VIP News Premium - November 2018

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PREMIUM > VOLUME 216 > NOVEMBER 2018

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VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2018

McGowan’s

Musings

Right – first things first – it’s cold! I’m doing

saw a couple of very impressive acts – yes I

every now and again in the UK, “That takes

a fair bit of commuting between Brighton

do occasionally take in some music when I

the biscuit!”. This is said when someone

and London at the moment and the heating

attend these events, I don’t just talk, eat and

has done, or something has happened, that

on yesterday’s train was non existent – just

drink – or then again…. Anyway, if you get

you find extremely annoying or surprising:

thought I’d start with a bit of a moan! Still I

a chance check out KO KO MO from France

However in the US, (where else?) you can

was in Italy last week for the SudWave event

and Theodore from Greece and Italy’s Emal

now’ play the biscuit’! The manufacturers of

and the weather in Florence, Arezzo and Pisa

Meta. (See the SudWave report in this issue)

those famous cookies, Oreos, have produced

was fine, as was the food, and the artwork.

a tiny record player, The Oreo Music Box, that

You can always count on Tuscany for great

Mumford & Sons fans who’d planned to

will actually play a tune when you put the

food, wine and of course Art, so maybe

see their heroes in Manchester, Sheffield,

tasty snack on the turntable and drop the

I should cut back on the moaning! Also I

Cardiff and Liverpool on the “Delta Tour’,

needle on it! Well, doesn’t that take the….

are a bit miffed with the band, following the

whatever…. I wonder if you used a Ginger

postponement of these four shows till next

Nut, might it play an Ed Sheeran track?

year. It seems that the usually quite down to

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

2

earth Mumfords had indulged in a particularly

Well, as you’ve probably noticed, I’m not

‘ambitious’ stage design, which, although

really taking this seriously at the moment,

they’d played two Irish dates, they weren’t

but there are of course many important

really up to speed with. The band apologised,

aspects of the live business to be considered

saying, “ “It is with a really heavy heart (only

at the present. Brexit is still worrying the UK

one between them – surely not!?) that we

live business, not to mention most of the

have been forced to postpone four shows on

nation! Trucking and production companies

this UK tour due to unforeseen technical and

are still in suspense with reports of British

logistical challenges”.

hauliers being forced to turn down European work with some of the biggest American

The Mumfords however are not the only

bands due to the threat of a no-deal Brexit.

ones to have to pull shows due to ‘unforeseen

However UK Music has produced a report

challenges’, Gas Coombs should have kept

that states that UK Music is booming, but

an eye out for his daughter who surprised

warns, probably with Brexit in mind, that it

him with a flying kung fu kick that broke his

still needs help! We’ll learn a lot more about

leg! Coombes has been forced to cancel a

the international state of the business over

number of European shows and postpone UK

the next few months with Eurosonic and

dates as a result. Coombs tweeted, “I’ve only

ILMC to look forward to. (See previews in

gone and broken my leg (or more accurately

this issue)

his daughter did...) Larking around with the kids I got Bruce Lee’d by my fifteen year old,

This believe it or not, will be the final News

and let’s just say she connected too well.”

of the year as we’re taking a break over December. But, don’t worry – we’ll be back

Oh well, very unfortunate for poor old Gaz

for the last year of the Decade! So as ever,

and his fans, and you could say, as we do

Ladies and Gentlemen – The News!

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2018

It’s Your Round!

Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com By the way – anyone fancy a beer? If so, in

“EVERY

PENNY

DONATED

TO

MUSIC

can raise much needed funds to help our

the UK, make mine a Fightback Lager! This

VENUE TRUST BY FIGHTBACK BEER GOES

grassroots music venues is very welcome

month sees the launch of the Fightback

DIRECTLY TO SUPPORTING A MUSIC VENUE

indeed.”

Brewing Company, whose product aims to

IN TROUBLE”

raise funds for UK grassroots music venues.

Venues can register their interest in Fightback

Every pint sold of the beer, a 4.6% craft

Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust,

lager brewed by Manchester’s ShinDigger

adds: “We are delighted that more and more

brewery, will go to Music Venue Trust. It

companies and organisations are emerging

launched at venues participating in the

with great concepts that can support the

Fightback Manchester festival (16 to 30

network of grassroots music venues to

November), and will begin rolling out across

survive and hopefully thrive. Every penny

venues UK-wide from December 2018.

donated to Music Venue Trust by Fightback

Lager at fightbacklager.com.

Cheers!

beer goes directly to supporting a music Richard Smith, director of the Fightback

venue in trouble, facing challenges or under

Brewing Company, says: “We’ve been blown

threat of closure.“

away by the enthusiasm for a beer that financially helps the sector. It made sense to

“Fightback Lager is a natural addition to our

all of us to create something that reflects the

Fightback regional events we have planned

independent spirit of the grassroots music

for the next year,” adds Gary Prosser who

venue community.”

runs the Fightback events. “Any cause that

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

WeLL you Can! www.vip-booking.com

®

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

4

vip-booking.com

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2018

Sudwave - South European Network 2018 Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com This free entry event takes place in Arezzo, Tuscany and is run by the team that organised the long running and successful festival, Arezzo Wave. Organiser Mauro Valenti tells VIP that his aim for the event is to develop his idea of a Network that supports the best talents of southern Europe and brings together International and Italian delegates and buyers presenting the main topics of live music in the heart of Tuscany. and festivals). We had more than 40 acts, 30 delegates, 7 countries As he says, “Alongside words and music, gastronomy and art,

and 1500 attendances.

landscapes and joy of life, we hosted leading acts from Southern Europe, the French KO KO MO, the Greek Theodore, the Spanish

Leading Italian artist Ermal Meta was interviewed by the guitarist

Museless, the Portuguese Whales .” The event also presented guests

from the band Negrita, as well as discussing his career and his plans

like KIOL, Universal Sex Arena, Bruno Belissimo, Black Snake Moan, Dj

for the future, the musicians also played acoustic versions of Ermal’s

Ralf and many Italian talents who had the opportunity to play in front

songs. This was a very successful presentation, with many of the

of International and Italian delegates such as yours truly, Bernard

singer’s fans attending alongside SudWave delegates.

Batzen (Azimuth Production), Jordi Gratacos (BCN Export and VIC), John Goncalves (The Gift-Why Portugal), Theodore (United We Fly),

Mauro Valenti concludes, “I am honored to have shared this first

Pascal Viot (ISSUE, PALEO festival), Henrik Nielsen (Roskilde Festival),

edition, welcoming our friends from all over Europe. See you next

Marzia Santone from Creative Europe and Italian buyers, managers

year in Italy!”

Ermal Meta and Drigo

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VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2018

FKP Scorpio acquires stake in Danish Promoter From VIP-Daily News Scorpio CEO Folkert Koopmans. “We’re pleased, therefore, that through our collaboration with smash!bang!pow! we get a local partner with a healthy approach to the business and an agency culture that is driven by a real love for the music and the scene in which it stems.”

As part of the alliance, several new staff will also join s!b!p! in FKP Scorpio has acquired a 25% stake in Danish concert promoter,

Copenhagen, including booking agent Viktoria Skovhus and junior

booking agency and artist management company smash!bang!pow!.

promoter Emma Hestbæk.

The partial acquisition – described as an “exclusive partnership”

Nikolaj Thorenfeldt, director of smash!bang!pow!, adds: “As an

which sees FKP become an international partner to smash!bang!pow!

independent concert promoter, we’ve reached a glass ceiling for

(s!b!p!) – has already borne fruit, with the two companies co-

our growth.

promoting the BBC’s Blue Planet II at the Forum Horsens (4,000-cap.) on 25 February 2019 and Tash Sultana at KB Hallen (4,900-cap.) in

“We want to climb higher up the food chain, and this requires more

Copenhagen on 28 July 2019.

resources and a strong international network. That’s what we get in the partnership with FKP Scorpio.”

The partial acquisition comes just seven months after the Hamburgbased promoter, itself majority owned by CTS Eventim, effectively

FKP Scorpio is one of Europe’s leading festival and concert

pulled out of the Danish festival market by selling its Northside and

promoters, with a roster of events that includes Southside and

Tinderbox festivals to Beatbox owner Down the Drain Holding.

Hurricane in Germany, Best Kept Secret in the Netherlands, Provinssi in Finland and Greenfield in Switzerland. It also promoted much of

“The Danish music scene is in an incredibly exciting development

the European leg of Ed Sheeran’s huge ÷ tour, selling more than

right now, and the Danish concert market is flourishing,” says FKP

750,000 tickets this summer.

Folkert Koopmans and Nikolaj Thorenfeldt

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VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2018

ILMC Featuring Future Made To Measure Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com The Innovative Live Music Conference once

VIP News: What kind of professionals

again is proving its appetite for evolution

do you have in mind as speakers or for

and invention with its assets. While for the

intended “mentoring sessions?”

upcoming edition of ILMC on March 3-5, the event will, alongside others aspects celebrate

Chapple: ILMC, which celebrates its 31st

the 25 year anniversary of the ever entertaining

anniversary next year, is the leading meeting

Arthur Awards, the event organizers of this

place for the international live music business.

conference will simultaneously provide with

With more than 1,100 people expected to

the Futures Forum, a stage for the new work

attend, there’s going to be no shortage of

force generation in the live music industry.

suitable candidates, and we’ve got plenty in mind already – watch this space for some announcements in the coming weeks.

“Futures Forum will bring the individuals that currently define the business together with those who will drive its development,”

Jon Chapple ILMC

VIP News: A futures Council comes along with the futures forum. You know

explains ILMC head Greg Parmley. “It’s an extra day of ILMC, and a chance to embrace

make sense to have them on board for

meanwhile both worlds, the one related

new formats, and encourage fresh voices

this conference as well?

with ILMC and the one in your age group. Have you spotted any differences

and different thinking.”

Chapple: Futures Forum is targeted at young

between relevant topics for the new

Greg Parmley, at slightly over thirty won’t

people who are already working in the

generation and those who have already

match the age criteria of this conference

industry. There are already lots of amazing

worked for a bit longer in this business?

format. But staffer Jon Chapple, who is

events out there for students and that just

taking care of the set up of this new part of

taking their first steps in the business – BBC

Chapple:

ILMC. will meet requirements.

Music Introducing Live is a great example

conversations, it seems both the ‘core’ ILMC

From

the

Council’s

initial

– and we’re not trying to compete with

audience and the younger execs actually

VIP News: Who will be the target group

them. We’re bringing together 300 young

have broadly the same objectives: to build

for the futures forum?

executives,

artist

a better industry for everyone. There are, of

and venue managers, booking agents and

including

promoters,

course, some things we’ve talked about that

Jon Chapple: Futures Forum is designed

ticketing professionals, to discuss the future

are specific to Futures Forum: Wellbeing and

for working professionals aged 30 and

of their industry and the topics that matter

health, both physical and mental, seem to be

under, who want to build connections

to them.

a bigger concern for the younger generation;

with their peers, expand their knowledge

and we’ll also have workshops on things like

of the industry or simply contribute to the

VIP News: Please elaborate on what kind

public speaking, which obviously won’t be as

conversations shaping the future of the

of topics will be featured as part of the

relevant to the older delegates.

business. As it’s taking place on the final day

conference agenda...

of the International Live Music Conference,

But when it comes to the big issues of the

Futures Forum is also open to all ILMC

Chapple: We’re still in the planning stages

day – from diversity to data, ticketing to

delegates – so we’ll have a really good mix

so I can’t share any concrete details yet, but

branding and sponsorship – everyone seems

of people of all ages sharing their knowledge

there’s going to be a big focus on quick-

to share the same concerns. And that, I think,

and experiences.

fire, TED talk-style presentations, as well as

bodes well for the future of the industry.

mentoring sessions hosted by top live execs VIP News: What about students from

– and a must-see keynote interview to finish

For further information please check:

universities or music schools, wouldn’t it

the day on a high.

futuresforum.live

7

Thanks to all of our customers and partners!

Parookaville

Helene Fischer

Guns N´Roses

Billy Joel

We look forward to working with you again in 2019.

Rolling Stones

Wherever you go, we are there.

We provide a variety of infrastructure and services for concerts, festivals and events held to only the highest safety standards. Get in touch!

Die Toten Hosen

info@eps.net | www.eps.net

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

NOVEMBER 2018

Eurosonic ’19 Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) showcase line-

music scenes, a great history and lots of

ups as ever seem to keep expanding, the last

amazing music to be discovered.”

announcement added another 123 acts for this 2019 edition

AS ever one of the main features of the showcase programme is ETEP. Each year

Among the confirmations are 19 acts from

the most relevant and promising European

the dual country focus - Czech Republic and

artists are selected to play Eurosonic

Slovakia.. Apart from the earlier confirmed

Noorderslag. The European Talent Exchange

Hellwana, (Manon Meurt, Mydy Rabycad,

Programme (ETEP) was introduced to make

Pipes And Pints, Thom Artway and Zabelov

the “exchange”of these European artists

Group cz) and Isama Zing (sk), selected

across Europe possible on a greater scale

in collaboration with EBU, ten more acts

than ever before. An initiative of Eurosonic

national press. This cooperation between

from the Czech Republic :Bohemian Cristal

Noorderslag, ETEP facilitates the bookings

festivals and media guarantees maximum

Instrument, Circus Brothers, Floex & Tom

of European acts on festivals outside of their

exposure and offers a perfect opportunity for

Hodge, Lazer Viking,. And nine from

home countries and generates extensive

managements and agents to promote their

Slovakia: Autumnist, B-complex, Katarína

radio and media exposure for these artists in

artists throughout Europe. Moreover, playing

Máliková & Ensemble, Möbius, Nvmeri, Our

co-operation with the European Broadcasting

at one or more of the major ETEP festivals,

Stories, The Ills, Thisnis and Tittingur will

Union and local media. In this way, ETEP aims

which attract thousands of music lovers,

showcase in Groningen in January.

to give a boost to the international careers

helps artists greatly to expose their music to

of European artists. In short, ETEP requires

an audience numbering in the millions. In

ESNS booker Robert Meijerink comments,

festivals to select foreign artists from the line-

order to strengthen the capacity of emerging

“We are keen to showcase the unique, high-

up of Eurosonic Noorderslag, guaranteeing

artists to sustain an international career,

quality music from these two neighbours.

confirmed slots at their festival. In support,

ETEP’s developed a training programme

Although two of the youngest countries in

radio stations generate airplay for these acts

teaching them how the international music

Europe, they both have diverse and growing

and written media support the acts in the

industry works.

Robert Meijerink

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VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

NOVEMBER 2018

ETEP 2018: A Record-Breaking Year!

This ETEP season produced many highlights.

First and foremost, with 457 shows (now maybe more!) ETEP has already set a new record. Due to an ever-growing pool of festivals, as well as expansions within festivals outside of Europe such as SouthAfrican OppiKoppi and Canadian Music Week (CMW). The European Talent Exchange Programme offers participating artists even

Reeperbahn Festival 2018

better support and opportunities.

Hot, hotter, hottest!

ETEP ACTS CHART

ETEP FESTIVAL CHART

Local heat waves occurred at festivals that featured ETEP record breaker Superorganism

Superorganism (gb) - 20

1. Reeperbahn – 31 acts

on the bill. With 20 shows, Superorganism

Zeal & Ardor (ch) - 13

2. The Great Escape – 29 acts

broke the record of 17 ETEP bookings that

Yonaka (gb) - 10

3. Iceland Airwaves – 16 acts

SHAME set last year. Superorganism was not

Sigrid (no) - 10

4. Waves Vienna – 15 acts

the only successful ETEP act this year: after

Tamino (be) - 10

5. Roskilde festival – 13 acts

playing ESNS, Zeal & Ardor, Yonaka, Sigrid

Altin Gün (nl) - 9

6. Lowlands Festival – 11 acts

and Tamino all managed to be booked by

Tom Grennan (gb) - 8

7. Rock Werchter – 11 acts

ten or more ETEP festivals! If you’re not

Tshegue (fr) -8

8. Tallinn Music Week – 11 acts

convinced yet: last year, 14 acts were booked

George Fitzgerald (gb) - 8

for six or more ETEP shows, this year 22 acts

Lysistrata (fr) - 7

got to play six or more festivals.

Superorganism

10

9. By:Larm – 10 acts 10. Haldern Pop – 9 acts

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

NOVEMBER 2018

THE 2019 CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

an hour of cultural comparison, highs and lows. With Michal Kascak (Pohoda Festival, SK), Mikolaj Ziolkowski (Open’er Festival, PL),

With less than 2 months to go the conference program is taking

Cindy Castillo (Mad Cool Festival, ES), Herman Schueremans (Rock

shape quickly. ESNS 2019 kicks off at De Oosterpoort on Wednesday

Werchter, BE)

Januari 16th with the ESNS Awards including the European Festival Awards & the new EBBA’s, the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards.

The Boutique Festival Panel

(See list of winners below)

- Small Big Festivals

Panels Include:

IQ Magazine editor Gordon Masson (GB) quizzes some of the world’s most innovative and original promoters to find out how they make

The Agents Panel

their festivals stand out from the crowd to entice ticket buyers –

- The Big Four

and artists, with Mathieu Jaton (Montreux Jazz Festival, CH), Neal Thompson (Focus Wales, GB), Theresho Selesho (Oppikoppi Festival,

With Clementine Bunel (Coda Agency, GB) Jules de Lattre (United

SA), Rembert Stiewe (Orange Blossom Special, DE)

Talent Agency, GB), Ben Coles (CAA) and Carlos Abreu (WME, GB).

The four well known UK based agents from US owned Agencies talk about the present exciting and variable state of their business, hosted

FIRST BEERCRATE SESSIONS

by Allan McGowan.

Movers and shakers tell their personal stories and respond to Independent European Agencies

questions you’ve always wanted to ask, over a relaxing bottle of beer or two, with Adam Ryan on behalf The Great Escape (GB),

Participants include Sarah Sølvsteen (Luger, DK), Steven Thomassen

Julia Gudzent from Melt Festival & Lolapalooza Berlin (DE) and Login

(Tour Partout, BE), Nathalie Blue (Little Big Agency, DE), Nikita

Kochishki – Password Production (MK).

Lavrinenko (Paper and Iron Bookings, DE), Kalle Lundgren Smith (Pitch and Smith, SE), hosted by Gideon Gottfried (Pollstar)

What else is happening?

Next to the regular conference program, various meetings, seminars

NEW KEYNOTES

and workshops are organised by amongst others: Yourope (YES Group, GO Group, EMAC), ETEP, VNPF, EMEE, MMF and IMMF. check

Scott Cohen: What Comes After Streaming?

out website for updates.

Scott Cohen is the founder of The Orchard, the worlds first digital music distribution company. He will share his thoughts on the future of digital and what’s next.

LOUD Keynote by Andy Farrow Having worked in the industry for over 25 years Andy Farrow is a well respected figure in the world of rock and metal music, particularly when it comes to management. Current artists include Opeth and Paradise Lost.

FESTIVALS, DOES SIZE MATTER? The Festival Panel - Big, Bold and Beautiful With a series of video presentations, and insight into their programming and philosophy, ILMC’s Greg Parmley leads four major players through

Clementine Bunel - The Agents Panel

11

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

NOVEMBER 2018

First Winners of the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards Announced Following

the

announcement

of

The Prize

the

twenty-four nominees at Reeperbahn, an international jury selected twelve winners,

The aim of the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards is to celebrate new and upcoming

THE WINNERS ARE:

who represent the European sound of today and tomorrow.

artists from Europe and support them in • Bishop Briggs (UK) and Lxandra

order to help them develop and accelerate

(FI) [Pop]

their international careers. Therefore, the

The Music Moves Europe Talent Awards are

• Pale Waves (UK) and Pip Blom

prize package consists of 5000 tour and

the new European Union Prize for popular

(NL) [Rock]

promotion support, several performances

and contemporary music. The prizes will be

• Smerz (NO) Stelartronic (AT)

at ESNS, free publicity and a tailor made

awarded at ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) in

[Electronic]

training programme.

Groningen in January 2019.

• Rosalía (ES) and Aya Nakamura (FR) [RnB/Urban]

Succeeding the European Border Breakers

Additionally, the general public will select

• Blackwave. (BE), Reykjavíkurdætur

Awards (EBBA), the annual Music Moves Europe

another winner from each category through

(IS) [Hip Hop/Rap]

Talent Awards are co-funded by the Creative

the Public Choice Award through online

• Avec (AT) and Albin Lee Meldau

Europe programme of the European Union,

voting. The Public Choice Award winners

(SE) [Singer-songwriter].

with the additional support of the Municipality

will be revealed at the award ceremony on

of Groningen, Province of Groningen and

Wednesday January 16, 2019.

the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The awards are presented by ESNS

12

The Jury

Public Choice Award 2018) and Wilbert

and Reeperbahn Festival, in cooperation

The international jury for the Music Moves

Mutsaers

(Head

Spotify

with Yourope, the European Broadcasting

Europe Talent Awards consists of Huw

Benelux).

Representing

organizing

Union (EBU), Independent Music Companies

Stephens (Presenter BBC Radio 1), Julia

parties are Robert Meijerink (Booker ESNS)

Association (IMPALA), International Music

Gudzent

Melt!),

as the chairman of the Jury and Bjørn Pfarr

Managers Forum (IMMF), Liveurope, Live

Katia Giampaolo (CEO Estragon Club

(Booker Reeperbahn Festival) as the vice-

DMA, European Music Exporters Exchange

Italy), Kristian Kostov (Winner EBBA +

chairman of the jury.

(EMEE) and Digital Music Europe (DME).

(Festival

Programmer

of

Content, the

“Dutch city Groningen under the magic curation of Eurosonic Noorderslag is such an essential place to discover new music” Cai Trefor, Gigwise ESNS: EU

STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG

ESNS: EU creative europe

STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG

“From the bizarre to the delightful Eurosonic is always a treat, even if the sun does sometimes forget to shine” Clash Magazine

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2018

New 3,000-capacity venue is coming to London From VIP-Daily News Magazine, a new venue from the group behind the club Printworks, will open on the Greenwich Peninsula in the summer of 2019.

It will be a multi-purpose space, suitable for hosting concerts, conferences, exhibitions and more.

An outdoor space, The Showground, will accompany the venue, adding the option of a further 7,000 capacity and offering panoramic views of the Canary Wharf skyline, as well as opening up the possibility

Magazine - London

of festival-style events.

Work on the building, which was designed

and Magazine, with its incredible flexibility

fits superbly with what we’re doing on

by the architect studio Nissen Richards, will

both indoor and out, is groundbreaking.”

Greenwich Peninsula - creating a new London

begin this December.

underpinned by creativity, a community with Knight Dragon, the international property

culture and entertainment at its heart.”

Simon Tracey, CEO of the venue’s owner,

and investment company, will also have

Vibration Group, said: “London is still very

a hand in the venture. Richard Margree,

Further details can be found at:

much at the forefront of live events globally

the firms’s CEO, said: “Magazine London

magazinelondon.co.uk.

Westfallenhalle Dortmund - An Interview with Jochen Meschke Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com Jochen

Meschke

has

worked

for

the

Westfallen Dortmund since 1989 and together

Westfallenhalle

concerts and were able to present Sold-outAwards. The demand for tickets in Dortmund

with Sabine Loos, is the joint managing

and the region is strong. We look back on

director of this arena that over the years

the concerts of many well-known artists, for

has evolved into a venue complex, offering

example David Guetta, Judas Priest, Slayer

various locations for fairs, conferences and of

and Sunrise Avenue.

course music events. In particular Meschke is responsible for the live event business .The

VIP News: Please let us know your

very first version of the main arena itself was

thoughts regarding the current market

built in 1925, re-built in 1952 and could

VIP News: How was the business year

situation for concerts and events at

accommodate up to 15.400 visitors. In total

2018 for the Westfalenhalle?

arena levels...

smallest holding up to 2.000 visitors, usually

Jochen Meschke: The year proved to be

Meschke:

hosting around 110 events per year.

very positive for us. We had many sold out

entertainment is “in”. In digital times, people

the company operates 10 locations, with the

14

It

clearly

shows

that

live

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2018

are looking for the real live experience.

very isolated fashion. They are hardly

And they are willing to spend money on it.

ever spotted at industry events and

This interest is high through all kind of age

eventually have very little, or sometimes

groups. We surely benefit from a currently

even no, experience at all in terms of the

strong market.

handling of live events. On the other hand the live music sector is investing and

VIP News: Do you notice any differences

developing improved safety measures.

between domestic and international

Would you say that public and political

productions or even perhaps more

institutions need to, or could, do more

increased similarities?

and operate in a better way to catch up with the current developments of the

Meschke:

American

productions

in

particular are characterised by the fact

live music sector in order to handle these types of issues more appropriately?

that the promoters wants to have the greatest possible control over all framework

Meschke:

Surely

conditions and the use of rights. US

experiences on this topic. We have good

productions are still more expensive than

contacts to the authorities in Dortmund.

German productions, and ticket prices are

For example, we developed the before

higher internationally. In terms of efforts

mentioned

and professionalism, however, German and

cooperation with the fire brigade and the

international productions are becoming

police. Irrespective of this, all parties involved

more and more alike.

must constantly check requirements and, if

Meschke: Our prices have been checked

necessary, make adjustments.

and are reasonable in comparison to our

security

there

are

concept

different

in

fruitful

VIP News: For sure formal safety issues

Jochen Meschke

competitors. The products offered are

and restrictions have been increased in

VIP News: When recently visiting a

those for which there is a sufficiently strong

recent years. What is your experience on

show in the Westfalenhalle, it quickly

demand based on experience. The complaint

this subject?

became obvious that the handlings of

about the pizza is justified. There was a

the catering services are pretty much

mistake on the part of the staff. This will

Meschke: The agreements between the

not up to date. The food offered was

be improved. Re-usable cups are currently

tour promoter, the local promoter and

quite expensive (Beer 0.5liter= 5 Euro),

being tested by us. Nevertheless, not all B2B

us as arena operators have intensified

no wine nor sparkling wine and even

concepts for sustainable tableware are fully

considerably; a coordination meeting on

no organic food. The beer was even

developed yet.

site reliably brings all participants together

served in one usage plastic cups, slices

before the respective event. We ourselves

of pizza (4 Euro) were topped with just

VIP News:Have the requirements of

have developed a security concept document

three to four tiny little tomato or salami

promoters changed much in recent years

that is almost 50 pages thick, with keywords

slices. The service as such was okay, but

or do they more or less seem to be the

such as risk assessment, escape routes

nevertheless serving drinks in one use

same as before?

and evacuation scenarios. Providing high

plastic cups is almost unforgiveable in

standards of safety and security issues to

these times, while certainly also the

Meschke: Today we live in “online

our business partners and visitors is very

variety of available food and beverages

times”. In the field of digitalisation,

important to us. In our experience, concert

needs an improvement.

the demands of promoters are also increasing, for example, for reliable data

goers also have increased awareness of thorough controls at the door and therefore

The Westfalenhalle venue is interna-

have a certain understanding for appropriate

tionally very well known. Wouldn’t it

measures. It remains important for all of us

be a good idea to send those in charge

VIP News: What is on your wish list for

to pay continuous attention to this topic.

for the F&B management at the venue

the upcoming business year 2019?

and mobile communications coverage.

to events such as Roskilde Festival, Oya VIP News: Official authorities, responsible

Festival or Flow Festival for inspiration

Meschke: A strong touring year for all venues

for the administration and approving of

regarding today’s environmental and

to benefit from. The Westfalenhalle is strong

safety regulations seem to operate in a

hospitality standards?

enough to get a nice piece of the cake.

15

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2018

MCT - Legal Limits Set For The Resale Of Tickets For Rammstein Shows in Germany Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com But Viagogo or Ticketbande of course could

a massive scale and advertise them on the

not resist offering tickets for these concerts,

relevant search engines.”

but at least in terms of how Viagogo have already experienced how these terms and

On November 23, the day after the release

conditions can effectively work against

of the press statement advertisements by

their business model. The lawyers of Lichte

Viagogo for Rammstein tickets were still

Rechtsanwälte successfully filed an interim

being displayed at Google, apparently also

injunction against Viagogo at the district

proving that Google is obviously ignoring the

court in Hamburg. The court ruled that

court ruling and even its own certifications

have

Viagogo is not allowed to sell tickets for

rulings for the resale of tickets.

apparently developed one of the most

Rammstein and to claim that those are

sophisticated legal concepts to set back

valid. The verdict furthermore includes that

MCT confirmed that the company even

secondary ticketing for the upcoming tour

Viagogo is not allowed to advertise these

informed Google regarding the court decision,

of the band in Germany.

sales via Google.

but the online giant apparently prefers not to

Back in 2012 MCT successfully managed

In a press statement, lawyer Sebastian Ott

to push back the resale of tickets for three

comment on the ruling saying,: “Together

stadium shows by Take That in Germany.

with the band we are happy that the district

However, MCT previously proved with Take

With a very strict concept to run those shows

court Hamburg followed our opinion and

That, that is able to handle and to identify

with personalized tickets, the company

issued the ban. This again confirms the

resold tickets at the doors of events. So

taught ticket resellers a lesson, that until

path the band has been following for a long

the credibility of Viagogo and other resale

then had not been seen before at the level

time to be able to offer their fans affordable

platforms such Ticketbande and up to a

of stadium shows.

tickets. The court’s decision is a warning

certain extent Google will, hopefully, suffer a

signal to all those who think they can sell

bit on the days when the Rammstein shows

overpriced and invalid Rammstein tickets on

will go on.

MCT

together

with

Rammstein

harm its good business relations with one of

In terms of Rammstein, MCT together with

its best advertisement clients.

the band, the law firm Lichte Rechtsanwälte as well as CTS Eventim, the primary ticketing company, the company managed to take restrictive measures against secondary ticket platforms on to new levels. All ten German stadium shows were sold out almost instantly, brought even temporarily bringing down the server capacities of CTS Eventim on the day when the tickets went on sale.

The legal instruments tor this have been set within the terms and conditions that go along with the tickets. The resale of tickets is strictly forbidden; they even include a penalty fee up to 7.500 for the breach of contract as it is defined in these terms and conditions.

16

Rammstein

VIP NEWS >

NAMES & JOBS

NOVEMBER 2018

John Langford to become AEG Europe COO

UK Agents switch Agency Agents Tom Taaffe and Anna Bewers have

have been with Coda since 2009 and 2011

From VIP-Daily News

joined Coda Agency from UTA.

respectively and were both bookers for

AEG Europe has announced the appointments

Taaffe was formerly at The Agency Group

of John Langford as chief operating officer,

since 2010, which was acquired by UTA

As a result of these promotions, Hardee has

Paul Reeve as chief financial officer, and

in 2015, while Bewers had been with The

welcomed two new bookers to his team,

Emma Bownes in the newly created role of

Agency Group/UTA since 2006, starting

Holly Rowland and Eleanor Ashley, who

vice president of programming across AEG’s

as an assistant, before being promoted to

have been promoted from working as agent

European venue portfolio.

agent in the summer of 2013.

assistants within Coda. Rebecca Bates, has

From VIP-Daily News

partner agent Alex Hardee.

also been promoted to booker for Mike Langford previously served as vice president

The pair join leading agents Natasha Bent

and general manager of The O2, while Reeve

and Geoff Meall in making the switch.

served as finance director of The O2 & The

Malak, who was his assistant previously.

Coda partner James Whitting said: “We are

SSE Arena, Wembley, and Bownes previously

Taaffe said: “I’m excited at the idea of

thrilled to be welcoming Tom and Anna to

served as programming director.

growing my roster with this company and

the team. With all the knowledge they bring,

learning off some of the very best agents

in their chosen fields, we know they will

The three appointments follow the recent

that work in this business today. Coda has a

thrive here. Congratulations also to Holly,

news that Alex Hill will take over as president

great reputation for discovering and growing

Eleanor, Rebecca, Andy and Ryan on their

of AEG Europe from 1st January 2019.

what is current in every genre.”

promotions. We know they will excel in their new roles.”

AEG Europe owns and operates major venues

Bewers, who has worked with acts such as

across Europe including The O2 in London;

Nothing But Thieves and was nominated for

Coda is partnered with Paradigm Talent

The

Hamburg’s

Best Live Agent at the 2018 Music Week

Agency and launched a joint venture with

Barclaycard Arena; Berlin’s Mercedes Benz

SSE

Arena,

Wembley;

Awards, said: “I`m thrilled to be joining

Independent Talent Group last year. Its

Arena and Verti Music Hall; Stockholm Live;

Coda Agency and to start the next phase of

eclectic roster includes Liam Gallagher, The

and AccorHotels Arena in Paris.

my career. The agency has a reputation for

xx, Imagine Dragons, Sia, Rag’N’Bone Man,

signing the hottest artists and I`m excited to

Bon Iver, Ellie Goulding, Take That, The

Commenting on the appointments, Alex Hill

work with some of the most innovative and

Prodigy, Chvrches, Shawn Mendes, Years &

said: “I’m looking forward to working closely

dynamic agents in the business.”

Years, and First Aid Kit.

with John, Paul and Emma in continuing our vision of excellence across our portfolio of

Coda has also made a number of internal

European Venues and other live entertainment

promotions,

and sports properties”.

Clayton and Ryan Penty to agents. The duo

PHOTO: (L-R) John Langford, Emma Bownes and Paul Reeve

18

Tom Taaffe

including

promoting

Andy

Anna Bewers

VIP NEWS > BUSINESS >

MUSIC IN SHARES

NOVEMBER 2018

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

As there will be no December issue of VIP News, it is time for

annual performance increase of 16.4 per cent, reaching therewith

an annual review of how the share price developed within

almost exactly a market capitalisation of $11 billion.

the last twelve months.

Spotify CTS Eventim

- When Hopes Are Vanishing

- Backlash in Uncertain Stock Market Times Only on the market since April 4 at New York Stock Exchange Besides the fact that the CTS Eventim delivered solid and even

(NYSE), the share price of Spotify reached, thanks to the hope and

significantly increased results for the third quarter (Q3-2018),

glory related to tech stocks impressively high prices, but meanwhile

the share price could not maintain the price level it achieved in

is affected by the overall scepticism related to such companies. The

November 2017.

closing price on the first trading day was $114.5, now it is $115.10.

However, this share in the meantime peaked at an overall high of

With the revenue up almost 24 per cent (23.9 per cent) to 922,5

$173.36 and still impresses with a market capitalisation of $20.5

million Euro (Q3-2017/ 744.8 million Euro and an Earnings before

billion.

Interests, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation result (EBITDA) of 140 million Euro, CTS once again confirmed the prosperity of its business model.

Eventbrite - Still A Stock Market Newbie

However, one year ago on November 23rd that share price still was at 40.04 Euro. This time on November 23 it is 34.20 Euro, losing

Eventbrite celebrated its stock market debut just recently on

over the year 15.51 per cent but with a market capitalisation 3.24

September 20, it went on sale at $36.50 per share and since then

billion Euro still remains a heavy weight company.

melted down $27.99 but nevertheless is still considerable with a market capitalisation of $2.18 billion.

DEAG - Slightly Improved One year ago the DEAG share stood at 3.13 Euro, this time it is 3.42 an improvement of 6.66 per cent. Revenue results Q3-2018 are up from 108 up 153 million Euros. For the annual results DEAG expect a revenue of 200 million Euro an Earnings before Interests and Taxes result (EBIT) of 8.2 million Euro.

Live Nation - Trendsetter Of Its Own The blue chip candidate among beloved corporate concert companies Live Nation underline its growth ambitions. With a previous share price of $45.26 it stands this time at $52.69, an

19

VIP NEWS > MISC >

NOVEMBER 2018

MEMBER PRESENTATION

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

ARTIST AVAILS LOS DE ABAJO Style: Ska / Mestizo / Cumbia Latin Territory: All Europe Period: End May to end July 2019 Agency: Frusion and FIzzion Agent: Ian Smith Phone: +44 7791 699889 E-mail: ian@frusion.co.uk Homepage: www.fizzion.eu/artist.php?id=169

FABIUS CONSTABLE & THE CELTIC HARP ORCHESTRA Territory: Worldwide Period: On demand Agency: Ass. Culturale `The White Stag` Agent: Sabrina Noseda Phone: +39 392 771 1392 E-mail: arpaceltica@yahoo.com Homepage: www.arpaceltica.com

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

Moon and Stars Festival A great atmosphere coupled with the inimitable backdrop of Piazza Grande: the

BEL CANTO Territory: Worldwide Period: 1st March to 1st October 2019 Agency: Artist Vision Agent: Eivind Brydoy Phone: +47 4504 8048 E-mail: eivind@artist.vision Homepage: www.artist.vision

Moon&Stars festival is a spectacular event year after year. The romantic charm of the festival, with its Ticinese dolce vita and the picturesque backdrop of Locarno easily surpasses the appeal of any other festival. 2019 the festival takes place from 12th to 21st July.

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

TANTZ Territory: Worldwide Period: On demand Agency: Ludwig Sound Booking Agency Agent: Carmela Senfett Phone: +49 1769 9775788 E-mail: info@ludwigsound.com Homepage: www.ludwigsound.com/artist/tantz/

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

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