ASERIBE E L P SC ION SUB S VERET TO L L U .N E F MAG H T QFOR TO I GO
125 AN ILMC PUBLICATION FEB / MAR 2024 | £25 | €25
WOMEN ON THE ROAD
Female pioneers paving the way for future generations of crew
ILMC 36 One Giant Leap for Live Music
THE DEUTSCHE ENTERTAINER DEAG founder Peter Schwenkow’s 50 years in music
A DECADE OF DEFIANCE
Ten years of grassroots venue campaigning
BRIDGING THE GULF
Gulf States market report
FIELDS OF VISION
Ten new festivals for 2024
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27.02.2024–01.03.2024 MISSION DOSSIER ILMC 36: Mission Dossier
FOR DELEGATES’ EYES ONLY
T H E I N T E RGA L AC T IC LU NA R M I S SION C ON T ROL (I L MC)
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TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY 09:30 – 21:00
GREEN EVENTS & INNOVATIONS CONFERENCE
NINE KINGS SUITE The 16th edition of GEI – the longest-standing, worldrenowned event for leading discourse on sustainability for the live events sector – welcomes industry leaders, professionals, visionaries, governments, and all individuals and organisations working to bring environmental and social sustainability to the live event sector. With a packed agenda that will see Cathy Runciman’s keynote interview with Brian Eno and Jarvis Cocker (featuring a special presentation of the latter’s “Biophobia” project) acting as a warm-up for the glitzy International AGF Awards, participation at GEI also includes: Panels, Discussions & Topics Dive into discussions with industry leading players in event sustainability, covering transport, energy, food, equality, inclusivity, climate justice, design & materials usage, circularity, and much more. Networking Opportunities & Break-Out Sessions Great chances to connect with green heroes during the event! Champagne Toast at International AGF Awards Raise a glass to all the finalists showcased at our International A Greener Future Awards Ceremony! Engaging Talks & Case Studies Learn from the best in the industry! Amazing guest speakers and contributions from the industry’s best thought-leaders, innovators, and artists – and plenty more. Quick-Fire Innovations Round & Exhibitors Stands showcasing the most industry changing projects in the live event sustainability sector. Complimentary lunch, drinks reception & evening snacks Scrumptious five-star lunch, drinks, coffee breaks, and a champagne drinks reception, all in an amazing venue. For anyone who is serious about improving the carbon footprint of their professional (and personal) activities, the Green Events & Innovations conference is the perfect place to start your research and find inspiration.
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WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 10:00 – 10:30
NEW DELEGATES’ ORIENTATION
ROOM 4 HOSTS Lisa Henderson & Gordon Masson, IQ Magazine (UK) IQ Mag’s Gordon Masson and Lisa Henderson host an introduction to the world of ILMC for new delegates or anyone who needs a quick refresher. If it’s your first ILMC, or you haven’t quite worked out how to get the most from the days that follow, make this your first session of the day. 10:00 – 10:50
SPONSORSHIP: THE BRAND SPACE ROOM 3
CHAIR Lauren Tones, ASM Global (UK) In this session, hear from both brands and live industry leaders on what it takes to work in perfect partnership, which campaigns are currently turning the dial, and thoughts on what festivals, tours, and artist teams should expect to see in this vital space in the future. 11:00 – 11:15
THE ILMC 36 MISSION BRIEFING ROOM 1
HOST Greg Parmley, ILMC (UK) ILMC MD Greg Parmley welcomes all space explorers to the big ILMC 36 mission briefing as three days of industry exploration blast off. This 15-minute introduction to all the key features of the conference includes any last-minute updates you’ll need and is the official start of ILMC and the debates, events, and shows that follow over the next few days. 11:15 – 12:45
THE OPEN FORUM: THE ALL-STARS ROOM 1
CHAIR Maria May, CAA (UK) ILMC’s annual state-of-the-nation opening session is consistently the biggest debate of the conference. And with CAA’s Maria May returning to chair the session, and a lineup of senior industry leaders discussing the biggest topics across the business, if there’s one ILMC session to squeeze in between meetings and deal-making, it’s this one. With record levels of business for A-list names, and new markets and new venues springing up around the globe, many would agree that the live business is in stronggrowth mode right now. But with costs and competition hotting up and a recession squeezing spending power, is everything truly rosy in the industry’s garden?
14:00 – 15:00
MENTAL HEALTH & WELFARE ON THE ROAD ROOM 3
CHAIR Dr Simon Rowbottom The Boo Radleys / MITC Psychologist (UK) Health and welfare strategy has come a long way recently, though the benefits of this wider trend have been slow to filter down to touring. This panel will examine how health and welfare can be improved for those who tour, whether performer or crew, seasoned professional or just starting out. 14:00 – 15:00
15:30 – 16:30
THE ARTIST PANEL: WHAT PRICE SUCCESS?
TEAMWORK: CULTURE & CAREERS IN LIVE MUSIC
CHAIR Clementine Bunel, Wasserman Music (UK) Being on the road has always taken its toll on touring acts – spending prolonged periods of time away from families and loved ones, while the pressure of delivering the best possible shows to fans night after night, no matter what is going on in the performers’ personal lives, can be a difficult task. Agent Clementine Bunel gathers a panel of artists, at various stages in their careers, to examine how they cope with the live aspects of their livelihood – and how the professionals who deal with them might be able to lighten the load to achieve a better working environment for all.
CHAIR Jana Watkins, Live Nation (UK) What makes a successful team in the live music business? With gender pay gaps being monitored, employers working towards a more diverse workforce, and expectations from new recruits often conflicting with established practices, the nature of teams is changing fast.
ROOM 2
14:00 – 15:15
FESTIVAL FORUM: HEADLINE TOPICS
15:30 – 16:30
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: MOVING AT LIGHT SPEED ROOM 1
CHAIR Cliff Fluet, Lewis Silkin LLP (UK) Arguably the largest cultural disruptor since the Internet, Cliff Fluet leads a seminal discussion to consider just how AI can benefit the live sector from ticketing, fan engagement, and marketing, to promotion, venue, and festival operations and more.
15:30 – 16:30
GRASSROOTS: SUPPORTING THE LAUNCH PADS ROOM 3
CHAIR Steve Lamacq, Live Radio DJ / Journalist (UK) Although much has been done over the past ten years to help protect the future of grassroots music venues, the sector is still suffering major issues. So how can the rest of the business help underpin the breeding grounds that feed into it? Steve Lamacq brings together international associations to identify a route forward.
17:00 – 18:00
THE HOT SEAT: TIM LEIWEKE & FRANCESCA BODIE, OVG (US)
ROOM 1 The Oak View Group execs discuss the future of live entertainment, the evolution of performance spaces, and how we can keep pace in the golden era of live. 17:00 – 18:00
THE HEAT IS ON: EXTREME WEATHER & LIVE MUSIC
ILMC 36: Mission Dossier
ROOM 1 With headline fees rising, the stadium business booming, and many US artists shortening or skipping their European summers, booking the top of a festival bill has never been harder. And with escalating production costs hitting artist budgets, some festivals argue that it’s becoming unsustainable. Yet with tens of millions of fans heading out to fields each year, the festival business rolls on. There’s a lot to discuss in ILMC’s annual round up of the festival business…
ROOM 2
ROOM 2
CHAIR Jamal Chalabi, A Greener Future (UK) Presented by GEI, the session is chaired by veteran tour and production manager Jamal Chalabi and includes a presentation from a Met Office meteorologist on changing climate patterns and practical feedback from festival operators and touring professionals.
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THURSDAY 29 FEBRUARY 10:00 – 11:00
EMERGING MARKETS: BRIDGING THE GULF STATES ROOM 3
CHAIR Emma Banks, CAA (UK) The Gulf States region is growing at an incredible rate currently, both in terms of venue and touring infrastructure, and the increasing number of shows and artists now including it in tour stops. A lineup of key players will discuss how previously competing markets are working in a unified way to make the region even more attractive to major touring artists, alongside insight on new assets and projects that are in the pipeline. 10:00 – 11:15
THE VENUE’S VENUE: NEW FRONTIERS ROOM 1
CHAIR James Drury, IQ Magazine (UK) They say a venue manager’s to-do list is never completed. And the list just gets longer as arenas across the globe are busier than ever. Into this mix is an eruption of new and forthcoming arenas in new and established markets – what will they mean for existing venues, and how will the opening up of new territories affect touring routes? 10:00 – 11:15
IPM: KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON ROOM 2
CHAIRS Lisa Ryan, Freight Minds (UK) & John Probyn, Solotech (UK) Topics tabled for discussion include the ongoing challenge of labour and expertise for touring productions, alongside the drive to build more diverse teams. And how do those at the coal face of tours and festivals keep up with the ever-increasing demand for live performance as record levels of shows add pressure to already stretched operations?
11:30 – 12:30
WORKSHOP: TOURING & TAXATION ROOM 4
HOSTS Dr Dick Molenaar, All Arts Tax Advisers (NL) & Dr Harald Grams, Grams Und Partners (DE) It’s been several years since ILMC ran an update on taxation for tours and live events, but with a series of recent rules and decisions that directly impact promoters, venues, and artists’ teams, this 60-minute workshop will be a critical session for many. 11:30 – 12:45
TICKETING: AT WHAT PRICE? ROOM 1
CHAIR Steve Tilley, Kilimanjaro Live (UK) Compared to any other sector within live music, ticketing has faced the most scrutiny in the last 12 months. As the move to all-in pricing and a strong appetite for dynamic pricing continue in the US, is this the future for every other international market? With the help of a panel of experts, promoter Steve Tilley will delve into various ticketing strategies to find out what’s working and what the rest of the business thinks of the direction that ticketing is taking when it comes to the growth of the global live music industry. 11:30 – 12:45
IPM: INSIDE P!NK’S SUMMER CARNIVAL ROOM 2
CHAIR Okan Tombulca, eps (DE) One of the most successful tours of 2023, P!nk’s global Summer Carnival Tour wowed millions of fans and became one of the highest grossing tours by a female artist in history. Summer Carnival’s production manager Malcom Weldon joins Tombulca and other key individuals from the production and team, to discuss just how the tour came together, key challenges, and how the production has delivered such monumental impact. 14:00 – 15:00
THE AGENCY BUSINESS 2024 ROOM 1
CHAIR: Anna Sjölund, ASM Global (SE) What is the future of the agency model? With writer and actor strikes impacting music departments, numerous corporate shifts in the last few years, and a number of independent outfits flourishing, the agency sector continues to evolve. And with larger offices investing in research teams and AI or buying event brands outright, even the definition of ‘full service’ is changing. ILMC’s annual spotlight on the sector gets stuck into the details…
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ADVERTISING ARTWORK
15:30 - 16:30
LATIN LIVE: THE PROMOTER’S VIEW ROOM 2
CHAIR Jorge Perez, ASM Global (PR) There’s no denying that Latin is on the up. The Reggaeton wave is still in play but it has created a space for other genres to fill, and the scene is continuing to grow. The genre is now truly global, and we are seeing success at arena and stadium level with a strong grassroots scene to support it. Bringing together a lineup of leading figures from the scene, we discuss what to expect from the Latin genre in the future. 15:30 - 16:30
14:00 – 15:00
MARKETING: PLANET-ING NEW IDEAS ROOM 2
CHAIR Robbie Balfour, The O2 (UK) When it comes to promoting and advertising a show, which channels and techniques yield the best results? For promoters, venues, and ticketing companies, marketing sits at the heart of a successful event, and as a constantly evolving discipline, how can you keep up to speed with the platforms and communication styles that reach fans most effectively? This year’s marketing session gets into the details and asks whether a more co-ordinated approach might pay dividends… 14:00 – 15:00
MISOGYNY IN MUSIC ROOM 3
CHAIR Eunice Obainagha, Enspire Management/UK Music (UK) Reacting to a damning new report from British MPs that demands urgent action to tackle “endemic” misogyny and discrimination in the UK music industry, ILMC assembles a panel of experts to discuss the report’s findings and provide guidelines on how to rid abuse from the workplace. 15:15 – 16:15
TOURING: THE BREAD & BUTTER BUSINESS ROOM 1
CHAIR Jon Ollier, One Fiinix Live (UK) While global stadium romps by A-listers generate record-breaking numbers and positive headlines, is there a crisis emerging in the middle of the business? With global deals taking many acts off the table and others unable or unwilling to tour, does live music’s bread-and-butter business have a problem? How can the industry stimulate and protect the midlevel of the business to ensure there are enough shows for everyone?
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WORKSHOP: LIVE MUSIC INSURANCE ROOM 3
HOST Tim Thornhill, Tysers Live (UK) Insurance is an increasingly substantial line item on a show or festival budget, and costs are still on the rise. Even without the now intensely familiar term ‘communicable diseases,’ the live music business is seeing increasing risks from the weather, cancellation, and in many parts of the world, war. This 60-minute workshop walks you through some of the current risk elements, discusses how to be cost-effective with your policy and to make sure you have the right things covered.
16:45 – 18:00
THE (LATE) BREAKFAST MEETING WITH JAY MARCIANO
ROOM 1 HOST Ed Bicknell, Damage MGMT (UK) As chairman and CEO of AEG Presents (US), Jay Marciano is one of the most respected executives in the entertainment industry, so we’re expecting a conversation to remember as he sits down with long-time host Ed Bicknell for the final instalment of ILMC’s long-running Breakfast Meeting session. 17:00 – 18:00
LATIN LIVE: AGENTS, MANAGERS & BUILDING BLOCKS ROOM 2
CHAIR Michel Vega, Magnus Talent Agency (US) With a panel of internationally recognised agents and managers working with key Latin artists, we view the genre through their lens. What are the key trends within touring and live work, and how do they foresee expanding their artists’ reach into Europe and beyond?
ADVERTISING ARTWORK
Feature_Ten Years of OVO Hydro
PRIORITY ACCESS WITH YOUR ILMC DELEGATE PASS
ILMC’s central London showcase returns for its second edition on the evening of Wednesday, 28 February, with a superb lineup of new and emerging artists presented by leading organisations across the business. London Calling is expanding to five venues in 2024, all within a short walk of each other in Soho, and with 17 artists performing, it’s a must-attend event. ILMC delegates get free priority access to all London Calling shows by showing their pass. Entry will be permitted on a first come, first served basis.
PRESENTED BY THE SPANISH WAVE AND MAD COOL FESTIVAL
AUGUST CHARLES
August Charles is a Leedsbased, Zambia-born alt-soul singer focused on expressive vocal arrangements, lush instrumentals and thoughtprovoking lyricism. August has shared stages with luminaries such as Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Emeli Sandé, Gotts Street Park, and Bombay Bicycle Club and performed at Tramlines Festival, Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival, and A Stones Throw Festival.
b1n0
Emili Bosch and Malcus Codolà float between ones and zeros, undulating sounds that blend electronic experimentation with pop delicacy. This peculiar cocktail enjoys mixing several ingredients combined with the sounds produced by different everyday objects. B1n0 has played stages including Sónar, Madcool, Vida, PS, Cruïlla, and Eurosonic, and are set to release a new album, Blue Screen, in ’24.
PRESENTED BY AMPLEAD
BABYMOROCCO
London-based musician Babymorocco preaches from the Church of the Club. His poppy; experimental electronica is as sugary as it is dirty, a melange of ‘filthy house beats and pure, unadulterated donk.’ Having already toured the US/Europe in the last year, and supported Jockstrap, The Dare, and Dorian Electra, Babymorocco raises BPMs with his live performances.
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BACKROAD GEE
BackRoad Gee has emerged as a prominent UK artist celebrated for seamlessly blending Afrobeat, rap, and drill music. His ascent to stardom was marked by standout tracks such as Party Popper and My Family, showcasing his distinctive style and electrifying performances. His music resonates as a vibrant tapestry reflecting the multicultural influences of his upbringing, earning him recognition for his charismatic presence and dynamic sound.
EMILIA TARRANT
Radio 1’s Future Pop & National BBC Introducing supported Emilia Tarrant has already achieved remarkable milestones in her career, working alongside some of the biggest industry names. Tarrant has amassed almost 3m streams, had 11 songs featured on ITV’s Love Island, and performed at Glastonbury 2022. She is gearing up to release her next project this year, entitled Worst Boyfriend Award.
PRESENTED BY AMPLEAD
FORGETTING THE FUTURE
FREEKIND.
GIA FORD
HYPHEN
LALA HAYDEN
LUNA MORGENSTERN
LYVIA
Olivia Mason, aka LYVIA, is a 23-year-old artist from Nottingham. She first captured hearts as a contestant on The Voice UK, where her honest and soulful voice immediately resonated with audiences. Since then, she has continued to captivate listeners with a unique blend of soulful vocals, genuine storytelling, and unfiltered authenticity.
MAVICA
MAVICA is the project of alternative pop artist Marta Casanova. Her sound blends folk with indie pop and electronic sounds. Her debut album sometimes a person never comes back (but that’s okay) received support from Rolling Stone, Billboard Latin, Clash, and BBC Radio 1. She’s played festivals including Primavera Sound, Mad Cool, and O Son Do Camino, and has opened for Alice Phoebe Lou, Roo Panes, and Blanco White.
NOAH AND THE LONERS
NXDIA
THE NEW EVES
YIIGAA
Forgetting The Future is a four-piece indie rock act from the Scottish Highlands. Their captivating energetic stage presence has earned them gigs alongside Sam Fender, THE HARA, The Luka State, King Charles, Neon Waltz and more. Forgetting The Future has also sold-out headline gigs around Scotland along with playing major festival slots at The Isle of Wight, Belladrum Festival, and many more.
The Austrian-based Slovenian duo is composed of pianist and vocalist Sara Ester Gredelj and drummer Nina Korošak-Serčič. Their songs carry a strong message of love and hope, complemented by R&B and jazz grooves. Their first self-produced EP not good enough was digitally released in June 2021. Inspired by the positive response to the release, they’re working on a full-length album.
Gia Ford’s songs tell the stories of the downtrodden to the downright dangerous. And through them we begin to hear familiar, uncomfortable truths about ourselves. This has culminated in her spectacular debut album, Transparent Things, a collection that demonstrates Ford’s signature Sheffield swagger, burnished with nods to alt-pop and psychedelic sleaze.
Having been tipped as ‘the future of British Asian music’ by BBC Asian Network, Hyphen is known for his raucous live shows and viral hits, including Marching Powder and 3 Pound Pints. His songs have been featured on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6, and New Music Friday, and the BBC Futuresounds artist has played Reading & Leeds and Latitude festivals.
PRESENTED BY THE SPANISH WAVE AND MAD COOL FESTIVAL
Laura ‘LALA’ Hayden has gained notoriety within the music industry for several years fronting indie outfit Anteros. Her latest delve into music sees a solo project under the guise of LALA HAYDEN. Empowering, powerful, and self-reflective, the Ladyhake/ Blondie-inspired dynamic alt-pop has seen early support from Spotify, DORK Magazine, and more. Last year, she released her first solo EP, Girl Becomes.
Noah and the Loners have something to say and they’re saying it loud. Their powerful songs capture the zeitgeist of Gen Z – from personal tracks on teenage love and Noah’s experience of toxic masculinity as a trans man to political blasts at racism, corruption, and the climate crisis. They’re set to play 2024’s SXSW Festival and played Focus Wales, Great Escape Festival, and Rebellion Festival in 2023.
Amsterdam-based and Cologneborn, Luna creates alternative pop music that translates the emotions of love, loss, and the challenges faced by a young woman in the modern world. A bedroom producer, songwriter, and artist who shapes powerful melodies with delicate vocals, her debut EP Taking The Blow propelled her into the spotlight with global recognition.
With a harmonious blend of Arabic and English lyrics, 23-year-old Nxdia exemplifies a striking fusion that perfectly combines their heritage with pop-punk sensibilities and an innate swagger. Having spent the last year honing their sound and crafting new material, Nxdia continues to cement their status as a one-to-watch with their latest single She Likes a Boy.
With an unusual lineup of cello, violin, flute, guitar, bass, and drums, The New Eves’s DIY nature and fierce spirit seem to be conjuring some kind of folkloric punk revival. With poetic honesty about who they are and what they love at the core, their rhythms are like galloping horses and were they on a mountaintop, their voices would ring for miles.
Yiigaa is a multidisciplinary singer-songwriter. Her distinctive vocals and unique musical style are a mix of her love of dance and soul music and her Ivorian heritage. Championed by BBC Radio 1, she’s secured a series of plays on Love Island and garnered support from the likes of DJ Mag, GRM Daily and Trench Magazine.
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FRIDAY O1 MARCH
A new one-day event dedicated to the global business of big-brand live entertainment, exhibitions, and touring family shows. 10:00 – 11:00
THE STATE OF THE NATION
Westbourne Stage I CHAIR Tom Zaller, Imagine Exhibitions (US) Touring entertainment is big business, from huge IP-led productions and globe-trotting exhibitions to innovative ice shows and blockbuster Broadway musicals. This session looks at growing new markets to increasing competition; the latest tech innovations to venue availability; plus the ever-present issue of rising costs and making the bottom line work, what are the key issues facing the business today?
14:00 – 15:15
QUICK-FIRE SESSIONS
WESTBOURNE STAGE I HOSTS Manon Delaury, Teo (FR) & Jessica Willig-Rosenstein, Fever (FR) A must-attend for promoters and venues looking for their next project, this ever-popular session showcases the content that’s available now (or soon will be), in a quick-fire format. 14:00 – 15:00
THE A&R OF IP
WESTBOURNE STAGE II CHAIR Susan Vargo, Moonbug Entertainment (UK) Increasing numbers of touring shows and exhibitions are driven by big IP. But What do rights holders look for when working with producers? What metrics are they looking for to define success? And what IPs or subjects are on the horizon that could create the next generation of touring exhibitions, ice shows, stage shows, or interactive experiences? 15:30 – 16:30
STANDING OUT IN A CROWDED MARKET
WESTBOURNE STAGE I HOST James Drury, Touring Entertainment Report (UK) Renowned ABBA Voyage producer Svana Gisla reveals the story behind the creation of the groundbreaking show, which has welcomed over 1m visitors at its custom-built arena in London’s Olympic Park.
WESTBOURNE STAGE I CHAIR Christoph Scholz, Semmel Concerts (DE) Competition has never been fiercer in the touring entertainment sector. And, as anyone who’s been in the industry long enough will tell you, this isn’t like promoting concerts, where the audience knows the star – promoters have to find and develop new audiences and that takes a very particular set of skills. So what are the best ways to cut through in a crowded market? Promoters and venues share their top tips.
12:30 – 12:30
15:30 – 16:30
WESTBOURNE STAGE I HOST Charles Read, BlooLoop (UK) Legendary theatre producer and writer Richard Lewis, the mastermind behind global smash hit children’s live shows, will share the secrets of creating such world-spanning successes.
WESTBOURNE STAGE II CHAIR Heather McGill, Unify Productions (UK) Immersive exhibitions, with Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, projection mapping and more have been one of the hottest trends over the last few years, so where can they go now? Our expert panel will sift the hot from the hype.
11:30 – 12:00
KEYNOTE: SVANA GISLA
KEYNOTE: RICHARD LEWIS
11:30 – 12:30
MEET THE FAMILY
WESTBOURNE STAGE II HOST TBC With hundreds of producers and promoters from sectors across the touring entertainment business in one place, Touring Entertainment LIVE is the ideal opportunity to discover your next big success or share your latest touring products.
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TRENDS FOR 2024/25
17:00 – 18:00
WE’VE GOT 99 PROBLEMS & HERE’S HOW WE SOLVE THEM
WESTBOURNE STAGE I CHAIR Jonathan Shank, Terrapin Station Entertainment (US) Touring Entertainment LIVE offers a unique opportunity to get the broader touring entertainment family together in one venue. This session offers a platform to unite all elements of the sector to solve common issues and discuss opportunities for collective action.
11:30 – 12:30
AGENTS VS BOOKERS
The one-day event for the next generation of live music industry leaders to forge relationships and exchange ideas, with all ILMC delegates encouraged to attend. 10:00 – 11:00
MEET THE NEW BOSSES: CLASS OF 2024
ROOM ONE CHAIR Connie Shao, AEG Presents (UK) This stalwart session returns once again with a quartet of emerging execs – all of whom were recognised among IQ Magazine’s latest New Bosses list. These young professionals will reflect on their journey so far, including breakthrough moments, career highlights, and invaluable mentors. This session will also give these next-gen leaders the chance to share their vision of the business and the issues that are important to them. 10:00 – 11:00 & 11:30 – 12:30
MEET YOUR MENTOR I & II
ROOM FOUR A chance to get career advice or general tips from some senior figures from the touring and festival worlds. 10:00 – 11:00
A&R IN 2024: UNCHARTERED TERRITORY
11:30 – 12:30 & 14:00 – 15:00
SOAPBOX SESSIONS I & II
ROOM TWO With a multitude of topics to squeeze into a single day of Futures Forum, we keeping things brief with four 15-minute presentations by innovators, thought leaders and inspiring individuals.
14:00 – 15:00
NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL 2024
ROOM ONE CHAIR Louise McGovern, Midnight Mango (UK) Promoters, get your cheque-books out – we’ve got the essential compilation of artists set to break in 2024. Back by popular demand, this musicsharing session sees sharp young executives reveal the acts they’ve got their money on. 15:30 – 16:30
THE EVOLUTION OF THE MUSIC FESTIVAL
ROOM ONE CHAIR Ross Patel, Whole Entertainment (UK) What does the music festival of the future look like and who is it for? These questions are frequently posed to senior executives, but who better to ask than the generation set to inherit today’s festivals. This session will invite a quartet of junior executives from across the business to indulge in blue-sky thinking about how festivals should be organised and experienced, in a bid to come up with new and innovative solutions. 15:30 – 16:30
A GREENER FUTURE: THE CASE STUDIES
ROOM TWO HOST Claire O’Neill, A Greener Future / GEI (UK) The last few years have seen enough panels of executives theorising about what can be done to make the industry more sustainable. For this session, we’re calling on professionals who have put theory into practice.
17:00 – 18:00
ILMC 36: Mission Dossier
ROOM TWO CHAIR Sally Dunstone, Primary Talent (UK) When the routes to success are less defined than ever, how is the industry breaking acts in 2024? This session will explore how promoters, agents and managers are getting creative with artist development in an era where the cost of touring has peaked and audience behaviours are rapidly changing. From growing fanbases to securing funding, establishing alternative revenue streams to innovating live strategies.
ROOM ONE CHAIR Marc Saunders, The O2 (UK) In true Futures Forum style, this session brings together some of the executives who are defining the business with the emerging executives who are driving its evolution. In this light-hearted session, we’ll invite two renowned agents and their bookers to the stage for insightful discussions on the inner workings of their partnerships and the agency business as a whole.
THE FUTURES FORUM KEYNOTE
ROOM ONE With previous Futures keynotes having included Dugi and Dua Lipa, Marty Diamond and Team Mumford & Sons, this final Friday session is always a highlight.
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ILMC EVENTS TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY 18:00–20:00
THE ‘WE HAVE LIFT-OFF’ OPENING PARTY
NINE KINGS FOYER HOST LIVE NATION Houston, we have an opening party! As the official start of ILMC 2024, the supermassive opening party is a major live music industry gathering, all rocket-fuelled by hosts Live Nation. ILMC’s opening night will welcome hundreds of live music professionals on the eve of the conference, and with two hours of complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks, it’s the perfect launchpad for the space mission that follows. A chance to reunite with friends and colleagues and a voyage of discovery to make first contact with others, it’s a great way to start your conference.
WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 09:30–10:30
LQBTIQ+ MORNING MIXER
STRANGEY’S BAR Continuing our drive to celebrate diversity in the live music business, this year sees the launch of an LGBTIQ+ coffee hour as the conference kicks off. With IQ‘s annual Pride magazine now one of the biggest editions of the year, this gathering will once again bring together the queer community – this time, IRL. Enjoy on-the-house refreshments and expand your network of LGBTIQ+ executives at this hour-long informal gathering. 18:00–19:00
THE WME HAPPY HOUR
NINE KINGS FOYER HOST WME Kicking off Wednesday night at ILMC, the team at WME invite all delegates to join them for what is always a very popular event.
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20:00–00:00
LONDON CALLING
VARIOUS VENUES, SOHO ILMC’s central London showcase returns for its second edition with a superb lineup of new and emerging artists presented by leading organisations across the business. London Calling is expanding to six Soho venues this year, all within a short walk of each other, and with 24 artists performing, it’s going to be a must-attend night. Your ILMC pass guarantees entry in every venue, and all venues are a ten-minute ride away on the Underground. See page 12 for full lineup. 00:00–03:00
‘THIS IS PLANET-TURF’ TABLE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
STRANGEY’S BAR A late-night game of quick reactions and occasionally even skill, the Table Football Competition sees players compete in pairs for both international glory and the world’s tiniest trophy. The game is refereed by IQ’s Tom Brint, who’ll be closely monitoring angles of attack and velocity on the night, before crowning the eventual winners.
THURSDAY 29 FEBRUARY 09:30–10:30
WOMEN IN LIVE MORNING MIXER
STRANGEY’S BAR After a very well-attended first edition in 2023, we’ll be reserving an area of Strangey’s Bar on the first floor of the hotel for an informal networking hour for all female-identifying live music execs at ILMC 36. 13:30–14:00
NIKOS FUND GRAND PRIZE DRAW
NINE KINGS FOYER The ILMC raises a significant amount of money every year for a charity of its choice in honour of one of its founding members, Nikos Sachpasidis. ILMC 36’s charity is Music Saves Ukraine. Swap your business card and a small donation for a chance to win some huge prizes when the draw begins.
16:00–17:00
FELD’S ‘MILKY WAY’ ICE-CREAM BREAK
NINE KINGS FOYER HOST FELD ENTERTAINMENT INC. Not content with conjuring up some of the world’s most magical family shows, Feld Entertainment will also be dishing out ice cream and mementos to take home for the kids during their popular ice-cream inter-mission. It’s a mid-afternoon chance to fuel up on some sugar before the mission continues… 18:00–19:00
LATIN LIVE HAPPY HOUR
NINE KINGS FOYER HOSTS LOUD AND LIVE, GRAND MOVE & OCESA All delegates are invited to a 60-minute Happy Hour as the day’s conference sessions wrap up. With complimentary drinks courtesy of our host partners, all delegates are invited to enjoy a glass or two before the Gala Dinner or various evening events that follow.
19:30–21:30
MATCH OF THE (LIGHT) YEAR FOOTBALL
THE HIVE STADIUM HOST AIKEN PROMOTIONS This annual football match will see the UK pit itself against the rest of the world in a 90-minute display of epic skill and space-ial awareness. 22:30 – 02:30
THE ‘ABSOLUTE ZERO (TALENT)’ KARAOKE & ARTHURS AFTER PARTY
‘THE BIG BANG’ GALA-XY DINNER & ARTHUR AWARDS
WESTBOURNE SUITE HOSTS: ETHARA, MDLBEAST & PLATINUMLIST The evening begins with a champagne reception followed by a five-star, four-course feast prepared by award-winning chefs, and a selection of fine wines. Then the annual pop quiz will test the minds of even the smartest cosmonauts, before the countdown to The Arthurs begins. With thousands of votes compiled from professionals around the world, The Arthur Awards ceremony sees the shining stars of the industry recognised and a handful of lucky winners taking home one of the cherished statuettes. And as if seeing the top promoter, agent, venue, festival, ticketer and more receive recognition wasn’t enough, the event will once again be compered by supernova Emma Banks who returns after a one-year hiatus.
ILMC 36: Mission Dossier
19:00–00:00
ROOM 3 The ILMC karaoke and official Arthur Awards after party is always the scene of a multitude of aural sins, all of them against music. Expect space-tacular impersonations of Whitney Houston (we’ve got a problem), Roy Orbit-son, and Dean Martian.
FRIDAY O1 MARCH 18:00–19:00
THE ‘MISSION ACCOMPLISHED’ CLOSING DRINKS
NINE KINGS FOYER To wrap up TEL, ILMC, and Futures Forum, delegates are invited to 90-minutes of networking drinks. It’s a chance to continue conversations, make a few last-minute introductions, and plummet back down to earth. But while it may be mission accomplished for the conference, a plethora of shows and events blast off around London straight afterwards…
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ILMC36 SCHEDULE TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2024 09:30–18:00 09:30–21:00 13:00–21:00 13:30–17:30 14:00–18:00 17:45–18:30 18:00–20:00 19:00–00:00
Private Company Meetings Green Events & Innovations Conference ILMC Early-Bird Registration International Trade Association Summit YOUROPE Private Meeting The International AGF Awards The ‘We Have Lift-Off’ Opening Party Access All Areas
WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2024
09:00–10:00 09:30–10:30 09:30–11:00 10:00–10:30 10:00–10:50 11:00–11:15 11:15–12:45 12:30–14:30 14:00–15:00 14:00–15:00 14:00–15:15 15:30–16:30 15:30–16:30 15:30–16:30 16:00–18:00 17:00–18:00 17:00–18:00
18:00–19:00 20:00–00:00 23:45–03:00
ILMC Bursary Scheme Breakfast LGBTIQ+ Morning Mixer The ‘Zero Gravi-tea' & Coffee Break New Delegates Orientation Sponsorship: The brand space The ILMC 36 Mission Briefing The Open Forum: The all-stars The Gastro-nauts' Lunch Mental Health & Welfare on the Road The Artist Panel: What price success? Festival Forum: Headline topics Artificial Intelligence: Moving at light speed Teamwork: Culture & careers in live music Grassroots: Supporting the launch pads EAA Private Meeting The Hot Seat Interview The Heat is On: Extreme weather & live music The WME Happy Hour London Calling This is ‘Planet-turf' Table Football Tournament
THURSDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2024 09:30–10:30 09:30–11:00 10:00–11:00 10:00–11:15 10:00–11:15 11:30–12:30 11:30–12:45 11:30–12:45 12:30–14:30 13:30–14:00 14:00–15:00 14:00–15:00 14:00–15:00
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Women in Live Morning Mixer The ‘Escape Veloci-tea' & Coffee Break Emerging Markets: Bridging the Gulf States The Venue's Venue: New frontiers IPM: Keeping the lights on Workshop: Touring & taxation Ticketing: At what price? IPM: Inside P!nk's Summer Carnival The Production & Networking Lunch The Nikos Fund Grand Prize Draw The Agency Business 2024 Marketing: Planet-ing new ideas Misogyny in Music: Eliminating Abuse in the Workplace
14:30–18:00 15:15–16:15 15:30–16:30 15:30–16:30 16:00–17:00 16:45–18:00 17:00–18:00 18:00–19:00 19:00–00:00 19:00–00:00 19:30–21:30 22:30–02:30
CPA Private Meeting Touring: The bread & butter business Latin Live: The promoter's view Workshop: Live music insurance Feld's 'Milky Way' Ice-cream Break The (Late) Breakfast Meeting with Jay Marciano Latin Live: Agents, managers & building blocks The Latin Live Happy Hour Access All Areas The Big Bang' Gala-xy Dinner & Arthur Awards Match of the (Light) Year Football The 'Absolute Zero (Talent)' Karaoke & Arthurs After Party
FRIDAY 1 MARCH 2024 TOURING ENTERTAINMENT LIVE 09:00–11:30 10:00–11:00 11:30–12:00 11:30–12:30 12:00–12:30 12:30–14:00 14:00–15:15 14:00–15:15 15:30–16:30 15:30–16:30 17:00–18:00 18:00–19:00 19:00–00:00
The Friday Tea & Coffee Break The State of the Nation Keynote: Svana Gisla Meet the Family Keynote: Richard Lewis Friday’s ‘Supper Massive’ Lunch Quick-fire Session The A&R of IP Standing out in a Crowded Market Trends for 2024/25 We’ve Got 99 Problems & Here’s How We Solve Them The ‘Mission Accomplished’ Closing Drinks Access All Areas
FUTURES FORUM 09:00–11:30 10:00–11:00 10:00–11:00 10:00–11:00 11:30–12:30 11:30–12:30 11:30–12:30 12:30–14:00 14:00–15:00 14:00–15:00 15:30–16:30 15:30–16:30 17:00–18:00 18:00–19:00
19:00–00:00
The Friday Tea & Coffee Break Meet the New Bosses: Class of 2024 A&R in 2024: Unchartered territory Meet Your Mentor I Soapbox Session I Meet Your Mentor II Agents vs Bookers Friday’s ‘Supper Massive’ Lunch Now That’s What I Call 2024 Soapbox Session II The Evolution of the Music Festival A Greener Future: The case studies The Futures Forum Keynote The ‘Mission Accomplished’ Closing Drinks Access All Areas
IQ125 CONTENTS Cover: Miley Cyrus performs at The 66th Annual Grammy Awards, 4 February 2024 © Sonja Flemming/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images
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FEATURES
COMMENT AND COLUMNS
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Index In Brief The main headlines over the last month Analysis Key stories and news analysis from around the live music world New Signings & Rising Stars A roundup of the latest acts that have been added to the rosters of international agencies
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ILMC 36: One Giant Leap for Live Music The full agenda and schedule for the 36th edition of the International Live Music conference Fields of Vision Profiling ten new festivals that are making their debut in 2024 Women on the Road Female crew members and women backstage discuss the work they’re doing to pave the way for future generations The Deutsche Entertainer DEAG founder Peter Schwenkow looks back over 50 remarkable years as a live entertainment pioneer A Decade of Defiance As Music Venue Trust marks its tenth anniversary, Derek Robertson talks to grassroots venue campaigners around the world Bridging the Gulf Adam Woods shines a light on the burgeoning live entertainment markets in the Gulf States
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ILMC 36: Mission Dossier
NEWS
Using AI to Improve the Live Experience Cliff Fluet previews his ILMC panel Artificial Intelligence: Moving at Light Speed A Capital Investment Ticketing guru Tim Chambers opines that the marriage between private equity and live entertainment has become too big to fail Members’ Noticeboard ILMC members’ photographs Your Stars Our resident astrologer, Pessa Mystic, reveals your horrorscopes for 2024
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Ten new festivals for 2024_Feature
Every year, intrepid promoters and event organisers roll out new concepts and innovative ideas to launch music festivals around the world – and 2024 is no different, with dozens of gatherings set to be added to the calendar. Looking toward the coming months, IQ previews ten of the most talked about new festivals that artists and fans can look forward to attending during 2024…
ROLLING LOUD EUROPE (AT)
Location: Racino in Ebreichsdorf, Vienna Promoter: Live Nation Dates: 5-7 July Capacity: 60,000 Hip-hop festival franchise Rolling Loud will launch in Austria this summer as the only European edition of the US-based festival brand. The inaugural Austrian edition, dubbed Rolling Loud Europe, will take over the Racino open-air venue in Ebreichsdorf, on the outskirts of capital city Vienna, with organisers promising that “some of the most outstanding and hottest representatives of US, British, and European rap will perform.” Launched in 2015, the Miami-hailing festival has also run events in Los Angeles, New York, Sydney, Toronto, and is also plotting a debut event in Thailand this year. In Europe, most recently Rolling Loud has been staged in the Dutch city of Rotterdam, Munich in Germany, and Portimão located on Portugal’s Algarve. europe.rollingloud.com
SUMMER SONIC (TH)
Location: Impact Challenger Hall, Bangkok Promoter: Creativeman Dates: 24-25 August Capacity: 25,000-40,000 per day One of Japan’s biggest international festivals is expanding to Bangkok this year. Summer Sonic, which will be held over the 17-18 August weekend in its traditional twin homes of Tokyo and Osaka, will add a further weekend a week later in the Thai capital, where it will host a mix of Japanese, Asian, and international talent. “Nowadays, overseas festivals are spreading to various regions and achieving success, and Korean artists are active all over the world, so we are starting Summer Sonic Bangkok as a way for Japan to connect with the world through music,” comments Creativeman CEO Naoki Shimizu. “We will aim for a more attractive and powerful lineup by booking great artists in both countries.” The last edition of Summer Sonic that took place outside of Japan was Summer Sonic Shanghai in 2017. It featured a lineup headlined by Luna Sea, followed by The Kooks, Placebo, Nothing But Thieves, Sum 41, Travis, The Fratellis, and more. Korean operation ICA has partnered with Creativeman to programme the inaugural Thai edition and is aiming for a mix of acts that can attract a split of 60% local Thai fans and 40% international visitors. summersonic.com
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Feature_Women on the Road
WOMEN ON THE ROAD While road crew and production personnel were once a men-only closed shop, over the past couple of decades, more and more women have been building careers in these crucial sectors, with hundreds of skilled women now out on the road at any one time. Lisa Henderson speaks to some of the pioneers who have made it possible for those that follow. 52 iq-mag.net
Weighing-up the imbalance
If you want to get a sense of representation on the road, award nominations are one place to look. As many of the interviewees for this feature excitedly pointed out, women dominate certain categories on the shortlist for this year’s TPI Awards. For the Tour Manager of the Year Award, five out of six nominees are women. “That's pretty huge,” says nominee Rebecca Travis, who has been tour manager for artists including James Blake, Gorillaz, Ellie Goulding, Florence and the Machine, and Arcade Fire.
Women on the Road_Feature
“I try to choose the person who has the best skill set for that position” Marguerite Nguyen | Tour Manager
Powered by women: Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour relies heavily on the women in its crew and backstage © Anna Lee Media
“I've been getting nominated for that kind of award quite a few times, and it's generally one or two women in that category,” she adds. Marguerite Nguyen, longtime tour manager for Coldplay, and another one of the five female nominees, says the tour manager shortlist reflects a growing trend. “Tour managers are increasingly female,” she tells IQ from her home in Chicago. “I think women are better at this role, just like I think men are better at other roles on the road. My theory is that women are better multitaskers
than men. Plus, there's probably a little bit of motherly care to how we operate.” Travis attests: “I do believe that women have perhaps a more caring, nurturing, motherly sort of way with them, and they might be more thoughtful about things like eating and health and mental well-being.” While female representation among tour managers is strong, unfortunately, it’s not reflective of gender balance in the wider production industry – especially when it comes to technical departments.
“The highest representation I’ve seen is ten women on a crew of 50 people,” says Laura Nagtegaal, a guitar technician and tour manager who has been working in the industry for 30 years. “And when it comes to the backline, I’m a unicorn.” Travis, whose industry career has spanned 25 years, has also noticed a gender divide when it comes to different touring disciplines: “Wardrobe, catering, management, assistant roles, are female-dominated, and accountants, and tour managers are well-represernted, but I struggle to think of many female production managers.” On the other side of the production industry is Ginger Owl, a female-led company dealing in event management, accreditation, logistics, and advancing. “We advance lots of festivals and still, primarily, our main contacts are men – especially the technical and production roles,” says Julie Chennells. “You can count on one hand the ladies you see in the lighting industry, for example. We tend to see them more in logistics and sectors like in accreditation. “I wouldn't like to comment whether it's society pushing women that way or if it's because they don't have the opportunities or if it's indeed because they're just not that interested in that side. It's a very difficult question and debate. But if you look at the touring industry, it’s a microcosm of the world.” Nagtegaal points out, gender inequality across roles has long been ingrained in ways we might not even realise: “It’s always been the ‘merch girl’ or the ‘sound guy.’”
In a league of their own
It may not come as a surprise that one of the acts setting the bar for diversity among touring crews is Coldplay, a band that has been industry-leading in more ways than one. Marguerite Nguyen started touring with the British icons in 2008 on the Viva La Vida tour as the production coordinator, before getting promoted to tour manager for Mylo Xyloto. “I remember one day, we were walking the band offstage, and I saw a sea of women surrounding the band as they were walking back to the dressing room,” she recalls of her early daysof Thousands with the band. professionals read “There are more women than I hadday. ever Make witIQ every nessed on any other tour – and it’s by you no means a sure get the requirement of employment,” she says.
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As Deutsche Entertainment AG eyes yet another record year, its founder and CEO, Peter Schwenkow, is celebrating some personal milestones of his own: 50 years in business and the small matter of his 70th birthday on 23 March. Gordon Masson learns about Schwenkow’s Thousands of professionals read path to the top and his future IQ every day. Make sure you get the ambitions for DEAG… whole picture… SUBSCRIBE HERE Magazine 61
GRASSROOTS MUSIC VENUES: THE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
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A Decade of Defiance_Feature
Bob Vylan at the Cavern Club in Liverpool © David Goodchild
As Music Venue Trust marks its tenth anniversary, Derek Robertson looks back on a momentous decade of change for the people and organisations, internationally, who are fighting to protect the grassroots venues network.
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cross the globe, in almost every town and city, hidden gems pulsate with the raw, unbridled energy of live music. Often tucked away off the beaten track, these intimate spaces carry a profound significance that transcends mere bricks and mortar. They are sanctuaries where local music scenes breathe and
evolve, providing a stage for emerging artists to share their stories – cultural beacons where community, authenticity, and resilience truly take precedence. In an era of endless mass production, these venues stand as a testament to the enduring power of music and fans’ unwavering passion, where that intimate connection between artist and audience is not only appreciated but revered. They are the very lifeblood of musical culture.
But such grassroots music venues are facing existential threats. 2023 was the toughest year yet for them, something that becomes crystal clear perusing news stories on the topic. “Brutal,” “A dire crisis,” and “Devasting” scream the headlines – and with, on average, more than one venue closing every week, the topic is now routinely reported on by the mainstream media. In the UK, the perfect storm of Brexit, Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and the knock-on effects of wars and global instability has pushed many venues to the brink; government intransigence and ignorance often impede even the most basic common-sense efforts toThousands help. of Yet the fight for their survival is not without professionals read hope. Last year marked the tenth anniversary of IQ every day. Make the Music Venue Trust, a ground-breaking charsure you get the ity that does vital work developing solutions,
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MARKET REPORT GULF STATES
BRIDGING THE GULF As oil-rich economies ramp up investment in their live entertainment sectors, the Gulf States are providing the global industry with a credible touring destination to link Europe with Asia, Africa, and Australasia. Adam Woods reports on this remarkable, fast-changing region.
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n terms of their specific demographics, weather, and politics, not to mention their disparate commercial models, the live entertainment markets of the Gulf – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, in this context – are unlike any other regional grouping in the world. But some things are the same in this pocket of the Middle East as they are everywhere else: such
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as when Ed Sheeran came through Dubai in mid-January and sold out two Sevens Stadiums and 60,000 tickets – just as he does in seemingly any market he visits. “It was a new level of production that hasn’t been seen in the market before,” says the shows’ promoter, All Things Live Middle East CEO Thomas Ovesen. “It’s a show in the round, so we were conscious that we had to somehow explain that to people, without too many tech-
nicalities. But he’s such a phenomenal artist and so strong that it all worked out, and everyone wanted to get a ticket.” That’s Ed for you. Such displays of ticket-selling clout don’t happen every week in Dubai. The Emirate, by far the least subsidised active market in the Gulf, has always been a tricky one to get right, though many promoters have tried – none harder than Ovesen, who in various guises has brought in Justin Bieber,
The Eagles, Guns N’ Roses, Jennifer Lopez, and Elton John. These days, along with neighbouring Abu Dhabi, Dubai is a solid stop on a burgeoning touring circuit – one which, in addition to the markets of the Gulf, increasingly encompasses India, South Africa, Turkey, Egypt, even Georgia and Azerbaijan. But lately – at least when Ed Sheeran isn’t in town – the main driver of regional excitement has been Saudi money.
MARKET REPORT GULF STATES
“We definitely see lots of talk about programming for these future theatres and arenas that are being built, so someone eventually has to deliver” Thomas Ovesen | All Things Live Middle East
Live Nation promoted BlackPink at Etihad Park in Abu Dhabi last year
Fuelled by a plan to draw tourism, build soft power, and entertain a young population, Saudi lately become the land of the ‘gigaproject,’ where gleaming new megacities, jaw-dropping historic restorations, mind-boggling urban developments, and eye-wateringly luxurious resorts aspire to redefine the very limits of ambition and opulence. And whenever ground is broken, the word ‘entertainment’ is somewhere in the air, whether it’s
the planned 45,000-capacity stadium on a 200m-high cliff in Qiddiya City near Riyadh; a proposed opera house at the Jeddah Central waterfront development; or ASM Global’s 20,000-capacity Jeddah Arena Airport City, scheduled to open at the end of next year. That is a large part of the reason why, after years of patchy development spearheaded mainly by hardworking Dubai and its wealthy neighbour Abu Dhabi, the Gulf now
finds itself a very interesting region indeed – albeit one that remains distinctly lopsided, its various key players coming to the table with very different budgets and goals. First, there’s the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where generous state backing has put cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, and festivals (notably including MDLBEAST Soundstorm), uppermost in the minds of the world’s agents. Beyoncé, Metallica, Mariah Carey, Nelly, Janet Jackson, and Future have been among the visitors to this booming new market, where tickets are cheap and sometimes even free, but the 36m-strong population – more than 40% of it under 24 – guarantees a mighty crowd. In Dubai, where the population is far smaller and the commercial realities more pressing, the market is a more pragmatic one but highly engaged in its attempts to mobilise a remarkably diverse market that counts an almost unbelievable range of cultures among its 3.3m inhabitants. “We have close to 200 different nationalities living in the UAE,” says Ovesen. “So we have people that come from very different cultural backgrounds and experiences when it comes to live entertainment. Sometimes we have to get people out to the very first gig of their life; sometimes we’re dealing with 14-year-old kids of 200 nationalities. It’s all very exciting, but it’s challenging as well.” Then there’s Abu Dhabi, where music, again heavily state-funded, tends to intertwine with the local Grand Prix; and Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, where a variety of highly modern venues enable a steady but controlled stream of shows by wellknown western and Arabic stars. All of it adds up to an increasingly viable regional circuit, albeit
one rife with budget inequality. Meanwhile, investment in venue infrastructure across the region, combined with the development of nearby and not so nearby markets, suggests that, should the Saudi Arabian chequebook slam shut, something is being built in the Gulf and beyond, that ought to last a while.
Promoters
As an increasingly sturdy market coalesces across the Gulf and the wider region, many of the prominent global players have ramped up their presence. Live Nation Middle East, long present and now increasingly active, now presides over sophisticated regional tours for western and Arabic artists from its base in Dubai. All Things Live made its first non-European investment last April when it backed regional live veteran Ovesen to establish All Things Live Middle East. In Abu Dhabi, state-backed promoter Flash Entertainment, which over the years has brought Beyoncé, the Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, and Coldplay to the Emirate, merged with Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM) in May last year to become Ethara. And in KSA, MDLBEAST is the standard-bearer for a new generation of Saudi promoters. Based in Dubai under regional president James Craven, Live Nation Middle East recently added a team to nurture up-and-coming Arabic talent, led by Amin T. Kabbani, and accordingly, the promoter’s highest-grossing arena show of 2023 was one such artist, Abdul Majeed Abdullah, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. But across the board,of Thousands the live giant’s professionals focus on the region read is palpably intensifying. IQ every day. Make “2023 was a record year for Live sure you get the Nation Middle East, with the larg-
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NEW NAME. NEW EXPERIENCE. Uber Arena and Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin. From March 22nd, 2024 Berlin‘s most impressive event destination, featuring one of the most successful arenas worldwide and a music hall unmatched in its category, is unveiling a new identity: Welcome to Uber Arena and Uber Eats Music Hall at Uber Platz in Berlin – where entertainment takes center stage like never before. Find out more:
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