke, Moderat, Cassius, Zombie Nation and many many more.

MORE ARTIST AVAILS ON: WWW.VIP-BOOKING.COM POST YOUR ARTIST AVAILS ON: WWW.VIP-BOOKING.COM

Orbital

27

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2014

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