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PREMIUM > VOLUME 242 > MARCH 2021
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MARCH 2021
View From The Hill Firstly, I hope that wherever this newsletter
Here in the UK, Boris Johnson’s announcement
finds you, you are both safe and well. Hard
last month that all lockdown measures should
to believe (or is it?) that it’s pretty much 12
be lifted in England from June 21st has of
months to the day since we all went into some
course been very welcomed by the business.
for those events
form of lock-down and as I write this, the UK
It seems that in the UK, we are pushing ahead
happening over the summer should they be
is marking the anniversary with various events
with rolling out the vaccine and over half the
cancelled. These include Denmark with a
around the country with a minute’s silence at
population of the country have now been
fund of €67.2million, Germany (€2.5billion),
midday to remember those who have passed
given that all important jab. These two factors
Norway (€34m), The Netherlands (€300m),
away as a result of the pandemic.
have certainly provided the live industry
Austria (€300m) and Belgium (€60m).
Sales Area Man ager
Charlie Presburg - VIP-Booking.co m
and the ticket buying public a high level of With
and
optimism and confidence with festivals selling
March also saw the first fully digital edition
entertainment industry, much has happened
regard
to
the
live
music
out across the country. It was announced last
of the International Live Music Conference
over the last 12 months. Whether it is the
month that Reading, Leeds, Creamfields and
(ILMC). Now in it’s 33rd year, the event
proliferation of streamed live events or various
Boomtown Festivals have all sold out. It also
which also incorporates the International
governments providing funding (or not) for
looks like the UK will gain a number of new
Production Meeting (IPM) has previously been
festivals, venues and the live music sector, the
outdoor venues from June with the recent
held in its physical format at London’s Royal
feeling we at VIP-Booking.com are getting is
announcement of three new festivals at Tofte
Garden Hotel and is certainly one of the most
certainly one of a lot more positivity.
Manor in Bedfordshire. We are of course
enjoyable events that the VIP-Booking.com
still very much living in unprecedented and
team attends. Needless to say that we really
unpredictable times so let us hope that things
did miss being there in person! Despite the
run as smoothly as planned and that all these
fact that this year’s event was purely online,
aforementioned events go ahead.
it was about the closest we can get to the ‘real thing’ given the current circumstances.
COLOPHON > VIP-News is published by: VIP-Booking.com Enghaven 19 Attrup 8444 Balle Denmark 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 +46 70 77 60 480 Charlie Presburg cp@vip-booking.com +44 (0) 7980 817496
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Sadly, the picture for the industry outside
This year’s event brought in over 1000
the UK is not so rosy with Germany’s
delegates from across the globe and included
announcement of cancellations for this year’s
some high quality speakers, it also included
Rock am Ring, Hurricane, Melt, Splash, Full
50 showcases from various up and coming
Force festivals, it is still hoped however that
artists. Thanks again to Greg Parmley and
this year’s Wacken Open Air will go ahead.
the ILMC team for a thoroughly enjoyable
On a more positive note, it was recently
event, hopefully next year, we can all be in
announced that Crew Nation, a global relief
London in person to raise a glass together in
fund set up in April 2020 by Live Nation has
the delegates bar.
raised $18m for touring and venue crews impacted by the pandemic. Another positive
Let us hope that the coming months will
story to come to light recently is that various
bring some light at the end of the tunnel
EU countries’ governments have announced
across the world for our industry and that we
event
funds
can finally begin to start attending live events
being made available which will certainly
cancellation
compensation
once again! I hope that you enjoy reading this
reduce the financial risk to event organizers
issue of the VIP News, stay safe everyone!
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MARCH 2021
Two Hamburg promoters join forces From VIP-Daily News The two Hamburg tour and concert promoters Funke Media and
international superstars such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, the
Neuland Concerts have joined forces with immediate effect.
Rolling Stones, and the Bee Gees.
Both companies, which were previously competitors will now operate
Gerlach and Funke will manage the business and the Neuland
under the name Neuland Concerts, making the new company “one of
Concerts team as equal partners in the future.
Germany`s largest owner-operated concert promoters and agencies,” according to its own admission.
“Funke Media has been a competitor for us up until now, and we`ve always had the utmost respect for the high level at which the company
Christian Gerlach founded Neuland Concerts as a Warner Music
has been operating. Despite the competitiveness of the relationship,
division in 2008, and it has since grown to become one of Germany`s
it has always been characterized by a great mutual appreciation and,
leading concert promoters. Neuland has managed tours for Bruno
since a few years, growing trust. It is remarkable how Pascal has
Mars, Jason Derulo, Twenty One Pilots, Robin Schulz, Kaleo, and Russ
developed the family business founded by his father Hans-Werner
when they were still playing small clubs to arenas.
Funke since he joined the company in 1997. By merging as Neuland Concerts, we can expand our business, especially in the area of local
Gerlach`s team takes pride in having “a good feel for trends and
events in and around Hamburg, and offer even more diverse events
newcomers.” The company`s touring and booking department for
right here on our doorstep,” commented Christian Gerlach.
domestic artists is supplemented by a company-owned division for show design and live event production.
Funke added, “Over the past few years, I have come to know Christian as a reliable and at the same time very passionate promoter who has
Gerlach and his team became independent in 2017 after completing
always thought outside the box. He knows the needs of his artists
a management buy-out from Warner Music, at which point Neuland
across all genre boundaries. I was impressed by the establishment
began working more closely with Funke Media, the promoter and
of Neuland Concerts as a new agency and its subsequent leap into
agency it has now acquired for an undisclosed sum.
independence; since then, we`ve been touching base fairly regularly. When we were looking for new alliances our aim was to combine
Pascal Funke founded the company in 1959, and it now has a well-
opportunities and competencies while remaining honest to our own
established roster of artists and an extensive event schedule. Over
values. Through the merger, both companies have succeeded in
the course of more than six decades, Funke has drawn national and
doing this under the joint roof of Neuland.
Christian Gerlach and Pascal Funke
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MARCH 2021
European countries offer safety net for festivals From VIP-Daily News Denmark has become the latest European
Smukfest
country to offer a financial safety net to event promoters, including music festivals. The Danish government is providing a DKK500 million (€67.2 million) cancellation compensation fund to encourage events to proceed with plans for their summer events in 2021. The scheme will reimburse festival organizers for all fixed costs and salaries incurred up to the end of September for festivals with capacities of more than 350 if the events have to be cancelled, postponed, or significantly changed. Denmark is home to a number of festivals, including the Northside Festival Denmark, Copenhell, Tinderbox, Roskilde Festival, and Smukfest. Joy Mogensen, Denmark’s Culture Minister, said: “We all hope for a summer where the infection situation allows us to gather for festivals again. Until then, the festival organisers can continue to plan soundly with peace of mind. With the agreement, we ensure that festivals will be compensated if they have to cancel due to restrictions.”
Joy Mogensen
The full agreement, which must still be
Meanwhile, the UK live music industry
approved by the European Commission,
umbrella group LIVE (Live Music Industry
includes the safety net, an emergency pool
Venues & Entertainment) is one of the
for large solidarity events facing bankruptcy,
organizations lobbying the government to
and a compensation ladder to provide
provide insurance to festivals.
organisers with estimates of what they can expect.
Due to the current lack of such a scheme, some of the country`s largest festivals,
The move follows similar insurance schemes
including Glastonbury, have cancelled their
established by Germany, which has a €2.5
summer events. According to research
billion fund, as well as schemes established
conducted by the Association of Independent
by Norway €34 million, the Netherlands
Festivals (AIF), 92.5 percent of its members
€300 million, Austria €300 million, and
are unable to stage their events without the
Belgium €60 million.
assistance of an insurance scheme.
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MARCH 2021
AEG brings back furloughed staff From VIP-Daily News The world’s second largest concert promoter
and furloughs. According to the company`s
AEG, is rehiring its staff in preparation for
annual reports from 2019, where it reported
the return of concerts.
employing 10,500 full-time employees, to the end of 2020, where it reported 8,200
AEG has begun bringing back part-time and
full-time employees including those on
full-time employees who were furloughed
furlough, approximately 2,300 full-time
or had their hours reduced during the
The second stage of rehiring includes full-
jobs were permanently cut.
pandemic, with the first wave of employees
time employees who have been reduced
returning on April 1.
to part-time status. These employees will
The majority of AEG`s layoffs and furloughs
be reinstated to full-time status on April 1,
were implemented on June 8, 2020,
“During the next six months, as our business
with the process expected to be completed
following across-the-board salary reductions
ramps up, we will begin bringing all of you
by June 1. Employees who were furloughed
for employees in April 2020. The company
back full time at full salary,” AEG CEO Dan
during the pandemic and are now expected
has not stated how many employees were
Beckerman wrote to employees in a March
to return to work full-time in the fall make
affected by layoffs and furloughs.
22 email obtained by Billboard.
up the third and final tier.
“Because parts of our business continue
During the pandemic, both AEG and its
to face uncertainties before life returns to
main competitor, Live Nation, implemented
normal,” Beckerman explained, “some of
significant layoffs and furloughs as both
you will return before others.” “However,
companies prepared themselves for a year
barring any setbacks, we expect everyone
without live entertainment and significant
will return to work at full pay no later than
revenue reductions.
October 1. In the weeks ahead, you will be contacted by your HR manager as to how
Thousands
these changes will impact you.”
affected by Live Nation`s rounds of layoffs
of
employees
have
been
Hungarian promoter Marton Brady dies from Covid-19 From VIP-Daily News Márton Brády was the founder of the ShowTime Budapest international concert agency, which brought the Rolling Stones to Hungary in 1995. He also founded Ticket Express in the mid-1990s, which became one of the most important players in the domestic ticketing market. After the change of regime in Hungary, he founded one of Hungarys largest concert promoters, Showtime Budapest, out of nowhere. Besides bringing Rolling Stones to Budapest, he also promoted shows with Eric Clapton, Bon Jovi, Pink, Elton John, Sting, Simply Red, Rod Stewart and many more. Márton Brády was 54.
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Márton Brády
Dan Beckerman
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MARCH 2021
German promoters boycott legendary venues From VIP-Daily News Eleven German promoters have sent an open letter to two legendary
Grosse Freiheit 36
Hamborg venues, The Docks and Grosse Freiheit 36. The promoters will no longer work with the two venues after they facilitated conspiracy and right wing statements posted on the venues. Banners and posters hung in front of the venues One of the posters that appeared in front of the docks last week apparently broke the barrel. It read: “Stop lockdown: arm yourself with knowledge”, including links to well-known corona conspirators, some of whom maintain contacts with the right-wing extremist scene. The statement reads (translated from German by Google Translate)
long for the unifying power of live culture, you are apparently looking to join forces with oaths, conspirators and those who see no
It is with great and growing disappointment that we have in recent
contradiction in demonstrating for democracy alongside the Nazis.
months observed you offering a forum for your increasingly dangerous and anti-democratic ideas. Most recently with indirect calls for violence
We can not and will no longer accept that. Events under your roof
and reference to right-wing populist and conspiratorial “media” not
are out of the question for us under these conditions-we will accept
deserving of this name, our patience has finally come to an end.
the resulting damage to all guests and the cultural location of the cosmopolitan city of Hamburg.
We can imagine that you see your messages as being covered by `freedom of expression` and this may also apply to the more harmless
But since, unlike you, we do not believe that there is no freedom
parts of your facebook site. Most of the indisputable messages have
of expression in this country, we would at least like to give you the
now apparently been removed, which is not surprising and probably
opportunity to take a stand on this matter. How did this come about
only due to public pressure. We hereby ask you to dismantle these
and do you think there can be a solution that is merely paying more
posts immediately and present your personal expressions of opinion
than lip service?
clearly as such in the future, instead of acting as before from covering the overall structure of your venues.
The statement is signed by a group of promoters from the interest group of the Hamburg music industry:
This does not change anything in terms of the damage caused and our consistent rejection of these ideas. By spreading wrong information, you are instrumentalizing not only us and your own venues, but
FKP Scorpio Konzertproduktionen
above all, the artists that have made a significant contribution to your
Karsten Jahnke Konzerte
previously good name. Many of them from home and abroad, have
STP HAMBURG KONZERTE GmbH
already spoken to us about this situation and are no longer ready to
Inferno Events / Reeperbahn Festival
make music on your stages, the same applies, of course, to our own
Neuland Concerts GmbH
employees and tour partners.
a.s.s. concerts Buback Tonträger und Konzerte
This is understandably harmful to you, as we, the undersigned, are
Semmel-Concerts
responsible for well over 90 percent of your concerts.
River Concerts Kingstar Music
But ultimately, that is not the deciding point: At a time when our
OHA! Music
industry should be standing together, and in which countless people
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MARCH 2021
Paradigm sells its music division From VIP-Daily News Paradigm Talent Agency has agreed to sell its North American live
represents an important transition for the incredible music agents of
music representation business to Casey Wasserman`s
Paradigm and the artists they so brilliantly serve. We are huge fans of
sports and
lifestyle company, ending months of rumors about a potential sale.
Casey Wasserman and the company he’s built, and I am very pleased that he and his team will be at the helm of this important business
Paradigm`s North American music company will form a new operating
line. It’s both thrilling and bittersweet to reach this agreement,
unit after the transaction closes, which is expected to happen in
transition to a new era for Paradigm, and initiate a stabilizing solution
the second quarter of 2021, according to Paradigm. Additional
during a global pandemic that has created an existential crisis for our
information, including a name and structure, will be revealed by
industry,” said Paradigm’s Sam Gores.
the Wasserman organization after the transaction closes, which is expected to happen in the second quarter of 2021, Paradigm said.
The decision to divest Paradigm`s North American music assets had been in the works for some time, but was intensified by the
Paradigm expects to sign a joint services agreement with Wasserman
pandemic`s effect on the live music industry, according to a statement
as part of the contract to ensure that all Music clients receive
from Paradigm. For months, the agency has been the subject of
continuity of service for talent and literary services.
rumors of a deal, most recently in May when it was forced to refute news of a sale of its music assets to Wasserman.
Following the deal, Paradigm will continue to serve its talent and literary customers, but its Talent and Literary company will be sold to
“By now most of you have seen stories in the media that Casey
“strategic partners.”
Wasserman is in talks to purchase Paradigm, and that the deal is nearly done. Let me be clear: these stories are not accurate. There is
Tom Gores, a private equity investor, stepped in to provide financial
no agreement to sell Paradigm, nor is any sale imminent,” Sam Gores
backing and played a key role in negotiations with other industry
said at the time in a letter to the agency’s staff obtained by Variety.
players as part of the Paradigm restructuring process. According to a release from Paradigm, he will also become an equity partner in the
Wasserman, which was founded in 2002, specializes in sports
new venture.
representation, with a roster that includes professional athletes from baseball and basketball, as well as Olympic athletes and other sports
“This agreement is a win for all parties and a vital step on the
projects, such as Acme World Sports, a prominent hockey agency,
restructuring path we embarked upon more than a year ago. It
and BBaltics, a Lithuanian basketball agency.
Casey Wasserman
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MARCH 2021
COVID-19 and the Live Industry: How Are we Coping? It goes without saying that these are challenging times with the Live Music & Events Industry being one of the worst hit by the current coronavirus crisis and with the lockdowns and restrictions on events imposed by governments all over the world. Although there is some hope on the horizon with some events looking like they might take place in the summer and onwards, there is still a lot of uncertainty remaining. We asked 4 professionals from different countries about their current situation and how they are dealing with the problems facing their businesses.
Name: Jerome O. Hamilton Company: Headline Entertainment Ltd. Role: Managing Director Country: Jamaica How has your company been coping with the current crisis?
How’s the re-opening schedule looking in your country?
“Our company has not been coping well with the current crisis, we
“Scheduling of the reopening of the country might be pushed back
are predominantly a booking agency where 80% of our bookings are
for a while as we just had new additional curfews and limitations
done outside Jamaica. We’ve seen 90’s high-90s reduction bookings,
imposed on the nation, based on the growth in Covid-19 cases
all things happening have been a few online appearances. We’ve
and unlike traditional first world countries we will not and do not
drastically reduced our company size and reduced even our number
have any high amount of vaccines or will be getting any time soon.
of hours in office, basically we are in hibernation.”
Limited Hospital facilities force us to face limitations, we’re under a restriction of 5am out of the house, home by 8pm everyday and so
Have you received any financial support from your government
this completely kills the entertainment and right now where things
and if so are you still receiving support?
are we have no idea when.”
“We’ve received no financial support for our Government, we’ve
How do you see open air events taking place in your country
had talks of different ways the Government is aiming to assist the
during the summer?
industry, but nothing has come of it yet and there have been very few individuals in Jamaica and entertainment that has received any form
“Very unlikely for any outdoor activity of any major size, of the
of support. I go on record to say it is one of the industries that even
two major festivals and major events for the summer at this point I
though it’s so impactful locally it’s totally disregarded on a certain
think one is looking at rescheduling and one is looking to go ahead.
level and despite some promises of some payments to some small
But I personally think it’s going to be very unlikely to have major
individuals, there is very little proof of this happening or if it will
events because even if visitors and travellers will have a high level of
change soon.”
vaccination and though some of those can come to Jamaica, we will
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MARCH 2021
not internally have that high level of vaccination, so there is still going
replace some of the traditional events, it will be entertainment for
to be an openness to risk on our part.”
some people to stay at home, and every live show I think will have a streaming component going forward.
Have you already booked indoor shows for the autumn and onwards?
I still expect a big growth back in the live industry and it won’t replace it, as there are some people who still don’t find it attractive and still
“I’ve been discussing some events for major artists in Europe, nothing
are not entertained or it doesn’t hold their attention long. So there
major in the states yet. I think one of the main things that we have on
will be a place for it, I’d say it’s important but maybe not as important
top of our books are rescheduled dates that were moved from 2020
a replacement as we might think.”
and now some have moved from 2021. But there have not been any major discussions of new dates, just possible dates that were being
Will the demand for Live Events be stronger than ever once we
discussed before that have been rescheduled to later on, but not a
get back to normal?
lot in new callers.” “I expect a demand for live events to be strong, I don’t know it’ll Do you expect to see more “independent” booking agencies
necessarily be stronger. I think there’s going to be a louder cry for it,
and promoters in your country in the future and why?
but more noise doesn’t mean that there are more people. Because I still think that there are some people who will refuse to go to events
“I completely expect to see more independent and single operations.
and will not go to events for a while until they feel a certain type of
Everybody is going to look at a way in to make some money when
safety and comfort, a normalness before doing so.”
the industry opens, and everybody is going to be excited that the long drought in entertainment is going to lead to a higher than normal attendance, I think it’s going to happen like that. Also I expect much more independent booking agents, I expect more managers to be booking agents and not use an additional booking agent as everybody tries to retain as much money as possible. And yes, I expect a lot more persons to want to become promoters and want to try their hand, plus you have promoters that are waiting for over a year to have events, so not everybody is going to wait for the traditional period anymore, there’s going to be a rush when we get to what I call the safe date.” Has the pandemic stimulated more cooperation between promoters/agents in your country and if so in which ways? “No, I don’t think it has stimulated more cooperation between promoters and agents in my country. Entertainment in Jamaica and Reggae is very disjointed, the sides don’t talk to each other and even this long break has not led to a collective meeting of Jamaican Entertainment Industry in any shape or form, so I don’t think it has led to any closeness and I don’t expect that to change.” How important do you think Live Streaming will be in the future, both for major and upcoming acts? “Streaming is going to be relevant in the future as it is now, where it is going to be a new way to contact certain audiences. I guess it’s like shopping from home as opposed to going to the store, but you still have a lot of people who prefer going to the store, because of the difference is with streaming events you are forced to see what the camera sees and you take away that freedom. So while it will
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Jerome Hamilton
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MARCH 2021
Name: Mark Halliday Company: Veritas Entertainment Ltd. Role: Founder and Managing Director Country: United Kingdom How has your company been coping with the current crisis?
Mark Halliday
It’s been a period of hibernation for us in particular. All of our work disappeared practically overnight in March of last year so we haven’t worked properly for over a year, but we are seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. We are starting to see some enquiries start coming in and our existing core business contracts are looking to reopen as of May, so hopefully this is the start of the recovery. Have you received any financial support from your government and if so are you still receiving support? We were very lucky to have been a recipient of the governments’ Cultural Recovery Fund, which has enabled us to prepare for the return of work and to quickly return to our previous viability and more. We are now ready to supply our shows to customers overseas and tour the UK as soon as we are allowed. How’s the re-opening schedule looking in your country? The vaccine roll out in the UK is proving itself to be one of the most successful government actions since the pandemic began and is therefore helping people gain some level of confidence in attending large scale events, proven by Live Nation’s sales of nearly 200,000 tickets for their UK festivals in 48 hours. We have yet to see how that translates to ticket sales for indoor theatres, but we await this info
autumn overseas working with bigger promoters, bringing our shows
with bated breath. This will determine whether the wider industry will
to areas of the world which are just a little ahead of us. Ideally we
be able to successfully return to normal theatre scheduling, staffing
would love to see the shows in New Zealand, UAE etc.
levels and, hopefully previous profits. Do you expect to see more “independent” booking agencies How do you see open air events taking place in your country
and promoters in your country in the future and why?
during the summer? Not sure what is meant by “independent” booking agencies, in One thing is clear, the UK is seeing a spike in people wanting to
this context, but it will be interesting to see how much the touring
attend outdoor concerts of all shapes and sizes and will do for the
theatre circuit has contracted, with some venues not making it
next few years. What is not clear is how this will take place. Whether
through the pandemic. Will there be a glut of content so theatres
this is preceded with lateral flow testing, vaccine passports etc I am
can take their pick of the best shows? Will theatres see themselves in
not sure.
a stronger bargaining position as competition for the dates hots up? We will have to wait and see.
Have you already booked indoor shows for the autumn and onwards?
Has the pandemic stimulated more cooperation between promoters/agents in your country and if so in which ways?
We do have indoor shows booked with our core business clients as of June, however we are going to wait until spring ‘22 to take any
One fascinating thing I have encountered about the pandemic, as far
real financial risk in theatres ourselves. We would love to spend this
as the industry is concerned, is the open communication between
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MARCH 2021
producers and promoters. There seems to be a camaraderie and
right now. Some believe a hybrid livestream/live show option is the
desire to work together to get through this, which I don’t believe was
future, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see live streaming
there before. I sincerely hope it continues.
making a hasty retreat once people are allowed to fill a venue. In my opinion, Nothing can compete with the live theatre/concert
How important do you think Live Streaming will be in the
experience.
future, both for major and upcoming acts? Will the demand for Live Events be stronger than ever once I think this very much depends how big you or your artistes are on
we get back to normal?
the world stage. Niall Horan and Kylie sold over £3 Million of tickets between them during lockdown which will have made them and
Many are predicting boom times over the next few years. I think
made the promoters a hell of a lot more money than the live events
people have discovered a love for live that they never knew they
would have done, considering they will have incurred none of the
had, before it was taken away from them. There is also the fact
usual infrastructure costs.
that, while many people have lost jobs, a lot of people who have worked from home have seen the opportunity to actually save
However, if you are an emerging artiste or a touring one nighter
money, simply from not spending on travel to work, lunches, drinks
theatre show I have not seen any evidence that there is the same
and dinner with friends. It’s just a case of filling them with enough
appetite from fans. It seems the industry is very split on this subject
confidence to go back into busy spaces and spend it! :)
Name: Monika Auer Company: Armin Rahn Agency & Management Role: Managing Director Country: Germany How has your company been coping with the current crisis?
Have you received any financial support from your government and if so are you still receiving support?
Our sales collapsed more than 90% in 2020. We could not do a lot as our main business concentrates on live performances. Just TV Shows
Yes we received (rarely) financial support, but it was very complicated
and some new upcoming concert versions in summer 2020 as “car
and took a long time until the payments arrived and unfortunately it
cinema concerts” have been possible.
doesn’t even cover the running costs by far. How’s the re-opening schedule looking in your country? For live performances there still is not a real re-opening schedule. How do you see open air events taking place in your country during the summer? I think maybe open airs with limited capacities might be possible this summer, but far away from the former size & volume Have you already booked indoor shows for the autumn and onwards? Yes, for the moment we booked some indoor shows for autumn 2021 and 2022
Monika Auer
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Do you expect to see more “independent” booking agencies and promoters in your country in the future and why?
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MARCH 2021
I do not think there will be more but different/new ones coming up
Live streaming will for sure become an even more important sector
for sure and some old traditional ones leaving the market.
than it was before this pandemic hit the world, for major and upcoming acts as well.
Has the pandemic stimulated more cooperation between promoters/agents in your country and if so in which ways?
Will the demand for Live Events be stronger than ever once we get back to normal?
I do not have the feeling that cooperation has been stimulated with concern to promoters/agents, in fact I fear it might be the other
I hope so and yes, I think for the younger generations that never
way round.
really feared the virus that much there is already a high demand to go out and have fun together again. For the older generations
How important do you think Live Streaming will be in the
it might be a bit different and take longer to make them visit live
future, both for major and upcoming acts?
Events again.
Name: Nana Trandou Company: High Priority Promotions Role: Managing Director Country: Greece How has your company been coping with the current crisis?
Moreover, the understanding on the part of the agents definitely
helped a lot since they returned the deposits to us.
Immediately after the first lockdown a year ago, and after it was announced by the government that events and concerts wouldn’t
How’s the re-opening schedule looking in your country and
be happening, our company HIGH PRIORITY PROMOTIONS was
how do you see open air events taking place in your country
put under suspension like all other companies that organise similar
during the summer?
events. The first step for us was to move the AthensRocks Festival, as well as all the other concerts, to later dates in 2020.
Greece is one of the countries with a statistically good level of vaccination. Therefore, given the good weather conditions, the
By careful planning and cost-cutting strategies, we were able to
government will proceed with the re-opening of cafes/restaurants
survive even though the state’s financial assistance was and remains
strictly and only in outdoor areas in April. At the same time, they will
minimal with only a small subsidy given on employees’ salaries, and a
increase the number of rapid tests to make them accessible for the
support amount, part of which will not be refunded.
wider population.
Have you received any financial support from your government
We hope that this plan will succeed and that some events and
and if so are you still receiving support?
concerts will take place in the summer. However, I believe that the venues will have limited capacity and will be exclusively seated, under
There is not a significant ‘umbrella’ support by the state regarding
strict sanitary measures, like the use of masks, rapid tests performed
cultural events. The only event organisations and venues that received
at the entrance and vaccination certificates.
a subsidy were the state agencies, not the independent promoters. My experience, being a COVID-19 patient, motivates me to be Although the ticket voucher was recognised by the government and
extremely sensitive when it comes to the issue of prevention and
there was no refund of tickets for the concerts that did not take place
safety. I believe that a strict protocol should be followed without any
by the other promoters, this was something that we strategically
reckless relaxation of the measures by the organisers.
did not follow and opted to give ticket buyers the possibility of redeeming their ticket. Knowing how difficult the situation is for
The travel restrictions and all major festivals and tours in Europe that
everyone, we did not want, in any case, to use the money of ticket
have been cancelled, along with the fact that Greece is a fly-in/out
buyers as a ‘support capital’. It is very important that the fans that
country, make it difficult to book concerts with foreign artists for this
have supported us through the dark days, and aspire to be there for
summer. Maybe it will be possible to do that from September and
us when it is sunny once again, are happy and not disappointed!
later on.
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MARCH 2021
Have you already booked indoor shows for the autumn and
Do you expect to see more “independent” booking agencies
onwards?
and promoters in your country in the future and why? Has the pandemic stimulated more cooperation between promoters/
We have already booked 4 open air and 10 indoor shows for the
agents in your country and if so in which ways?
rest of the year. The live music industry has been hit harder than any other industry We really hope that things will get better than they were in the
in this pandemic. A lot of companies will not be able to survive, the
previous months, and that we will be approaching the end of this
landscape circumstances will change and probably several independent
unprecedentedly difficult pandemic soon. We are looking forward
promoters are going to make their appearance in the Greek market,
to host all these shows.
something that is already happening in many other countries.
Nana Trandou
We learned a lot through this pandemic, such as that a smaller and more profitable business model can function better and be extremely efficient, (as I remember that used to be the case in the 80s and 90s). What we also need to keep in mind is that we shouldn’t be so arrogant and competitive with each other, to focus on the music and maintain good collaborations, which are important, as we are all in the same boat and only with close devoted cooperation can we face crises like this one. Who would have thought that one day all the live shows around the world would stop at the same time? Therefore, we need to be more realistic, collaborative and to keep up with the business ethics. We mustn’t have unreasonable demands on any side and we must help our partners in order for all of us to provide perfect live shows to the public when it will be safe again. Let’s prove that we can be more human, even in the music business world! How important do you think Live Streaming will be in the future, both for major and upcoming acts? Live streaming has turned out to be a powerful tool as it has somehow brought music and artists inside our homes. I am certain that it is here to stay and that it will be an important asset for all the artists, mainly for the upcoming ones. However, what’s also certain is that it can’t replace the live show as we know it. Will the demand for Live Events be stronger than ever once we get back to normal? Live events are interactive. There is the artist on the stage, the audience that supports them, dances, sings, falls in love, hugs one another, and creates memories. It is a part of their life and it is about the whole experience! I believe that the demand for live events will be stronger than ever once we get back to normal. Nevertheless, I also believe that if there’s one thing to learn from this crisis, it’s that nothing is a given and simple moments like meeting your friends, hugging your loved ones, going to a festival or the concert of your favourite band, all hold incredibly great value in our lives!
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>
NAMES & JOBS
MARCH 2021
Steve Backman joins Runway Artists
Sally Dunstone joins Primary Talent
From VIP-Daily News
From VIP-Daily News
Steve Backman has joined Runway Artists, a London-based
Sally Dunstone has joined London-based Primary Talent as a concert
independent booking agency, from Primary Talent in the United
agent, effective immediately. Dunstone comes to Primary Talent after
Kingdom. And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Emmy The
working with X-Ray Touring since 2014. A stint at Live Nation is also
Great, Gabriella Cilmi, DJ Steve Lamacq, The Bootleg Beatles, The
on her resume.
Mission, Art School Girlfriend, Odina, Cattle & Cane, and The KVB are among the artists Backman brings with him from Primary Talent,
Joining Dunstone in the change to Primary Talent will be her roster,
where he worked for 19 years.
which includes Jack Harlow, who was nominated for a 2021 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance and will appear on the March 27th
Matt Hanner commented “It`s great that an agent of Steve’s pedigree
episode of Saturday Night Live, as well as 2021 BRIT Awards Rising
had enough belief in what I`d started to want to come on board.
Star Nominee Rina Sawayama, Kelly Lee Owens, Places+Faces, Maxo
We have a shared ethos and approach to the way we work with our
Kream, Lancey Foux.
artists and I think we will benefit from working together.” “What ICM and Primary have put together over the past year has Backman added, “It`s a chance for me to put my knowledge to
not gone unnoticed in the Concerts world and I am excited to join
something new, fresh and exciting that we have control of. We are
the team with my talented roster of artists and keep the momentum
the masters of our own destiny and that is really freeing.”
going,” said Sally Dunstone.
It was one of the first major agencies to open during a period of
“Sally is an agent I have admired and wanted to work with for a long
unparalleled disruption for the live entertainment industry due to the
time. She has an exciting contemporary roster of clients and has a
coronavirus outbreak.
huge future ahead of her” said Matt Bates who has been promoted to the role of Head of International/Europe. “We are thrilled to
“There are some big players in [the independent agency world]
welcome her into the ICM/ Primary family.”
now,” Hanner noted, referring to the several major agents that have gone independent in the last 12 months. “There is a lot more scope to shake things up and work in a slightly different way.”
Sally Dunstone
Matt Hanner continued, “We have the freedom to push into areas where we might be able to offer more for our acts and benefit them in the long term.
Steve Backman
15
> BUSINESS >
MARCH 2021
CTS Eventim positive despite major revenue drop From VIP-Daily News Eventim`s revenue in the live entertainment segment fell by 86.1 percent year on year in 2020, to €136.8 million. The company stated that it is securing additional liquidity by implementing promoter voucher schemes. The €741.2m in cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2020 demonstrates its financial foundations, which remain “very robust even after a year of pandemic.” CTS Eventim remains positive for 2021 despite reporting a more than 82 percent drop in revenue in 2020 to €256.8m, down from
“Never at any stage did we experience any kind of shock paralysis,”
€1.4bn the previous year.
Schulenberg continued. “It was clear to us from the very beginning that, with our outstanding teams, we will emerge from this
Normalised EBITDA for the Berlin-based ticketing and live
crisis stronger than before, by continuously extending our core
entertainment company was -€2.9m, down from a positive
competencies in technology and industry know-how.”
€286.5m the previous year. Eventim stated that its prompt response to the COVID-19
Klaus-Peter Schulenberg
pandemic, including “rigorous” cutbacks, income from insurance compensation, and government grants to cover payroll and overhead costs, acted as a cushion and reportedly saved a “doubledigit million figure.” Klaus-Peter Schulenberg (pictured), chief executive of CTS Eventim, said: “With our full-scale cost management from the very beginning of the crisis and thanks to our prudent economic management in the years before, we see ourselves as superbly positioned when live shows return to concert halls and our business revives. “In view of the increasing availability of vaccines and rapid tests, and the progress of vaccination campaigns, there are good prospects that our industry can start getting back to normal over the next few months.” In the fourth quarter of 2020, group revenues were 92 per cent lower year-on-year at €28.1m, as normalised EBITDA amounted to €14.8m, down from €109.5m in 2019. Revenue in the ticketing segment for the whole of 2020 was 73.7 per cent lower year-on-year, at €126.6m, while ticketing’s normalised EBITDA fell year-on-year from €220.4m to -€23.6m. This includes €10m in compensation paid by insurance companies. Ticketing revenue fell 88.9% in the fourth quarter of 2020, from €174.7m to €19.5m, while normalised EBITDA was -€11m.
17
> MISC >
MEMBER PRESENTATION
MARCH 2021
This space is dedicated to present some of our clients using VIP-Booking.com. Companies presented here have our best endorsement...
New Concept Management New Concept Management’s activity is oriented around two poles namely musical interpretation which encompasses several styles of music (Jazz, salsa, soul music, classical, pop, slow, Congolese rumba, folk music ...) and the promotion of works originals from artists working for the label.
About Our Company VIP-Booking’s core product is the largestdatabasefor 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 subscribers in over 50 countries.
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vip-booking.com
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HOW TO USE
1
Use VIP Analytics to lo cate where your artist has the most in terest:
VIP-Booking.com for Agents/Managers
2
ues Use our Tour Builder to locate ven or agents within a given area:
3
Find the Talent B uyer and relevant other contact s:
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