4 minute read
Alive & Kicking
from Preview of IQ104
by IQ Magazine
Cassyette was one of Paradigm's showcase artists ITB’s Pizzagirl was the first band that a number of delegates had seen perform live in 18 months
X-ray's Ian Huffam paid a heartfelt tribute to colleague and friend Steve Strange CAA's Maria May conducted the keynote interview with Melvin Benn and Folkert Koopmans
Beatrice Stirnimann | Baloise Session
But he predicted that not only will the 2022 season go ahead, but “it will be the biggest year ever. And I suppose the next years will just grow. I'm super optimistic.”
Benn concluded that the industry can also take a lead on sustainability. “Now it feels like everybody is on the same page – artists, managers, promoters, agents, suppliers, and fans – and collectively there’s a lot we can do together, and that needs to be one of the greatest collaborations that the music industry can continue with.”
Elsewhere, The Agency Business panel examined the recently announced CAA and ICM Partners acquisition, with panellists agreeing that the deal could provide opportunities for independent agencies, while former CAA staffer Jon Ollier admitted to being “fascinated” by the merger, noting that CAA will be determined to preserve the company’s culture.
And it was Ollier, now boss of One Fiinix Live, who shared his belief that one potential outcome of the Covid pandemic may be that the industry will lose its winter season. “There might not be a complete shutdown, but booking a European tour in February, at the height of flu season, will be a huge risk. So why not follow the sun around the globe to mitigate that risk?”
ATC Live leader Alex Bruford noted that rebuilding consumer confidence would be a major challenge, while he predicted a more flexible approach to touring where acts may put on a series of arena dates at short notice as market conditions change.
The conference’s opener involved a Therapy Session where delegates shared stories from the past 18 months, alongside plans to rebuild and reopen their various markets for live events.
With Barnaby Harrod (Mercury Wheels) and Claire Courtney (Earth Agency) onstage to represent the different parts of the business, those in the room heard a number of tales, with arguably the most inspiring related by Georg Leitner of GLP, who revealed that Syrian refugees are being recruited by security firms in Germany to help that sector get back to full strength ahead of the 2022 season.
Paradigm’s Clementine Bunel, meanwhile, moderated The Roaring 20s? where she and her guests examined whether the rest of the decade
Marion Meier | Blue Balls Festival
Represented by Primary Talent/ICM Partners, Police Car Collective brought an infectious energy to the stage at PowerHaus Camden The Therapy Session saw delegates sharing their tales of hardship and recovery from the pandemic
could be a golden era for live music. And while the future could indeed be rosy, multiple challenges were identified, not the least of which will be sharp rises in ticket prices to cover spiralling costs – an issue that Lowlands Festival’s Eric van Eerdenburg warned could prevent young fans from attending.
And noting increased drop-off rates at recent live events throughout Europe, AEG’s Jim King called out the scandal of guest-list ticketing fall-off, which has been 40% on some shows, compared to 10-12% normally. “It’s outrageous,” he blasted.
The afternoon and evening programmes at IFF once again featured some of the hottest emerging talent on the rosters of ITB, Earth Agency, Paradigm, Primary Talent & ICM Partners, Marshall Live, X-ray Touring, and ATC Live, while Music Venue Trust used the occasion to bring down the curtain on their nationwide Revive Live Tour, as well as sponsoring the closing IFF party.
IFF's numerous networking breaks enabled delgates to catch up in both formal and informal settings Paradigm's Clementine Bunel moderated The Roaring 20s? session
Okan Tombulca | eps
