VIP News Premium - June 2018

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VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2018

McGowan’s

Musings

I’m writing this on the longest day of the

daylight, what should we do with it? Well,

Inverness, near to the famous Loch, and

year, the summer solstice; I can’t believe that

I’m heading to London which will probably

in the North of Scotland – it stays light up

we’re half way through 2018 already! Well,

be cloudy anyway, but as I will be playing

there long enough for the delegates and

the fact is, we have arrived at the middle

darts, badly probably, the lighting will not

the punters to lose track of the time as

of the year, and as we have this extra bit of

be that much of an issue. However, what

they move from venue to venue taking in

I should have done was call John Giddings

the acts and being surprised that breakfast

and begged a ticket or two for the 50th

is suddenly on the agenda! We’ve a few

anniversary edition of the Isle of Wight

Scottish items in this edition that indicate

Festival, which quite fittingly kicks off on

how active the music business is in the land

this longest day. So a sell out audience made

of my forefathers…. Though not all the

up of people who really did work out what

news is good unfortunately.

to do with this time are presently boarding

COLOPHON >

boats to cross that – somewhat expensive

The other thing about having hit mid-June is

– stretch of water, the Solent in the English

that we are seriously into the festival season,

Channel, for a few, hopefully sunny days

and there certainly seems to be no easing

on the largest and most populous English

off in the number of events, and the activity

island, to be entertained by the likes of

over and above what goes on on-stage.

Depeche Mode, The Killers, Kasabian, Liam

Drugs are high on the agenda; as it becomes

Gallagher and others.

increasingly obvious that the consumption of a wide range of drugs by festival goers

VIP-News is published by: VIP-Booking.com Enghaven 19 Attrup 8444 Balle Denmark Managing Director: Ronni Didriksen rd@vip-booking.com General Manager: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com Writer and editorial: Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Writer: Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com For advertising enquiries please contact: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com +46 70 77 60 480 Charlie Presburg cp@vip-booking.com +44 (0) 7980 817496

2

So, not only am I having trouble believing

is not likely to be stopped, then the efforts

that we’re half way through the year, I

of organisers and police are more and more

find it quite amazing that 50 years ago I

focussed on making sure that what is taken

was managing a record shop in Southsea,

is safe, or as safe as all of these stimulants,

Portsmouth, on the Hampshire mainland

narcotics , whatever, can be.

opposite the Isle of Wight, from which we

There is quite a balancing act involved in

sold tickets for the 1969 event, featuring

sticking to the law while trying to minimise

Bob Dylan, The Band and Joe Cocker etc,

drug risks. Licensing is at stake, but following

and for the even more famous 1970 line-up,

six or more drug related deaths at festivals

which included Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Joni

last year, safety is paramount.

Mitchell. Time flies, so as you will be reading this a few days after the solstice, I hope you

So, having not been anywhere exotic since

made the most of it, and of course with all

the last issue, although Ronni, Peter and

your days!

Charlie did some good business in Cannes at Midem, I’ll report back from Inverness in the

Getting back to this extra daylight business,

next issue. Oh, and if I play well, I’ll tell you

I will be getting my fill of a lack of darkness

about the darts!

next week when I attend the next edition of XPO North, previously known as GoNorth,

In the meantime, Ladies and Gentlemen –

which as you may know takes place in

The News!

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2018

Legendary drummer Vinnie Paul dead at 54 From VIP-Daily News Vinnie Paul, a drummer and one of the

The group fell apart in 2003 ... by all accounts

Vinnie Paul has passed away. Another metal

original members of Pantera, is dead.

band members were feuding.

hero taken too soon. Say hello to Daryl for

Paul was a founding member of the metal

Vinnie`s brother, Dimebag, was shot and

band, which formed in the `80s. His brother,

killed a year later during a concert, after a

According to the family he died in his sleep at

“Dimebag” Darrell Abbot, was also a

man ran up on stage and began shooting ...

his home in Las Vegas. His body`s been turned

founding member. The band was huge in its

killing a total of 4 people.

over to the medical examiner to determine a

me. Rest in Peace, my dear friend.”

day ... nominated for Grammys in 1995 and

cause of death, and after that he`ll be flown

2001. Their album, “Far Beyond Driven,” hit

Megadeth`s Dave Mustaine said, “I just woke

back to his home state of Texas to be buried

#1 in 1994.

up in Belgium to the news that my friend

between his mom and brother.

Vinnie Paul

Need to know who is touring Europe?

®

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

3

HAMBURG/GERMANY

19 – 22 Sept.

2018

150 Sessions · Hans-Holger Albrecht (Deezer, DE) · Mathew Daniel (NetEase Cloud Music, CN) · Bettina Dorn (Warner Music Group, DE) · Milena Fessmann (Cinesong, DE) · Tina Funk (Vevo, DE) · Cherie Hu (Billboard / Forbes, US) · Scarlett Li (CMC Holdings/Zebra Media, CN) · Carl Leighton-Pope (The Leighton-Pope Organisation, GB) · Christopher Mazur (Netflix, US) · Peter Schwenkow (DEAG, DE) · Jean-Noёl Tronc (Sacem, FR) · Jackie Wilgar (Live Nation, GB) · and more 600 Concerts · Bear's Den · Ibeyi · Goat Girl · Jess Glynne · Lewis Capaldi · David August · SIGRID · Tank and the Bangas · Alexis Taylor · Darwin Deez · Bishop Briggs · Okkervil River · Lxandra · Anna Burch · Black Foxxes · Graveyard · The Magic Gang · Soccer Mommy · BOY AZOOGA · Jamie Lenman · Fieh · Poppy · WhoMadeWho · and more Arts · Awards · Education · Film · Meetings · Networking · Showcases · Word

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

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2018

ABC O2 Venue in Glasgow Destroyed by Fire Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Glasgow’s ABC O2 venue - part of the

street and cried” when he saw the venue

replace”. The building is actually older than

Academy Music Group has been severely

burning.

the Mackintosh and during its 143-year-

damaged by fire which spread from the

old history has been a diorama theatre, a

Glasgow School Of Art’s Mackintosh

“I arrived at the venue within the first hour

circus, a dancehall and a cinema.

Building in the early hours of Saturday

of the fire”, he said. “I sat in the street and

morning on June 16.

cried, but it wasn’t until we got the aerial

But, Cardow said, “it won’t be the end of

photograph that we got an idea of just

the venue. The venue will eventually re-

Following another smaller fire there in 2014

how bad the damage is ... Nobody knows

open”.

the historic Mackintosh Building was being

what happened, but I don’t know many

renovated, but caught ablaze again late on

buildings that can survive having a roof

Attempts

the Friday night. Flames engulfed the art

falling in and 24 hours of high pressure

upcoming shows to other venues, although

school building, before spreading to the

water poured into it”.

some have already been cancelled. Updates

ABC. The venue’s roof eventually collapsed.

are

being

made

to

move

on all shows will be added to the ABC

It may take weeks to fully assess the extent

Although the full extent of the damage

of the damage of the venue.

is not yet known, Cardow says that he is “assuming it will be horrific”.

Promoter Paul Cardow, whose company

website in due course.

The leader of Glasgow city council, Susan Aitken, pledged to convene a Sauchiehall

PCL Presents is a shareholder in the venue,

“The ABC is a massive part of the

Street taskforce early this week to plan the

told the Daily Record that he “sat in the

community and a venue that is hard to

area’s future.

Glasgow ABC O2 Fire

5

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2018

Unveiling of Scottish Album Of The Year Longlist at Special Live Show Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Scottish

Album

Of

The

Year

Award

last year. I think this process is what makes

organisers have announced their second

being longlisted really special and valued,

‘Live At The Longlist’ show. Introduced last

and what makes people really want to listen

year, the event at Glasgow venue King Tut’s

to these great records”.

Wah Wah Hut, will feature performances from former nominees, as well as the

Regarding the event, he continued: “Last

unveiling of this year’s longlist.

year we introduced ‘Live At The Longlist’ to allow artists, industry and music fans to all

“ Scottish Music Industry Association

come together to celebrate the incredible

GM Robert Kilpatrick stated that the

strength and diversity of our country’s

Honeyblood’s

announcement of the longlist, “ ..is without

recorded output. This year we’re delighted

TeenCanteens’ Carla J Easton, as well as

doubt the most exciting part of The SAY

to be hosting the event at Glasgow’s much

a solo performance from The Delgados’

Award campaign. Much more than just a

loved King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, with a

Emma Pollock and a DJ set from Mogwai’s

list of 20 great albums”, he goes on, “the

fantastic bill of previously shortlisted and

Stuart Braithwaite.

longlist is the product of an extraordinary

longlisted acts, with Nicola Meighan making

nationwide

the exclusive announcement”.

consultation,

where

100

Stina

Tweeddale

The longlist is currently being selected from

impartial nominators working across the

the even longer list of 253 eligible entries,

music industry democratically select the 20

The show, on 1 Aug., will feature a

all of which can be streamed via the SAY

most outstanding Scottish records of the

special collaborative performance from

Award website.

27.–29.SEP.2018

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FESTIVAL PASS € 47

valid for all festival shows. www.oeticket.at and Jugendinfo Wien.

6

and

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2018

Organisers Announce Midem Attendance up by 9% Compared to Last Year Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com As usual the VIP Team had a stand at the

Live Panel at Midem 2018

Cannes-based conference that took place June 5-8 and hosted 4800 delegates from 80 countries. According to the organisers attendance at the event was up by 9% compared to last year.

This year’s event also hosted a series of new initiatives including summits focusing on the live and streaming sectors, a songwriting camp and the inauguration of the Midem Hall of Fame Award, which saw SB Projects founder Scooter Braun named as its first inductee.

Speaking about this year`s event, Midem

the High Potential Markets Programme

industry; the Midem Artist Accelerator

director Alexandre Deniot said: “In line

supports regional industries that have

programme showcases young artists to

with Midem’s commitment to the global

incredible talent and a desire to structure

international executives, and with the

music community we have introduced a

themselves; with Midemlab we recognise

Songwriting Camp we are actively creating

multitude of new initiatives. In particular,

innovative tech solutions for the music

the songs of tomorrow.”

“The global music industry is currently

Peter Briggs pichting VIP at Midem beach stage

writing one of its most exciting chapters ever, and this is reflected by the multigenerational Midem community. We have put artists and the creatives at the heart of the event,” he continued. “We are committed to supporting high potential markets over the long-term and we have incredible input from industry thoughtleaders who share their vision on the conference stages,” Looking ahead to next year’s event, Midem not only confirmed that the conference will take place between June 4-7, they also announced they will stage their own Midem Music Awards in 2019, which organisers claim will be the first “truly data-driven”

international

music

prize

celebrating regional and global talent.

7

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

JUNE 2018

Cities Developing Night Time Economies Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com More and more Cities throughout the world are

These moves are making life better for venues, artists

developing their music scenes as part of what is

and audiences. VIP will report on progress as we receive

being instituted and supported by national and local

information, such as this press release from Greater

authorities to strengthen both cultural and economic

Manchester, and the new guide on this important topic

growth under the heading of the Night Time Economies.

from Sound Diplomacy.

Plans to Strengthen Greater Manchester’s Music Scene Radical new plans to strengthen Greater

Granada Studios - Allied London’s new St

by three chairs: Inspiral Carpets legend Martyn

Manchester’s music scene, from established

John’s development.

Walsh, former Sony UK CEO Ged Doherty

artists to up-and-coming musicians of all genres, have been revealed.

- who also chairs the British Phonographic The review will look into Greater Manchester’s

Industry and the Brits, and Karen Boardman,

musical strengths, as well as where the music

Co-Director Crisis Management LLP.

Working alongside UK Music and a panel of

scene can be improved, ensuring that artists

experts, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy

are supported to develop sustainable careers

Mayor

Burnham has set up a major review to see

where everyone can access music in a safe

Burnham said: “Greater Manchester has

how the city-region’s thriving scene can be

and inclusive way.

led the way when it comes to British music,

nurtured, encouraged and refreshed.

of

Greater

Manchester,

Andy

producing some of the greatest bands this Building on Greater Manchester’s incredible

country has ever known from Oasis to The

Over the next six months, voices from

music heritage, the review will support bands

Stone Roses, as well as being home to

across the music industry will be asked

of all cultures and backgrounds including

internationally-renowned orchestras.

share their views and experiences of

our well-defined indie legacy to music of

Greater Manchester’s music culture as

black origin, brass bands and orchestras.

part of these exciting plans, which were unveiled at Low Four Studios part of Old

“The music greats of our past inspire young musicians of today. We must build on this,

UK Music will lead on the review, supported

beyond the already well-defined indie legacy, to truly embed culture and the arts in the heart of our communities and give future generations the opportunities to fulfil their creative potential.

“This review will enable us to support artists, businesses and audiences of all genres so that they are able to get more out of creating the music they love.”

UK Music publishes annual reports on the

Andy Burnham

8

economic contribution of music. The 2017 Measuring Music report revealed that the

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

JUNE 2018

music industry generated £4.4 billion to the

pipeline across the city region, building on

UK economy. The review of the city-region

its formidable music heritage and to lure

will reveal, for the first time, the value of

even more visitors to live music events in and

music to Greater Manchester.

around Manchester.

UK Music CEO, Michael Dugher said:

“I look forward to working closely with

“This review is a fantastic opportunity to

Andy and those leading the review to ensure

help further develop Greater Manchester’s

Greater Manchester’s music scene goes from

vibrant music scene and help grow the

strength to strength.”

city’s economy.

Michael Dugher

Andy Burnham gets how

important this is and is passionate about

An advisory panel will be set up in the

supporting the city-region’s amazing talent

coming weeks with representatives from

of music, from venues and practice spaces

and great venues. Like UK Music, he wants

across Greater Manchester’s diverse music

to gigs and festivals in Greater Manchester.

to look at ways to nurture all the different

scene.

elements that make up the music industry’s

Early next year, the review will make

eco-system and to see how we can help it

Running

thrive in the future.

the review will provide a comprehensive

alongside

three

roundtables,

recommendations

Manchester’s status as a music city-region

on

how

Greater

assessment of what musical resources are

can be enhanced with the cultural and

“The review will help identify ideas to

currently available for musicians, music

economic benefits to maximise the already

widen opportunities and develop the talent

businesses and audiences across all genres

thriving scene.

Sound Diplomacy Launches Guide Music market development consultancy

Written with night time economy academic

Sound Diplomacy has announced a new

Andreina Seijas, the book offers guidance on

publication called ‘A Guide To Managing

economic development, attracting tourism,

Your Night Time Economy’, aimed at cities

catering to different age groups, recognising

wishing to develop their after dark cultural

the value of culture and more. It is based

and entertainment activities.

on research from eleven cities over five continents.

Among those talking up the guide is Ariel Palitz - Senior Executive Director of New York City’s Office Of Nightlife - who says: “As New York City’s first Senior Executive Director for the Office Of Nightlife ... I have been given the awesome responsibility to not only create a new [department], but also to promote an economically and culturally vibrant nightlife industry, while serving the

that have been successfully implemented in

best interests of the city and residents of

some of the world’s greatest cities. It is an

New York”.

honour to be part of the community of such visionary nightlife directors, and to have the

She continues: “The Sound Diplomacy Guide

opportunity to learn from them through

To Managing Your Night Time Economy truly

resources like this excellent guide”.

is the invaluable toolbox it is intended to

Ariel Palitz

be. It helps clarify the many facets of night

A launch event for the publication will be

time economies around the globe, as well as

held at Omeara in London on 9 Jul. Find out

illuminating strategies for managing nightlife

more and download the guide for free here.

9

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2018

Music Broadcaster Viva Will Become History From VIP-Daily News of the company at the beginning of 2019.

competitor for MTV. The company undertook

Once operating from offices in Austria,

an IPO (Initial Public Offering) in 2000 on

Switzerland, Hungary, the Netherlands and

the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and was then

Poland, the media company has gradually

taken over in 2004 by Viacom.

downsized in recent years being replaced by Comedy Central, as well a branch of Viacom,

Killed off by Youtube and Facebook some

Launched 1993, to be gone in 2019.

the mother ship of MTV.

might conclude, confirming that the market

Viacom, the latest owner of Viva TV,

The media enterprise was started in Cologne

and youth relevant content is definitely done

announced the closure of all media outlets

and for a couple of years became a serious

and gone.

for a TV station focused exclusively on music

Haim fired agent over pay gap at festival From VIP-Daily News All-female band Haim say they fired an

one in the UK album charts, the band have

Talking about sexism and prejudice they

agent after discovering they were paid just

played festivals including Glastonbury and

have faced during their career, the sisters

a tenth of the amount of a male artist on

Coachella.

told the magazine that many people

the same bill at a festival.

struggle to accept that they play their own Drawing

favourable

comparisons

with

instruments and write their own songs.

The US rock group - made up of sisters

1970s band Fleetwood Mac, the sisters

Este, Danielle and Alana - called the pay

have rejected the label “girl band” and

Alana, the youngest of the sisters, said: “I

gap “insane”.

say they want to be recognised simply as

still get so many people asking me, `So who

musicians.

really writes your songs?”

The sisters told Grazia: “We had been told that our fee was very low because you played at the festival in the hope you`d get played on the radio.

“We didn`t think twice about it, but we later found out that someone was getting paid 10 times more than us. And because of that we fired our agent.”

The Grammy-nominated group called the disparity of pay “f****d up”, but did not name the festival nor the male artist.

Since the success of their 2013 album Days Are Gone, which reached number

Haim

11

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2018

Two Forty Year Anniversaries Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com Maybe it is just coincidental but retrospectively 1978 appears to be

Peter Schwenkow: Yes, I am sure, but it is probably 25 years ago

a good inaugural year for Berlin based music companies. Although

(laughing).

the two particular ventures in question are in fact very different from each other. Firstly we have DEAG, founded in 1978 by Professor

VIP News: In a recent interview with “Die Zeit” it was

Peter Schwenkow, in 1998 DEAG was the very first German concert

mentioned that you run your company, ‘free of arseholes’,

company to be listed on the stock market, in 2017 DEAG accrued

while stating that you commit yourself to follow three strict

revenue of 179 Million Euros.

rules. These are; never to cheat, not to kick someone when he is down, and never to lie.

The Company also had at least two bands under contract that have never played and never will play well-known Berlin venue SO36,

In the hey days of fake news, Trump and Diesel-Gate these

our second company celebrating its anniversary. Both companies

practices sound pretty much out-dated for the CEO of a stock

have undergone serious crises, but have managed to survive. Both

market listed company. Would you describe yourself as an ‘old

enterprises have very solid opinions on the way they run their

school’ entrepreneur and would you say the more honourable

businesses. Both also have a rock solid reputation, each company

attitudes that you embrace have in the main disappeared

in their very own manner and both celebrate their 40ths company

never to come back?

anniversary this year; allbeit separately of course.

Schwenkow: Perhaps you even need to be an old school entrepreneur.

Let’s begin our consideration of these enterprises by interviewing

We are in the live music industry, for example it means we can go on

Peter Schwenkow, who has often declared openly that he is a deeply

sale with a capacity of 200.000 tickets, but the artist is getting an

convicted entrepreneur, leaning politically towards conservatism,

advance equivalent to only 25 per cent of the total gross. We are

but nevertheless someone that can surprise with occasional liberal

allowed to collect the money on behalf of an artist. These are the

perspectives. On the face of it he also appears to be a non-typical

deals of this business, where you consider a ticket to be worth the

CEO for a stock market listed company, while simultaneously

price printed on the ticket. This has a lot to do with trust and a lot

following a straight personal code of conduct that varies from that

to do with honesty and loyalty. These are the three USP’s (unique

of former bankers, today’s ’ Trumpists’ and other contemporary

selling points) we need to have in our industry. Additionally, the

poker faced players.

way as DEAG is structured, we have a lot of companies based on partnerships, Stuart Galbraith is a Partner, like Fred Handwerker and

VIP News: The Berlin venue SO36 is known for it’s dedicated

Ossy and Oliver Hoppe and all the others. If you don’t treat these

political approach and also celebrates its 40th anniversary this

people honestly, how can you expect them to treat their artists

year. Have you ever booked a show in this venue or been to

honestly?

one of their concerts?

VIP News: In the same interview, which actually is a really

Peter Schwenkow’s early years - photo by DEAG

good one, you also answer questions about your relationships with artists. But when regarding the present situation of international deals for touring and concerts, nowadays it seems to be the case that, in particular big players such as Live Nation, CAA or WME operate very much like major record companies, striking global deals with their artists, resulting in the situation that individual relations with national promoters or concert agencies have become much more meaningless than previously. Are you concerned about this development?

Schwenkow: Of course there is competition and more and more artists consider nationwide, continental or global deals to be right for them. But let’s say this is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s probably 40

12

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2018

or 50 artists a year that like to tour with these kinds of deals. Instead

to this power that they rather do things to get re-elected, but not

my impression is that more and more artists are considering doing

necessarily what might be good for the country or citizens.

deals from country to country. If you offer an artist a hundred million for a global tour of 50 or 200 shows or whatever it is, these deals are

VIP News: You are one of the very few music business people

always based on cross-collateralization, which means that you get

who have also once held a political mandate. In particular

a percentage you normally would expect. However, if you have a

these days the live music sector is confronted with many

percentage deal in France and ticket sales in Germany appear not to

obligations imposed by politicians and official authorities.

be that good, the percentage deal from France is needed to fill up the

Due to tragedies such as Love Parade, Bataclan or the one in

financial gap in Germany. In the end an artist can make more money

Manchester at the Arianne Grande concert, safety concerns

if he doesn‘t do these kinds of deals. But basically it is competition

relating to live music events have reached new levels, more

that always makes us creative. For instance, strategically we decided

than ever before. The latest prominent example for this

in the last two years to become an entertainment company instead

development is the requested cancelation of the by local

of just being only a concert promoter. We developed new segments

politicians of the Ed Sheeran concert in Düsseldorf.

like Arts and Exhibitions, Classic & Jazz, launched our own ticketing

kind of efforts are needed to convince politicians and public

business, expanded the family entertainment segment. There is

authorities that concert promoters can be trusted to run their

simply not enough butter on the bread to provide for only being a

events safely and properly?

What

concert promoter.

Schwenkow: I think these are two different topics. The attitude towards VIP News: Which group of people do you admire or fear most:

safety and security at concerts for me personally has remained the same

artists, shareholders or politicians?

for 40 years. If you buy a ticket and go to a concert you must be 100 per cent sure that the promoter as much as possible guarantees your

Schwenkow: I admit to fearing politicians. For a limited time these

safety, and by the way also pays for your toilet. If I remember rightly

people have a lot of power and many of them are getting so used

I was the first promoter ever that initiated the practice that concert visitors don’t have to pay to use a toilet. It is just not acceptable. You don’t have a choice if you stay for 4 or 5 hours on a concert. It’s like blackmailing somebody to pay for the toilet.

Indeed safety issues became a serious concern these days with very frightening attacks like in Las Vegas, Manchester or the one at Bataclan - as much as we can we should protect our guests.

The Ed Sheeran problem in Dusseldorf I believe is a bit different.

A minority of people who presume to protect the environment or whatsoever, leads to a sudden situation whereby you as the promoter don’t receive the permissions you were previously supposed to have been granted.. This is something I believe we have to live with. In fact we are having two associations in Germany that are representing our industry. We are trying to convince the politicians who create rules that we have to follow. We have to work within a certain framework, but I also like to emphasize that we are an important industry. In Germany for example the revenues of the live music business, including all types of live music events, such as orchestral or operatic, is exceeding the revenues of the book sector. It is more than 3.5 billion Euros per year. We are an important employer of people and we are offering “soul food” as I call it – and taxpayer don’t even have to pay for it. I do believe that having open discussions with politicians about our needs appear to be successful.

I even would say in Germany, where I have been in politics, they are very much successful – we still have the 7 per cent VAT on tickets,

13

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2018

Peter Schwenkow

which is a great relief – changes are happening in the UK too at the

in the UK and Germany, perhaps even in terms of business

moment – we still have an acceptable situation on taxes with foreign

philosophies and strategies?

artists. Just bear in mind, sometimes politicians try to increase VAT on tickets. They try to increase foreign artist tax such as Theo Waigel

Schwenkow: First of all the UK market is two and half times bigger

(a former finance minister) did 20 years ago with Michael Jackson.

than the German market. The recent figures by the European Arenas

It seems to me we are doing quite well, making sure that we can

Association (EEA) and UK national arena association (NAA) prove

do our business. In the end we are commercial people, we want to

this. The second thing is the UK market is definitely faster. The time

make money and have to make money to serve our shareholders and

between the discovery of an artist, introducing an artist and selling

I think the framework that politics is providing us with is acceptable. I

tickets for an artist is just six to nine months. In Germany this could

assume we are able to lobby without calling it lobbying.

take up to one year and a half, eventually even two years. Although we all live in a digital world, this process still appears to be much

VIP News: On the other hand German politicians, differently

faster in the UK.

than in France, the US (Bots act by Obama) and in the UK still do not undertake any efforts to implement a law

Regarding the philosophy and probably strategies, you should bear

against secondary ticketing, protecting consumers against

in mind that in the UK, very differently than in Germany, the practice

questionable business practices of ticket reseller platforms.

is to work with the financial backing of investors. Any investment in the entertainment industry in the UK is tax deductible, from the

Is this due to lack of lobbying efforts by the live music sector

very first moment onwards. This isn’t the case in Germany, which

or due to the lack of interest by politicians?

makes it looks like German promoters are more reluctant to take on a financial risk. But at the end of the day this rather depends on

Schwenkow: I think it’s both. Due to Stuart Galbraith and artists like

the fiscal framework that is provided by German politics. If you as an

Ed Sheeran and all those promoters that put personalized tickets on

external investor lose money in the UK, you can deduct it from your

sale, the UK currently is in a much better state than we are here in

tax payments, while in Germany the write off of investments is much

Germany at the moment. In Germany many people say it is a free

more limited.

market. If you don’t get a ticket here, you just get it elsewhere. If you don’t get for it the face value and you a prepared to pay three times

VIP News: Do you still have anything with a high priority on

more than the face value, it just seems to be fine. I do hate secondary

your personal wish list for DEAG and yourself?

ticketing. Seriously, it takes profit away from the people that actually do bear the financial risk, which normally is the promoter, and it also

Schwenkow: For myself it is health and still having fun. I enjoy what

takes away potential profits from artists. But as long as it is deemed

I am doing, I really love it and for DEAG, I am pleased with the way

to be legal, it seems to be accepted. What we can read especially

as the company now is structured. With rock, pop, classic and jazz,

about Viagogo and the way they run their business is disgusting.

arts and exhibition, not to forget family entertainment and ticketing,

Fifa and others are going against them. If it would become illegal, it

this is a new world for us with a lot of potential and opportunities

would enable us to fight against secondary ticketing.

in different market segments. It is an interesting experience, to see how the people in our company follow this development, adapting

14

VIP News: UK companies such Kilimanjaro Live, Raymond

to the change of the DNA of our company. We always have been

Gubbay and Flying Music are part of DEAG. Do you recognise

a concert company, but now we are becoming an entertainment

any differences between the live entertainment markets

company.

ARTIST APPLICATIONS CURRENTLY OPEN! ESNS: EU

APPLY VIA WWW.ESNS.NL STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG

ESNS: EU creative europe

STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2018

SO36 - A Sort Of CBGB in Berlin Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com A comparison of SO36 with the once world

SO36: We had no chance to prevent that.

open not to miss a great band. So posters,

famous CBGB’s is not an obvious perfect fit,

Either the book would not be available in

fanzines,

but is also not totally wrong. While CBGB is

any bookstore at all but for a few in Berlin

and underground radio stations were the

now history SO36 still exists and is even doing

which we we would deal directly with, or we

media, people checked and they did that

quite well these days. Both venues have an

would offer our book via the regular book

actively. Nowadays people are used to

equally wonderful wild and lively history,

wholesalers, then there is no chance to forbid

getting their newsfeed flooded with event

and another common factor is certainly

them to sell to Amazon as well if they order it.

announcements and ‘sponsored posts’. They

the number of highly credible and famous

As we don‘t have the know how or structure

hardly pay attention to these and aren‘t we

bands and artists that played in both venues

for a self-distributed book, we had no choice.

all fed up with that mass of input? It‘s hard

city

mags,

music

magazines

in the early years of punk rock, new wave

to get people’s attention, and also the sheer

and other historically meaningful genres in

number of events especially in a city like Berlin has increased tremendously. So it has

those days and later. Also there are films

become tricky to promote events. But

and documentaries of both venues

we try our best with a mix of social

available.

media, posters, flyers and the good old word to mouth

It should be noted that the SO36

nowadays

exclusively

advertising.

almost

maintain

a

political left wing attitude

VIP News: The venue

and still is a dedicated

is well known for its

hot spot for subculture.

distinctive

It is a meaningful venue

and cultural agenda. this

political

for the more advanced

With

and sophisticated music

how is this approach meanwhile

community in Berlin and

in

mind,

considered

by the audience? Would

beyond and it is celebrating

you say this has changed

its 40th anniversary with an

over the years?

extensive number of concerts of prominent international alternative

SO36: The world has changed a lot over

bands. The list of artists reads like a who’s who of these types of bands, featuring

the years and so have people. The highly

among others Abwärts, Agnostic Front, Cock

politicised audience of West Berlin in the late

Sparrer, Prong, Lagwagon, Madball, Gang

VIP News: For 40 years SO36 has put

70s and 80s might have grown older, but

of Four, Therapy? There are just too many to

on concerts, shows and other event

they still exist. The topics might have changed

mention them all.

activities. Looking back, what are your

(Cold War, the Wall, RAF) but also amongst

observations in terms of what has

young people who attend the shows there

Anyhow, VIP New’s questions have been

changed since the early years and today’s

is still a strong interest in politics. In times

answered by Nanette (PR) & Pasqual (Board).

settings for promoting live events?

of surveillance and turbo capitalism all over

VIP News: The illustrated book “SO36:

SO36: That topic would fill a master‘s thesis;

1978 bis heute”, is available at Amazon.

everything has changed and still live events

Lately when their favourite venues are

com. How does this fit with the self-

rock! Back then, there was no Internet, so

threatened by gentrification they might

claimed political approach of SO36?

people were keeping their eyes and ears

take action. We had a huge campaign

mostly everyone is affected in their daily life.

16

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2018

‘SO36 bleibt’ (SO36 stays) when we were in trouble a couple of years ago and were extremely happy about the number of bands, neighbours, old and new friends who helped us then!

VIP News: When it comes to fees (for concerts) and wages (for staff and employees), are your business conditions the same as in other venues?

SO36

SO36: As there is no big boss who needs a Ferrari, we manage to have slightly better

SO36: Altogether we are about 60 people

VIP News: The City of Berlin supports

wages and a little bit lower entrance fees

working for SO36 plus DJs, musicians, artists

along with others organisations such as

and a little bit cheaper beer than comparable

who perform here regularly. We will celebrate

the Music Board Berlin. Are you pleased

venues. But it‘s hard to step off the normal

for 2 full months with special concerts, a

with the official culture politics of the

capitalistic logic of the system when you

summer school, a big Gala at the day of

Senate of Berlin and how public money

need to exist within it.

the 40th ‘Birthday’, a photo exhibition and

is spent to support the local live music

hopefully plenty of fun!

sector?

VIP News: The SO36 survived various

SO36: It’s nice to get some money now and

Fortunately, the Sterni at Köpi (former squat) will always be cheap, cheers!

crises, some of them even cost-intensive

then, but even more important is the political

VIP News: How many people are currently

such as building measures in order to

support when it comes to phenomena like

working for SO36 and how are you and

reduce noise emissions. Please describe

mentioned before. Clubs and venues need

your colleagues going to celebrate the

the current situation of the venue,

help by the local politics against the process

40th’s anniversary of the venue?

what is well in place and what kind of

of being displaced by the big companies and

developments you are concerned about?

capital.

SO36: At the moment, we are very happy,

Finally even the cities tourist managers

that there is no actual crisis. The beautiful

noticed that the big attraction of Berlin is

new noise protection wall works quite fine

it‘s vivid club scene and it‘s cultural life with

and we are negotiating a prolongation of

all the freedom and free spaces that made

our contract with the landlord.

it possible. The politicians need to help the scene to stand its ground.

But gentrification is a problem. Everything gets

the

Organisations like the Music Board help a

neighbourhood accordingly changes. So

more

expensive

here

and

bit, but the support of single projects and

the day might come when there is no

events is hard to account for when you have

more room for a punk club in the centre of

to fight for your survival against raising rents

Berlin. There will be a new building next

and regulatory orders. But there might be

to the venue soon, and it is impossible to

a new program supporting infrastructural

find out what it will become. Another Start

measures soon, which will be really helpful.

Up Office building that will sue us (like the wonderful Privatclub being in trouble with

VIP News: Please let us know, what is on

the Samwer brothers)? Or will Google and

your wish list for the venue in the near

Co. displace all alternative people from the

future…

city? It‘s hard to say but we hope that the

SO36

strong movement against the displacement

SO36: “Alles was ich will ist nur die

of whole neighbourhoods by investors and

Regierung

for the shareholder value.

Zitronen.

stürzen”

Die

Goldenen

17

VIP NEWS >

NAMES & JOBS

JUNE 2018

Former Circle Talent Agents form new agency From VIP-Daily News Former Circle Talent agents Dan Rozenblum, JJ Cassiere and Matt Pike

The new agency represents 75 artists including Dance Gavin Dance,

have formed a new agency, 33 & West in Los Angeles.

Converge, Napalm Death, Insane Clown Posse, Dead Kennedys, Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, and King Lil G. Long-term, the three hope to expand into film, digital and branding and offer their clients a broad spectrum of entertainment opportunities.

Pike previously ran his own company Kenmore Agency, while Cassiere spent time at The Kirby Organization and The Agency Group, and Rozenblum has worked at The Pantheon Agency, The Agency Group

Matt Pike, JJ Cassiere and Dan Rozenblum

and UTA. In April, UTA purchased Circle Talent Agency, but did not bring Pike, Cassiere and Rozenblum with them, prompting them to begin the work to create 33 & West.

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18

AZ_in_stutt_VIPmag_2018_RZ.indd 1

info@in.stuttgart.de www.in.stuttgart.de

22.11.17 14:12

VIP NEWS > BUSINESS >

MUSIC IN SHARES

JUNE 2018

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

CTS Eventim

Live Nation

- The Pleasure Booster For Share Holders Continues

- All Time High

Since May 24 and a share price of 40.42 Euro, the share for this

With a share price up from $43.64 to $47.03, Live Nation now has

company is on the rise. On June 22 at 42.32 Euro per share, the

a market capitalisation of $9.8 billion.

company exceeded for the first time ever a market capitalisation of 4 billion Euro.

Spotify - Almost $20

DEAG - Modest Growth

Just within four weeks, from $156.75.up to $179.69, now up to a market capitalisation of $31 billion.

Previously reported at 3.10 Euro per share, DEAG shares are slightly improving before the summer break, this time up to 3.47 Euro.

19

VIP NEWS > MISC >

JUNE 2018

MEMBER PRESENTATION

This space is dedicated to present some of our clients using VIP-Booking.com. Companies presented here have our best endorsement...

ARTIST AVAILS THE HORRORS Territory: Europe Period: 2018 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Steve Backman E-mail: stevebackman@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.thehorrors.co.uk

TRACK DOGS Territory: orldwide Period: August onwards Agency: AMA Music Agency Agent: Mark Downing AMA Music Phone: + 353 862504795 E-mail: mark@amamuscagency.ie Homepage: www.amamusicagency.ie/trackdogs

FIREHOUSE Territory: UK, Europe, Asia Period: November / December 2018 Agency: ARM Entertainment Agent: Dana Strutz Phone: 6514838754 E-mail: ds@armentertainment.com Homepage: www.armentertainment.com/firehouse

Kulturfabrik is a cultural center in the south of Luxembourg offering concerts, theater, cinema, workshops,...etc in an old and totally renovated slaughterhouse on 4.000 square meters.

Kulturfabrik can hold capacities until 950 persons standing (big hall) and 350 persons standing (small hall). The venue reopened in 1998 after the renovation works and in the meantime several well-known bands visited the beautiful venue in Esch-Alzette such as: Stereo Mc’s, Suicidal Tendencies, Monster Magnet, John

FOREVER KING OF POP Territory: World Period: 18/01/2018 - 01/01/2020 Agency: Summum Music Agent: Rosa Alfageme Phone: +34679002969 E-mail: rosa@summummusic.com Homepage: www.foreverkingofpop.net

SMOKIE Territory: Worldwide Period: 2019 Agency: NOW Music Co Agent: Jason Colombick Phone: +44 (0)1484723557 E-mail: jason@now-music.com

Cale, Life of Agony, Tryo, Motorpsycho, Apocalyptica, King¹s X, Luke Slater, The Gathering, Queens of the Stone Age, Musafir, The Wailers, Dreamtheater, Fu Manchu, Emir Kusturica, Venus, Day One, Ska-P, Willy DeVille, Eliades Ochoa,... and many, many more.

About Our Company VIP-Booking’s core product is the largest­database­for the European Live Entertainment Industry www.vip-booking.com­developed as a tool for industry professionals­. Since it’s launch in the year 2000, we have consistently offered our subscribers the very best in database services and now boast subscribers­in over 50 countries.

PHOENIX Territory: Europe Period: 2018 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Peter Elliot E-mail: peter_elliott@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.wearephoenix.com

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

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The Horrors vip-booking.com

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