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VIP NEWS >
JUNE 2019
McGowan’s
Musings
I have to admit to a very disquieting view
more depression to the whole Brexit fiasco
dalliance. Liam tweeted, “My name is Liam
of the political landscape of this United
we are now having, with no choice in
Gallagher. I have four beautiful children, I
(questionable!) Kingdom, just to add even
the matter, to accept the appointment of
have dabbled in drugs over the years, I’ve
a totally unacceptable prime minister to
had many number ones, now send me the
further screw up the situation! As I write
keys to Number Ten. I’ll sort this pile of
this he – there are no female choices – has
shit out! ParLIAMent, c’mon, you know”,
not yet been confirmed, but we’re all pretty
he added, promising to introduce a law
sure which cartoon figure he will be – and
putting Oasis back together! As sensible as
by the time I complete this edition of the
anything else that’s going on in the world of
news – we’ll know. Boris – I ask you – what
UK politics of late!
a name for a PM!
COLOPHON > VIP-News is published by: VIP-Booking.com Enghaven 19 Attrup 8444 Balle Denmark Managing Director: Ronni Didriksen rd@vip-booking.com General Manager: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com Writer and editorial: Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Writer: Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com For advertising enquiries please contact: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com +46 70 77 60 480 Charlie Presburg cp@vip-booking.com +44 (0) 7980 817496
Anyway, another maker of hit records who As for the next Brexit moves and their effects
has come up with an idea that’s as good
on the live music industry, we wait and see.
as anything that’s come out of the Houses
At the UK Music summer party last week
of Parliament of late is Mr.Ed Sheeran. The
the organisation’s boss Michael Dughher
Master of the small guitar is apparently
said,
“At UK Music we will continue to
crazy about Heinz Tomato Ketchup, so
highlight the need for touring artists and
much so that he saucily (sorry!) offered to
musicians to be able to move freely without
do an ad for the product. By the way, the
the kind of cost and bureaucracy that,
sauce named after the Houses of Parliament
frankly, could make playing across Europe
is brown, not red. Anyway, Heinz, who are
simply not viable for many UK musicians.” –
now based in Holland and produce both
so, fingers crossed?!
condiments, have taken the red head seriously and produced a bottle of ketchup
So, what can I find to cheer myself up, which might even relate to the joys of the live music industry? Ah Ha! Here we
While you digest the ramifications of this,
go, an Oasis in the Desert (sorry!), Liam
I feel that I should call it a day on these
Gallagher has (not seriously of course –
Musings and return to worrying about
although…) put himself forward to be
the future of the country, whilst looking
Prime Minister! Following the list of quite
forwards to a visit to Serbia for the EXIT
frankly unqualified Tory MP applicants, Liam
Festival in the next week and a half…
could be as capable a choice as any of the others who have admitted the odd drug
2
called, Tomato Edchup!
So, Ladies and Gentlemen – The News!
VIP NEWS >
JUNE 2019
DEAG buys into Swiss promoter From VIP-Daily News DEAG has acquired a majority stake in two
After the completion of the acquisition,
are designed to help the company expand
Swiss live concert companies.
Michael Drieberg will continue to manage
its
the business.
Switzerland into French-speaking Switzerland.
and Live Music Entertainment, owned by
His team will work together with DEAG to
Detlef Kornett echoed that sentiment in
promoter and event organizer Michael
drive growth for both companies. Drieberg
recent statements about the acquisition.
Drieberg.
also runs the 2,000 capacity Metropol
opportunities
from
German-speaking
The buy-ins involve Live Music Production
Theatre Salle Métropole in Lausanne on Lake
“We are expanding our range of events to
Drieberg has been a successful promoter in
Geneva.
include first-class French-speaking artists and
Switzerland for over 20 years. He organized
Detlef Kornett says the investment will
events and are gaining excellent access to
the outdoor event Sion sous les étoiles in
accelerate DEAG’s strategic expansion of
the French-speaking market.”
Caton Valais, which attracts over 40,000
business activities in Switzerland. DEAG
people per year.
expects to see profitable sales with the
On June 6th, DEAG acquired a 51% stake
potential to earn around CHF 35 million
in German promoter C2 concerts. The next
($35.8M USD).
day, DEAG announced another majority
The deal marks the third set of acquisitions for DEAG in just a few short months. The
stake acquisition in I-Motion. I-Motion is the
purchase also gives DEAG access to the
The acquisitions were made via DEAG’s
German arm of US-based electronic music
entire Swiss market.
Swiss subsidiary AIO Group AG. The deals
giant LiveStyle.
Michael Drieberg
3
VIP NEWS >
JUNE 2019
Landmark celebration for Music Venue Trust Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
On June 18 VIP News attended the Music
Bernard Butler was a founder member of
We sigh at the loss of a venue not through
Venue Trust‘s celebration of the charity’s first
Suede, and has played guitar and keyboards
nostalgia or sentimentality, but for the missed
5 years of working to protect, secure and
with The Tears, McAlmont & Butler, Duffy,
opportunities for ourselves as well as future
improve the UK’s grassroots music venues.
Trans, Ben Watt, The Verve and The
generations. Protecting the network of
The event, titled 5/50/500 was, hosted by
Anchorettes, plus contributing to album
grassroots venues is to secure livelihoods,
long-term MVT supporters Ticketmaster,
sessions and tours for many well known
access to the arts and to art itself.”
and
and
artists. He Commented,: “I am honoured to
organisations which support MVT’s work, as
brought
together
companies
be a Patron of the Music Venue Trust. Every
Abbie
well as venue representatives and artists.
musician’s primal instinct is to perform,
Introducing, Kent said: “One of my favourite
and those baby steps require a nurturing
things to do is go to a gig – that amazing,
The tile of the celebration stood for 5 years,
environment in which to blossom. Music
excitable atmosphere, getting to hear the
50 patrons and 500 venues, which have
venues around the world from the local
songs you’re obsessed with performed
joined the Music Venues Alliance, on whose
church hall to the stadium play an invaluable
live, feeling a connection in that moment
behalf MVT works. In the last few months,
role in the creative process, allowing an
with your favourite artists, sometimes
particularly since the announcement of the
artist’s confidence, technique and craft to
discovering exciting new acts and meeting
first commitments to funding for venues
flourish. But it does not stop there. Every
fellow music fans. It’s such a buzz and that’s
from the Pipeline Investment Fund initiative
artist will return to venues of size and location
why since I went to my first gig aged 12,
and the launch of Arts Council England’s
continually throughout their lives, renewing
there’s not a week that goes by where I’m
Supporting Grassroots Live Music grant
bonds with loyal fans as well as forging new
not at a live show.
funding scheme, membership of the Music
creative avenues. Many of us return with great
Venues Alliance has grown to 547 venues
affection to stages we have trodden many
Many of the best shows I’ve been to have
and MVT has welcomed three new patrons:
times before, often encountering the same
been in tiny independent venues around the
musician Bernard Butler and broadcasters
dedicated promoters and sound engineers,
country. It’s the most special feeling when
Abbie McCarthy and Sarah Gosling.
often combined into several passionate roles.
you’re watching an act with only a handful
McCarthy,
from
BBC
Music
of other people & you can tell they’re going
MVT Patrons, BBC Broadcasters Sarah Gosling, Steve Lamacq and Abbie McCarthy
to go on to huge things, you know the magic memory of that intimate gig will stay with you forever. I started my Good Karma Club night to give new artists a platform to develop & learn their craft and we’ve had some incredible performances over the last few years. Without one of my favourite local venues, the Tunbridge Wells Forum, the likes of Slaves, Everything Everything & Frank Turner would not have grown to be some of the best live performers on the planet. Socially, culturally, creatively, venues are crucial, we must protect them at all costs!” Sarah Gosling, of BBC Music Introducing, Devon & Cornwall said: “Grassroots venues are where I’ve solidified friendships, developed my passion for discovering soul-shakingly
4
VIP NEWS >
JUNE 2019
great new music, and had some of the most
would
lose
their
beating,
jumping,
they didn’t even know they had. We need a
memorable and defining experiences of my
dancing heart, and the world would lose
broad spread of music venues catering to all
life. The first piece of music journalism I ever
its technicolour. Yet despite this the most
tastes, just as is commonplace with theatres
wrote focused on the importance of small
pivotal venues of my youth - and the early
and galleries. The music industry can’t be
town venues supporting new music, and
stages for all my favourite mid-size bands
expected to fend for itself any longer, and
it’s been the central core of every piece of
- are now closed. Only a handful remain
creative lives can’t survive without these
broadcasting I’ve done since then.
in the South West, and they can’t keep
venues. That’s why I’m incredibly proud to
up with the demands for stage time made
be a small cog working to protect them as
Without them I wouldn’t have the incredible
of them from musicians across the entire
part of the Music Venue Trust.”
job I do today, the unsigned musicians I
artistic spectrum. Like plants without room
work with would be left without audiences
to grow, they become stunted, left with
You can see all of MVT’s patrons on the
to hone their craft with, communities
nowhere to develop and unfurl the leaves
website: musicvenuetrust.com/patrons
No UTA/Paradigm merger this time From VIP-Daily News After several weeks of increasing rumours about a possible acquisition
“I want to address the events of the past week and the press reports,”
by UTA, Paradigm chairman and CEO Sam Gores firmly put rumors
he wrote. “Our industry is in an era of significant change and also
to rest in an email sent to the agency employees Sunday afternoon.
unprecedented opportunity. The complexion of what the agency business will look like has led all of the major agencies including
In it, he explained that UTA had indeed made an offer to acquire
ourselves to look at ways to strengthen their platforms and provide
Paradigm, one that “would have represented one of the largest
more resources to clients.”
talent agency transactions in the history of our business.” The offer was, as suspected, for the talent/literary and music divisions.
Ultimately, Gores decided to end talks not because of unfavorable deal terms, a source close to the matter told The Hollywood Reporter,
The latter is a particular strength of Paradigm`s, representing top
but in order to shut down speculation as the two parties were still
artists including Janelle Monae, Imagine Dragons, Kacey Musgraves,
far from closing a deal. “There are reasons why a combination like
Shawn Mendes and Zedd, among many more.
this would have made sense for both agencies,” he wrote, “but in the end, what is more compelling for us is how unique the culture at
But “after careful consideration and in consultation with leaders of
Paradigm is and how powerful our independent path can be.”
both the Music and Talent/Literary executive groups, I have made the decision to shut down discussions and not make this deal,” Gores wrote.
Sam Gores
“We admire Sam and the business he and his colleagues have built,” UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said in a statement shortly after Gores` email was disseminated. “We are disappointed we didn`t come to an agreement. But we wish him and everyone at Paradigm the best.” It isn`t the first time the two agencies have discussed some sort of possible merger or acquisition — occasional conversations have taken place as far back as a decade ago, as reported in the trades. But recent agitation in the agency world — the two-months-andcounting dispute with the WGA over packaging fees and affiliate production and Endeavor angling to become the first publicly traded talent agency — intensified the pitch, and paranoia, around the latest talks, a factor that Gores referenced in his email.
5
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SESSIONS, SHOWCASES, MEETINGS, NETWORKING, AWARDS
→ SESSIONS WITH: KLAUS-PETER SCHULENBERG (CTS EVENTIM, DE), CORNELIA FUNKE (AUTHOR, US), MATT SCHWARZ (LIVE NATION GSA, DE), HOLGER HÜBNER & THOMAS JENSEN (WACKEN OPEN AIR, DE), MOLLIE LEHMAN (ATLANTIC RECORDS, US), TILL SCHONEBERG (KONZERTBÜRO SCHONEBERG, DE), JONATHAN FINEGOLD (FINE GOLD MUSIC, US), KELLY SNOOK (PRODUCER / ENGINEER, US), DOMINIQUE KULLING (BMG GSA, DE), ILANA GOLDSTOFF (SIZZER, NL), CARL LEIGHTONPOPE (THE LEIGHTON-POPE ORGANISATION, UK), STEVEN THOMASSEN (TOUTPARTOUT, BE), CORINNE SADKI (BUREAU EXPORT, FR), THOMAS MIKUSZ (PUBLICIST, US), ALEXANDER HOLLAND (DEEZER, FR), LILY ORAM (CODA AGENCY, UK), AND MANY MORE → CONCERTS BY: SLEAFORD MODS, JUSTIN JESSO, ELDERBROOK, CELESTE, DONNA MISSAL, SEBADOH, JAMES TW, SEA GIRLS, GEORGIA, EFTERKLANG, JONATHAN BREE, AZIZA BRAHIM, ALGIERS, MATTIEL, THE JAPANESE HOUSE, ÁSGEIR, YOUNG THE GIANT, STARS, CARLIE HANSON, YAK, SUZANNE SANTO, AND MANY MORE
→ 18.–21. SEPT. 2019 Organiser: Reeperbahn Festival GbR & Inferno Events GmbH & Co. KG
VIP NEWS >
JUNE 2019
Reeperbahn Becomes More International Each Year! An Interview with Detlef Schwarte Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com The next edition of the Reeperbahn Festival
growth comes on top of the extra side
VIP News : What are the aims and
will take place from 18 – 21 September
events that you present in different
aspirations behind these international
2019 in Hamburg, Germany. Over the four
countries. Where have you and your co-
presentations? Who do you most expect
days delegates will have access to 1,000+
organisers been since the last edition of
to benefit from these new ideas? Is it
events, choosing from sessions, concerts
the Hamburg Festival?
a matter of making the Reeperbahn
and
showcases,
meetings,
Festival more famous and attracting
networking
events and awards shows as well as film, art
Detlef Schwarte: The activities at SXSW in
larger
and spoken word.
March and the Reeperbahn Festival New
audience, or what?
numbers
of
delegates
and
York Edition in June have been part of the Every year, Reeperbahn comes up with
annual programme for some time now.
Detlef: It´s about promoting cooperation
something new, both within the usual
In May we additionally did an exploratory
between German and European artists,
September schedule and at other times
journey to Music Biz Conference in Nashville
and artists from the respective destinations.
throughout the year, as it spreads its wings
to prepare the first regular involvement
Also enabling the co-organisation of new
to present new events in other countries.
planned for 2020. And in late May we
networks between music industry players.
realized
the
first
Reeperbahn
Festival
VIP News asked co–founder and organiser
Beijing in cooperation with the local WISE
As the main European music platform for
Detlef Schwarte to explain what activates
conference. We presented 8 artists from
international and transcultural exchange
and energises him and his partners to
Europe and China and had a delegation of
Reeperbahn Festival is the best stakeholder
continue to expand on what is already an
25 music professionals from six European
to
enormously full and active event.
countries
the
Europe and other territories. That´s why
that
were
involved
in
create
these
synergies
between
conference and several networking events.
the German Federal Foreign Office is
VIP News: Every year the September
It was a real success and we received great
supporting these activities that take us to
agenda expands considerably, and this
feedback from everyone.
Nashville, Beijing, New York, Accra and Los
Detlef Schwarte
7
VIP NEWS >
JUNE 2019
Angeles. If a further effect is that the
it. We will see if we at Reeperbahn Festival
Besides that highlights will surely be the re-
Reeperbahn Festival continues to gain
can find something new to say about it.
created opening ceremony, the finding of
international recognition, we will of course gladly accept that.
this year´s Anchor Award winner or work VIP News: What new, or regular events
premieres like e.g. The Symphony of Sounds
and sessions are you most looking
by Matthew Herbert.
VIP News: You receive a lot of support
forward to in September, and do you
from the City of Hamburg; does this
expect to increase your attendance
Exclusively
international development feed back
figures again?
recommend to attend the Helga! Festival
into the culture and the economy of the City?
for
music
professionals
I
Awards Show and of course the conference Detlef:
really
session programme that is divided in 11
looks promising. We have already great
The
session
programme
thematic threats, plus a few of the around
Detlef: The programme is not first and
speakers confirmed like e.g. Klaus-Peter
50 showcases of our international partners
foremost about staging Hamburg or the
Schulenberg, CEO of CTS Eventim, Matt
where you will still find many, many artists
Reeperbahn Festival. We involve artists and
Schwarz, Managing Director Live Nation
looking for deals.
professionals from all over Europe and thus
GSA, Author Cornelia Funke, Holger Hübner
act as international ambassadors of music in
& Thomas Jensen, Founders of Wacken
Regarding the numbers we don´t expect a
the cultural and economic sense. This also
Open Air, Mollie Lehman, A&R Manager,
significant growth, because we’ve already
includes bringing artists and their economic
Atlantic Records, Alexander Holland, Chief
had good experiences with a healthy
environments from Africa, China and the
Content & Strategy Officer at Deezer, and
attendance.
USA to the Reeperbahn Festival. Hopefully,
Lily Oram, Agent Coda Agency. VIP News : Is there anything else that
this will create added value for the festival’s visitors and the city.
For the first time we will have a thematic
you’d particularly like us, and potential
strand „Future & Film“ that will hopefully
attendees to know about?
VIP News: Do you have even more plans
attract many people from the film and TV
for additional events in new territories,or
series sector. The Festival Village will be
Detlef: Especially for delegates from abroad
are you now busy enough?!
home to the Art´s Playground, Music Maker´s
it might make sense to consider taking part
Playground and Future Playground. These
in our so-called BEX - the Berlin Experience
Detlef: We hope that we can continue our
will offer different kinds of presentations,
of the Reeperbahn Festival on Tuesday, Sep
international activities and the great interest
performances, panels and other formats
17. So, one day before Reeperbahn Festival’s
and positive feedback on the first SpinOffs
related to the universe of music. I am really
official kick-off, we are offering again a
that we receive from artists and industry
looking forward to that as I am excited
1-day-programme in Germany’s capital that
representatives give us good arguments for
about how that will be accepted.
gives an overview of the German music industry and visit some of the most relevant music and media companies based in the city. The participants will meet high level executives and insiders and get the chance to network on the Reeperbahn Festival train ride from Berlin to Hamburg. More information can be found on our website where international delegates can register for this really intense and enjoyable programme. VIP News : Do you get much of a chance to take a rest, and when? Detlef: Whenever I manage to get the
Anchor Jury 2019
8
children to bed in time and they graciously sleep through the night. ;o)
VIP NEWS >
JUNE 2019
Swedish agency taken over by Live Nation From VIP-Daily News Live Nation has taken over with the Swedish booking agency
“We have run Appelgren Friedner for four years and now we are
Appelgren Friedner, which represents some of the country’s most
ready for new challenges. Becoming part of Live Nation its expanded
high profile artists.
platform creates a fantastic situation for our artists. We look forward to taking us, and our artists, to the next level,” added Lisa Appelgren
Founded in 2015 by Lisa Appelgren, and Uno Friedner, the company
and Uno Friedner.
reps Sabina Ddumba, JËLLY, Jonas Lundqvist, Cherrie, Movits!, and ROS among others. Lisa Appelgren, Uno Friedner and Georgios Kalafatidis will remain with the company when it officially becomes part of Live Nation on August 15, 2019. “I am very happy to bring in Appelgren Friedner under Live Nation’s wings. They have long experience that I have great respect for and together we will develop and continue to build the artists Uno and Lisa work with today. It will be great fun to get their knowledge and skills in the house,” said Markus Wiking, COO Local Artists, Live Nation.
Lisa Appelgren and Uno Friedner
EXIT ’19 Rocks! From VIP-Daily News This year’s edition of the EXIT festival will as usual take place from July 4-7 against the dramatic backdrop of the Petrovaradin Fortress
The Cure headlines EXIT
perched high above the Danube. Much of the bill for this year’s festival will feature rock acts, headlined by rock giants The Cure.
They will, among others, be joined by
one of the leading rock’n’roll bands of today, Greta Van Fleet, plus the iconic Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo with his new band The Illegals, as well as the diva of symphonic metal, Tarja Turunen! The event is staged in the City of Novi Sad, not too far from the Serbian capital Belgrade. As well as the rock acts the award winning festival will as ever cater for music lovers of all genres with a diverse mix of artists performing on numerous stages connected by cobbled streets, ramparts and tunnels. VIP News will be attending the conference element of the EXIT agenda, and will take part in a discussion on the possible set up of a music export office for the Serbian music market We will report back!
9
Paris - FR
The gateway to the french music market
3 days of international networking 150 keynotes & panels - 15 venues 5925 professionnals - 400 speakers MaMA Invent: the innovation area More than 150 concerts & showcases!
3-DAYS FESTIVAL + CONVENTION: 140â‚Ź ONLY!
www.mamafestival.com
VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >
JUNE 2019
Philipp Grefer in Wonderland Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com Philipp Grefer is one of the very few westerners
from
the
European
music
community who decided to move to China some time ago. As far as the music business is concerned this part of the planet is still often misunderstood and misrepresented. Gathering some first hand information may perhaps help to de-mystify some of those assumptions still made by most people in the European music industry. From a western perspective China is not only geographically far away, it is also more or less a ‘wonderland’ in regards aspects that matter for the concert business as commonly applied in the West. Philip gives an interview loaded with information about a huge market, an extremely ‘young’ but ‘fractured’ live music sector, about Live Nation and AEG in China and the conclusion that “Everything in China is political.” VIP News: Please explain what your company does? Philipp Grefer: FakeMusicMedia, which I cofounded with Helen Feng, is a 360 music-,
Philipp Grefer Photo: Matjaz Tancic
creative- and events agency. We first started as a promoter in 2009 but since then we have probably done every imaginable job around the music and events business. From booking
VIP News: What are the main differences
VIP News: What kind of Western artists
around 200+ foreign acts into China/Asia,
between the live music business in China
have a chance to play shows and concerts
managing Chinese acts (Nova Heart, The
and Europe?
in China?
who we also publish and release on our label,
Grefer: I´d say one main difference is the
Grefer: Pretty much everybody can play in
organizing PR campaigns, organizing video
time horizon. The first festivals in Europe
China as long as they get a visa. The latter
& photo-shoots, consulting etc. I even DJ
started in the 60s. When I first came to China
mostly will be refused if your band name
myself sometimes. We also just finished the
in 2007, there was only one music festival.
and “Free Tibet” appear in the same Google
second edition of WISE (www.wisenotwise.
Other than pop stars and a handful of rock
search result. In the case of Justin Bieber
com), a platform for bringing together the
stars nobody could make a living making
“bad behaviour” was enough to get him
Chinese and international creative- and tech
music. So we are still dealing with a very
banned. Of course the question is: Does it
industries. For the music part our partner here
young industry. Another big difference is
make sense for your artists to play in China?
was the Reeperbahn Festival, which brought
censorship of course and also a lot of red
Unfortunately, very few artists or managers
a delegation of 20 music professionals
tape - to get a proper performance visa is
have an actual China strategy. I mean, it´s
to WISE and showcased 8 European and
a bit of a hassle. Other than that the speed
the same as in any other market as well: If
Chinese bands in Beijing with the support of
in which the industry is developing is quite
you don´t know what you are doing, you
the German Federal Foreign Office.
breath taking.
are lost.
Hormones, SHAO and pop star Li Xiaoyun),
11
VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >
JUNE 2019
VIP News: Are the infrastructure settings
what now happens when Chengdu all girl
VIP News: Apparently electronic music
for the live music sector very different
band The Hormones embark on their first
seems to do well in China, what
from those in Western countries?
European tour around Reeperbahn Festival.
about other genres, such as metal or
And of course our own acts are not the only
alternative?
Grefer: There are still not enough venues,
one touring in Europe. I guess the audiences
especially in the 1000-2000 capacity space.
are still small for these acts, but again: It´s
Grefer: Metal lives a quite comfortable niche
There are tons of smaller venues, a few
just a matter of time until the first Chinese
existence. There is a big hype around EDM
1000 capacity ones, quite a few arenas but
act really breaks in the west.
and also more underground electronic music
that midlevel space is missing. But I believe
genres. And it is true: Same as hip hop, it has
it’s just a matter of time. Also, since most
VIP News: Who do you consider as
grown quite fast in the last few years. But I´d
venues are new, the equipment is, too.
being the big players in Chinese concert
say most main stage acts outside of the EDM
industry?
circuit are still rock or pop acts.
Grefer: Live Nation and AEG have a
VIP News: How wouldyou describe the
presence in China but a lot of the time
audience and their interests for live
Grefer: Not really and a lot less than if a
collaborate with local promoters. I´d say
events in China?
European act would go the US, since visas
the market is still quite fractured and pretty
are a lot cheaper. Hotels, food and transport
localized. There are quite a few companies
are pretty reasonable as well. Mostly you
who organize more than one festival. E.g.
would either travel by train or fly. Touring by
Modern Sky; which is maybe the biggest
VIP
bus is rather unusual since distances can be
one if you take the number of festival
European whom recently went to China,
crazy. But of course, you still somehow need
shows; MIdi, Creamfilelds (a joint venture
he said, promoters plan their business
to finance your flights from Europe to China,
between Live Nation and a local promoter)
from day to day, as they are concerned
which is probably the biggest expense. Also,
and a few more. There is also a lot of
that public authorities might stop their
if you really want to make a dent, you need
investment money floating into the industry.
business over night.
to spend some money on PR and working
But there is only so much know-how money
the digital profiles.
can buy. Most Westerners who have a lot
Would you say that this observation is
of experience in the live music industry
correct?
VIP News: Does it take a lot of investment to bring an act over to China?
Grefer: Growing fast! News:
Having
with
a
VIP News: Do you expect Chinese
don´t have a clue about China, and a lot of
talents and acts also to play in Europe
Chinese only have a few years experience in
Grefer: The observation is a bit too simplistic.
soon or later?
the industry since it is so young. The result
In China you have to learn how to think in
is literally a lot of dumb money, which at
dialectic terms. Things can go slow and fast
Grefer: Well, there are already quite a few
times can be quite annoying. On the other
at the same time. Sometimes you can plan
Chinese acts touring Europe. Our own acts
hand, there is a core group of people who
long ahead, but there is still a chance that
being a case in point. Things have changed
worked in the industry for a decade or so
you need to change your plan last minute.
though: When I toured Beijing electro punk
and have a good track record. And equally
Being flexible and learning how to adjust
outfit Pet Conspiracy back in 2010 everybody
there are also quite a few who worked for
quickly to changes is key. It also helps if
was complimenting me on what a great
that long and have a terrible track record
you have a solid understanding of politics.
Japanese act I was representing; When Nova
but are pretty talented in tricking people
Everything in China is political.
Heart played Glastonbury and a few other
into working with them. The success in
festivals in 2015, luckily nobody mistook
China, like everywhere, depends quite a bit
For more information please check:
them anymore for being Japanese. Let´s see
on working with the right people.
www.fakemusicmedia.com
Need to know who is touring Europe? Go online - www.vip-booking.com vip-booking.com
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spoken
®
R U O TION Y T RA E G IST
! W NO
G E R
ESNS: EU
STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG
ESNS: EU creative europe
VIP NEWS >
NAMES & JOBS
JUNE 2019
Lucy Dickins leaves ITB and joins WME From VIP-Daily News Lucy Dickins has joined WME’s UK team. Formerly a senior agent at
Dickins added: “Growing up in this business, I’ve been lucky to learn
ITB, Dickins stepped into the newly created role of head of WME’s UK
from the best, but now is the time for me to take the next step in
music division.
my career. The opportunity to join WME was hugely exciting, and I’m confident that this relationship can grow into something special.”
With an existing client roster that includes Adele, Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling, James Blake and Mabel, whom WME will now
Dickins began her career working for a small independent record
represent globally, Dickins also works with Hot Chip, Bryan Ferry, Rex
label before joining ITB as an assistant. She is part of a music business
Orange County, Jamie T, Jack Peñate, among others, all of whom are
dynasty that stretches back to her grandfather Percy Dickins, founder
expected to join her at WME as well.
of the NME.
Commenting on the company’s latest hire, WME’s head of music,
Her father Barry formed ITB in 1978 and her uncle Rob Dickins was
Marc Geiger said: “Lucy is a star player, and the perfect addition to
head of Warner Brothers. Her brother Jonathan Dickins, meanwhile,
our team. There’s no one else who possesses Lucy’s combination of
runs September Management and currently manages a hugely
pedigree, taste and respect in our industry. After being in business
successful roster including Adele.
with her family for so many years, we feel fortunate that she decided to join WME, and we look forward to bringing her perspective to our
Also following Dickins to WME’s central London offices will be ITB
clients and colleagues.”
agents James Simmons and Chris Payne.
Lucy Dickins
14
VIP NEWS >
NAMES & JOBS
JUNE 2019
Kevin French joins CAA From VIP-Daily News Kevin French, agent to Tame Impala, The
company to Portland, Oregon in 2005. In
National and The Decemberists, has left
2009, Bigshot Touring Artists merged with
Paradigm to join CAA`s music touring
Paradigm Talent Agency.
Kevin French
department. “I have always had tremendous respect for
Darryl Eaton, co-head of contemporary
French will be based in the New York office,
CAA’s music department, so I couldn’t be
music in North America for CAA, said “We
bringing the three clients above with him
more thrilled to be joining the team. I’m
could not be more excited to have Kevin
as well as Hamilton Leithauser, Sharon Van
confident that the company’s collaborative
join us. His impeccable taste, as reflected
Etten and Julien Baker, among others.
culture, diverse clients and colleagues, and
by his amazing client roster, coupled with
entrepreneurial spirit will be a great fit for
his renowned character and leadership
He founded Bigshot Touring Artists in 2001
the next step in my career,” French said in
abilities, make him a huge asset for our
in New York City before relocating the
a press release.
colleagues and clients.”
THE HALL DUO IN NECKARPARK
UNIQUE AND DOUBLY GOOD
STUTTGART CATCHMENT AREA: MORE THAN 3 MILLION PEOPLE • HANNS-MARTIN-SCHLEYER-HALLE: UP TO 15,500 SPECTATORS • PORSCHE-ARENA: UP TO 7,500 SPECTATORS • 2019: ...ANDREA BOCELLI, TONI CHRISTIE, PARKWAY DRIVE, GHOST, 21 PILOTS, ZAZ, BASTILLE, HERBERT GRÖNEMEYER, REVOLVERHELD, MANOWAR, ELTON JOHN, GEORGE EZRA, MARK KNOPFLER, UDO LINDENBERG, SEEED, FETTES BROT, ANDREA BERG…
Tel. +49 (0) 711/9554-40 Fax +49 (0) 711/9554-500
AZ_in_stutt_VIPmag_2019_RZ.indd 1
info@in.stuttgart.de www.in.stuttgart.de
27.11.18 16:15
15
VIP NEWS > BUSINESS >
MUSIC IN SHARES
JUNE 2019
Music In Shares Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com
The first half year of 2019 is done and revealed astonishing findings
bought 50.1 per cent from its previous owner LiveStyle, Inc., the
and surprises. The investment saga of Superstruct backed by the
successor of the collapsed EDM-company SFX Entertainment.
private equity firm Providence Capital continues, but for the moment remains a bit of a miracle as private equity companies
Prior to this, DEAG announced that it had bought 51 per cent of C2
are not obliged to keep to transparency regulations comparable
Concerts, a local promoter based in Stuttgart, adding an expected
to those of stock market listed companies. The good thing about
revenue of 10 million Euro towards the company turnover results.
Superstruct and other investment companies interested in live music industry investments is that they open up opportunities for
DEAG revealed that it had acquired a major stake in the Swiss
potential sellers.
Companies Live Music Production LMP S.A. and Live Music Entertainment S.A. via its Swiss subsidiary AIO Group, adding around
If this will do good for the live music biz in the future, will be
other 35 million Swiss Francs towards the turnover figures of DEAG.
answered soon or later. In the meantime existing corporate concert
The recently reported share price was 4.48, this time it is 4.43 Euro.
companies are challenged to decide a bit faster whether to buy remaining independent concert companies that are up for sale.
Eventbrite - A Mix Of News CTS Eventim - EU-Court Ruling Decides Against Road
The number of announcements by law firms trying to claim
Charges For Foreigners
compensation on behalf Eventbrite’s share holders due to “misleading statements” regarding the migration of Ticketfly is still higher than
What was apparently supposed to become another business field
that of a positive analyst rating prediction, despite potential legal
for CTS Eventim appeared to be nothing more than an interesting
battles, there is still a promising outlook for the company. In terms
option. The joint service deal with the Austrian company Kapsch
of the previously reported share price, this had not made any
TrafficCom to collect on behalf of the German state road charges
difference at all since it has remained at $16.43...
on motorways for foreign cars and trucks have been cancelled due to a recent decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Live Nation - Apparently A Hedge Funds Darling The joint service deal with the Austrian company Kapsch TrafficCom to collect road charges on motorways for foreign cars and trucks
Within one month, Live Nation’s share price has increased from
on behalf of the German state has been cancelled due to a recent
$63.49 up to $66.27. Besides the company’s acquisition modus,
decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union, leading to a
there are further media reports saying that Live Nation is highly
lower share price than the previously reported 43.50 Euro. On June
ranked by hedge funds, belonging to an exclusive list of being
21, CTS Eventim’s share price was 40.74 Euro.
within the top thirty among popular stocks among hedge funds...
DEAG - Triple Expansion Booster
Spotify - Surprisingly Upwards
The company assets and brands of the German company I-Motion
For quite a while, the share price of Spotify has hovered around the
with its festivals and rave events such as Nature One, Toxicator,
$120 mark. In April, VIP News reported a share price of $121.58, in May
Syndicate, Revolte, Mayday and Ruhr In Love are supposed to
it reached $123.60. However, this time it has increased to $148.95.
contribute a revenue of 15 million Euro to the overall results of DEAG. At the beginning of June, DEAG announced that it had
16
Not too bad for looking forward to a BBQ in the summer break...
VIP NEWS > MISC >
MEMBER PRESENTATION
JUNE 2019
This space is dedicated to present some of our clients using VIP-Booking.com. Companies presented here have our best endorsement...
- The Music Factory History
of
Danubius
KAREN MÉNDEZ Territory: Worldwide Period: 3 years Agency: Be Real Agency Agent: Paul Fourmy Phone: +32 485 365 696 E-mail: paul@bereal.agency Homepage: www.realkeymusic.com
OUMAR KONATE Territory: worldwide Period: 2019-2020 Agency: Clermont Music Agent: Chris Nolan Phone: +1 518 755 5089 E-mail: chrisanolan3@clermontmusic.com Homepage: www.clermontmusic.com/oumar-konate/
Danubius Music
The
ARTIST AVAILS
Music
Production Office started in 2005 when the two friends, Zsolt Borsányi and Gábor Guba, decided to create an exclusive and unique ’Music factory’, that would bring
unique mission to develop cultural
the Hungarian cultural life on a higher
entertainment and to bring creative and
standard by introducing international
unforgettable concerts on stage!
stars and prominents of the classical, jazz, blues, world, and pop, rock music
Regarding the technical equipment:
to the Hungarian audience.
Today we are working together with the Hungary’s biggest technical team. We
The two founders’ passion for the
have our own staff for Stage, Lighting,
music
Danubius
Visual, Pyro, Laser and Sound system
Music to the top 3 concert organizer
industry
brought
including the best professionals in the
companies in Hungary.
field in Hungary.
Over the years they’ve had the possibility
References: The Original CATS Musical
to collaborate with plenty of Hungarian
from
and international artists such as: Ennio
Morricone, Jean-Michel Jarre, Lord of
Morricone, Jean-Michel Jarre, Lord of
the Dance, Faithless, Brian May, Paul
the Dance, Faithless, Paul Kalkbrenner,
Kalkbrenner, Ian Gillan sings Deep Purple,
David Helfgott, Postmodern Jukebox,
David Helfgott, Celtic Woman - Voices
Harlem Gospel Choir, David Duchovny,
of Angels, Scott Bradlee’s - Postodern
Kings on ice, Celtic Woman, James
Jukebox, Harlem Globetrotters, James
Newton
Howard,
Gregorian,
the
Westend
London,
Ennio
The
Newton Howard, 100 Gypsy Violins,
Original CATS Musical, Nicki Minaj, José
Kings on Ice, Edvin Marton - Ave
Carreras etc.
Maria Symphonic Live, Harlem Gospel Choir, Jimi Hendrix Memorial concert,
Through the years they’ve maintained
Gregorian, Nut-cracker - Cirque De
their values and they continue their
Monte Carlo és Edvin Marton.
FABIUS CONSTABLE & THE CELTIC HARP ORCHESTRA Territory: Worldwide Period: On demand Agency: Ass. Culturale `The White Stag` Agent: Sabrina Noseda Phone: +39 3927 711392 E-mail: arpaceltica@yahoo.com Homepage: www.arpaceltica.com
MAMADOU KELLY Territory: Worldwide Period: 2019-2020 Agency: Clermont Music Agent: Chris Nolan Phone: +1 5187 555089 E-mail: chrisanolan3@clermontmusic.com Homepage: www.clermontmusic.com/mamadou-kelly/
ZAP MAMA Territory: Europe Period: 2019 Agency: Artistagency gent: Bart Quintens Phone: +32 16 77 76 70 E-mail: bart@artistagency.be Homepage: www.zapmama.com
VALENTINO MITAJ Territory: Worldwide Period: Now Agency: Mitaj Music Group Agent: Al Maddin Phone: +1 917 267 2303 E-mail: ValentinoMBooking@gmail.com Homepage: www.ValentinoMitajMusic.com
MORE ARTIST AVAILS ON: WWW.VIP-BOOKING.COM POST YOUR ARTIST AVAILS ON: WWW.VIP-BOOKING.COM
Karen Méndez ®
vip-booking.com
17