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VIP NEWS
PREMIUM > VOLUME 176 > FEBRUARY 2015
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VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2015
McGowan’s
Musings
I know I should have been at home in
and the answer in this particular case, was,
magazines. It’s hard for a print magazine
Brighton on Valentine’s day coping with
in the well appointed venues of Norrköping,
to not be just replicating the news that can
the sacks full of cards which the Royal Mail
a very attractive city. Considering that the
be found so easily on-line, the New Musical
struggled to bring to my door (OK – a slight
country has an undoubted track record
Express to give it it’s full title now sells less
exaggeration, but I’m sure you Ladies of the
of producing music for the international
than 14.000 copies per issue. Old chaps like
live music industry meant to send them?
markets, from the days of ABBA, to EDM
me, particularly ones who have a stab at
No? Oh well I can dream!), and arranging
super band Swedish House Mafia, and any
writing the odd article, will be sad if NME
candlelit suppers etc, but I wasn’t, I was in
number of highly talented producers and
and others do disappear completely, but,
Sweden. Actually Peter Briggs and I were
writers, it’s surprising that it’s taken this
apparently - that’s progress!
attending the very first edition of ‘Where’s
long for there to be a showcase/conference
the Music?’ A good question, you might say,
event – everywhere else has one, or in some
Whilst talking of Awards, I see that another
cases two! It’s also interesting that the
of the legendary, yet still working, managers,
instigators and producers of ‘Where’s the
is to be honoured at this year’s Artist &
Music’ are FKP Scorpio, a German based
Manager Awards on March 26th, organised
company, with a Dutch founder, and now an
by The Music Managers Forum. Jim Beach,
established Swedish office. The event was
long time manager of Queen will receive
considered a success by both the organizers
the award named after the legendary Led
and those attending, and as she told us in
Zeppelin manager Peter Grant who did so
a welcoming speech, the Mayor of the city.
much to reconstruct the whole business of
(See report in this issue.)
artist management in the 70’s Peter Grant
COLOPHON > VIP-News is published by: VIP-Booking.com 20-22 Wenlock Road London N1 7GU United Kingdom +44 870 755 0092 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
Award. A lawyer by profession, Jim has Either there’s a spate of Trade events, or in this case, Awards, – people either love them or hate them! The live touring magazine
We always need good managers; in fact
Pollstar
2015Concert
I could do with one to make sure I get to
Industry Awards in Nashville, the Brits did
handed
out
it’s
meetings on time! Just about to jump on a
pretty well! (See winners listing in this
train to London for ILMC meetings, which
issue). The Brits are due to take place, or
by the way, makes me realise how we cover
probably by the time you read this having
the history of this business, I started these
taken place, on Wednesday February 23rd.
Musings talking about the very first edition
The NME Awards were recently handed
of a music trade event, then conclude with
out, and much as there was a good
reference to the upcoming 27th edition of
turnout of industry folk, and it’s always
one of our industry’s major gatherings. Time
pleasing to get a ‘gong’ fom a respected
moves on - must rush - we shall report back
source, it’s difficult not to note the decline
in the next issue! –
in the fortunes of this, and other, once indispensable music trade papers and
2
been involved with Queen since 1975.
Ladies and Gentlemen – The News!
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2015
‘Where’s the Music!’ Premieres in Sweden Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com The very first ‘Where’s the Music?’ took
these clubs and halls were in walking
in charge of Scorpio’s Nordic operations, and
place in Norrköping between 12th and 14th of
distance of each other, always a bonus at
Scorpio MD Stephan Thanscheidt, and guests.
February. FKP Scorpio organized the festival
these showcase events!
Folkert admitted to some nervousness about
and conference together with the tourist
the attendance of the shows on Thursday,
office, Experience Norrköping. FKP Scorpio
The
an
but in the end a last minute walk up saw
was established in 1990 by Folkert Koopmans
impressive line up of international panelists,
two-day
conference
featured
most of the tickets sell, as they did on the
and is currently one of the biggest festival
and covered a good range of topics, ranging
Friday and Saturday. Later Folkert stated that
promoters in Europe. With the Head Office
from the informed way to approach touring
he was, “…very happy with the outcome of
based in Hamburg, the company was also
in the US, to the outlook for new headliners
the festival, the amount of festival visitors
established in Sweden in 2011, promoting
at festivals, and cooperation between local
and delegates. With 410 delegates and 4689
both concerts and festivals such as Bravalla
and international promoters and agents.
festival visitors the first edition of Where’s
Festival in Norrkoping and Getaway Rock in Gavle.
the Music? was a great success. Our goal was There were three keynotes: I had the
to introduce new talented artists to a wider
pleasure of interviewing someone who
audience, but also to talk about current
For a first time event the Conference and
very rarely, if ever, puts himself forward for
subjects and offer a platform for discussion
Showcase did very well, leaving both
these things but was apparently coerced by
and exchange and with a comprehensive
organizers and delegates confident that
Folkert Koopmans. Paul Boswell, founder
and eventful conference agenda create
Sweden now has an industry meeting and
of Free Trade Agency in London, has
new collaborations. With the first year
festival that should become a fixture in the
represented some great acts since starting
of the festival we have accomplished our
calendar of these gatherings.
in the business in the 70’s, ranging from The
goals. I am especially pleased that so many
Beastie Boys, to The UK Subs, Hanoi Rocks,
colleagues and people from the industry
4689 festival tickets were sold and 410
and many others, and these days represents
from all over the world came to the festival.
delegates took part in the conference. Over
international stars like Ed Sheeran and James
The conference part of Where’s the Music? is
the three days 144 mostly Scandinavian
Blunt. He told some great stories and should
an exciting, energetic and interesting part of
artists, with some upcoming internationals
do more of these things! Someone who is
Where’s the Music?.”
performed to full houses in ten impressive
never backward in coming forward is the
venues. As well as being well appointed,
legendary Australian promoter, manager and
www.fkpscorpio.se
impresario, Michael Chugg; Chuggi talked for an hour about his career, from his beginnings
Michael Chugg
in the business in Tasmania to the success of ABBA in Australia, to constant international traveling these days as manager of the highly successful Australian act, Shepherd, he could easily have talked for another hour. Anders Larsson, founder and CEO of United Stage, which is one of the largest companies in the Nordic entertainment industry, completed the trio of keynotes, and emphasised the growing opportunities in the Swedish and Nordic territories. I spoke to Folkert Koopmans on the Thursday night at a dinner with Juha Kyrro who is now
Paul Boswell
3
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2015
Key staff change at Academy Music Group From VIP-Daily News
UK based venue owner and operator Academy Music Group
Birmingham; and has previously worked at The Old Fire Station,
(AMG) has appointed 3 new managers.
Bournemouth University’s Student’s Union venue, with whom AMG has an existing management agreement.
Nikki Miles (pictured) has moved from Academy Music Group’s South Coast venue, O2 Academy Bournemouth (cap. 1,800) to
“Both
General
Managers
have
experience
within
AMG,
become General Manager of O2 Academy Oxford. Nikki has an
particularly the application needed within the club business as
excellent reputation and hands on experience in live music and
well as live music; and Students’ Union partnerships.” stated
clubs, having worked in operations across bars and venues in
AMG’s Chief Operating Officer, Graham Walters. “An integral
Bournemouth for several years prior to joining AMG in 2009 as
part of our business, their knowledge of a diverse range of
Bars Manager and more recently, Venue Manager.
markets and running multi-room formats with busy diaries will certainly benefit their teams and client relationships in their
Will Dore-Dennis (pictured) will be moving from O2 Academy
respective positions.”
Leicester (cap. 1,400) to take up his position as General Manager of O2 Academy Bournemouth as of Monday 3rd February. Prior to
Also within AMG, Sean Flanagan has become Assistant General
Leicester and over the last five years, Will has held management
Manager at O2 ABC Glasgow and O2 Academy Glasgow, with
positions within the Group at O2 Academy venues in Oxford and
Keryn Ward now Bars Manager across both Scottish venues.
Nikki Miles and Will Dore-Dennis
4
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2015
Pollstar Concert Industry 2015 Awards Winners Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
2015 Concert Indust ry Awards winner s we re honoured during a ceremony on Saturday February 21 at the Rym an Auditorium in Nashv ille.
The full list of winners: Major Tour Of The Year – Paul McCartney Most Creative Stage Pro duction – Katy Perry Comedy Tour Of The Yea r – Dave Chappelle Best New Touring Artist – Sam Smith Major Music Festival Of The Year – Austin City Lim its Austin, Texas Music Festival Of The Yea r – Telluride Bluegrass Fes tival Telluride, Colo. International Music Festi val Of The Year – Glastonbury Festival Un ited Kingdom Nightclub Of The Year – 9:30 Club Washington, D.C . Theatre Of The Year – Ry man Auditorium Nashville , Tenn. Arena Of The Year – Bridg estone Arena Nashville, Ten n. Red Rocks Award Best Sm all Outdoor Venue – Greek Theatre Los Angel es, Calif. Best Major Outdoor Conce rt Venue – Hollywood Bo wl Los Angeles, Calif. Best New Major Concert Venue – Forum Inglewoo d, Calif. International Venue Of Emma Banks, United Kin The Year – The O2 London gdom , Un ite d Kin Booking Agent Of The Yea gdom Facility Executive Of Th r e Year – Sally Williams Ryman Au ditorium - Nashville, Tenn. Nightclub Talent Buyer Of The Year – Roger LeBlan c Canyon Club / The Coach Talent Buyer Of The Yea House / So. Calif. r – Brian O’Connell Live Na tion Nashville Bill Graham Award Promo ter Of The Year – Charles Attal C3 Presents International Promoter Of The Year – Barrie Marsh all Marshall Arts Third Coast Agent Of Th e Year – Kevin Neal WME Bobby Brooks Award Ag ent Of The Year – John Hu ie Creative Artists Agency Independent Booking Ag ency Of The Year – The Wi ndish Agency Booking Agency Of The Year – WME United Kingdom Booking Agent Of The Year – Em ma Banks Creative Artist Personal Manager Of Th s Agency UK e Year – John Silva Nine Inc h Nails, Foo Fighters, Queen Road Warrior Of The Yea s of the Stone Age r – Gus Brandt Foo Fighte rs, Pharrell Williams Lighting Company Of Th e Year – Bandit Lites Sound Company Of The Year – Clair Staging / Equipment Co mpany Of The Year – Sta geco Transportation Compan y Of The Year – Rock-It Ca rgo Video Company Of The Yea r – Moo TV
6
VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >
FEBRUARY 2015
Hopefully Never Ever Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com
Terrorism is a hopefully unlikely threat that no one wishes to contemplate... Nevertheless, terrorism is a topic that at least is a consideration for all those who are involved with the organisation of international sport events or political summits... VIP News spoke with Chris Kemp, who is a
as Show & Event Security (SES), the O2
VIP News: What are your recommenda-
leading member of the steering committee
Arena, The NEC, The NIA, LG Arena, the
tions on how promoters should deal
of the YES Group (Yourope’s Event Safety
IDTA (Worldwide), Reddawn (Australia), SOS
with this issue?
Group). Chris used to work as a professor
Security AS (Norway) New West Fest (USA),
at Bucks New University and is Head of the
Police Scotland and Web-Labs...
Chris Kemp: I have recently seen a range of ‘Terrorism Preparedness Reports’ for
International Centre for Crowd Management & Security Studies (ICCMSS) regarding the
VIP News: How great do you consider
events across the world, showing that event
subject of terrorism. As a managing director
the risk of potential terror attacks on
managers; venue managers and promoters
for Mom Consultancy he served clients such
live music events?
are taking this risk seriously. There is still a long way to go but people have been been
Chris Kemp: The risk of potential terror attacks
delivering these resources for some time.
on live music events is the same as the risk of
However, the risk assessment should in
potential attacks on other crowded spaces.
theory cover this risk but given its priority
The effectiveness of the terrorist relies heavily
at the moment many are going the extra
on the lack of intelligence gleaned by the
mile to create stand-alone documents,
intelligence agencies. The recent attacks in
which fold into the planning framework of
Paris show that single cell mentality, where
the event.
there are few links to others outside the
Chris kemp
cell are the most devastating and difficult
VIP
to stop. Nowhere is safe, it just depends on
today’s health & safety concepts and
News:
Would
you
say
that
the priority of the terrorist group at the time
strategies for bigger music events
and how beneficial to their cause they see an
already address the risk of terrorism
attack on a music event.
appropriately?
7
VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >
FEBRUARY 2015
Chris Kemp: Consider, theorise, strategise
holistic delivery will be organised so that
have been done better. Although training
and operationalise are all elements which
everyone has dovetailing plans. The key is
and education have their place, there is no
come into play here and all of which
responsibility and accountability.
substitute for experience. These courses
differ from event to event. The strategic
give people the experience to take back into
delivery of this area has to be able to be
VIP News: You also provided education
operationalised and this includes all of
and
those involved in the Emergency Liaison
international sport events such as the
For further information on Chris Kemp please
Team including the police. At any event a
Olympic Games or the Tour De France.
check www.momconsultancy.com
training
programmes
the workplace and use.
for
Please explain about the content of these programmes and perhaps let us know what live music promoters may learn from promoters of such sport events? Chris Kemp: The key to the programmes that we provide is that they take the theories of the areas of health, safety and crowd management and put it into context. The theory is applied to everyday situations
Event security
in the workplace and we look again at responses to other events to see what could
ImagIne
if you could go to one website and learn aLL about the european Live music Industry?
WeLL you can! www.vip-booking.com
速
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8
ALVVAYS
LIGHTS
THE CROSSROADS OF BUSINESS AND MUSIC
F i d la r
FAITH
THE
ORWELLS
THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN
NO
MORE
D E AT H CAB FOR CUTIE
30th Anniversary of Psychocandy
THE WATERBOYS
Noel BILLY
Gallagher’s
High Flying Birds
TALENT Kiesza
REGISTER TO ATTEND AT CMW.NET CANADIANMUSICWEEK
CMW_WEEK
CANADIANMUSICWEEK
“We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.”
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2015
Wonderful Tallinn Music Week Anne Frank Alsted, aa@vip-booking.com During the last weekend of March, 205
on Denmark by Music Export Denmark,
Throughout TMW’s existence, a number
artists from 26 countries will perform at
JazzDanmark, World Music Denmark and
of well-known international experts have
the 7th edition of Tallinn Music Week,
Rosa, is also the opening party of the festival
participated
the biggest talent festival in the Nordic-
on 26th March at Von Krahl theatre with
discussions, among them Seymour Stein,
Baltic region from 25th to 29th March.
some of the representatives of Danish pop
the legendary founder and president of Sire
and rock.
Records (Madonna, Ramones), influential
In its seventh year Tallinn Music Week
in
the
conference
panel
managers Petri Lunden (Cardigans, Europe),
has grown into a major meeting point for
TMW is part of CEETEP and ETEP programmes
Edward Bicknell (Dire Straits, Scott Walker,
Eastern, Western and Central European
within Eurosonic. Tallinn Music Week’s
Bryan Ferry), Peter Jenner (Pink Floyd) and
music communities as well as an attractive
international activities introducing Tallinn and
many others.
spring time travel destination for the region’s
Estonia as an attractive tourism destination
music, culture and food lovers. An annually
of music and culture are supported by The
See
increasing number of foreign artists – 84
European Regional Development Fund.
programme on www.tmw.ee
both
festival
–
and
conference
acts from 25 countries – proves the point. This year’s international line-up includes 12
TMW’s two-day music industry conference,
artists from Finland, 9 from Denmark, Latvia
taking place at www.nordichotels.eu/
and Russia, 6 from Poland and 5 from UK,
en Nordic Hotel Forum’s conference centre,
Sweden and Belarus.
traditionally covers a wide range of topics from local cultural policy and regional
10
The seventh edition of the festival features
cooperation to hands-on artist management
a special focus on Denmark – currently one
tips and global music business models.
of the most exciting new music sources in
Panelists include both industry professionals
Europe. The Danish party, hosted by SPOT
from abroad and local specialists.
Helen Sildna is the founder and director of Tallinn Music Week. She has been in the music industry for more than a decade as an Estonianbased promoter and artist booker.
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2015
EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG 2016 FOCUSES ON CENTRAL EAST EUROPEAN (CEE) COUNTRIES Anne Frank Alsted, aa@vip-booking.com
Eurosonic Noorderslag is preparing for its 30th edition with the Central East European regions as the focus for 2016. Each year a different country is highlighted in order to showcase the diversity of musical talent across Europe. In 2016, 13 CEE countries will be the focus region of Eurosonic Noorderslag
The focus for 2016 is the conclusion of
Fruzsina
Szép (former
the Central European Talent Exchange
director
of
between
to its final phase. In January 2016 we will
Programme (CEETEP 2010 – 2015). Together
2009-2014, now Director of Festival
unite all the positive energies and the region
with 18 CEETEP festivals in the CEE region
Coordination and Public Affairs Berlin
which we call Central and Eastern Europe
and selected CEE media partners, Eurosonic
Festival and Lollapalooza Berlin):
and we will become ONE within the stages
Sziget
programme
(HU)
involved a 10 year period will come now
of Europe. January 2016 at Eurosonic a long
Noorderslag and co-organisers Sziget and Exit Festival, have developed a plan to
“My deep wish to strengthen the circulation
time dream will come true.”
encourage the circulation of CEE artists
of artistic repertoire and the cooperation
and repertoire in Central and Eastern
and exchange of know-how between the
Peter Smidt (creative director Eurosonic
Europe, both at festivals and in the media.
cultural workers, festivals, media in the
Noorderslag):
By working together, the CEETEP festivals
CEE region started long back in 2005. In
and their media partners aim to help more
2006 the idea of CEETEP was born at the
“With more or less half of the European
CEE artists perform across borders within
RegiON music conference in Budapest. With
people living in what we call Central Eastern
Central Eastern Europe, and, via shows at
the strong believe that we can build up
Europe, Eurosonic Noorderslag feels it is
Eurosonic Noorderslag, throughout the
something together for our region, for the
crucial to make much more and better
whole of Europe and beyond.
artists by building cultural bridges between
connections between Western Europe and
our countries.
Central Eastern Europe. We are curious for all talents in this large area and would like
The 13 focus countries in the CEE group are: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia,
With the great cooperation between all
to facilitate much more and better business
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the
the wonderful people, festivals, media and
relations between music professionals and
Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia,
Eurosonic Noorderslag and Exit Festival
media.”
Slovakia and Slovenia. The CEE-focus will be organised by: Fruzsina Szép (HU/DE), Exit (RS), Open’er Festival (PL), Pohoda (SK), Waves Bratislava (SK), Talinn Music Week (EE), Guna Zuika (Creative Industries Council at the Ministry of Culture, Latvia) (LV) and Eurosonic Noorderslag (NL). The 30th edition of Eurosonic Noorderslag will take place on 13, 14, 15 and 16 January 2016.
Fruzsina Szep
Peter Smidt
11
HOW EUROPEAN FESTIVALS AND RADIO STATIONS HELP ACTS TO BUILD A CAREER The European Talent Exchange Programme (ETEP) helps the best European acts to build careers across borders. ETEP is a co-operation between the 100 festival members, European public radio stations (EBU), the international music press and Eurosonic Noorderslag. Since the start of ETEP in 2003 a total of 2294 shows by 810 artists were presented at 90 ETEP festivals in 30 countries (2003-2014). In previous years acts like Ásgeir, Aurora, Benjamin Clementine, Birth of Joy, Coely, Ewert and the Two Dragons, Hozier, Ibeyi, Jaakko Eino Kalevi, Jungle, Milky Chance, Seinabo Sey, SOAK, Vök and Years & Years played lots of festivals, kick-starting their European careers with help from the ETEP programme.
photo: Dom Moore
ETEP FESTIVALS IN 2015 AUSTRIA: Frequency Festival, Nova Rock, Waves Vienna
LUXEMBOURG: Rock-A-Field
BELGIUM: Cactusfestival, Dour Festival, Les Ardentes, Les Nuits
NORWAY: Bergenfest, Hovefestivalen, Øyafestivalen, Slottsfjel
Botanique, Pukkelpop, Rock Werchter
POLAND: Live Music Festival, Off Festival Katowice, Open’er
CROATIA: INmusic Festival
Festival, Selector Festival
CZECH REPUBLIC: Colours of Ostrava, Rock For People
PORTUGAL: Optimus Primavera Sound, Super Bock Super
DENMARK: NorthSide Festival, Roskilde Festival, Tinderbox
Rock, WestWay Lab Festival
ESTONIA: Tallinn Music Week
REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA: Taksirat Festival
FAROE ISLANDS (DENMARK): G! Festival
ROMANIA: B’estfest
FINLAND: Ilosaarirock, Provinssi Festival, Ruisrock
SERBIA: Exit Festival
FRANCE: Europavox, Le Printemps de Bourges, Les 3 éléphants,
SLOVAKIA: Pohoda, Waves Bratislava
Les Eurockéennes de Belfort, Les Rencontres Trans Musicales
SLOVENIA: MENT Ljubljana
de Rennes, MaMA Event, Rock en Seine, Vieilles Charrues
SPAIN: Benicàssim Festival, Bizkaia International Music
GERMANY: Berlin Festival, c/o pop Festival, Chiemsee Summer,
Experience, Día de la Música, Primavera Sound
Das Fest, Haldern Pop, Happiness Festival, Highfield, Hurricane
SWEDEN: Bråvalla Festival, Malmöfestivalen, Way Out West
Festival, Melt!, Orange Blossom Special, Reeperbahn Festival,
SWITZERLAND: Bad Bonn Kilbi Festival, Greenfield Festival,
Rocco del Schlacko, Rock Am Ring, Rolling Stone Weekender,
Gurtenfestival, Montreux Jazz Festival, OpenAir St. Gallen,
Southside Festival, Taubertal Festival
Paléo Festival Nyon, Winterthurer Musikfestwochen
GREECE: Rockwave Festival
THE NETHERLANDS: Best Kept Secret Festival, Lowlands,
HUNGARY: Sziget
Parkpop, Pinkpop
ICELAND: Iceland Airwaves
UNITED KINGDOM: Beautiful Days, Bestival, End of the
ITALY: Arezzo Wave Love Festival
Road Festival, Glastonbury, Green Man, Larmer Tree Festival,
IRELAND: Body & Soul Festival
Secret Garden Party, T in the Park, The Great Escape
LATVIA: Positivus Festival
USA: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
LITHUANIA: Vilnius Music Week
MORE INFO
WWW.ETEP.NL
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2015
Phillips CEO of Global Entertainment From VIP-Daily News Randy Phillips, former AEG Live CEO, is now the CEO of Global
Global founder/executive president Ashley Tabor has used U.K.’s
Entertainment, a newly-launched U.S. division for London-based
largest commercial radio company Global Radio as a base to create
Global, The Media and Entertainment Group.
an entertainment company that now includes Global Television and Global Publishing (Ellie Goulding, Corinne Bailey Rae, LMFAO),
The multifaceted company will include touring, label, publishing,
with the latter to be part of the Global Entertainment U.S. division
artist
under Phillips.
management,
branding/sponsorships
and
marketing
divisions, with new headquarters based in Los Angeles and a London office. Phillips will be based in LA and oversee U.S. affairs
“This is a defining moment for Global as we open our first office
and worldwide content for Global Entertainment
in the U.S. and create a new type of content company,” Global founder Ashley Tabor said earlier this year.
Phillips believes the Global model is the way of the future. “I believe
“Our goal is to redefine the possibilities for a 21st century music
that within three to five years, all of the major labels that exist will
and entertainment company and I am thrilled to have Randy and
look like Global”, he told Billboard.
the team on board.”
Randy Phillips
13
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2015
Bestival Goes Abroad From VIP-Daily News Bestival has announced a new festival in
“We have waited twelve years to decide
waiting is over and we are so excited to be
Toronto, which will take place on the city’s
to launch another Bestival outside of the
launching in North America in June, with
Hanlan’s Point Beach on 12-13 May.
UK. It took a really special city, and an even
a classic Bestival line-up waiting to thrill,
more exciting site, with Toronto and Toronto
intrigue and party!”
Founder of Bestival, Rob da Bank, says:
Island, to make us take the leap. So, the The event is being launched in partnership with Canadian promoters Embrace and the ever expansive SFX Entertainment. For more information, go to: www.bestival.ca As previously reported, Team Bestival are also expanding their UK operations, having announced back in December the launch of a new city-based festival in Southampton called Common People. That is due to take place 23-24 May, with the first day headlined
Rob da Bank
by Fatboy Slim. For more information go to: www.commonpeople.net
James Last: Final tour From VIP-Daily News James Last, composer and big band leader,
Last, who is thought to have sold in excess
Last started his music career in the 1960s
has announced his final tour.
of 100 million albums with his trademark
with instrumental music recordings with his
“happy music”, will play the Royal Albert
orchestra James Last & His Orchestra, a big
Hall on 31 March and 1 April.
band with strings and choir added.
The tour will include two dates at the Royal Albert Hall, with the final concert on 26 April in Cologne. They will be his 89th and 90th concerts at the venue, and the concerts ”will mark the end of this chapter”, the 85-year-old German artist said. A serious illness last September apparently forced him to face the fact that “a man full of plans, needs to not just slow down but give up his life on tour altogether”. Last said it was a decision he “regrets very much” having to make. The tour, he said, will give him a welcome opportunity to bid farewell his fans. “The main thing is that my fans have the best concerts of their lives and we will make this our `happiest` concert yet,”
14
James Last Photo by Frank Zauritz
VIP NEWS > BUSINESS >
MUSIC IN SHARES
FEBRUARY 2015
Music In Shares Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com CTS Eventim - The Legal Hassle Continues
son. Within the public letter a DEAG spokesman emphasized that it was the Nürburging approaching DEAG as a new deal for the site in
In the last issue VIP News reported about the complaints by the con-
2015 with MLK had not been agreed. According to DEAG the whole
sumer watch dog organisation Verbraucherzentrale NRW regarding
procedure at every stage has been a legitimate business move.
the sales policy of CTS Eventim for nine ACDC concerts. This time CTS Eventim finds itself again confronted. The newspaper Welt Am
In terms of the share price this kind of public debate had no signifi-
Sonntag on February 22 reported that the German Cartel Office
cant impact. Anyhow since last time reported at 7.80 Euro, the price
launched an investigation about the abuse of market power by CTS
meanwhile went down to 7.40 Euro.
Eventim. The investigations are ongoing since November 2014. CTS Eventim received a comprehensive questionnaire from the office and
Live Nation - No Evidence For An Antitrust Lawsuit
confirmed that it will or already has also sent questionnaires to competitors. As a public institution it is compulsory for all of those who
The US promoter Seth Hurwitz on behalf of It’s My Amphitheatre
have received one of these to answers the questions. The investiga-
Inc. failed in his attempt to file an antitrust lawsuit against Live Na-
tion is supposed to last at least for another couple of months.
tion. The claim was filed in 2009, but according to a recent decision by the US District Judge J. Frederick Motz, did not produce enough
The news itself has been intensively covered by German media and
evidence to go to trial.
caused over the weekend a share price drop of 17 percent. However, the Cartel Office only has two options for sanctions against the com-
The newspaper Baltimore Sun quoted Hurwitz who commented,
pany. One, in the case of approval, is to file a written notice against
“the ruling was supposed to be about whether or not there was
CTS Eventim to desist using unfair business practices, the other one
enough of a case to go to trial. Plain and simple. And they success-
is to file a penalty fee against the company.
fully drew the judge into trying the case before that. So I have to give them that”
In terms of the mentioned share price drop this at least caused no bigger impact. During Monday morning, the share price more or
Live Nation published a statement regarding the claim saying: “We
less recovered completely and reached on Tuesday, February 24, a
are very pleased with the judge’s ruling, which we believe validates
level of 27.03 Euro. On January 26 VIP News reported a share price
Live Nation’s business approach and practices, and which aligns with
of 25.62 Euro.
our long-standing belief that the accusations made in this case were completely false. We feel vindicated that the court was able to see
DEAG - No News Except One Public Letter
through the baseless allegations by a rival promoter and recognize that the claims of anti-competitive conduct had no merit. Our focus
The launch of three news festivals by DEAG in Germany and Austria
is, and will continue to be, providing a world-class live music experi-
still provokes attention within the industry and trade media. Elder
ence for artists and their millions of fans.”
industry statesmen Karsten Jahnke who is well known even outside Germany for his short but to the point comments about the shape
Anyhow: Since the last issue the share price went up from $25.55
of the concert industry, recently ventured certain observations re-
to $25.69...
garding the “fight of festivals” provoking a public letter by DEAG objecting to some of his statements made earlier on in January in a
SFX Entertainment - How Low Can Your Go...
keynote interview at Eurosonic and later on in February in an article within the German trade paper Musikwoche.
The US Rapper Ludachris released his song “How Low Can You Go” in December 2009. In terms of SFX Entertainment who we reported
Jahnke argued that it is mainly because of DEAG CEO Peter Schwen-
in the last issue an all time low share price of $3.40 this song appar-
kow that Germany faces a “fight of festivals” in the upcoming sea-
ently seems to fit. This time it is at $3.30...
15
VIP NEWS > MISC >
FEBRUARY 2015
MEMBER PRESENTATION
on Prestige MJM invitation, to perform in front of the Polish audience.
Prestige MJM is a team of creative young people, having a quite big experience and being able to mix up dreams with reality. We focus on organization of unforgettable live music shows of the greatest artists, which will stay for a long time in peoples memory. We try our best to make each new project an extraordinary experience and to take it to the highest level.
It is worth to mention, that for some of the stars, it was the very first time to give a music live show in Poland. Our company was the first one to invite: Jennifer Lopez, Bon Jovi, Justin Bieber, Il Divo, Manowar, Michael Buble or Justin Timberlake. We are proud to admit, that every one of these events became a great success.
During the preparations for each event, we take care of every little detail and make our very best for it to become an
The events we organize, are in the public opinion, considered as the biggest music shows of a current year. For example, such an arrangement took place this year 2014, when we had the opportunity to host the worldwide famous Justin Timberlake, at PGE Arena
unforgettable show.
in Gdańsk.
We have already managed to successfully run many concerts. Every single one of the previous events, without exception, was at great popularity.
We constantly cooperate with the main local and national radio stations and also the national and local press and television agencies. We organize the great events at the most famous live music venues in the major cities of Poland, for example: PGE Arena in Gdansk, Spodek Hall in Katowice, Atlas Arena in Łódzand many many more.
Rod Stewart, Scorpions, Andrea Bocelli, Bon Jovi, Placido Domingo or Justin Timberlake – these and many more are the greatest artists who visited Poland
About Our Company VIP-Booking’s core product is the Internet’s oldest and largest databasefor the European Live Entertainment Industry www.vip-booking.comdeveloped as a tool for industry professionals. Since it’s launch in the year 2000, we have consistently offered our subscribers the very best in database services and now boast subscribersin over 30 countries. Today VIP-Booking offers a range of tools for the industry – including VIP-News, VIP-Booking, VIP-Book and VIP-Contract.
ARTIST AVAILS 8:58 PAUL HARTNOLL from ORBITAL Territory: World excl USA Period: May 2015 onwards Agency: Value Added Talent Agent: Dan Silver Phone: +44 20 7704 9720 E-mail: dan@vathq.co.uk Homepage: dan@vathq.co.uk
Basement Jaxx Territory: Europe Period: 2015 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Peter Eilliot Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: peter_elliott@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.primarytalent.com/basement-jaxx/
Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club Territory: Scandinavia, Eastern EU, UK, Ireland Period: June - July Agency: Sasa Music Agent: David Flower Phone: +44 20 7359 9232 E-mail: rab@sasa.demon.co.uk Homepage: www.sasamusic.com
Patti Smith Territory: Europe Period: 2015 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Andy Woolliscroft Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: andy@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.primarytalent.com/patti-smith/
THE ORCHESTRA starring ELO former members Territory: Worldwide Period: 2015 Agency: World Entertainment Associates of America Agent: John Regna - Artist Agent/Manager Phone: +1 407 993 4000 E-mail: jpr@johnregna.com Homepage: www.THEORCHESTRAonline.com
Tricky Territory: Europe Period: 2015 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Ben Winchester Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: ben@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.primarytalent.com/tricky/
MORE ARTIST AVAILS ON: WWW.VIP-BOOKING.COM POST YOUR ARTIST AVAILS ON: WWW.VIP-BOOKING.COM
Please visit vip-booking.com for further information. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated.
® Basement Jaxx
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