VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
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VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
McGowan’s
Musings
January was a busy month for the VIP team –
of the music industry; Midem is without internationaldelegates – still less than the
we all went to Groningen for what appeared
doubt the original music business market,
totalsclaimed by Midem- but definitelymade
to be an extremely successful editio n of
starting up in one hotel suite in the late 60’s
up of independentsand those constructing
Eurosonic /Noorderslag (see report in this
and was in its heydays in the 70’s and 80’s,
tomorrow’sformats. Not to say though that
issue). Our sales team went to Cannes for
attracting 12000 plus professionalsfrom all
Eurosonic is averse to a bit of glamour, as well
Midem, where despite another decrease in
over the world (now these are down to half
demonstrated by the excellentproduction
numbers, many found it easier to do business
that) at a time when the musicbusiness –
and hosting of the Border Breakers Awards
in the less crowded marketplace, and came
few used the word industry in those days –
and the European Festival Awards and the
away satisfied with the outcome.
convinceditself that it had settledon a set
event’s shrewd and effective courting of
format, with the major record companies
the EU’s Brussels based creative industries
The varying fortunes of these two events are a
pulling in vast sums, (with execs spending
decisionmakers and paymasters.
good example of the rapidly changingshape
ridiculousamounts in Cannes!) and ruling
COLOPHON > VIP-News is published by: VIP-Booking 145-157 St John Street London Ec1V 4PW 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 +44 870 755 0092
the roost. Then came piracy, downloadsetc,
So, excuse me going off on one, but I
all the well documentedattacksthat brought
suppose what I’m getting at is the fact that
the strongholddown, with the power passing
today we have a two tier business, and
to the live industry (note the acceptanceof
that this is not necessarily a bad thing as
the term by that sector– I think the ILMC
long as we maintainthe balance and avoid
had a lot to do with that..) – at least for a
the excessesof the past. The Office of Fair
while. However Midem still clings on to a
Tradingin the UK have obviously been on
business model with pretensions of grandeur
the lookout for this and are scrutinising the
– it wants to associate with the high rollers
situationregardingownership of London’s
(after all it’s an expensive event to stage
large venues and the dominance of AEG and
and to attend!) – hence it’s courting of the
Live Nation. (See story in this issue)
moneyedsectors of associated industries, and technologies, which is not necessarily a
Of course whatever sector or level of the
bad thing, this is show business and a bit of
musicbusiness you look at one of the things
glamour attracts!
that make it attractive is the presence of truly individual characters; unfortunately we
Eurosonic, although having been part of
recentlylost two of these with the sad passing
a developing event for 27 years, has really
of Claude Nobs in Switzerland and Henning
establishedits position over the last ten
Togel in Germany – they will both be missed.
years, building its artist showcase schedules into a festival event (Midem introduced a
So, a somewhat serious Musings, but these
tentative move in this direction a couple
are also two-tier and no doubt I’ll be banging
of years ago) and making itself accessible on about incontinent seagulls and the like and affordableto the newly developing again soon – in the meantime Ladies and businesses, and this year sold out with 3500
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Gentlemen – The News!
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
UK Government Proposes Amendments to Live Music Act Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com The UK Government has issued a new proposal to raise the Live
Regulation will remain in place for all activities that exceed the
Musi c Act audience threshold from 200 to 500 in on-licensed
audiencelimits and timings listed above.
premises. Although this is good news for many, there is still a worry amongst The proposal comes in a response from the Department for Culture,
many venues that rely on ticket sales that more pub venues could
Media and Sport to its consultation on entertainment deregulation.
present live music for free, or for very low ticket prices, hoping
Also among the conclusions of the response is the decision to
to make their profits from increases wet sales, leading to more
treat recorded music in the same way as live music in on-licensed
competitionfor venues that are struggling in the present economic
premisesbetween 08:00 to 23:00 (i.e. with an audience limit of
climate.
500 and the prospect of a Review if noise nuisance is caused). Live and recorded music held on premises owned by the above
The Live Music Forum’s Phil Little said:
organisationswill be exempt from licensing requirements for
“The Live Music Forum campaigned for almost twenty years to
audiencesup to 500 people. Community premises such as church
bring about these changes and they are more than we hoped for.
and village halls and community centres will be exempt from
However, it is plain that much of the damage to the scene has
licensingrequirements for live and recorded music for audiences
alreadybeen done. Without an improvement in audience attend-
of up to 500 people.
ance across the board we have an awful long way to go to match
Circuses, however, will be exempt from regulation for live and
the vibrancy of live music performance in previous decades.”
recordedmusic, plays, dance and indoor sport between 08:00 to
The full DCMS response can be found here.
23:00 with no audience restrictions.
The Live Music Forum Downing Street Petition Party (Photo by Anderson Photography) Left to right - Lord Clement-Jones, John Whittingdale MP, John Otway, Phil Little, Hamish Birchall, Tom Kiehl, Lord Colwyn
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VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
Pop Most Popular Genre in The UK in 2012 Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
Stats from the Official Charts Company and BPI have revealed that, for the second year running, Pop lives up to the term as the most popular type of music in the UK for the second year running in 2012. The genre dominated in both album and singles sales, accounting for 33.5% of album sales (down just slightly on 33.6% in 2011), and 38.5% of singles, its highest share for a decade. There was some optimism for those predicting a return to rock as this genre did account for a bigger share of album sales in 2012 than in 2011 - 31.3% compared to 29.4%., still trailing the heady days of 2006 when 41.5% of album sales came from rock releases. OCC MD Martin Talbot added: “It is apt that, in the year that we celebrated 60 years of the Official Singles Chart, pop music remained as robust as ever in 2012 - through the likes of Emeli Sandé, Carly Rae Jepsen, Adele, One Direction, Olly Murs and Lana Del Rey, among others. But, with many commentators predicting that guitar music will return over the next couple of years, it is also notable that rock music in its broadest sense also rebounded with Coldplay, Mumford & Sons and Gotye enjoyingvery successful years in their own right. Green shoots which are destined to grow over the coming months, perhaps.”
Rock-genre
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The beautiful and nominated Rita Ora
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
So – will these trends have an effect on the outcome of the BRIT Awards? – the following shortlists may give us a clue: The event will take place on February 20th.
Best British Male:
Best International Male:
Calvin Harris, Plan B, Richard Hawley, Olly Murs, Ben Howard
Jack White, Gotye, Michael Buble, Frank Ocean, Bruce Springsteen
Best British Female:
Best International Female:
Emeli Sandé, Paloma Faith, Bat For Lashes, Jessie Ware,
Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Cat Power, Lana Del Rey, TaylorSwift
Amy Winehouse
British Album Of The Year:
Best British Group:
Alt-J - An Awesome Wave, Emeli Sandé - Our Version of Events,
Mumford & Sons, The xx, Muse, One Direction, Alt-J
Paloma Faith - Fall To Grace, Plan B - iLL Manors, Mumford & Sons
Best Live Act: Mumford & Sons, Coldplay, Muse, The Vaccines, The RollingStones Best British Breakthrough: Jake Bugg, Jessie Ware, Alt-J, Ben Howard, Rita Ora Best International Group: The Black Keys, The Script, Alabama Shakes, Fun, The Killers
- Babel Best British Single: Adele - Skyfall, Alex Clare - Too Close, Coldplay & Rihanna Princessof China, DJ Fresh feat Rita Ora - Hot Right Now, Emeli Sandé - Next To Me, FlorenceAnd The Machine - Spectrum, James Arthur- Impossible, JessieJ - Domino, Rizzle Kicks Mama Do The Hump, Labrinth & Emeli Sandé - Beneath Your Beautiful, Robbie Williams- Candy, Olly Murs feat Flo Rida Troublemaker, Rita Ora feat Tine Tempah - RIP, Stooshe - Black Heart, Rudimentalfeat John Newman - Feel The Love
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info@in.stuttgart.de www.in.stuttgart.de
13.11.12 18:32
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VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
New Head Announced for Montreux Jazz Festival Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Following the tragic death of the founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, Claude Nobs, Mathieu Jaton has been named as the new
Mathieu Jaton is the new head of Montreux Jazz, photo Lionel Flusin
Claude Nobs, photo Getty Images
head of the world famous event. A hugely popular figure, Claude Nobs went into a coma following a skiing accident at Christmas. Mathieu Jaton took over for what was hoped to be a temporary period while Claude recovered, however this was not to be, and Jaton will now assume the job permanently. This year’s Festival is due to take place from 5-20 Jul. A tribute concert for Nobs will take place at
6
the Stravinsky Auditorium in Montreux on 8
this spring. An event at the Royal Opera
on prior to his death, is scheduled to go
Feb, followed by another event in New York
House in London, which Nobs was working
ahead on 26-27 July.
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
War Child and O2 host The War Child BRIT Awards Concert Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
War Child and O2 have announced Muse as the headline act for the
Ben Knowles, Director of Fundraising and Music at War Child, says:
much anticipated annual event at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, two
“This year is a special one for War Child and we’re delighted to
nights before the 2013 BRIT Awards. This event marks the start of
welcome one of the world’s biggest and best live bands play for
War Child’s 20th Anniversary Year, and comes ahead of War Child’s
us to launch our 20th Anniversary year and celebrate our Special
Special Recognition Award to be presented at the BRIT Awards, while
RecognitionBRIT Award. Music gives War Child an incredible platform
Muse are nominated for British Group and British Live Act.
to talk about the unacceptable impact that conflict has on innocent children and it helps us engage the support we need to do something
Matt Bellamy says;
about it. We are very grateful to Muse for joining us, and to O2 for
“We are proud to have a continuing association with War Child, who
their ongoing support.”
have been doing amazing work over the last 20 years. It’s great to
see their efforts being recognised at this year’s BRITs and we are really
Sally Cowdry, Marketing and Consumer Director at O2 said:
looking forward to playing this special show for them”.
“This is a very special year for us - it’s our 5th year of working with War
Child and what better way to recognise this and help them celebrate
This is the fifth year of War Child and O2’s annual BRIT Awards
their 20th anniversary than by announcing such an incredibleevent?
Concert, hosted at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Having raised over
We are proud to continue to support the fantastic work that they do
£600,000 in the last four years, the night is a firm fixture on the
and to be able to offer our customers Priority Tickets for what will
music calendar and has staged unique performances from Coldplay,
undoubtedly be one of the biggest gigs of the year “.
The Killers, Blur, Kasabian, Ed Sheeran and Mark Ronson. All ticket
proceeds will go to aid War Child’s work with children in war zones
For more information on War Child go to www.warchild.org.uk
across the world.
Text SAFE to 70444 to donate £3 to War Child’s Appeal for children in Syria.
Sally Cowdry, Marketing and Consumer Director at O2
War Child and O2 have announced Muse with Matt Belamy in front as the headline act
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VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
PR Merger Produces Factory 92 Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com PR agencies The Rocking Factory and Queen About Music, both based in Hamburg- have announced
For more information:
that they are merging to becomeFactory92. The new company will offer PR services throughout
QUEEN ABOUT MUSIC @ Facebook
Europe.
[www.facebook.com/QueenAboutMusic]
Two brands will operate under the Factory 92 banner: Queen About Music, dealing with on radio, tour and festival promotion in Germany, and The Scoop Engine (previously run by The Rocking Factory),
THE SCOOP ENGINE @ Facebook
providing pan-European PR services.
[www.facebook.com/thescoopengine]
... and soon www.factory92.eu
MAMA Take Ownership of Lovebox Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
On Wednesday 23rd January 2013; MAMA & Company reported
Dean James CEO of MAMA & Company says;
the completion of a deal to take on sole ownership of Lovebox, the
“We have enjoyed working with Tom and Andy over the years, but
Londonfestival founded by DJs Andy Cato and Tom Findlay of Groove
the reality is that we have been running this festival since 2009. Two
Armada in 2002. The event held in Victoria Park has grown from a
of the original founders, Tim Harvey and Jools Butterfield are still very
club night to become an award-winning, three-day event. Originally
much part of the fabric of the event and working with Rob Silver, Rich
devoted to dance music, over the last 10 years Lovebox has expanded
McGinnis and Dave McCalmont, the future of the show is in good
into other genres including hip hop, indie, rock and pop. MAMA has
hands. Lovebox is London’s best and most creative festival and we
been working with the DJ’s since 2007, and the acquisition follows
look forward to putting on a great party in Victoria Park this summer
news of the company’s management buyout and partnership with
on what will be Lovebox’s 10th anniversary.”
LDC in December 2012. Lovebox 2013 will take place between 19th – 21st July.
8
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VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
Live Nation, AEG Square Up in Londonand the OFT Moves in to Referee Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
After last year’s ‘soggy summer’, which
proposed but not yet completed Wembley
affectedmany festivals and nearly made
deal, could lead to a “substantial lessening
the grass in Hyde Park extinct, we could
of competition” for live music in the capital,
be lookingat a ‘sultry summer’ with the
and will decide whether to refer the issue of
temperaturebeing raised by the two giants
AEG controlling London’s two biggest arenas
of live music slugging it out over competing
to the Competition Commission.
venues and events. The regulatory body can impose restrictions The situation regarding control of major
if it elects to do so, such as it did in 2007,
Londonvenues, Hyde Park, Wembley Arena
when it ruled that because of potential
and the Olympic Stadium has alerted The
concernsover ticket pricing control, Live
Officeof Fair Trading (OFT) which will carry
Nation and Gaiety Investments must sell off
out an investigation of concerns that the
HammersmithApollo and The Forum before
potential ownership structure could result
buying into Academy Music Group. AEG’s
in higher ticket prices and less choice of big
prospective control over the two biggest exclusivedeal to host gigs at the Olympic
name acts.
venuescould give them the muscle to
Park and stadium in east London this
increaseticket prices and give them greater
summer, with the Wireless Festival and Hard
control over obtaining artists.
Rock Calling defecting from Hyde Park, a
The dominant Companies, Live Nation and AEG, owners of the East London O2 Arena,
Live Nation responded by announcing an
number of concerts to be held in the stadium
have been very active of late; Live Nation
Park Wars!
during the summer. The London Legacy
recentlysecured the rights to stage gigs at
We now seem to be observing the first forays
Development Corporation today confirmed it
the Olympic stadium complex in east London,
of Park Wars! Live Nation announced that it
has entered into a contract to bring a series
and as well as joining a consortium to buy the
had pulled out of the Hyde Park tendering
of concerts and festivals to Queen Elizabeth
Hammersmith Apollo from the beleaguered
process in the autumn. Following the
Olympic Park this summer, ahead of its full
retailer HMV, rival AEG secured the contract
dramaticimposition of a curfew, which saw
opening in spring 2014.
to stage events in Hyde Park, replacing Live
the unplugging of Paul McCartney and Bruce
The deal gives Live Nation exclusive rights to
Nation, which had been responsible for
Springsteen mid jam, Head of Events for The
host major music concerts in the North Park
events such as Live 8 and Hard Rock Calling
Royal Parks, James Russell, said: Curfew s
and stadium in summer 2013.
in the central London park for 10 years Then,
would remain the same as last year, but
before Christmas, AEG moved in on Wemble
hoped that there will not be a repeat of that
John Reid, President of Concerts at Live
Arena in North London, which Live Nation
cutting off. Live Nation said there were too
Nation Europe, said:
had held the management contract for the
many problems with noise levels amongst
“As the world’s leading provider of music
previous six years. They do love their sparring
other problems. However a spokesman
festivals and outdoor events, Live Nation
and their shopping these giants!
for The Royal Parks Agency, said that “Live
is delighted to have won the inaugural
Natio n participated in the tender process
contract for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Anyway, AEG’s ambitious London expansion
from start to finish but was not selected as
In the coming weeks, we will unveil the
came to the attention of the OFT which
the preferred bidder”.
headline acts for the first Wireless and Hard
launched an investigation into whether the
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John Reid
Rock festivalsto be staged in London’s new
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
flagshipvenue, which promise to be the UK’s
experiences at The O2 - and shares it within
Last year, fans complained that gigs by Blur
blockbuster events of 2013.”
the world’s greatest outdoor venue, Hyde
and Madonna were too quiet, as a result of
Park. We literally started with a blank canvas
noise restrictions imposed by Westminster
Dennis the
Hone,
Chief
LondonLegacy
Executive
of
and in Barclaycard British Summer Time,
council, but AEG says a repositioned stage
Development
we have created what we believe to be
will allow the volume to be turned up without
Corporation said:
the ultimatein Summer events - fantastic
disturbing local residents. Events Director Jim
“This summer Queen Elizabeth Olympic music, great food, drinks, farmers markets,
King says that an independent report makes
Park will once again host some of the
theatre, film - and much more incredible
it very clear that the “orientation and position
greatestshows on earth. I’m delighted that
entertainment across a full 10 days. The list
of the stage” was of crucial importance, and
leadin g global companies like Live Nation
is endless!”
the new set-up will be “better for residents,
are interestedin the stadium and the Park.
customers and bands. We worked the plan in
We’re thrilled to be working with them this
James Russell, The Royal Parks, Head of
terms of relocating that stage and orienting
summer.”
Events said:
it away from the residents because previously
“This is a new era for entertainment in
it had been firing straight at them.” The new
On 23 January 2013. AEG Live and The
Hyde Park. Hyde Park has such a wonderful
Great Oak Stage with LED panels and screens
Royal Parks announced “Barclaycard British
heritagein hosting world class concerts in the
will be camouflaged within the park setting,
SummerTime - a ground-breaking new event
heart of London, dating back to 1969. Today,
and the lighting control booth will be set in
for 2013, to be held at the greatest outdoor
we are looking forward, and along with AEG
a tree house.
venue in the world - Hyde Park”. The event
Live, we are very excited to be bringing the
promises to give music fans throughout
Barclaycard British Summer Time event to
Residents will have to wait to see if AEG’s
the capital the chance to see many of their
this iconic location that is recognised around
confidence in the report and the changes are
favouriteheadlining and supporting music
the world.”
justified.
artists play over back to back weekends in ticketed events. Bon Jovi were named as the
Well – spot the similarities? It could be an
first headline act with more ‘high profile’ acts
interesting summer for a stroll in the park…
to be announced in the coming weeks. Turning up to 11? Event Director Jim King of AEG Live said:
Although some of the Hyde Park problems
“After a great deal of planning and hard
Live Nation were confronted with involved
work, we are so proud to announce what
noise complaints from local residents, AEG
will no doubt be an incredible event for
intend to raise the volume, with Bon Jovi
London . Barclaycard British Summer Time
claiming in Spinal Tap fashion to turn up to
takes everythingwe have learned indoors at
11.
our other venues - in creating the amazing
®
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CLICK-A-GIG.COM enables artists to MAIL their music to more than 6.000 venues and agencies worldwide…
11
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
Record International Attendance at Eurosonic Noorderslag Conference 2013 Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
Over the four days of the 27th edition
conference
programme
concentrated
Eurosonic were among others BBC (UK),
of Eurosonic Noorderslag which came to
on music of course, but addresse more
DR Musik (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RTBF
an end in the early hours of Sunday the
and more themes from other related
Pure FM (Belgium), Le Mouv’(France), RUV
13th of January, 304 European acts and
businesses, such as creative policy and
(Iceland) , RTE (Ireland), Radio Belgrade
bands and an audienceof 35,000 music
new
number
(Serbia) and WDR (Germany). In the
lovers and professionalscame together in
of panels packed out, including the Agents
Netherlands NOS, NTR, 3FM, Radio6,
in Groningen, Holland.
Panel – chaired by yours truly, many were
3voor12 and de Volkskrant presented
surprised that they couldn’t get in.
comprehensive
technologies.
good
reporting on
radio,
The number of international delegates
television and the Internet . The EBBA
to the conference increased by 1,100 on
The conference and showcase festival Awards presented by Jools Holland were
last year to 1,500., combining with local
was broadcast internationally on radio ,
delegates to produce a sell out figure televisionand of 3500 delegates. A comprehensiv e
Official Figures: Total number of visitors Eurosonic Noorderslag: 35,000 (sold out) Visitors Conference: 3,250 (sold out) Nationalities: 45 Acts: 304 Media and journalists: 404 EBU radio stations: 31 ETEP festivals: 78 International festivals: 417 Number of stages Eurosonic: 36 Number of stages Noorderslag: 12
12
A
internet.
Radio
and
televisio n channels broadcasting from
broadcast live on YouTube and recorded for TV.
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
EBBA-host Jools Holland and co-host Birgit Schuurman, photo René Keijzer
Winners at EBBA, Photo René Keijzer
Comments on Eurosonic Noorderslag 2013 if you’re in this business, that’s the way to
people attendingthe panelsbecausethey
start the year.
could live click. The presentation of the panel-listwent excessivelywell, on the
Looking
around
and
Eurosoni c Noorderslag
first day it doubledmy expectation, on the
other
secondday more than 1200 people used
conventions– what is particular and
it. It was interesting, because they used it
remarkable about this event?
in a way I didn’t think about. We designed
– The settings. The way that they’ve set
that, because we were thinking it would
up the festival, the way that they’ve set
be a great reminder for the delegates of
the stage in the middle of the conference-
the panel they were at. But some people
area. The Oosterpoort is really a fantastic
pick it up quickly and they walked into the
venue, it’s a real chameleon, you have bars
pane l, live-click, get the presentation on
and stages, people performing in all sorts
their iPadand following the presentation
of places , they change every day, they’re
of the panel-list during the panel by using
taking al lot of attention for all sorts of
this gadget. They reversed the method,
Intelitix acts as service provider for Eurosonic
details. Then you go in town, everything
which is brilliant.
Noorderslag and supplies the event with
is in walking distance, you have 26 venues
an RFID-system. Serge Grimau x himself
in walking distance, which is impossible to
Do you know any figures off the top
is the founder and CEO of the company
imagine in another place in the world. All
of your head about the usage of your
that runs offices in Canada, the UK and
these surroundings, it’s a charming city, it’s
systems?
the US. Besides EurosonicNoorderslagthe
a place where you learn to meet people,
– I can tell you that an average of about
company serve festivals such as Coachella,
to discover things, you know, it’s a breath
1500 delegates received the “where was
Bonnarooor Lolapaloozwith its service,
of fresh air.
I last night”-email and I can tell you that
ranging from cashless paymentfunctions,
from the panel-level it’s an even higher
entrance
How did business go for you?
amount of people that interacted with the
applications for festival visitors.
– I’m very happy about what we’ve done
service. It could not be better.
here, I think people have appreciatedwhat
VIP News ask Serge Grimaux… What is
we’ve done. The “where was I last night”-
Which convention will be the next one
your impression of Eurosonic this year?
email, that the delegates received, that
you attend?
– I think it went amazingly well; it’s my
gave them a summary of all the bands they
The next convention for me will be the ILMC,
third time here. Most impressive for me
saw and enjoyed, all these venues where a
the international live music conferencein
is the energy that is in this whole event.
big plus. It went even better, the receptions
London. We’ll be there for the third year
You cannot start the year in a better way,
were in thousands every day. The panel-list,
and I’ve been there personallyfor the last
that could link peoplewith each other, the
15 years.
Serge Grimaux, CEO of Intellitix
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comparing
controland
social
media
with
13
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
Jake Beaumont-Nesbitt - Executive Director of the IMMF
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
14
a secondtime and then you can build it
What
up. And that is what happens here, you
were
your
impressions
oft
EurosonicNoorderslag 2013?
can couple up with people for a stronger
– There are very exciting people here,
relationshipon the lighter side.
excitingto discover new music and a lot
of interchanges to cross borders. A lot of
How do you use Eurosonic Noorderslag
borderbreaker acts here and Eurosonic’s
for IMMF?
aim of bringing the Europeans together
– We have a good quotient of Eastern-
and sharing their music is really coming
Europeanmanagers, it is very difficult, for
true.
example, to form a music-managers forum
in Poland. But here you can find Bratislava,
Did you get any business out of this
Poland, Estonia and we start to help them
year’s edition already?
to share information with the rest of us.
– Yes, I think so. I got business in the
We’re now beginning to find a critical mass
contactsand connections and I’m just
in the industry of the countries in the east,
The International Music Manager Forum refreshingexisting connections. It used to
that’s just got to build up. That’s a thing
is just one of many music industry
be that you’ve come to a conference a year
that really worked here for us; we’ve found
organisationsthat regularly attend the
ago and you meet someone for the first time
eastern Europeans and connected them to
EurosonicNoorderslag. Jake Beaumont-
and you got a new contact, then you get
our network.
Nesbitt is the Executive Director and
home
furthermoremanages the Dutch band Go
cardor you are too busy to make a call.
Back To The Zoo....
So, sometime s you need to meet them
Anzeige_VIPMag_ProSky_X4.pdf
C
VIP News ask Jake Beaumont-Nesbitt…
1
09.12.10
and
you’ve
10:43
lost
the
business-
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
EBU-radio station, they’re our partners.
something like that. This year it’s a little bit
These people are also making suggestions
more than 5000.
to me, more than one. All these sugges-
tions are interested to play at Eurosonic,
More venues, more slots?
not every band is interested to play at
– Yes, on Wednesday evening we used two
Eurosonic. So, for me as a booker it’s not
more venues, we had the Rockpalast-co
only consideringthese bands, I have to find
-hosting-night, Rockpalast presenting in
out if these bands would love to play at
the Huize Maas, and we used the Minerva
Eurosonic. In other words, are they open
again. We used it for a very long time when
for them to make an assessment in their
we had a focus on Germany, but then they
career, becauseafter all these years it’s still
were reconstructing the building, so we
a showcase-festival.
decidedto add the museum for the very
first time. That was great, because the
From the ETEP Programme, how have
museumwas on the top of our list, we
those chosen progressed?
wanted to collaborate with the museum
Robert Meijerink looks after the booking
– Yes, you know, I’m always surprised, in a
but the former director was not open for
of the Eurosonic-Festival in Groningen and
good way, about the first vote. But it’s only
that, the new director just said “okay, let’s
as ever VIP News asks Meijerink at the end
a first vote.
do it!”
of each festival about the current edition
of the music convention that meanwhile
Did you expect C2C to get so many… ?
Is this now the maximum capacity you
has probably become to one of the most
– Yes I think so. They won an award,
can run here?
importantindustry events in Europe.
but it all went very fast for them. They
– No, I don’t think so, but we are not
had a summerhit in France and now it’s
lookingfor a maximum capacity. Eurosonic
VIP News ask Robert Meijerink… 5000
spreadingall over Europe. And for all the
is still a festival where so many bands
applications, how do you manage to
other mentioned etep-bands, I will say, they
with diverse music-styles are playing. Our
get through all this?
have a good story in their home country.
festivalis there to serve the radio-stations,
– Work hard, take a good listen and start
At the time where we selected these bands
it’s not for selling more tickets. We think,
early.
they were not as big as they are now.
it is a festival for the professionals. Of
These bands were booked maybe four
course, we welcome all the people who
When do you start on it?
or five month ago, so in this time frame
love music, they are very important for us
– We open the applications every year
somethinghappens. ???...it builds up very
as well, but the main thing is to serve the
from the 1st of May and from then on
slowly or hard. For example, Palma Violets,
new radio-stations. That has nothing to do
I’m listeningto all the applications. Not
I like this band very much, it’s a very good
with quantity, more with quality.
only once, more times, because I think it
band, but on the other hand it could have
changesa lot in your listening-process.
been me who say on this evening that it is
Will there be any changes in terms
Sometimes I’m listening to a band and I
still a great band with the backing of the
of your collaborations with Yourope,
don’t like it, but maybe one week later I
BBC and stuff like that. So, it’s always out
do you reinvent anything, perhaps
think, oh, maybe it’s not as bad as I thought
of the hands of a booker, you know.
improv e the
by my first impression. That process lasts till
in terms of more internal talks and
the deadline on November 1st.
Did anything change on the level of
discussions?
the applications? Has that become
– Well, we’re working on that Ceetep
Do most of the bands get in from of
differentin the recent years?
program , as you know. For my point of
these applications?
– Actually not, the booking process is very
view, the Ceetep is very important for the
– Yes.
much the same as in the last years. Since
future of European music in general. After
I’m a booker it’s the same process.
one year I can say, we have many years to
Robert Meijerink, Head of Booking at Eurosonic
What
about
recommendations
of
selection-procedure
go, there’s many work to do, there are no
recordlabels, managements or agents,
5000 applications, has that set a new
problems to be solved but we really need
are they considered separately?
record?
to stay connected with each other. I follow
– No, of course there are people who
– No, it’s the same as last year, just a little
it, I’m a part of it, but for me, as a booker
offeradvice, we’re connected with the
bit more. Last year it was about 4700,
of Eurosonic I think there is something
15
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
goingon over there. We have to focus and
As a booker I always have to explain that it
which influencesthe pop artist nowadays.
invest in central Europe in terms of talents,
is even better to wait another year instead of
They don’t copy a band from America;
generate talents and make them visible
playing this year. So, there’s much more going
they reinventtheir own culture or heritage
over there. For me as a booker it’s great to
on than just listening and slating the acts.
from thirty or forty years ago. They make
have such a project involved, I think that
somethingdifferent with it and use it as a
the future is in these kinds of projects. In
Can you already say that there’s a shift
style.
order to have a great balance in Europe,
towards bigger and better awareness
it’s not only just the Nordic or the western
for central European artists, not only
European and national politicians are
part of Europe, we have to move a little bit
US- or UK-Artists?
considering the value of popular music
more to the east and try to locate and spot
– I don’t think that we can say that. We are
in terms of culture. Do you wish that
new talents, book them in the right time
aware of the fact that we need to build on
there would be a stronger support for
and in the right venue.
this, that we try to build it together with
popular music by politicians and people
all these countries. Because even these
in administrations?
How do you do this? Do you travel
countries are not naturally connected with
– Yes, I think it’s needed. The pop-culture
more often to Romania, Bulgaria or
each other, they speak different languages,
is still a young culture and if you compare
other countries in Eastern Europe or to
they got their own culture, some countries
pop-culture with theatre, classical music
other conventions and festivals there?
were at war and it’s not a long time ago.
or jazz – there is so much money going to
– During the last couple of years I’ve
So, there is much to talk about, much to
these cultural sectors. We are now in the
visiteda lot of festivals over there but
discuss.
moment, where we show the people that this is a new sector. I hope, that the people
I’m not in Eastern Europe in every week, that is not possible. But we are connect-
So, it is still not the case that we got
from the European commission consider
ed with each other, my colleague Douwe
something like a change in terms of the
pop-music officially as a sector in order of
is connectedwith people, who are in the
acceptance of European talents versus
investments and improvements, show the
Ceetep festival- pooland there are also
UK/US-Talents?
people in Europe that they believe in it
journalistswho are part of it. For me as
– Well, not versus – okay, if you want to
and try to stimulate the local festival, the
a booker the informationfrom this pro-
compare to the UK or US, of course. But,
local clubs, even the artist. In the end it’s
ject is very interesting. Douwe is part of
for example, we always have a couple of
like a circle with the clubs, the artist, it’s
the booking team of Eurosonic and based
bands from the Eastern part that really got
all needed. It’s a professional sector, there
here in Groningen. But it’s not only Eastern
a high quality. You know, they can match
is a lot of money in it, and there are many
Europe, also Southern Europe, let’s focus
with bands from the US and the UK. They
people who earn money in the music-
on Italy, there is so much going on. But
have their own cultureand their own style
business nowadays. Also there are people
you still have to explain what Eurosonic is
of music. Of course, Bands from the US and
who don’t earn anything, they work very
about, what kind of opportunities we offer.
UK are very important, very influential on
hard because they love it, they love to play,
If there are people who love to play Euro-
the Europeanmusic. But if you really dive
they love to book, they love to promote or
sonic I always say something like: “It’s great
into the music and the culture, you will find
to make records, whatever. So, I definitely
if you want to play Eurosonic, but are you
out, that there is such a thing like European
think it is time; we need the backup of the
ready for it?”
culture or a national culture from a country
politicians.
The First ETEP-Selection (Name of the acts and number bookings):
16
Palma Violets (11)
C2C (9)
Churches (8)
Ragleklods (6)
Villagers (5)
The Royal Concept (5)
Jake Bugg (8)
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
Mid Level Touring – What Does it Actually Cost? Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
FISH Reveals the Figures:
Venue:
… Some years ago when I was doing some work with the management
Capacity: 700 (on the tour we are playing venues from 400 cap ( x3)
of the rock band Saxon, our neighbours in a West London office were
to 1200 (1) the rest average around 650-700).
the managers of the then particularly successful UK band, Marillion. As a result I got to meet and spend the odd half hour with their
Ticket price (all prices in pounds sterling) 22.50 net after VAT 18.75
formidableScottish singer Derek Dick, much better known as Fish. I
net after PRS (publishing on songs played during performance,
recall one particular incident when halfway through a number at a gig
takes over a year to come back minus percentages to society):
in Hong Kong he caught sight of me entering the venue, replacing
£18.19.
some lyrics with the greeting, “McGowan – what the fuck are you doing here!”…As many will know Fish parted company with Marillion
Total receipts at Box office on capacity sell out £12,731.
a few years ago taking up a solo career and fronting his own bands. Expenditure Fish is now based back in Scotland and is still musically active and in
Support: 50: (standard fee)
demand, and on his site I happened to come across this very detailed
Catering: 300: for 10 people (sandwiches, teas coffees, soft drinks,
and informative break down of what it costs the artist, in both
water -lunch, main meal at night (normally a 10 “buyout” = fend
financialand labour terms, to undertake a mid level tour in the UK,
for yourselves), 6 bottles of wine + soft drinks, water and snacks for
this particular example was his spring 2012 tour . I figured this would
dressing room.
interest a lot of VIP readers, so called him to ask if we could use the article, fortunately he was happy to oblige. So, Ladies and Gentlemen
Venue Hire: 1100: normally this is inclusive of PA and lights as most
I hand you over to the informative writing of Fish… Allan McGowan.
venues have their own installations, it also includes security, local crew (‘humpers’), towels etc. Cheapest venue hire is 250 but PA and securityadd on 950. Most expensive is 2250 (and that is a 400
I’m sitting here in the control room listening to the rough mixes of the
capacity) Average is around 1500.
Saturday night performance at the Leamington Spa convention last year while contemplating the May touring figures in the UK. Many
PA/Lights/Security/Crew/Barriers/Towels: as I said are inclusive at this
of you were interested and surprised at the last blog regarding the
level of gigging. Next one up they become extras or venue hire rates
state of the music industry with regards to distribution and my survival
go up accordingly.
ideas. I touched on the touring situation and the difficulties therein and after talking to Yatta (Tour Manager) I have decided to take it a
Rep: 120: this what we pay per show for the promoters representative
step further and open up with some details that may surprise you.
who liaises with the venue and ourselves and takes care of the fees due on the night of show.
What I am about to disclose is a picture of a typical tour costs assessmentusing an unnamed venue from the May tour with
Local/National press budget: 700: this is based on the total budget
explanationswhere needed as to the figures and what they mean.
split between the 12 shows The Gig Cartel are promoting for me. This covers ads and the cost of a press officer who deals with the tour in
Firstly I am showing the costs from the promoters perspective
advance setting up interviews and notifying local and national press.
and where the money goes. As I said this is a “typical” venue but sometimesthere are variations, which I’ll point out, and explain:
Insurance: 75: this is the insurance the promoter takes out for cancellation/publicliability etc etc again split across 12 shows. It does not cover me.
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VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
Ticketing: as with most venues nowadays the ticketing is outsourced
Crew wages: 400: 4.Sound tech; backline tech; video/light tech and
to agencies who charge what I consider exorbitant fees and earn a
Yatta. As with the musicians these are not top-notch wages but what
tidy profit for very little in my opinion. A 4.50 charge in some cases to
I can afford and I am lucky I have great band and crew guys that have
process a ticket plus postage, which again appears more than enough
remained loyal and give and make time for me.
to cover delivery. Just more middlemen eating the ever decreasing pie.
Agency: 113: This is Yatta’s fee of 5% of the gig guarantee for setting up and booking the tour with the Gig Cartel, booking hotels, sorting
Total expenses for this example are £2245.
out transport, organising and printing itineraries, phone bills, laminates and all the other work that goes into organising a tour before we go
The Gig Cartel has dealt with my last couple of tours and they are
out. It can take months sometimes when dealingwith European bus
easy guys to get on with and total pros, well versed at dealing with
tours across a 6-7 week itinerary. The agency percentagealso covers
bands at this level. There are no hidden office expenses or extras that
my side of earnings after we pass the ‘break even’ point. A mainline
seep away at the expenditure. They guarantee a fee to Yatta and
London booking agent can take between 10-20% of a show fee and
myself, cover their rep and like me hope that we ‘break percentage’
they generally don’t do anything apart from book the gig and only
on the show. That means we
liaise with the band’s production
earn more money as we pass
manager with regards to all the
the ‘break even’ figurewhere
other details.
all venue costs and expenditure is met. The guaranteeis based
Mainline agents (especially the
on the number of tickets they
good ones) are more in demand
expectto sell. It is in no ones’
and more difficult to get than
interestsfor promotersto go
record deals these days as the
out on a limb with unrealistic
live scene takes over as the
figures as that means busted
artist’smain income supplier
promoters , and busted pro-
from selling recorded product.
moters can mean busted and
As I said in the previous blog the
potentially derailed tours and
album sells the tour and not the
other bands getting hit in the
other way around as it used to
aftermath if they are going
be years ago when I started in
through the same promoter (as
the business. I couldn’t afford
happened to me in 91 when I
to deal with a mainline agent
took a kicking on the Exile tour
as it would mean it would be
through a bankrupted company called Bandstand who’d booked me,
unlikelyto get the numbers of gigs I do get as promoters either
sold my tickets and lost the money before they went down as a result
couldn’t afford the fees (re read the busted promoters section above)
of other busted tours just as I hit the road with my tour! I took a 75k
or I couldn’t fit the agents percentage in my budget at the level I work
hit to the head with no comeback available).
on. (Add a manager’s 20% on top and you understand why I don’t have management!).
Yatta haggles over the guarantee as our costs have to be met within that but after all I have said above realism has to exist on all sides. The
Yatta and I have been around the block enough times to know a
percentage splits after the break work accordingly, usually 70-30 in
good selection of European promoters, the ones we trust, the ones
favour of the artist with the Gig Cartel not making any money itself
we want and like to work with and who Yatta can pick up the phone
until after the break even is hit.
and put together a tour with. By not having ‘London’ representation we might lose out on some festivals and other gigs but we have our
My guarantee on every gig on this tour is £2250.
‘meat and potatoes’ and the lower costs mean we can work more often. With no major record company behind me and at 55 years old
The break even on this show requires 273 tickets.
with the numbers I normally do it would be highly unlikely that either a mainline agent or decent manager would look at me anyway. I don’t
And now we move onto my costs! (all minus VAT):
take it personally. I am just realistic which is why we operate as we do.
Band wages: 750: 5 musicians, I am not included in calculations for
Anyway back to the costs!
wages.
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VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
The Scottish singer Derek Dick, better known as FISH
Hotel (4 twin and 2 single) 400: ranges again go from 280 up to 550.
Fuel for Van: 47: an average as you’d expect.
This UK tour is not on a sleeper bus. The journeys are only a matter of a couple of hours, which would mean sleeping parked up outside
Fuel for Car: 25 Yes you did the figures right! There are 10 in the party
venues. On European tours the distances are greater and we couldn’t
and a 9-seater Splitter van. This means yours truly will be following
travel those hours on a gig day. On bus tours we get a hotel every 4
the Clown Carrier again driving to gigs with whatever passenger
days unless there’s horrendous travelling involved ( as we have on a
decides to join me. We haven’t even registered a hire cost here!
long section of the September tour with only a ferry cabin in 8 days). Bus tours can mean a day room on gig day where everyone showers
Strings/Skins etc: 42: Not drug paraphernalia but the ‘throwaways’
etc unless there are facilities in the venue. Bus costs are around 450 a
the musos go through again averaged out over the 12 days. Drum
day for something not luxurious! This UK tour requires doubles, which
skins, drumsticks, guitar strings and bass strings break, wear out
means sharing for the band and crew. Yatta and I have singles.. It’s the
and have to be replaced. It’s a tour cost not an individual’s. Normal
only thing I ‘pull rank’ on as I need my sleep to recover the voice and
procedure.
need the peace and quiet to chill and steady myself. Yatta deals with after show figures, advancing gigs etc and also needs his own space.
Catering – Breakfast: 25: The only meal we pay for on gig days and
Not ideal but a necessity as you’ll see further down the page.
days off; sometimes inclusive in the hotel charge and sometimes not. Some of us do and some of us – mainly me – don’t. Again an
Insurance: 42: this is another of those figures split over 12 shows.
average.
This is my cover for public liability and cancelled shows in the main. It only covers the guarantees not any potential percentage break no
Video Hire 75: This is for the equipment we use to provide the
matter how many tickets are sold in advance. It doesn’t cover merch
backscreen projections. I don’t have the budgets to go for a
loss or anything else. Only the costs I have incurred and lost through
‘PorcupineTree’ visual extravaganza but we do what we can within
a ‘no show’.. Luckily my history has been relatively clean in recent
the constraints to put something up to make more of the show. I
years so although I don’t have a ‘no claims’ bonus the premiums are
use ‘in house’ lighting techs on the night who are briefed on what
not horrendous.
we need from what we get provided with in the venue. There are some fine guys out there on the circuit and quite a few I would
20
Splitter Van Hire: 110: the new all singing and dancing ‘Clown Carrier’,
like to have kidnapped! Again at this level I can’t afford a Lighting
a 9-seater Merc van that also carries all our backline equipment and my
designer (LD) with another wage and another hotel room etc. I use
merchandise driven by Shaun the ‘FTC’ who also, as most of you well
‘apps’ in the form of the video operated by ‘Secret’ on this tour.
know, is our sound tech. On a “big bus ” tour it goes in a trailer behind
(He did 13th Star and is a talent!) Again this figure is averaged out
the bus, which is an additional cost, about the same as a splitter van hire!
over the 12 shows.
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
Merchandising facility fee: 50: The fee we pay to venues to allow
optimistic. And it’s a recession and there are a lot of bands all
me to sell my merchandise. We get a space we need to set up a stall
chasing the same pie!
providedby the house and lighting. I can deal with that! I can’t deal and refuse to deal with percentages of the revenue. My averagetake
On the figures I have across the 12 dates with Gig cartel based on
at a venue is 3 a head, which means on average I sell 3 pounds for
guarantees and without any merchandise sales in the equation and
every ticket holder. In a 400 crowd I therefore would take 1200, which
adding those empty 3 days off I am looking at a loss of 6.5k.
includes VAT. Take off the VAT and it’s 1000. T shirts have roughly a 35% profit margin so that’s 350 but as there’s DVD’s and albums
The lottery win of a complete sell out tour would be around 45k
with slightly bigger margins and I don’t only sell T’s say the take after
profit. Those numbers aren’t coming up! Half that and I would be
VAT is 500.If the venue takes their 25% then it’s off the 1200 figure.
a happy man but that’s doubtful. If it did hit say 25k there’s still the
That’s 300! Then they charge VAT at 20%. That’s 360. Ok I can claim
bogeymanof HMRC and corporation tax at 24% taking 6k and
the VAT back my end but it means the venue makes more than me
leaving 19k. It’s still a lot of money which I would be lucky to be able
from my merch. Rough figures but you get the idea! If only I could
to make in this day and age and which I’d be exceedingly grateful for.
get a percentage of the beer they sell to the audience I bring in? .2 pints on average each, 600 pints, 25% =150 pints @ 3 each? If I had
But to throw that figure in perspective in the big picture it’s the only
a separate merchandiser he’d be on 100 a show plus a hotel room/
UK tour I could safely command for at least another 18 months
breakfast so another 150 a night comes out the nett to give me 300
without another new album and apart from the Fishheads Club tour
after the facility charge of 50. Once again I have to take the ‘guerilla’
that closed in 2011 my first full electric band touring since 2008 with
approach and Yatta will be handling the merch stall on this UK tour
only around 10 or so shows in 2012.
with the rest of us helping set ups. The European tour in the Autumn is a completely different ball game. Rehearsals: 416: The average taken from 12 shows for just under 2
Slightly bigger fees but way more expense with the added kick off
weeks full band rehearsals on half wages with a hotel room (I have
witholding taxes by relative countries. And again it will be the last
2 rooms here and potentially 3 are ‘out of towners’ with Shaun up
one for at least another 18 months. It’s a harvest of sorts after years
for the last few days) catering for the band and fuel to and from the
preparingthe ground and you have to make sure you gather what
farm. It comes in around 5k.
you can as it has to last a while. Unlike the band and crew I only get one hit at this while they can move onto other bands and tours.
And that ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls is only the rough costing without any allowance for miscellaneous! It doesn’t take into account
No matter how you look at it it’s all a gamble which in previous
the days off of which there are 3 that have no income but still have
scenariosI have lost my shirt and underpants by taking. If it comes off
crew wages (the guys get paid by the week, the band by show), the
then everyone is happy. I just wanted to share this with you to give
hotels, the splitter van hire (it’s out with us for the duration) the fuel,
you a better idea of how it works and what lies behind the scenes
breakfasts coming in at around 1100. These all go into the overall
of touring at the level I am working on. It’s not a cry for sympathy or
tour budget! But I am getting slightly ahead of myself. Meanwhile
anything else of that nature. It’s how it is and as I said before I have to
back at the venue it’s gig day so let’s add up the Fishy costs!
deal with it the best I can and hope the sun shines on me occasionally and makes it a good night for walk ups on the doors!
In total the rough costs on my end are approximately £2496. I am eternally grateful to have made it this far down the road and to This gives me a loss of 246 on the guarantee but 254 ahead if I bring
still be able to even pull a crowd after over 30 years as a professional
the merchandise into the equation!
singer. There are a lot of burnt out wrecks in the ditch and even more musicians that never even got a ride that were left standing holding
It’s not all doom and gloom though. Remember these figures are
dreams a long way back. I got lucky but there’s gonna come a time
on the guarantee that requires 273 people to buy tickets out of
when I have to pull over and park up and cut down on the driving as I
a potential 700. For every extra 100 tickets I’d sell here I’d make
don’t want to end up a casualty. I’d like to slow down and take in the
another 1200 with a potential of 4800 if I sold it out! And there’s
view for a change as there’s still a lot of things I want to see and do. I
extra heads buying merch? But realistically, in both my eyes and
am very aware of the changes that are occurring and not all of them I
those of the promoters, that is unlikely to happen. 500 maybe
like or want to be part of. It’s always been a rough ride being an artist
with a fair wind and a walk up. Maybe, maybe, maybe! I’ve been
but there’s only so long I can keep this ‘off – roading’ up for. This year
hit before and ran a tour with only about 5 breaks in 20 shows.
will be a challenging year for us all and it’s going to be interesting to
I never gamble. I nearly lost a house before being way, way too
see where I end up when the dust clears!
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FEBRUARY 2013
A Surprising Deal Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com
The announcement that Mehr! Entertainment was to take over A.S.S. Concerts was made in December 2012, and the deal has been in place since early this year. It could be said that A.S S.was one of the very first companies in Germany to adopt the type of company structures that have been in place in the UK or the US for a long time. Now with Mehr! Entertainment on board, the set up has been taken to a new level. On one hand the purchase had a surprising element. Mehr! Is Germa-
Michael Bisping teams up with Mehr! Entertainment. Photo musikmarkt.de
ny’s second biggest producer of musicals (Cats and Starlight Express) and also operates several music and event locations all over Germany (Admiralspalast in Berlin, the Musical Dome in Cologne). The Company’s acquisition of a national promoter was an unexpected move.
– Will I enjoy it? I guess not, but how do they say…”With every wish,
VIP News asked Michael Bisping of a.s.s. concerts and Maik Klokow
there comes a curse!”
of Mehr! Entertainment about their motives and their plans for this new concert consortium...
Do you already have an idea how this new construct will affect
yours and Dieter’s (Schubert) daily business?
What lead you to the deal with Mehr! Entertainment?
– Since we will have a third M.D., purely for the commercial part of
– On one hand the changing market situation, which makes it harder
the company, I guess we will have more time to do what we are good
for an independent company to stand alone …on the other the fact
at…A&R, new ideas/strategies and development of live careers!
that Mehr! Entertainment and A.S.S. share the same sort of business philosophy…very hands on, value oriented, artist related…it fits!
A.S.S. also recently entered a joint venture with the music convention C/O Pop in Cologne. Can you please explain about that
VIP News: Where do you see the added value for being part of
set up?
the network of Mehr! Entertainment?
– The joint venture is not with the convention itself, but with the
– Stronger marketing and sponsorship possibilities, access to the
booking agency of c/o pop. The idea behind it is simple…get in touch
company owned venues, creative exchange…especially because we
with young talent early and help them develop their career by joining
all come from different backgrounds.
forces and supporting each other.
Does the joint venture with Mehr!-Entertainment require a
Mehr! Entertainment has its own ticketing portal and system.
change in the A&R policy of A.S.S Concerts?
Are there already any plans in place for this to alter the current
– No…the diversity of our roster holds artists that would fit the venue
ticketing set up of A.S.S. concerts?
structure of Mehr! Entertainment perfectly. Also we have a young team with young artists and ideas, and this was one of the reasons
– Not concretely…we still have a 2 year exclusive contract with CTS,
for this joint venture.
apart from our metal tours through Dragon Productions and our local shows. In 2 years time we will see.
Can A.S.S. keep its current staff structure? – Nothing else is planned!
In general, do you expect that the market concentration and consolidation will reach a new level?
After 26 years of A.S.S. Concert being a stand-alone company,
– Yes…look at the acquisition of the Lanxess Arena. There will be
how much are you looking forward to providing reports and
more like this…officially or in terms of cooperations.
forecasts to your new stake holder?
22
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2013
VIP News asked Maik Klokow, CEO of Mehr! Entertainment…
Maik Klokow
Mehr! Entertainment is so far highly specialized within Family Entertainment sector, which is structured very differently than the concert and touring sector. How is A.S.S concerts going to be embedded within the current framework of your Company? – Mehr! Entertainment operates several live entertainment locations and a ticketing organization. In these areas we have already worked together a lot with rock and pop promoters. If a promoter rents one of our locations he is free to use our local market know how or his own. Our resources and know how at ME is always very much welcomed by the promoter. Next to it A.S.S. will operate his own business and we will try to implement some synergies to boost both businesses. The marketing and PR-strategies for family entertainment productions is also different. Is it foreseen that concerts and tours by A.S.S will be integrated within PR- and marketing campaigns of M.E.? – Yes, where it makes sense. We have large deals with TV stations and other media channels so if it makes sense for one or more artists at A.S.S. to be integrated in such a huge marketing campaign we will do so. On the other hand if we talk about finding young artists and helping them to become more known in the market place there we can add competence, network, ideas and budgets as well from the ME side.
coming directly out of the ME world but most are coming from other
producers and presenters.
Does the takeover require taking on new administrative staff? – No, A.S.S will be run by Dieter and Michael, we just add a functional
Our third column is our independent ticketing organization, which
GM next to them to give ME a better understanding of the daily work
offers an independent infrastructure to all market players for the best
and the requirements to get synergies in place.
way to market and sell a ticket. So having said this it is obvious that there is more to achieve in finding the synergies which will help the
Isn’t the family entertainment sector currently under pressure
artists at A.S.S. to get a faster and more successful grip on than oth-
due to the economical situation?
ers. And our venues and ticketing organization will get a push from
– Not at all; our Cats tent tour is nearly sold out; Starlight Express
the booking activities of A.S.S.
celebrates its 25 anniversary and has been successful with growing revenues in the last 4 years. Our bookings in the Theatre like, Ballet
When putting on a new musical, how do you investigate and
the Revolution from BB promotion or, Heisse Zeiten, Rock, the ballet
identify the market potential of a musical production?
from Thomas Collien are doing great business. So although it was
– It’s a secret.
never easy to market shows it is no more difficult than in the past, you
just need a great show.
Is it rather your passion that determines such decisions or ra-
tional market analysis?
Once again referring to the differences between the family
– Both parts are important. I don’t want to work just for the money. I
entertainment and the concert and touring business, can you
love what I do which means I look for people with the same attitude
explain the advantages and the difficulties of the musical busi-
and enthusiasm and with the same passion for live entertainment. So
ness?
the business case study is as important as the human factor and of
– We are a company who works on the 3-pillar structure. The first
course sometimes is just “Bauchgefuehl”* to make the right choice
column is content in all fields of entertainment, like musicals, shows,
for a partner and a product.
exhibitions, rock pop, heavy metal… Second is our venue network where we present, as much as possible,
* German word for instinct
different live entertainment concepts. Some of these productions are
23
15 16 17 18 JANUARY 2014 GRONINGEN, THE NETHERLANDS
THE EUROPEAN MUSIC CONFERENCE AND SHOWCASE FESTIVAL www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl
EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG IS ORGANIZED BY
STICHTING NOORDERSLAG
IN COOPERATION WITH
MAIN SPONSORS
VIP NEWS > BUSINESS > FEBRUARY 2013
MUSIC IN SHARES
Music in Shares Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com
CTS Eventim
Live Nation
Runs Ticketing for the Olympic Opens Ticketmaster Branch in Winter Games 2014 United Arab Emirates
A new Ticketmaster subsidiary in Dubai should help the Company access new markets in the Middle East and North Africa for the company. The CTS Eventim subsidiary Partner.ru will handle the ticketing for
“We have been operating our concert business in the Middle East for
the Olympic Winter Games in Sotchi in Russia in 2014. The company
five years and in that time have seen a significant increase in the number
announcedthat that contract has been signed but no information
of concerts and sporting events taking place in the UAE and elsewhere
was given about the ticket volume the deal includes.
in the region.’ commented Alan Ridgeway, Live Nation Presidentof
Internationaland Emerging Markets on the move and added: “ I am
The share of CTS Eventim at Frankfurt Stock Exchange currently stood
pleased that we are now in a position to offer event organisers and
(XETRA) at 26.35 Euro.
ticket buyers in the region the level of service that they have grown accustomedto in our other markets around the globe.”
DEAG Acquires Fred Handwerker Promotion
David Gisham, from Ticketmaster Canada has been appointed as managingdirector for the new branch which will be located in Dubai Media City. The website for the new unit can be accessed at www.ticketmaster.aeand already has tickets on sale for shows of Kanye West, Dubai Jazz Festival, Metallica, Chris Tucker and Creamfields. Since the end of 2012 the share price of Live Nation at NYSE went from $9.31 up to $10.33.
DEAG purchased a 51 percent stake of Fred Handwerker Promotion,
Alan Ridgeway, Live Nation President of International and Emerging Markets. Photo Getty Images
one of the leading local promoters in North Rhine Westphalia. Accordingto DEAG, the company expects that new acquisition will contribute a two digit million figure towards DEAG turnover in 2013. Handwerker Promotion has existed for more than 20 years and achieves a turnover of 10 million Euro per year. The company director Fred Handwerker will remain with the company. The share price of DEAG since the end of November 2012 rose from 2.87 up to 3.50 Euro.
25
MONTHLY FEATURED ARTIST POWERED BY
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roll the way it should be played. Riffbased wild energy triggered in your face by guitarist Tavs Enderleit (ex. Chineese Letterbox), while Joe Class (Orange Whip, ex. Memory Cake) screaming out his soul to the traditional 70’s groove, eminently played by Mikkel Find (ex. Azeta) and the heavy bass, pumped by Lars Mårtensson (ex. Haltefanden). With The Joe Class Experience you won’t get closer to the slimy rock sound by the likes of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple etc. without putting one of their vinyls
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on the turntable. Rider Information: Tavs Enderleit - Guitar Simon Stougaard - Vocals Mikkel Find - Drums Lars Mårtensson - Bass Read more about The Joe Class Experience: http://www.click-a-gig.dk/epk/58/bio
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VIP NEWS > MISC > FEBRUARY 2013
MEMBER PRESENTATION
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