VIP-News Premium - February 2015

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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

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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

vip-booking.com

145-157 St John Street | London Ec1V 4PWw | United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0) 870 755 0092 | Fax: +44 (0) 870 622 1953 www.vip-booking.com | vip@vip-booking.com

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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