VIP-NEWS ANNUAL 2020

VIP NEWS ANNUAL 2020

Sustainability in The Live Music Industry VIP News presents Green Pages full of inspiration and a Checklist for Sustainability at your event!

Read More on Pages 17-25

Read More

6-27 on Pages 2

ANNUAL

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VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

McGowan’s VIP Musings Review of 2019

Musings

with show business after all! But, the odd

jumping from the eighth spot in 2017 to

serious comment does have its place, and

claim No 1 in 2018, and he continued to

The Musings that kick off VIP News each

I welcome contributions from all of our

dominate things throughout 2019.

month

have

readers, whenever you feel the urge to

noticed, mainly intended to be light hearted

are,

you

may

hopefully

add to the Musings or the main body of

Come February as I tried to advance my

observations on the current state of our

The News in 2020! So whilst you consider

save the planet credentials I found myself

main subject, i.e. the live music industry.

this, let’s remind ourselves of some of what

being attracted to news of the international

After all I think you’ll agree, a sense of

occupied us in 2019…

waste campaign, “Love Your Tent’ made me

humour is pretty important, we are involved

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

take the re-use instead of discard campaign Back in January we hoped to be looking

seriously, as this is all about behaviour

forward to a great new year, but we were

change and encouraging people to have

still to be plagued by the topic that would

more respect, both for their environment

continue to dominate lives in the UK, from

and themselves. Of course this campaign was

both personal and business points of view,

about interaction with festivals, and ranged

and there wasn’t much about it that was

from social media support right through to full

funny! Brexit, a hateful word for a more

on site activations and artists engagements.

than difficult proposal in many ways, was

Contact: info@loveyourtent.com

one that trade body UK Music described as

UK

government’s

“clueless”

post-

Another serious subject which was returned

Brexit immigration policy, which will be

to throughout the year was the handling of

“devastating” for British music.

and coping with stress and strain. Much as I joked about chasing seagulls for relaxation I

Other topics that would continue to

do take the subject of mental health seriously.

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

dominate throughout the year included

Certainly as the industry has become more

Secondary Ticketing, which seemed to be

corporate and complicated and the sums of

Writer: Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

coming into a more controlled space as

money involved increase then all involved in

Artists and promoters seemed to be more

what is undoubtedly a risky business have to

empowered. More and more work is being

be resilient, and it is vital that people know

done to back up the grass roots venues, and

where to turn for support and help.

Journalist: Anne Frank Henriksen ah@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

throughout the year we mused more upon this and the work of The Music Venues Trust.

March of course brings with it ILMC and the

But generally the business kicked off being

31st edition brought in a record number of

successful, particularly at the top end. The

attendants to London’s Royal Garden Hotel,

ten biggest touring artists of 2018 brought

some 1200 people from 60 countries took

in a collective US$2bn+,with all grossing

part from 5-8 March, so I reckon that’s as

more than US$100 million each, in a year

international as you’re likely to get! New

packed with “remarkable box-office feats”,

events added to the Agenda brought in

according to Pollstar’s traditional end-of-year

Production people and a new draft of

ticket sales chart.

young people – yes, I was very aware of the aging process! – to add some balance to

The man with the small guitar Ed Sheeran

the continuing presence of the many long

was by far the biggest tour of the year,

standing regulars.

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VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

Also I, and many others, if the final standing ovation was anything to go by, thought that The Who’s Roger Daltrey delivered a really impressive interview.

I have been told that I often display my Englishness (much as I also have an Irish passport, and my parents grew up in Scotland) by referring to the weather in the Musings. Come April and the Spring it was just like a summer’s day, bright and sunny and really warm, hot in fact! I promised to do my best to hold on to this environment for the many of you planning a trip to the

Roger Daltrey interviewed

by Ed Bicknell at ILMC

Sussex coast for The Great Escape in May. I was reasonably successful as it happened!

were happy to meet as they strolled past on

We took July off, hoping that you’d all

their way to gigs, parties, and even panels…

manage to get through the summer months without us. In the August edition my March

I had been in Estonia for Tallinn Music Week, which was also warm and sunny,

By June, both the UK and European live

predictions of erratic climactic conditions

considering I’ve been there at the same time

industries pondered the effects that Brexit

were confirmed. Glastonbury was one of

of year when the sea was frozen over. Also I

would have. At the UK Music summer party

the hottest ever. Then unusually high winds

had recently returned from Portugal, where

the organisation’s boss Michael Dughher

had their effect on festivals and other events

the sun shone in Guimarães for Westway

said, “At UK Music we will continue to

and attractions. In the UK large events

Lab. The main point of all this waffling

highlight the need for touring artists and

were cancelled, and In Winchester, at the

was – apart from attending very impressive

musicians to be able to move freely without

Boomtown Fair, dozens of tents were wrecked

music events, which I went on to describe

the kind of cost and bureaucracy that,

overnight after 52 mile an hour winds.

in the April News – there is without doubt

frankly, could make playing across Europe

something weird going on with the weather.

simply not viable for many UK musicians.”

Of course my Easy Jet flight back from Hamburg to Gatwick in September was

I’m sorry Mr Trump whether you like it

I was cheered up though; coming across an

late, but the Reeperbahn Festival was well

or not, climate change is a fact! As we

Oasis in the Desert (sorry!), Liam Gallagher

worth attending. This was the opinion of the

headed into the festival season, who knew

had

(jokingly?) put himself forward for

whole VIP team, and I’m sure many others!

what the 2019 events would have to deal

Prime Minister! Quite frankly, Liam could

As with Great Escape, panels, parties, politics,

with. As it happens the summer had a

be as capable a choice as any of the others

people, producers, how can you pack them

variety of severe conditions to contend with

who have admitted the odd drug dalliance.

all in? However, this is how it is with this and

and certainly every year the conditions get

Liam tweeted, “My name is Liam Gallagher.

other international events and you just have

harder to predict, as forecasts become less

I have four beautiful children, I have dabbled

to learn to be grateful for the extreme hard

and less reliable.

in drugs over the years, I’ve had many

work of organisers and make the most of

number ones, now send me the keys to

what you can fit in.

May brought about another full on edition

Number Ten… Things got busy leading up to the October

of the aforementioned Great Escape - and it required a lot of energy! How many parties can you drop into, how many can you not get to and be told how the ones you missed were

4

Liam Gallagher for Prime Minister?

News; on the 9th London’s Islington Assembly Hall, was full to bursting with representatives of the UK’s clubs and small, grassroots

the best, how many gigs, obviously the best,

venues. Music Venue Trust’s annual national

can you miss because although the delegate

networking event, Venues Day, was again

queues were shorter you didn’t get there

sold

soon enough to gain access, because you

including 200 venue representatives from

were delayed …at a party!? Still you’d see

across the UK. The atmosphere was to say

most of the international delegates that you

the least cheerful, and optimistic, particularly

out,

welcoming

550

delegates,

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

considering the problems that many UK

hour. Glastonbury 2020, will take place from

the EU, much as ex-MP and chief of UK Music

venues have had over the last few years.

24 to 28 June down home on Worthy Farm

Michael Dugher (now departed) has pointed

in Somerset. This, believe it or not, marks

out to the Tory Government that the value of

50th anniversary of the event.

the UK music industry has topped £5.2 billion.

in Paris at MaMA, where yours truly chaired

Back in the UK in November, life remained

On the optimistic side the latest Pricewater-

a panel on the future growth of small

pretty much dominated by politics, Music

houseCoopers (PwC) figures reveal that the

venues in Europe, discovering that the term

business interactions with politicians included

value of ticket sales for live music events will

grassroots did not mean a lot outside the UK,

Stormzy calling Tory cabinet member Jacob

exceed US$25 billion for the first time in

but reference to small local venues definitely

Rees –Mogg, an “actual piece of shit” after

2023 – with total industry revenues set to

did. Paris is not short of some good venues,

his remarks about the victims of the Grenfell

reach a record $31.5m the same year.

which were of course used to showcase

Tower disaster, and Prime Minister and ex-

international artists at this very successful

Mayor of London Boris Johnson claiming to

Secondary Ticketing will still not go away!

10th anniversary edition of MaMA, which

be a Clash fan, although he mainly listens to

After Viagogo and eBay stunned the industry

attracted

the Rolling Stones? London Calling?

announcing a mega merger last month, but

Discussions about the importance of the future of grassroots venues was also covered

6398

professionals

from

56

nationalities, representing 2398 companies.

It get’s bigger!

an inquiry is to be held by the CMA! So here we are in December, saying goodbye to 2019, and hoping that we can

So, let’s stay optimistic, hope you all have a

Talking of things that get bigger, and

expect 2020 vision to kick in over the next

great New Year, and I look forward to more

anniversaries…Glastonbury Festival! More

year! So what can we expect? Brexit still

Musings , and to hearing more from you on

than 2.4 million people registered to get

threatens and newly elected politicians still

how things are with your businesses, and

hold of these oh so desirable tickets. All

don’t seem to have any idea of how badly

your comments on how things are with the

135,000 tickets sold out in just over half an

affected the music business will be by leaving

live industry in general!

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17.12.19 19:46

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European Mergers and Acquisitions From VIP-Daily News

2019 was yet another year of many interesting business mergers and acquisitions.

We have gathered some of the most interesting ones that have featured in VIP News over the past six months. Every transaction will probably have an influence on our industry for years to come.

CTS Eventim acquires majority stake in Barracuda Music (December 2019) CTS EVENTIM has acquired 71 percent of shares in the Austrian concert promoter Barracuda Music. Barracuda Music will become part of the EVENTIM LIVE promoter network.

Frithjof Pils, Managing Director of EVENTIM LIVE, added: The Barracuda Group is the first point of contact in Austria for countless outstanding local and international artists with an exceptional portfolio of festivals.

Ewald Tatar will continue to manage Barracuda`s operations from Vienna: “I look forward to this opportunity to continue Barracuda’s success story in the future with the support of a global player like CTS EVENTIM. Collaborating with the EVENTIM LIVE promoters will help us to offer artists, venues and fans the best possible solutions.”

Ewald Tatar

CTS Eventim acquires Russian Promoter TCI (October 2019) CTS Eventim has entered the Russian live entertainment market through its acquisition of the country’s leading tour and concert promoter, Talent Concert International (TCI). The German ticketing company has bought 51 per cent of the shares of TCI. Klaus-Peter Schulenberg, chief executive of Eventim, said: “TCI complements our portfolio perfectly. The Russian market is very important to a growing number of internationally popular artists – and few companies bring as many acts from abroad to Russia as TCI”.

Ed Ratnikov (pictured), chief executive of TCI, added: “Eventim is the best possible partner for continuing TCI’s growth story long-term.

Becoming part of a global player opens up additional opportunities for us and the entire Russian market”.

Ratnikov and finance director Nikolay Sinitsyn will continue to serve as TCI’s senior management.Together, they also hold the remaining 49 per cent of shares in the company.

Ed Ratnikov

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Live Nation Finland acquires Hög Agency & Promotion’s business (October 2019) Founded in 2016, Hög Agency & Promotion has been a key player

of Hög Agency & Promotion’s business is a key part of this plan. In

in the Finnish market. According to the parties the deal adds further

addition to the acquisition Live Nation Finland has also signed two of

strength and depth to Live Nation Finland’s domestic roster.

Finland’s emerging acts, Kube and SONNY”.

Mikko Varjamo, the Founder and CEO of Hög Agency will continue at Live Nation Finland as an agent, and current employees now work for Live Nation. “After running my own agencies for over nine years, I felt It was time to move forward. This new union with Live Nation will enable the company to operate at a different level and will strengthen our position in Finland’s music scene”.

Live Nation Finland’s Managing Director Tomi Saarinen adds: “Our focus is on developing a strong domestic artist roster and the acquisition

FKP Scorpio acquires Swedish Promoter (September 2019) German promoter FKP Scorpio’s Swedish division FKP Scorpio Sverige

According to FKP, the companies will jointly produce and present all

announced the acquisition of Swedish promoter Woah Dad Live.

future events but will continue to operate as independent entities.

Following the acquisition, Woah Dad Live’s execs Niklas Lundell and Joel Borg have joined FKP Scorpio Sverige as shareholders and will

“FKP Scorpio has a stable backbone and a well-organized structure

serve as board members for FKP Scorpio Sverige.

that will be perfect for us now when growing and taking more ground over here. We’ll bring new ideas and many years of experience in the Scandinavian market into our partnership”, said Woah Dad managing director Niklas Lundell.

FKP Scorpio executive director adds: “We have been working with Woah Dad Live before and are proud of what we have achieved and accomplished. The expertise in our teams when it comes to the

Niklas Lundell

Joel Borg

Scandinavian market will help us to reach this goal”, FKP Scorpio boss Folkert Koopmans says.

Superstruct invests in Wacken Open Air (August 2019) Superstruct Entertainment has entered into a partnership and invest-

and supported by an experienced team we are confident that together

ment agreement with International Concert Service GmbH (ICS), The

we can continue to expand ICS.”

promoter of Wacken Open Air. Besides W:O:A, ICS also produces and promotes ancillary events such as the Hamburg Metal Dayz, the Wacken Winter Nights, and the Werner Race.

Holger Hübner and Thomas Jensen (founders and co-CEOs of ICS) declared: “We will continue providing world-class experiences through our portfolio of live events and now we are able to additionally benefit from a partner with a global network and experience”.

James Barton, CEO of Superstruct, said: “We are very excited to join forces with ICS, the global leaders in metal. Led by Holger and Thomas,

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UK Promoter MJR Group sold to TEG (August 2019) Australian entertainment giant TEG is making

Buck comments: “We’ve worked hard to

Going forward, The MJR Group’s operations

its first push into Europe with its biggest ever

scale the business over the last five years and

will be incorporated into TEG’s global

acquisition of UK-based promoter and venue

this next step in our evolution will further

activities, with its U.K. operations to be

operator MJR Group.

strengthen our position in the market.”

renamed TEG UK.

TEG CEO Geoff Jones says MJR is a “great fit” for TEG, recognised as Asia Pacific’s largest diversified entertainment company, and the development goes some way toward the Australian business realising its global ambitions.

The MJR Group, he notes, “has strong management talent and a clever live entertainment model to which TEG can add ticketing, analytics and digital capability… (and) brings significant additions to our venue portfolio.”

Following the acquisition, The MJR Group’s three partners, Richard Buck, Scott Mesiti and Dan Ickowitz-Seidler, will remain with the TEG group.

Richard Buck, Scott Mesiti and Dan Ickowitz-Seidler

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B2B Views on 2019 & 2020 We asked some live music industry professionals about their views on the most important events that have happened during 2019 and what they expect to be the most significant in 2020.

Name: Xenia Grigat Company: Luger (Denmark) Position: Promoter & Head of International Artists Luger is a bespoke booking agency for local talent and concert promoter for international artists, with offices in Denmark and Sweden.

Luger Sweden was established in 1991 and Luger Denmark opened in 2018 with domestic artists, and I joined the team on November 1st 2019 as promoter for international artists.

sprout in 2020. How that will play out, will be interesting to follow in 2020.

Q4: What will be the biggest challenge/task for you and your company in 2020?

Q1:

Sustainability, mental health and equality.

Setting up shop – I just started promoting

What event in 2019 do you think will

I can’t pick one. There’s a lot of great

international artists at Luger Denmark. There’s

influence the Live Music Industry most

initiatives and focus on these topics, and

so much support from agents, artists and

in years to come?

that’s a great start. But we can’t lose focus

managers which I am grateful for, and I will

and need to make a collective promise across

do my very best to show that gratitude with

Brexit, not sure it’s right calling it an “event”

the industry, to implement in the years and

amazing shows in 2020. I really can’t wait!

(then again), but it will effect touring and the

generations to come.

Q5:

music industry in ways we can’t imagine the details of right now.

Q2:

Q3:

What artist would you like to see

Business wise do you see any big event

reunited for a tour in 2020 and why?

on the horizon for 2020? (Mergers etc.).

What do you think will be the most

Eurythmics – I would love to see a grand style

important issue for the Live Music

Several European mergers and expansions

production with Annie Lennox and Dave

Industry in 2020?

happened in 2019, which need to settle and

Stewart. It’s time.

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JANUARY 2020

Also, a gap is probably going to occur Name: Michaela Maiterth

between two eras of artists. There is still a

Company: Montreux Jazz Festival

difference between established artists with

Position: Booker

a huge repertoire spanning 40 years and reaching several generations, and younger

Founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs, the Montreux Jazz Festival takes place over 2 weeks

artists. The criteria to arouse the fans’

each summer in Switzerland. More than 250,000 music lovers come to the shores of

interest have changed, marketing strategies

Lake Geneva for concerts of renowned acoustics and numerous free-access events.

have to be much more detailed and targeted.

The booking process will thus rely more and

With ambitious programming choices and a savoir-faire forged in the hospitality

more on detailed data.

industry, the Festival offers a haven of peace where time seems to stop.

Upcoming talents have less time to create The festival will celebrate its 54th edition from July 3 to 18, 2020

a repertoire that makes them unique, and they might rely on business diversification, even outside the music industry. The democratisation of music through social media and streaming make it perhaps more difficult to stand out and keep the interest of the audience. The artists active on social media are actually doing some of their marketing, PR and gossip themselves.

Q3: Business wise do you see any big event on the horizon for 2020? (Mergers etc.)

The monopolistic trend will continue. We will for example witness acquisitions of musical catalogues, by companies considering the music business purely as an investment sector.

Q4: What will be the biggest challenge/task for you and your company in 2020?

We will continue to (try to) put together the best possible program, improve the

Q1:

should be allowed. An example: if ticket

comfort of the public, find innovative ideas

What event in 2019 do you think will

sales are linked with a facial recognition

for the festival site, try to help new artists

influence the Live Music Industry most

system, how will the use of the data retained

get noticed. The most important is to

in years to come?

by private companies be monitored?

diversify our activities and always question

The debate over ownership of catalogue

Q2:

and masters by the artist will still be lively.

What do you think will be the most

Q5:

The role of technology will also be a central

important issue for the Live Music

What artist would you like to see

issue in the next years, with its implications

Industry in 2020?

reunited for a tour in 2020 and why?

production, music distribution, and ticket

As usual, the augmenting of costs in all areas

If an unrealistic wish can be mentioned:

selling as well. An important question that

of the live sector: production, infrastructure,

Led Zeppelin. Reason: iconic, historical rock

will remain is how far intrusion into privacy

fees, security, etc.

reference.

everything, to see if we can do better.

reconsidered

12

in

the

fields

of

show

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JANUARY 2020

Name: Helen Sildna Company: Shiftworks / Tallinn Music Week Position: Founder Among the company’s flagship projects are two transformational festival brands: an internationally renowned annual music industry showcase and conference Tallinn Music Week (TMW), and an urban culture and music festival Station Narva on the border between EU and Russia.

Besides promoting music and culture, Shiftworks also helps its clients—companies, organisations and institutions—to achieve their strategic corporate, social and cultural goals. Shiftworks, founded in 2009, uses creative tools to achieve change in society. www.tmw.ee, www.shiftworks.ee

Q1: What event in 2019 do you think will influence the Live Music Industry most in years to come?

Q2:

I think the overall direction is geared towards

What do you think will be the most

a healthier and a more sustainable music

In November 2019 we saw two big touring

important issue for the Live Music

industry that embraces digital transformation

artists make similar announcements:

Industry in 2020?

as an advantage. It is certainly true that

One of the biggest stadium-rock bands in

Starting from 2020 and for many years

other creative sector that has gone through

the world, Coldplay announced they will

to come - I hope this will be Sustainable

such a dramatic transformation due to the

not be touring for the foreseeable future,

Development

digital turn - than music. I think the launch

as they seek to make their concerts less

impact.

together with the film industry, there is no

Goals

and

environmental

environmentally damaging. A week later,

of 5G services in 2020 in combination with the desire for a smaller carbon footprint, will

Robert Del Naja on behalf of Massive

Q3:

soon have a great impact on the live music

Attack said: “The music industry has had

Business wise do you see any big event

business in terms of live streams and digital

a big carbon impact. As a band working

on the horizon for 2020? (Mergers etc.)

experiences. The sports industry is a few

with climate experts, we’re going to try to minimise ours.”

steps ahead of us there already.

If we set ourselves goals and targets as an industry in accordance with the United

Q4:

These were two visible announcements

Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it

What will be the biggest challenge/task

that reached global media attention, but

will change our business quite a bit. I think

for you and your company in 2020?

privately, I have heard many artists as well

it is inevitable. Firstly - it is a responsible

as festivals, venues, organizations state the

and sensible thing to do, to put the planet

Firstly - to present these two topics: Music

same. Touring and event production needs

first, but secondly - these are steps that the

Industry 2.0 together with Sustainable

to become much less environmentally

younger generation of our audiences and

Development Goals in music & culture

damaging. It is a conversation that needs

clients will expect us to pay attention to - or

- through an engaging and impactful

to happen together with visible steps for -

they’ll choose another service, who does. Less

programme during Tallinn Music Week 2020

essentially Music Industry 2.0

production of waste that cannot be reused,

(March 25-28) and more broadly - to gear

but also - more equality and accessibility.

my company Shiftworks very clearly towards

The second big announcement is sadly

Topics like gender equality in music have

using music and culture as a tool to make a

that Brexit seems now inevitable. We can

been a much wider discussion already as

positive impact in society. As we launched a

never underestimate the impact that the

initiatives like Keychange or SheSaidSo are

new festival brand Station Narva in 2018 in

UK has had on music culture globally, so -

growing. But also the inclusion of minorities

Narva (a 96% Russian speaking town on the

the closer the collaboration ties will remain,

as well as disadvantaged neighbourhoods

border of EU and Russia), we are also deep in

also in the framework of EU policies and

and people with disabilities. Also topics like

the process of creating better collaboration

funding, the better.

mental health.

opportunities for Russian and European

13

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

creative businesses. I think having healthy

success of new Russian music, and needless

More than longing for reunion tours, I get

working relationships with our neighbours

to say we are proud of the success of Estonian

excited about cross border collaborations

is a key to Europe’s future success. Us here

artists abroad of course. The past decade has

- across genres, genders and cultures.

- being situated between Russia and the

been a game-changer for Estonian music

Sometimes the invisible borders between

Nordics, will do our part no matter where

(applause to Music Estonia as well), surely the

music scenes and genres are even more rigid

politics and diplomacy are at - so cultural

next one will be even more so.

than the ones between countries. It’s more

collaborations and private sector businesses

rewarding to see artists like Hatari go to

can still develop and thrive. We started

Q5:

places like Eurovision in Israel and collaborate

Station Narva specifically for that purpose

What artist would you like to see

with artists like Bashar Murad from Palestine.

and we are excited about the international

reunited for a tour in 2020 and why?

That to me is the power of music.

Name: Artem Gorny Company: Attack Concerts Position: CEO Founded in 1994, Attack Concerts - a booking and promoting agency - is a key part of a group of companies comprised of SkyFox - sound & lights rental company, kassy. ru - a ticketing company and o2TV – Music TV channel. Over the last 25 years, Attack Concerts has grown to become a leader in booking acts of different music styles for private and corporate events, public concerts and festivals in Russia and CIS. We have booked, organised and promoted performances for the following artists: Chris Rea, Geri Halliwell, Scorpions, P!NK, Sarah Brightman, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Anastacia, Pussycat Dolls, Beyonce, Jessie J, Amy Winehouse, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Craig David, Toni Braxton, Boyz II Men, Lana del Rey, Flo Rida, Pitbull, Duran Duran, Cher, Jamiroquai, Seal, Status Quo, Eros Ramazzotti, Toto Cutugno, Postmodern Jukebox, Lily Allen, Zaz, NCT 127 and many others.

Q4: What will be the biggest challenge/task for you and your company in 2020?

Our endless energy and firm determination helps us to follow through our plans and open up new opportunities for developing and expanding our business.

Next year we want to implement several new projects. They are connected not only with working with new artists and venues, but also with entering new markets. We are

Q1:

Personally for us it is entering new markets

not ready to share all the details right now,

What event in 2019 do you think will

and the implementation of new projects. For

because it is currently under development.

influence the Live Music Industry most

the industry as a whole - further integration

in years to come?

of

modern

technologies

into

business

processes. And, of course, the day-to-day

What artist would you like to see

Difficult to answer. The modern world (and

issues, which are always the same: artists

reunited for a tour in 2020 and why?

the Live Music Industry) is so dynamic and

booking, production, marketing etc.

it is always moving forwards. There have

A lot of them! From Abba and Modern

been many events this year, but it’s hard to

Q3:

Talking to Oasis and Dire Straits! A long-

mention just one.

Business wise do you see any big event

awaited reunion is always good news for

on the horizon for 2020? (Mergers etc.)

both the fan and the promoter. We are

Q2:

14

Q5:

music fans ourselves, so first of all we will

What do you think will be the most

The music industry is constantly evolving.

just be happy to see these artists back on

important issue for the Live Music

Our task is to be ready for any changes and

stage. And, of course, we will think about

Industry in 2020?

accept them as the new rules of the game.

a collaboration.

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

Name: Marc Saunders Company: The O2 Position: Programming Manager The O2 is the world’s most popular music, entertainment and leisure venue and has been visited by more than 70 million people since opening in 2007.

The arena hosts over 200 events a year and in 2019 welcomed artists including; Drake, Hugh Jackman, Ariana Grande, Cher & Liam Gallagher.

The O2 received the Royal Borough of

digital side to the live music industry

Greenwich Greener Greenwich award and

as we enter the new decade. VR is fast

the sustainability and community award at

growing as a household presence across

the Stadium Business Awards.

various platforms, but as the demand for

Q1:

tickets to the world’s hottest shows grows

What event in 2019 do you think will

At

waste

exponentially, we can envisage that VR

influence the Live Music Industry most

compound,

program,

concerts could soon become a common

in years to come?

ongoing energy reduction projects and on-

occurrence. There are already companies

site Wormery and Eco-Digester are just some

operating business models which utilise

2019 will largely be recognised as the year

of the actions in place that have contributed

virtual reality technology across live music,

that awareness towards the environment

to a 40% reduction in transport to site and

but I feel that this will be the next step that

and climate change became most prevalent.

less than 1% of waste going to landfill per

would truly digitise the live industry.

Individuals like Greta Thunberg have helped

year, and The O2 surpassing its waste, water

pave the way for companies and individuals

and greenhouse gas emissions targets every

Q4:

alike to take a step back and reevaluate the

year since 2010.

What will be the biggest challenge/task

The

O2

a

state-of-the-art

green

cleaning

for you and your company in 2020?

effect their business has on the planet.

Q2: I would like to see the music industry

What do you think will be the most

Our biggest commitment is to ensure we

continue to ensure a more sustainable future

important issue for the Live Music

remain consistent in programming the best

in all areas that it operates including touring.

Industry in 2020?

possible content and endeavour to add to

At The O2, we launched our Good Vibes All

the stellar list of artists we already have set

Round initiative earlier this year. It promotes

Grassroot music venues play such an

to perform at The O2 in 2020, such as Billie

the work we do in relation to sustainability,

important role in our industry and sadly

Eilish, Diana Ross, Stormzy & Elton John.

accessibility, charity and community and is

we’re hearing about more and more brilliant

underpinned by The O2 and AEG’s values,

venues closing down. So many of the artists

Q5:

which are shared by employees, fans,

who perform at The O2 started their careers

What artist would you like to see

artists, brand partners and tenants, all which

in grassroots venues and the work the Music

reunited for a tour in 2020 and why?

encourage a shift of focus and behavioural

Venues Trust is doing to protect these venues

change in relation to sustainability goals.

is so vital. We’re really proud to support

We had Cher perform two amazing shows

them and grateful for a positive impact they

at The O2 in October 2019 as part of her

are making.

Here We Go Again, which of course included

In the last 12 months the venue has worked closely with event organisers including ATP

a large selection of ABBA’s greatest hits.

and The BRIT Awards, and partners O2 and

Q3:

Although it’s already been batted away in

Sky, to reduce the environmental impact of

Business wise do you see any big event

the media, Cher’s performances reinforced

events, including removing a wide range of

on the horizon for 2020? (Mergers etc.)

the reality that if ABBA were to come

Single Use Plastics from the venue; these are

together once again, it would undoubtedly

conversations that The O2 plans to continue

Perhaps not necessarily in 2020, but I

be the ultimate reunion (except maybe Oasis

into the future. As a result of these efforts

feel that we will begin to see a more

of course!)

15

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

Sustainability in the Live Music Industry Anne Frank Henriksen ah@vip-booking.com

There are thousands of festivals and other live music events all over the world each year - each one of them making beautiful concerts, moments and memories

Claire O’Neill, A Greener Festival

for the millions of people attending. But while doing so we use nature’s resources.

We leave a massive carbon footprint and create plastic pollution. Not to mention the fact that Coldplay won’t go on tour again until they can do it carbon neutrally.

So people – y’all need to do something! Whether you’re an agent, a manager, an artist, a supplier of lighting or printing services for posters. Luckily a lot of sustainability work is already being done in the Live Music Industry, but if you’re slightly confused on where to start or you just need more inspiration or maybe even a rider for your next green step, VIP-Booking gives you: THE GREEN PAGES.

Take a leap into a world Let’s take a look at the organization A

currently doing, combining live music and

Greener Festival (AGF), based in the UK:

sustainability, she says:

AGF has had a massive impact on the development towards making events and

“I’m happy to see that the awareness

festivals greener over the past decade.

of sustainable solutions has grown. It’s become more mainstream to consider

A Greener Festival is a non-profit company,

sustainability in planning events now and

to disposal - and the huge importance of

committed to helping events, festivals and

it’s almost everywhere. In a lot of places,

communication and behaviour.”

venues around the world to become more

the festival goers simply demand some kind

sustainable and to reduce environmental

of consciousness about it, but there’s still a

impacts. As pioneers in event sustainability

long way to go. Sustainability is not all about

since its first research in 2005, AGF provide

plastic. Reduction of plastic is a good thing

Claire O’ Neill explains: “We operate in a

certification,

But where to start?

because we obviously want to protect our

macro environment and in order to move

facilitates the exchange of its best practice.

seas and nature in general, but it doesn’t do

people and goods around we are still

Claire O’Neill, Co-Founder and Director

much for the reduction of carbon emissions.

reliant on a transport industry that is heavily

of AGF has been dedicated to this for over

The events need to look at the WHOLE

reliant on fossil fuels. Low carbon modes of

a decade. On the question of how we are

picture, the entire chain from production

transport for heavy vehicles travelling long

training,

expertise,

and

Festival WOOD: A festival legacy that will grow and grow Cheers mate! Are you reading this holding a pint in a plastic cup right now? Scan this QL-code and buy a tree in The Festival Wood.

The Festival Woods is a wild forest regeneration initiative from A Greener Festival, an opportunity for the festival community to give something back to the great outdoors that we love to enjoy, to improve biodiversity, reduce risk of floods, and boost a “carbon sink” by generating forests.

17

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

distances are usually more expensive than

reduce the carbon imprint. We need to try

• If you use temporary power make sure

their fossil fuel counterparts. Governments

things out to know what is working.”

you’ve assessed the efficiencies. This could

need to change this”, Claire O’Neill states.

be a quick win and a cost saver by reducing Claire offers three good pieces of advice:

fuel wastage.

matter of taking a leap and trying something

• Take an AGF assessment! In order to

• Match your material inputs with your

out: “A lot of the progress that’s been done

know where you need to be you need to

waste facilities available! Or much better still

in this area has had a lot of failures along the

know where you are so get assessing and

use reclaimed and reusable materials with a

way – but it’s made us all wiser on how to

get expert advice.

“life after show”.

She emphasizes that it is really “just” a

Supplying power with great success The company Power Logistics has won al-

often the number and size of generators

deployed providing real-time knowledge

most every award worth winning when

required onsite, resulting in greater cost

and data regarding the event’s energy

it comes to sustainable power supply for

efficiencies. The data from power monitoring

usage. This enables Power Logistics to

events and festivals. With sustainable initia-

in 2018 was analyzed and used to specify

deliver clients a % breakdown of their fuel

tives deployed at BST Hyde Park 2019 they

more efficient power systems for 2019.

usage across the site in real-time so event

decreased the festival’s fuel usage by 25% and reduced CO2 emissions by 103 tonnes.

organizers can see exactly how much fuel is This included using generators in a load

being used and where.

demand configuration. It turned out it was A Greener Festival invited the company’s

possible to install a smaller genset in each

In 2018 we used a hybrid system to power

technical operations manager Dan Pratt

of the large generator banks for use during

an accommodation area off-site limiting

to share on their blog how Power Logistics

the build and breakdown period as well as

generator running times by more than half

have managed such an achievement:

overnight running.

and in turn increased efficiencies. Battery systems are set to be the next major phase,

Since 2014, Power Logistics has been

A power monitoring system developed

making battery power a reality for the main

providing a complete project management

in-house by our development team was

stages in the not too distant future.

solution for BST Hyde Park, including the delivery of all site and show power and site lighting requirements. In 2015 the company started to power monitoring and introduced modern LED lighting solutions and went on to introduce HVO fuel at specific areas around the site in 2017.

In 2019 the event took a huge leap forward in terms of sustainable initiatives. For the first time, the site was fuelled solely with HVO, this form of renewable diesel is produced from vegetable fats and oils. Supplying an event of this size and scale with 100% renewable fuel is a significant step, not only for BST Hyde Park but for the event industry overall.

Power monitoring has proven to have a positive impact on an event’s carbon footprint; reducing fuel consumption and

18

AGF has made this illustration on all the elements you need to consider in making your event more sustainable

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

VIP-Booking.com And Sustainable Event Solutions present

Pull Out

The Sustainability Checklist for Artists and Event Organizers.

Pull out the Checklist and use the Shortcut to make our industry more sustainable!

“With the Sustainability Checklist you have a game changer in your

requirements of the customers. The idea to solve this knot with

hand. Use it. It is powerful,” says Stefan Lohmann, German Talent

a Sustainability Rider inspired me. The event industry is known for

Buyer & Booking Agent and very dedicated to the green movement

innovation and extreme creativity. This can be used just as well for

within the music industry. He is the official partner and artist

sustainability as for the wow show effects that we all love so much.”

relations manager of the German Sustainability Award and the man behind the Checklist.

“I want to empower and motivate the event industry and the artists to make a sustainable change - now! My Goal is that sustainable events are the standard in our industry. The interesting part of the shortlist is: it works for artists, promoters, festivals, tour companies, venues and all event suppliers, in fact, almost everyone in the event industry. Still, it is especially addressed to event and tour organizers and musicians. These people have the most power to ask their service providers to act in a sustainable way or to choose the best providers who can fulfil the checklist.”

To back up the checklist is a full Sustainability Rider, which you can find on Lohmann’s website www.sustainable-event-solutions.de, where he has also gathered all the suppliers you need for a green event.

The Rider has been made in cooperation with event and eco-experts, but also with one of Germany’s biggest and most sustainable tech companies, Satis&Fy. That approve, according to Lohmann, the potential of the rider and that it can make a difference if you use it.

Marcus Stadler, Eco-Management at Satis&fy says: “I know of no other industry in which sustainability ideas are so difficult to assert as in the event industry. But that doesn’t have to be the case! There are now more environmentally friendly alternatives for all conventional materials and techniques. The high material and energy consumption of events can already be drastically reduced by eco-efficient planning. What is needed for this is a rethinking of the execution, controlled by the environmentally conscious

Stefan Lohmann

19

SustainableEv_Checklist_engl._002_pfad_4Druck.pdf

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17.12.19

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JANUARY 2020

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

Award-winning and inspiring green festivals Anne Frank Henriksen ah@vip-booking.com

Windmill, Green Gathering

GREEN GATHERING, UK ering won the UK In December 2019 The Green Gath A Greener Festival Award. ed in bars and Single-use plastics have been bann are vegetarian, the food stalls since 2015, all caterers needs are met by festival is completely off-grid, all 73% of all waste sun, wind, and people and in 2019 generated was recycled.

emphasis that education for sustainability, with the low-impact alternatives. Its focus is life, real of case show a is ering The Green Gath people and passion. nd hedonism’ powered by wind, sun, fun. The festival’s philosophy is ‘beyo education should be hands-on and ts and lifestyle. them to change their outlook, habi e at The Green Gathering inspired danc atten that say ently frequ Festival-goers ering aims to trigger a sense of enjoying the show, The Green Gath and lities nsibi respo tting forge t r.

Where many festivals are all abou their lives, and the world, for the bette the mindset and skills to transform with ers al-go festiv p equi to and responsibility

DGTL AMSTERDAM, NL DGTL-Festivals DGTL won the International Green er Festival Award in 2019, presented at ILMC. The International Greener Festival A ward is the highest overall scoring festival, across all festivals that were assessed globally by AGF before the award show in 2019.

DGTL is highly aware of its environm ental impacts and has one very clear goal; to become the world’s first circular festival in 2020.

One of many green initiatives in 2019 was the use of composting toilets which recycles human waste. Did you know that 90% of what enters the toilets is in fact water?

The composting toilets evaporate this and carry it back to the atmo sphe re through a vent system while the small amount of remaining solid material is converted to usefu l soil fertilizer.

Besides this, DGTL is reducing cigar ette butts on the ground by introducin g The Litti, an ashtray and lighter in one. They will explore the use of compressed natural gas to generate energy, heat up tents and warehouses, and circulate and ventilate spaces reducing a great amount of CO2-emissions. The artists will be hosted in a circular, ener gy neutral hotel and transported in electric vehicles to and from the festival grounds.

In 2018 DGTL moved away from wast them to discover the value of their

e collection tucked away behind the scenes, to a “Resource Street” visib le for all visitors allowing own waste and change the narrative from “waste as a problem” to “reso urces as a solution”

23

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

Sustainability Across Borders There are several examples of organizations and events working across borders to ensure and develop sustainability. Here are a few of them.

Green Deal Circular Festivals. Photo: Roeland Sjoerd Hoefsloot, ADE

GREEN DEAL CIRCULAR FESTIVALS

year GEI demonstrates the latest solutions

and call for an immediate governmental re-

and

sponse to protect all life on Earth.

technologies

for

practical

event

management, as well as crucial challenges In October 2019 The Green Deal Circular

to be addressed. The conference mixes

“We believe in the power of music to promote

Festivals was launched during ADE GREEN,

practical case studies, discussion panels

the cultural change needed to create a better

Amsterdam.

and presentations from around the world,

future”, it says on musicdeclares.net.

The

participating

festivals

collectively committed to share knowledge

including the International AGF Awards.

“We will jointly support one another,

and develop circular solutions that can be put into practice by other festivals worldwide.

CAMPSITE WASTE CHALLENGE

sharing expertise as a collective industry and community. We will speak up and out

They strive for circularity by 2025. The Green Deal is unique; it is the first time that this

In 2018 YOUROPE’s GO Group and A

about the Climate and Ecological Emergency

many international leading festivals are

Greener Festival joined forces and created

and work towards making our businesses

joining forces for such a cause. The festivals

“Campsite Chaos”. Campsite Chaos is a

ecologically sustainable and regenerative”.

participating are: Amsterdam Open Air,

closed group for festival organizers providing

Best Kept Secret, Boardmasters, Body &

a forum for frank and honest discussion of

Soul, Boomtown, Down the Rabbit Hole,

their campsite waste problems. Members

DGTL, Eurosonic-Noorderslag, Into the Great

can share their experiences including their

Wide Open, Lollapalooza Berlin, Lowlands,

successes and failures. The forum is held at

Mañana Mañana, Milkshake, North Sea Jazz,

both the Eurosonic and Green Events and

Roskilde, Shambala, Vierdaagse Feesten, We

Innovation Conferences. Read more about

Love Green and Zwarte Cross.

camp waste at www.agf.com

GREEN EVENTS AND INNOVATIONS CONFERENCE

NO MUSIC ON A DEAD PLANET

Music Declares Emergency encourages everybody in the industry to act.

24

“Keep shouting about the Climate and Music Declares Emergency is a group of more

Ecological Emergency. Take individual actions

GEI takes place every year at ILMC. Drawing

than 2.700 artists, music industry profession-

alongside resolute political engagement.

on the continuous work and observations

als and organizations that stand together to

What that looks like will be as varied as our

by AGF and partners with the Industry, each

declare a Climate and Ecological emergency

community. Individual actions might not add

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

up to much without systemic change, but they can help pave the way there by modeling the world we want to see and opening up more conversations to make a noise. Don’t feel like you have to do everything at once.

As a music community, our collective actions and voices will ring out as one.”

In November The German Sustainability Award’s honorary prize went to Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall, who together with Radiohead and other representatives of the music industry, have taken the initiative to Music Declares Emergency.

“This earth is the only home we have, and I am saddened when I see the way we humans neglect the welfare of our planet and one another. We all need to consider what we can do to bring about change, particularly governments, industry leaders, and all those in positions of power, in order to secure a better future for our children,” says Hucknall.

MEGAFORCE

Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall receiving the German Sustainability Award from Award founder Stefan Schulze-Hausmann. Photo: Ralf Ruehmeier

‚ ‘ Roll k Roc n sion e v li we it h pas w The Stage Company r e h to g e t

MEGAFORCE Joehlinger Strasse 118 D – 76356 Weingarten

Phone +49 72 44 72 02 0 info@megaforce.de www.megaforce.de

25

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

VIP Crystal Ball Quiz In the November issue of VIP News we asked the Live Music industry to take a look into the Crystal Ball and predict what will happen in 2020.

On the next couple of pages, you will see how they answered.

26

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

27

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

Appointments in 2019 From VIP-Daily News

The most important resource for any company and industry is people. When peole become employees they are always on a mission for new adventures. We have gathered 6 interesting appointments from 2019 as featured in VIP News.

Odd Inge Sneve joins All Things Live (December 2019) Former Live nation promoter Odd Inge Sneve

facet of the promoting business,” comments

has joined All Things Live Norway as a senior

All Things Live head promoter Mark Vaughan.

promoter in its Oslo office.

Adds Sneve: “Live Nation has been a great According to IQ News Odd Inge Sneve joined

home for a number of years, but it’s time

Live Nation in its production department

for a new challenge. Watching what Peer

and advanced to national promoter: “Odd

Osmundsvaag and Mark have been able

is one of the best guys in the business. But

to achieve in the last few years, firstly as

in addition to being great guy, he is a great

Atomic Soul and now All Things Live, is very

promoter and a proper music person. He’s

impressive, and I’m excited to see how we

been doing this a long time and knows every

can all take things even further together.”

Odd Inge Sneve

Alice Hogg joins ATC Live (December 2019) Alice

Hogg

has

joined

London-based

international agency ATC Live. Alice Hogg joins ATC after 3 years at Live Nation as a Talent buyer, where she worked on European tours for artists including Post Malone, Billie Eilish and Lizzo.

“I am absolutely pumped to be returning to agent life and to start the next phase of my career as part of the ATC Live team,” says Hogg. “In my eyes, ATC is one of the best independent agencies out there – a dynamic company with a fantastic culture – and the music is at the heart of everything they do.”

ATC Live MD Alex Bruford adds: “We are delighted that Alice chose to join ATC Live.

Alice has a proven track record of delivering at the highest level, and her energy, passion and devotion to her artists are closely aligned with our core values at ATC Live. We can’t wait to get started with her.” According to IQ.

Alice Hogg

29

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

Xenia Grigat joins Luger Denmark (November 2019) Xenia Grigat has joined Luger Denmark and been appointed to head up international artist promotion as the agency expands to include global acts.Live Nation is the parent company.

Sarah Sølvsteen, director of Luger Denmark, said: “There are good days and then there are absolutely fabulous days like today, where we can announce the addition of Xenia Grigat to our Danish Luger team. With her sublime taste and love for her artists, Xenia is a

Xenia Grigat

perfect match with Luger Denmark’s philosophy and values.”

Grigat said: “I’ve had amazing 12 years working at Beatbox/Down the Drain promoting shows and festivals, but the time is right for me to take the next step in my career. The opportunity to create a new chapter with Luger Denmark and their team is an offer I can’t resist.”

Ola Broquist, director of Luger Sweden, said: “In Sweden, we have clearly seen the synergies when working with both Swedish and international artists under the same roof and how it benefits the artists. With the new offerings structure in Denmark, we will

© opderschmelz

collectively be positioned much stronger on the Scandinavia market.“

25.01.2020

KANNERBICHERDAG

© Marc Lazzarini / Standart

TINA DICO

20 20

06.02.2020

07.03.2020

ZELTIK RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS, CELTIC SOCIAL CLUB, BILLOW WOOD

MODENA CITY RAMBLERS, THE YOUNG FOLK, SCHËPPE SIWEN ...

22.04.2020

CELTIC LEGENDS 14-17.05.2020

© Marc Lazzarini / Standart

layout — Bunker palace.

© NPGrecords

LIKE A JAZZ MACHINE RABIH ABOU-KHALIL, BOBBY SPARKS, SAMUEL BLASER, SYLVAIN RIFFLET …

30.04.2020

IDA NIELSEN & THE FUNKBOTS 20.06.2020

FETE DE LA MUSIQUE À DUDELANGE LOTTE, MATHEA, WELLBAD, ALEX HENRY FOSTER, GIIRL, TUYS

© Weltschmerz

ANA POPOVIC BAND, LITTLE HOURS, AFTER TANK, LOST IN PAIN ...

12.10.2020

FISH

CENTRE CULTUREL REGIONAL DUDELANGE 1A, RUE DU CENTENAIRE, L-3475 DUDELANGE

www.opderschmelz.lu

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VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

Fiona McAuley

YMU Group Appoints Head Of Digital (November 2019) International artist management company

Watt said: “Fiona joins YMU Group at an

YMU Group has hired Fiona McAuley as

exciting time for the company and will

Head of Digital, UK Music.

lead our thinking on digital strategy across our roster of artists. She is a well-respected

In her new role, McAuley will be tasked with

innovator in her field with a strong track

leading digital strategy across the company’s

record of success. Her experience into this

wide roster of artists, working closely with

increasingly important area will ensure she

digital partners to drive innovative and

becomes a valuable addition to our senior

and to help maximise the opportunities

engaging partnership opportunities.

leadership team.”

available to them is really motivating. I’m

She joins YMU Group from Polydor Records

McAuley added: “YMU Group puts the artist

YMU Group team and to helping innovate

where she devised award-winning digital

at the heart of everything they do and the

and shape the way we move forward in the

marketing campaigns.

opportunity to be part of that philosophy

digital space.”

looking forward to working as part of the

New MD for German agency Four Artists (November 2019) Berlin booking agency Four Artists has

Die Fantastischen Vier and Fitz Braum

company grew under the leadership of

announced that the former managing

founded Four Artists in 1997. Initially

Alex Richter into a large national and

director Alexander Richter has ended his

planned as an extended service for the artists

international company. Four Artists now has

activity after 22 years “at his own request”.

of their former music label Four Music, the

45 employees at its headquarters in Berlin.

His successor Florian Hauss has been a part of Four Artists for 15 years. Hauss began his career first as a tour manager of Die Fantastischen Vier. At Four Artists he successfully established a department for electronic music. In addition to the management, Florian Hauss will in future also take over the booking for Die Fantastischen Vier from the Berlin-based company. Markus Grosse

will

remain

Deputy

Managing

New MD for German agency Four Artist

Director of the Four Artists Booking Agency.

New MD appointed for Sony Music Eastern Europe (October 2019) Sony Music Entertainment has hired

and Eastern Europe focusing on the creative

Maciej Woć as Managing Director, Sony

development and digital performance of

Music Entertainment (SME) Poland and

the company.

Maciej Woć

Eastern Europe.

Lieberberg said: “Maciej has a fantastic Reporting to Daniel Lieberberg, President,

entrepreneurial spirit with a track record

Sony Music Entertainment Continental

of successfully tackling the challenges of

Europe and Africa, Woć will be based

today’s rapidly changing industry. He has the

Woć added: “I am thrilled to join the SME

in Warsaw, Poland. Woć founded Muzk

creative energy, A&R capabilities, business

team. After many years as an independent

Management and East Eventz in 2014. He

drive and understanding of digital economics

entrepreneur I feel like I got to know the

will oversee all business activities in Poland

to drive creative solutions.”

market from all perspectives.”

31

VIP NEWS ANNUAL > BUSINESS >

MUSIC IN SHARES

JANUARY 2020

Music In Shares Annual Review 2019 Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

Recap and a look ahead: Bye, Bye Entrepreneurs Retrospectively 2019 appeared to be a good

industry was finally revealed as the hidden

In terms of share price growth, DEAG is

year for CTS Eventim, DEAG, Live Nation and

power player enabling deals and market

doing even better than Live Nation, even if

their shareholders. Also Spotify delivered a

concentration

unseen

both companies can’t be exactly compared,

much bigger gain than most investors could

dimension. Merger and Acquisitions (M&A’s)

a gain of 32 per cent for DEAG shares

expect to make on their savings.

backed by private equity funds (occasionally

exceeds the 23 per cent for those of Live

even pension funds) became the new norm

Nation. Shares of DEAG were trading in

2019 also delivered further interesting news:

(ASM Global, Superstruct, UTA) whilst

December 2018 at 3.38 Euro, those of Live

The revelation of Superstruct, the postponed

takeovers by corporate concert companies

Nation stood at $52.62. Within those twelve

IPO (Initial Public Offering) of WME (William

took care of the leftovers.

months, Live Nation peaked at the end of

in

a

previously

Morris Endeavor), the merger of AEG Facilities

July at $74 whilst dropping in late December

with SMG becoming ASM Global or recently

Basically and finally in 2019 the live music

2018 to $46, its lowest level. The market cap

the news of CAA (Creative Artist Agency)

industry discarded its heritage of being seen

of Live Nation was projected at $13.7 billion,

aiming to borrow $1.15 billion. Not to ignore

as a business driven by entrepreneurs and

whilst that of DEAG’s was at 82.5 million

the merger between UTA and Paradigm.

impresarios. As a result, the live music sector

Euros.

lost its innocence and some of its glamour Need for Improvement

What initially merely read as a collection

as these developments just became the

of some headline news stories, between

new norm, as seen in other industries such

the lines, far more meaningful news was

as agriculture, the food sector or the new

The shares of Eventbrite exhibited a loss of

delivered. At the beginning of a new decade,

media industry.

nearly 36 per cent. The company has been

the music industry and particularly the music

confronted with various ongoing legal

industry entered a new era. The conversion

However, besides the fact that the annual

challenges. In December 2018 the share

process had already begun almost twenty

business reports are not yet released,

price stood at $32.35, a year later it stands

years ago, when music publishing came

information

corporate

at $19.76. In March 2019 this share faced a

into the focus of investment companies. The

concert companies at least presents some

sharp drop, when various law firms accused

number of deals and investments within this

figures. These paint an interesting picture

Eventbrite of apparently making “false

sector was a preview as to what has now

regarding their business performance, or

and/or misleading statements” due to the

finally arrived in the live music industry.

better said, reflecting the expectations and

migration of Ticketfly, which progressed

hopes of share holders in these live music

slower than expected.

Following on from two financial crises (2000

available

from

industry companies.

The Other Ones

- “Dot-Com Bubble” / 2008 - just referred to as the “Financial Crisis”), governmental

And The Winner is...

intervention introduced so much money

Spotify is another music company worth

into the market, enabling and enforcing the

The biggest gain in share prices over the last

mentioning. Their share gained 25.2 per

financial industry to invest into whatever

twelve months is CTS Eventim. The share

cent, rising from a one time $120.5 to

business opportunities promised to deliver

of this Company gained a rise in value of

$148.45. Unlike Apple or Amazon where

any sort of profit margins.

65 per cent.

music is only a by-product in the portfolio

Bye, bye Entrepreneurs, Hello Employees

To be precise, since December 2018, it has

of their business activities, music is at least Spotify’s core product.

increased from a share price of 34.50 to 55.15 With all this in mind, 2019 can be seen

Euro by December 16, 2019. The market cap

The same goes for Tencent Music Entertain-

as a turning point, in which the financial

for CTS Eventim is 5.2 million Euros.

ment, serving the Chinese market with music.

33

VIP NEWS ANNUAL > BUSINESS >

MUSIC IN SHARES

JANUARY 2020

Robert F.X. Sillerman

With shares of this company being traded on

being particularly evident to the majority of

what kind investment strategies are of

NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) since De-

those working in this business.

interest for the financial sector?

lost 4.8 per cent, from $12.30 to $11.54. Its

Nevertheless the relevant players operate a

For the moment it seems that all parts of the

highest peak within 52 weeks was $19.97

different twist. Today’s power players are,

live music business could become potential

and the lowest price was $11.27...

among others investment companies such

investment targets, ranging from agencies,

as TPG Capital (CAA), Softbank and Silver

festivals, venues or ticketing companies.

Lake (WME), Onex (ASM Global), Providence

Highly popular are so called “disruptive

Equity (Superstruct) or Investcorp (UTA).

business models“, where technology or

cember 12, 2018, this share has since then

Farewell Robert F.X. Sillerman Whatever may be said about this business

services are changing or replacing former

man, Historically Sillerman will retain the

For the time being, these companies will

value chains. What might be not thinkable

role of being the pioneer and prophet for

act as the game changers, being financially

so far, could easily appear out of the blue,

the corporatisation of the concert business.

able to compete with market leaders such

when for instance booking procedures

His legacy, among others, is linked with the

as CTS Eventim or Live Nation in reference

become modernized by artificial intelligence

creation of SFX Entertainment, which later

to the gradual ongoing process of the

software solutions.

on became Live Nation. He is the one either

corporatisation of the live music sector.

to be praised or criticised for tapping stock

This process is still in its early stages, but

markets as a new financial resource for the

already highly significant for the near

concert industry. Sillerman passed away on

future of this business.

November 24 at the age of 71.

Weather, new environmental or safety regulations

The Experience Economy New Decade - New Era

34

Risks and Challenges

and

changing

consumer

preferences could easily be identified as obvious obstacles for the live music business.

The Economist is a glossy weekly magazine

As a promoter in Eastern Europe recently

2020 seems to be the beginning of a new

for economy and politics and is responsible

mentioned he counted more than twenty

era in the ongoing history of the music

for the term “Experience Economy”, a

private jets used by artists when travelling

industry. There is a completely new set

new buzz word for the live entertainment

to his festivals. Once the names of those

up and a fresh generation of mover and

business. A shiny new wording tailor made

frequent flyers become public, it may have

shakers. Many of these operate from behind

to trigger the lust for even more investments

an affect on ticket sales within those peer

the curtain, driving new deals and spinning

by the financial sector. Whilst the financial

groups that take environmental issues more

the wheels, whilst strangely enough, not

capacities are there, the question remains,

seriously than the owners of SUV’s.

VIP NEWS ANNUAL > BUSINESS >

JANUARY 2020

“Concern is growing about the rising exposure to loudness in recreational settings such as nightclubs, discotheques, pubs, bars, cinemas, concerts, sporting events and even fitness classes, “ is an observation published in the brochure “Make Listening Safe”

MUSIC IN SHARES

EUROPE’S FINEST BLUES EXPERIENCE SINCE 1988

by the WHO (World Health Organisation). The political impact of an institutional organisation by the WHO could be described as somewhat more meaningful than the combined lobby efforts by live music trade bodies.

Political challenges are still widely underestimated in the concert business. In comparison to other industries’ awareness for such matters is still very low. The need is therefore obvious, but the majority in the concert industry is still as of yet not ready for joint lobbying activities, a fact that could lead to an unexpected backlash for the still prospering live music sector.

Thinking Long Term In an interview with Eric van Eerdenburg on ETEP.nl, the mastermind of Lowlands Festivals in the Netherlands says: “Young fans that are students or job starters just cannot afford to buy a ticket in the near future. Going to a show or festival is going to be more and more an elitist thing I fear. The business side of music runs likes a hyper-capitalistic system.”

THE 33RD INTERNATIONAL NOTODDEN BLUES FESTIVAL, NORWAY

JULY 30 – AUGUST 2, 2020 Artists booked so far include Jimmie Vaughan, Shemkia Copeland, The Proven Ones, Mike Andersen. More to be announced.

It is a statement that hardly needs any further explanation. It speaks for itself and is therefore a serious wake up call for the entire live music community to find and develop solutions that can handle this issue appropriately.

“The business side of music runs likes a hyper-capitalistic system”, says Eric van Eerdenburg. Photo/ Ben Houdijk

Our festival history includes performances by artists like B.B. King, ZZ Top, Ry Cooder, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Plant, Buddy Guy, George Thorgood & the Destroyers, Gary Moore, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Taj Mahal, Beth Hart, Johnny Winter, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, Rival Sons, Ray Davies, Paul Rodgers, Steve Winwood, Mick Fleetwood Blues Band, and more.

WWW.BLUESFEST.NO

Phone: +47 35027650 Email: nbf@bluesfest.no

NOTODDEN BLUES FESTIVAL – ALWAYS THE BEST OF PEOPLE AND BLUES

35

STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG

VIP NEWS ANNUAL >

JANUARY 2020

EUROPEAN TRADE FAIR & CONFERENCE

CALENDAR 2020 January Eurosonic Noorderslag : Groningen, The Netherlands · 15-17 January · www.esns.nl

February by:larm : Oslo, Norway · 19-27 February · www.bylarm.no

March ILMC: London, UK - 3-6 March · www.ilmc.com Tallinn Music Week: Tallinn, Estonia · 25-28 March · www.tmw.ee

April c/o pop: Cologne, Germany · 22-26 April · www.c-o-pop.de

May The Great Escape: Brighton, UK · 13-16 May · www.greatescapefestival.com

June MIDEM: Cannes, France · 2-5 June · www.midem.com Primavera Pro: Barcelona, Spain · 3-7 June · www.pro.primaverasound.com

September Plasa Show: London, UK · 6-8 September · www.plasashow.com Waves Vienna: Vienna, Austria · 10-12 September · www.wavesvienna.com Reeperbahn Festival: Hamburg, Germany · 16-19 September · www.reeperbahnfestival.com International Festival Forum: London, UK · 22-24 September · www.iff.rocks

October Music & Media: Tampere, Finland 8-9 October · www.musikkimedia.fi MaMA Event: Paris, France · 14-16 October · www.mama-event.com Amsterdam Dance Event: Amsterdam, The Netherlands · 21-25 October · www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl WOMEX: Tampere, Finland · 21-25 October · www.womex.com BIME Pro: Bilbao, Spain · 28-30 October · www.bime.net

November Sonic Visions: Esch/Alzette, Luxembourg · Dates t.b.a. · www.sonicvisions.lu Monkey Week: Sevilla, Spain · 18-21 November · www.monkeyweek.org

37

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