VIP-News Premium - Vol. 146 April 2012

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APRIL 2012

McGowan’s

Musings

It’s been pouring with rain here for the last

below­normal levels. As the festival season

weather! Still the events themselves do get

couple of days, but it seems that it’s not the

looms and the situation continues, we may

covered in the News you’ll be glad to know.

right type of rain, or there’s not enough of

see our increasingly ‘green’ events having­

it because we are still officially in drought.

to consider contingency plans to deal with

I was very taken by the Neil McCormick

River levels across England and Wales are the

water­shortages and yet more problems

report­in UK newspaper The Telegraph from

lowest they’ve been for 36 years, since our

caused by increasingly erratic weather. I’m

the Coachella festival in California, as he

last severe drought in 1976, with, according­

sure that many in other countries who still

wrote, “The hairs went up on the back of my

to the Environmental Agency, two-thirds

picture England as a rain swept country

neck…” as he watched the live performance­

‘exceptionally­ ’ low, and most reservoirs

where everybody carries umbrellas will find

of

it strange to see us indulging in rain dances

understandable­, as unfortunately, and not to

over the next couple of months!

put too fine a point on it, Tupac is actually

Tupac

Shakur…”

This

is

perfectly

dead. His apparently very realistic­appearance­ Since the last issue of VIP News I have

was made possible by the application­of new

journeyed­to Canada, Estonia and Paris, and

holographic projection technology. This all

talking of strange weather, things on that

puts a new slant on the phrase, You can’t

front were not as usual. Having prepared­ recreate the Live experience­ ’ and opens

COLOPHON > VIP-News is published by: VIP-Booking 145-157 St John Street London Ec1V 4PW Managing Director: Ronni Didriksen rd@vip-booking.com

myself­to pack thermal underwear and ski

up all sorts of quite bizarre and disturbing

wear for Toronto, having been told by old

possibilities­, as apparently you can do more

hands at Canadian Music Week to expect­ than just holographically present a pre-filmed temperatures of – 10º and below, I discovered­

performance, it is now possible to work the

on checking that shorts and swimwear were

images to present something entirely new.

nearer the mark (especially as my hotel room

We hear all the time that there is a lack of

flooded on the first night – but that’s another­

new headliners, and about bands reforming­

story!) and in fact the first day there turned

all the time to sell out tours, but bringing­

out to be the hottest March day ever recorded­

acts back from the dead now seems at

General Manager: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com

at 21º. Estonia a few days later was cold, but

least visually­– and of course acoustically –

just above freezing, unlike­last year when The

possible­? The Sonisphere show with Adam

Writer and editorial: Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

Great Escape’s Martin Elbourne­managed to

Lambert fronting Queen at Knebworth in the

bring attention to himself, becoming­Tallin

UK was recently cancelled, seemingly due

Music Week’s first casualty­by skidding on

to poor ticket sales – now if Freddy made

the ice covered pavement and breaking three

a virtual­comeback it may well have been a

ribs. This year was happily as far as I know

different­ story…

Writer: Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com For advertising enquiries please contact: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com +44 870 755 0092

injury free. Then a trip to Paris in connection­ with this year’s MaMA event was positively

So, with Frankenstein images and thoughts

spring like! – Oh no! - I’ve just realised that

of the Grateful Undead going through my

I’ve done that most English of things and

head – Ladies and Gentlemen – The News…

spent the whole time talking about the

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APRIL 2012

The UK Live Music Act Becomes Official Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com It has been confirmed that The Live Music­

Jo Dipple, chief executive of UK Music

Act will come into effect on October 1.

said: “This act will reverse the damaging

The implementation of the Act means that

effec­t the Licensing Act had on live musical

performances of live amplified music with

performances­in the UK. Our most successful­

audiences­of less than 200 people between

musicians, such as Joy Division, The Sex Pis-

the hours of 8am-11pm will no longer

tols and the Rolling Stones all learnt their

require­local authority permission in England

trade and earned their livings in small clubs

and Wales. Also there will be no audience

and bars. Reversing overzealous licensing

limit for performances of unamplified live

regulations will create new opportunities for

music.

British artists. The Rose & Crown in Totteridg­e Park and The Constitution in Camden Town

The Private Members Bill which became the

will be - thanks to this Act - full of music and

Live Music Act was introduced by Liberal

seedbeds for talent. Tomorrow’s headline

Democrat Peer, Lord Tim Clement-Jones and

acts will grow from these seedbeds which is

was championed in the Commons by the

great for music lovers and for the wider UK

Member of Parliament for Bath Don Foster.

economy.”

Jo Dipple

The intention and the hope is that the Act will encourage more pubs and small venues

John Smith, MU General Secretary, said:

will be a real boost for live music, and we

to host live music events in 2012 and beyond.

“The MU is delighted to be hosting this

thought it was right to celebrate it with a live

event alongside UK Music. Personally, I

music party in Parliament.”

VIP News attended the party held hosted

have been campaigning on this issue ever

by UK Music and the Musicians Union at

since the Licensing­Bill first started going

Lord Tim Clement Jones told VIP News,

Westminster­to celebrate, as did musicians­

through Parliamen­ t in 2002-03, and once

“After­a campaign lasting several years it was

such as Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera,

the Licensing­Act came into place in 2003

hugely satisfying to see the Bill go through

folk artists­Show of Hands and producer

our members immediately started telling us

on the 20th January, especially when no-one

Trevor­Horn along with various MP’s and

that the number of gigs being held in small

except Don Foster seemed to understand

representatives­of the music industry. There

venues was going down.

the procedure! I am sure the Act will make a

weren’t that many small venue operators

real difference especially to young musicians­

that I was aware of, but presumably they

“The exemption that the Live Music Act will

and local small venues. It’s high time we

were at their desks preparing for more gigs!

bring in is fantastic news for musicians and

celebrated­­not regulated our musical talent.”

The VIP-Booking European Live Entertainment Book Advertising in the VIP Book will make you visible to 10.000 business professionals­all over Europe. You will find no better­place to expose­ your company to the whole European Live Entertainment­Industry. » Reserve your ad now on www.vip-booking.com

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APRIL 2012

> CONFERENCE ROUND UP

Canadian Music Week Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

Harvey Goldsmith at CMW 2012

This was the 30th edition of CMW and

CMW is truly international and as far as

sense, these insights may be life-or-death

it’s taken me this long to actually gets

Europe­was concerned this year Portugal

– especially­in the face of the exponential

there. For the last few years the event has

and Spain were featured territories. The

growth of social networking, mobile web,

unfortunately­clashed with ILMC, but a

International­Market Place was the main

viral marketing and online TV. Competitive

strategic­rescheduling­to allow international

meeting point for the out of Canada guests,

executives need an “edge,” and CMW is

professionals to fit in both SXSW and CMW

and the room in the Tardis like Fairmont Hotel

the place to acquire it. Of course have not

made it possible for me to make it to Toronto

was one of the main networking places.

forgotten our roots and CMW continues to

– and I’m glad I did!

be Canada’s biggest, internationally-focused Speakers included Harvey Goldsmith, Slash

The event is big… nearly 3000 delegates­ and Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company

new music fest showcasing over 1,000 bands from 40 countries”

attended­. CMW incorporates the Conference­,

fame. The panels were full and active, with

Awards Shows a Trade Show, and Comedy,

the Festivals session attracting 400 plus - one

Next year’s CMW European focus will be

Film, and of course Music Festivals;­featuring­

of the best-attended panels I’ve ever seen!

on Northern Europe’s Nordic Countries –

CMW President Neill Dixon told VIP News,

Sweden­– and the associated regions of

good bands coming out of Canada and I was

“For Canadian Music Week’s 30th anniversary­

the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Aaland.

particularly impressed by Half Moon Set from

and beyond our goal is to be on the forefront

Japan­the second largest music market in the

Montreal (playing at Brighton’s Great Escape

of issues and trends shaping both the digital

world, just after the US will also be featured.

next month) and Sheepdogs from Saskatoon.

environment and opportunities for both the

The venues are pretty spread out across the

live and recorded music business in the years

City and a lot of time is spent in cabs –

ahead.

international and home grown acts in 35 venues over three nights.. There are a lot of

Norway­ , Iceland, Finland, Denmark and

although­a­­ certain Scottish delegate­walked

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Neill Dixon

everywhere resulting­in severe chafing­of

We spent a lot of effort to create a first-wave

his inner thighs as the heavy fabric of his

think-tank, one that maps out our industry’s

kilt swung backwards and forwards as he

future for our participants benefit. I think

marched from venue to venue!

we succeeded this year. In a business

VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

> CONFERENCE ROUND UP

Tallinn Music Week Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

This was my second visit to Tallinn and it is more than clear that something is going on in Estonia! This small republic with a population of only 1,318,005 people, historically and culturally connected to the nearby Scandinavian countries, and neighbour to Russia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Estonia is the home of Skype and has recently fared better than many countries beset by the ongoing financial difficulties.

The annual showcase festival and music industry conference took place for the fourth time and as you can see this year’s figures show a significant advance on 2011.

The conference was again opened

market for the whole Europe and the world. Just five years

with a welcome speech from

ago it was quite rare to see an Estonian band play in

the President of Estonia

Finland or Latvia and as rare to see any Latvian

2011

Toomas Hendrik Ilves­ .

I

was

extremely

impressed­by knowledge

his of

music in general­ year

featured

an

interview­

is a bigger and more open market place for new talent.”

147 artists from 10 countries

and

we

significantly and suddenly the whole region

16 stages

and his attitude last

bands play in Estonia. Things have changed

123 artists from Estonia 7.600 festival visitors

with him in VIP

423 delegates – 229 from Estonia

News. This year’s

194 international delegates

address

was,

if

52.483 unique hits on the website

anything, even more

from 88 countries

striking, referring to the

27 stages

perhaps­recently overlooked connection­of

rock’n’roll

2012 183 artists from 13 countries

to

150 artists from Estonia

democracy­and freedom of speech. It is

11.200 festival visitors

worth taking the time to watch and listen to Pres.

Ilves speech which can be accessed in full here: http://www.

589 delegates – 283 from Estonia

youtube.com/watch?v=SyMN3hmcoHE

306 international delegates 61.549 unique hits on the website

The close connection to the Nordic countries in terms of geography,

from 110 countries

Helsinki is only two hours away by ferry, and increasingly, business, was emphasised, by NOMEX, the recently formed umbrella for the music export organisations of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and

The

Sweden, choosing the event to outline its strategy for the first time in

rence­ also

a speech by MD Anna Hildur Hildibrandsdottir.

copy­­r ight, music

confe­ addressed entrepreneurship,

and the essential role of a manager. This section included Organiser Helen Sildna commented, “We are happy to see that TMW

entertaining­ and informative interviews with Ed Bicknell, long

has now a solid place at the annual calendars for our region’s music

time manager of Dire Straits, Brian Ferry and others, and

industry key players and organizations. If we manage to boost up the

Russian­ cultural figure Artemyi ‘Artjom’ Troitsky.

artist and knowledge exchange between the neighbouring countries by making it possible for the right people to meet each other, we

It’s only 20 years since Estonia gained independence and delegates­

have already succeeded, simultaneously providing a gateway into the

were reminded of this by a trip to the KGB Museum (Which I

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VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

> CONFERENCE ROUND UP

unfortunately­missed) in a Hotel opposite the Conference hotel,

Ed Bicknell and Helen Sildna at Tallinn Music Week

apparently­the door to the office displayed a sign saying, “There’s nothing behind this door.”

Undeterred by his injuries from a fall on the ice last year, Martin Elbourne­of The Great Escape and Glastonbury told VIP News, “I have seen this event develop over the last three years. It was always­ well organised­in a fantastic city, and is now bigger, with more delegates­and better bands. As a regional event it can only become more important­. Aside from the Great Escape it’s the one conference showcase­event that I will definitely attend next year.”

Ed Bicknell commented, “I thoroughly enjoyed it. Extremely well organised­, great people, interested and enthusiastic audiences. Oh... and the interviewer wasn’t bad either (I wonder who that could have been? Thanks Ed – ED.). Thanks to Helen and all her colleagues for

the field in this year’s ETEP festival bookings following Eurosonic

their professionalism, hospitality and sheer doggedness in getting the

2012, having been confirmed to play at festivals in Finland, Sweden,

Conference/Festival established in such a short time, really impressive.

Belgium­, France and Lithuania. The band were the winners of the

I would definitely go again”.

Skype Award at TMW 2011 and since then they have played festivals­ across Europe and played their first tour in North America. Manager­

Mark Meharry, CEO of UK based Music Glue said, “The setting was

Toomas Olljum told VIP News, “Helen Sildna and Tallinn Music Week

great and the town is picture postcard. The bands that I saw were

have played an important role in my development into an artist

not that great, but then I am not the target demographic. I didn’t

manager­. I started working with acts a few years before TMW, but

see many panels except the ones I was on. It was a great networking

the event gave me a networking possibility with key international

event and the people Helen brought in were of a good level. Maybe

industry­players in my hometown. 4 years after its start, my artists are

less vodka would be a good thing!”

doing well - Ewert and The Two Dragons just finished a series of gigs in North America where they played at Canadian Music Week and

Dan Panaitescu of he Sziget Office in Budapest was short and to the

in NYC, and Iiris, Tallinn Music Week skype ‘Go Change The World’

point, “The best ever. Very well organized, interesting panels, good

award winner 2010 just released a debut album on EMI.”

artists... no complaint...”

The Skype Award winner 2012 will soon be announced and the prize Following on from TMW the European Talent Exchange Programme

of 3500 EUR will go to an artist with the most international potential

announced that a Estonia’s Ewert and the Two Dragons are leading­

as selected amongst TMW

Ewert and the two dragons - photo by rasmus jurkatam

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VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

> CONFERENCE ROUND UP

UK Conference Events Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

May is a busy month in the UK Conference Calendar with both Brighton’s Great Escape and Liverpool’s Sound City. VIP News will cover the Southern and the Northern events and report back in the nest issue.

YMCAS Return to The Great Escape This May 10-12 will see the return of The

appear in the Alternative Escape fringe

Great Escape to Brighton, and I am glad

programme­this year.

to see that the now semi-legendary Yearly Music Conference Awards (or YMCAs to its

Amongst the sessions will be ‘DIY In The

friends), will again be part of the programme

Spotlight­ ’, specifically aimed at providing­

(particularly as I proudly won one last year –

practical­advice, tricks of the trade, and

still it is my hometown)! These Awards aim

hopefully­inspiring

to recognise all that is good, and sometimes­

managers­and music entrepreneurs early on

stories

for

artists,

quite strange, about the world’s music

in their careers, and those musicians looking­

business­conventions and showcase festivals.

to self-release their own work for the first time. Holy Roar’s Alex Fitzpatrick, Chris TT,

Presented

at

an

exclusive

ticket-only

Good Lizard’s David Riley, Create Spark’s

event as part of the final day of The Great

Debbie Ball, ACUMEN’s Josh Little, Sony By

Escape­convention­ , the awards also bring

Toad’s Matthew Young, Memphis Industries’

together­the travelling community of agents,

Ollie Jacob, Tru Thoughts’ Robert Luis and

managers­ , bookers, and business owners

Sentric Music’s Simon Pursehouse will help

and export offices that visit many of these

to provide a focus on what artists and their

events, along with the people who organise

managers need to do logistically and legally

them. Many of you VIP News readers attend

when setting up their own music enterprise.

these events so here’s a chance to add your voices to the selection of the winners.

The DIY In The Spotlight strand is being

This year’s prestigious categories:

enabled by Arts Council England, who have

Best Delegate’s Bag

Nominations are already being accepted in all

confirmed they are supporting a number of

eleven categories. These can be emailed to

activities at The Great Escape this year. Sally

Best Delegate Bar

ymcas@escapegreat.com. Nominees for each

Abbott, Regional Director of Arts Council

category will then be announced and people

England, South East, told CMU: “Arts Council

will be invited to vote in each section.

England are delighted to support The Great Escape festival in Brighton with £38,000 of

Best Hotel/Convention Centre Best App Or Digital Tool Best Export Office Best Networking Event Or Feature

Ticket information for the YMCAs will go

Grants For The Arts funding”. She added:

online at www.escapegreat.com next week.

“The Great Escape festival attracts music

Full listings for bands, 42 new names have

fans, young people and industry specialists

Best Award Show

recently been added to the line up, etc can

from all over the world to Brighton and we

Best Small/Regional Event

also be accessed at this site.

are delighted to support it in delivering local collaborations, education and development

8

Sally Abbott

Red Stripe will be sponsoring this year’s

and

to

promote

international

diver-

programme of street gigs; and Ford will be

sity and collaboration between artists’’.

recording­Bands In Transit sessions at the

PRS For Music will once again present a

event. Tthe open air stage on Jubilee Square,

whole strand of panels, keynotes and con-

The Hub, will be back; and 20 venues will

versations on day one of the convention.

Best Panel Near Punch-Up Accident (or Incident) Of The Year Conference Junkie Of The Year.

VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

> CONFERENCE ROUND UP

Mobile Roadie to Keynote Liverpool Sound City Sound City will take place in Liverpool the

Creative Content Agency), Generator, Digital

week after Great Escape on May 17-19.

Derry, PPL, Musicians Union and c/o Pop as

Andrew Mains, COO of the massively

well as bands from as far afield as Australia,

successful­app developer Mobile Roadie

Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France,

used by amongst others Madonna, Adele,

Germany, Korea, Italy, Japan, Netherlands,

Noel Gallagher­ , Take That, Miami Dolphins­ ,

Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden Taiwan

Cristiano­Ronaldo, LA Kings and, yes,

and USA

Liverpool­Sound City, will deliver the first keynote speech. Chief Operating Officer at

Alan Welby, Director of Knowledge Economy

Mobile Roadie since September, 2011 Mains

at Sound City 2012 partner Liverpool City

oversees business development, grows the

Region’s­Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

MR global sales team, and manages day-

said:

Andrew Mains

to-day­operations­. He is a digital music and entertainment­industry veteran with extensive­

“This region is home to over 3,000 creative­

experience helping artists, managers­and

and digital businesses at the forefront of one

hosting Sound City. The 2012 event offers

labels­deepen engagement with fans, and will

of the most vibrant and competitive sectors in

us a unique opportunity to showcase the

be discussing the future of music apps.

our economy. Creativity is in our DNA. There

region for more leading creative­and digital

is a very strong core of locally established

industries­to do business here, and attracting­

and locally grown businesses and we set up

keynote speakers like Andrew reflects the

and events with Sounds Australia, Brazil­ the UK’s first creative industries­development­

importance­of the event and its appeal to

Music

delegates from all over the world”.

This year, Sound City will be hosting parties­ Music

agency in 1997. All of this positions Liverpool

Commission, Taiwan GIO, KOCCA (Korea

perfectly to build on its success to date in

Exchange,

New

Zealand

9

VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

> indepth story > SEcONDARY TICKETING DEBATE

INDEPTH – Continuing the Secondary Ticketing Debate In the last issue we presented varying views on the ongoing discussion about the whys and wherefores and the rights and wrongs of Secondary Ticketing, following the active and sometimes­heated debate that followed the screening in the UK of ‘The Great Ticket Swindle’­, the ‘Dispatches’ investigative documentary on the practice in the UK. In this issue we present further opinion and comment on the topic…

Legal Action Against Secondary Ticketing Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

Within the past decade companies such as Seatwave or Viagogo

fore in the concert industry. Two journalists that worked undercover

have ‘conquered’ Europe and converted a business model previously­

at Seatwave and Viagogo revealed the use of business practises

widely considered a black market into a viable business model

that many in the concert industry already suspected. One of the

dealing­profitably in the secondary sale of tickets.

findings­of the “Great Ticket Swindle” revealed that the majority­of tickets offered on those ticket exchanges are traded by employees

The demand for live events has continued to rise, and understandably­

of these companies or so called power sellers. Not long ago these

the ticketing business has benefited from this development. Leading

‘power sellers’ would actually have been considered ‘touts’ by more

ticketing companies such as Ticketmaster and CTS Eventim became

concerned­concert promoters or artists.

leading players operating and making both high profits from and returns to the value chain of the concert industry within the primary sales market.

But the Great Ticket Swindle also revealed that prominent companies­ such as Live Nation UK or SJM Concerts provided ticket contingents for concerts and tours of artists such Coldplay, Rihanna or Westlife.

But companies active within the so called secondary market for tickets­only contribute to a certain and limited extent to this value

However, there are promoters that strictly refuse to work with

chain, as in most cases neither concert promoters nor artists receive

secondary­ticketing websites. In France the concert promoter

a share on tickets passed on to buyers at above face value. However­

association­Prodiss successfully lobbied for a legal solution against

observation of the websites of Companies such as Viagogo or

unauthorized secondary ticketing.

Seatwave­proves that the profit margins for selling tickets at inflated prices can run up to and sometimes even exceed 500 percent.

Prodiss reported that this new French law implemented on March 12th 2012, aims to “facilitate the organisation of cultural and sports

For many years several concert promoters tried to fight the secondary­

events” creating a new criminal offense (article 313-6-2, French

ticketing companies, but in most cases failed. Since the TV-magazine

penal­code) for the unauthorized ticket resale to sporting, cultural,

Dispatches on Channel4 aired a report entitled “The Great Ticket

trade events, and live performances”.

Swindle”, the issue of secondary ticketing once again came to the

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VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

> indepth story > SEcONDARY TICKETING DEBATE

The statute states: “To sell, offer for sale or expose for sale or transfer­of ownership, or to provide the means for sale or transfer­

Aline Renet

of ownership­of access rights to a sporting, cultural or trade event or to a live show, habitually and without authorization from the promoter­, the organizer or the owner of the rights of exploitation of this manifestation or event, is punishable by a 15 000 euros fine. The penalty is up to 30 000 euros in the event of a repeat offence. For the purposes of the application of the first subparagraph, any ticket, document, message or code, in all forms or mediums, evidencing­ the right to attend the manifestation or event having been obtained from the producer, organizer or owner of the rights of exploitation, will be considered as access card.”

VIP News spoke to Aline Renet of Prodiss about this legal initiative: VIP News: What does this mean for French concert promoters?

– “The French law now recognizes full control of the tickets for the live performance producers. Event promoters contracts with the artist’­s representative for their appearance, hire venues, determine­ the face value of tickets and their allocation between the venue box office and ticket agents, and undertake the advertising­and marketing­of the event. The promoter has the sole right to grant ticket­distribution­to any third party he may choose. French law prohibits­the resale of tickets to an event by third parties, not duly authorised by the organiser­of the event. The phenomenon­of “unauthorized­ticket resale” is largely but not exclusively attributable­ to Internet websites, set up for this purpose. Among targets are resale­sites, based in France or abroad, operating without­the agreement­of promoters­ , as well as individuals who habitually engage­in the practice­of reselling­tickets to an event.”

VIP News: How did you lobby for this law?

– As there were several prior attempts –five rejected bills in total in the last two years- we focused firstly on the timing: we are close to the election in France and secondly we got 100 artists to co-sign a public statement in Le Monde etc. against the resale of tickets­ at inflated prices just three days before the vote of the original amendment­in order to raise more pressure, helping to secure the adoption of the bill. Thirdly we mobilized MPs from Parti Socialiste­ and UMP and additionally worked out a media campaign for the last 6 month with two different but combined approaches: One was to raise public concern/awareness, the other one was Economic & Financial press, giving them an outlook on who was pulling the strings.

This means that France now joins Denmark in implementing a legal backing for concert promoters, helping promoters and artists to ban secondary ticketing.

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VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

> indepth story > SEcONDARY TICKETING DEBATE

Ben Challis on Secondary Ticketing at Glastonbury and the UK Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com It is well known there are promoters that

kind of ‘official­’ link with the Festival­. Where

enjoy­working with secondary ticketing

necessary­ , in situations where fraud or

websites. But for those who do not get

criminal­activity is suspected, we will involve­

involved­in this kind of ticketing business,

the Police’s e-crimes­branch or Trading

the following interview with Ben Challis,

Standards. However­it is difficult to protect

general counsel of Glastonbury and music

people against their own stupidity.

lawyer might pick up a hint or two, on how to prevent secondary ticketing or simply gain

The

a better understanding of the generalities­of

Prodiss

French

promoter

the practice.

law against unauthorized secondary

successfully

organisation

lobbied

for

a

ticketing­. Would you say that a similar

Ben Challis

What did you think when you saw the

lobby campaign is possible in the UK?

TV-report “The Great Ticket Swindle”?

– My personal view is that no UK Government­

– I thought it was interesting and a brilliant

has wanted to do this. The re-sale­­of

There is one more point - who would

expose of some of the less savoury aspects of

Football­ tickets in England was prohibited­

actually­enforce this sort of law? It is difficult

ticketing. I think it lifted a veil on what some

to curb crowd violence. The prohibition­ enough when criminal activity is detected -

in the secondary market had been up to for

on the re-sale of 2012 Olympic­tickets is a

I can’t see why this would be high on any

some time, so perhaps now we can have a

specific piece of legislation. If you read back

politician’s­agenda unless the groundswell

bit more transparency so fans know who is

through the various debates­that have taken­

of public opinion pushed it there. And the

making what out of inflated ticket prices. If it

place in our Houses of Parliamen­t, the same

music industry now knows from lessons

is the band or the promoter making­the mark

arguments come up again and again - free

learnt from peer-to-peer file sharing - that

up - so be it - I just think fans have a right to

market policies / consumer­freedom­to re-

suing / prosecuting your customers is a VERY

know whom they are paying.

sell vs. consumer protection and the right

bad idea. And an unenforced / ignored law

of artistes / promoters­to control admission­.

is a bad law.

What is the policy of Glastonbury Festival

Is it obnoxious­to re-sell­a ticket for a big

when it comes to secondary ticketing?

profit­, or a useful market function? It is never­

– The Festival has a registration process­ ,

ending­ ! With the Dispatches­programme­ the market of secondary ticketing?

limits­on ticket sales and personalised tickets­

identifying a number­of major promoters

– I think it should seek to protect consumers­,

(with a photograph). It is a substantial­ who are engaged in re-selling tickets and

but if it went any wider it would enter the

investment­of time, effort and money but

the somewhat vague comment from the

realms of competition regulation, which

seems effective so far. We are also vigilant

UK’s Concert Promoters­Association­- clearly

might be very difficult.

to ensure websites such as eBay don’t re-

even the live events sector doesn’t have a

sell­­­­our tickets, and as we have a number

shared view. If WE cant agree as the live

For more background information

of UK and European Community Trade

events industry - why should politicians

please check an earlier article by Challis­

Marks we can take legal action when

bother?

in 2009 at http://www.

unauthorised­vendors purport to have some

Do you think the OFT should look into

musiclawupdatescom/?p=162

Need to know who is touring Europe

®

Go online - www.vip-booking.com vip-booking.com

12

VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

> indepth story > SEcONDARY TICKETING DEBATE

Steve Roest from Viagogo About The Great Ticket Swindle Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com These core business principles of delivering

on Viagogo websites, this would mean

every ticket on time for the event were not

that the Viagogo business model is

questioned or challenged by the programme,

actually­business-to-consumer. If this is

which gives us confidence in the service we

the case the Viagogo claims to be a resale

offer consumers.

platform for “fans to fans” is actually in contempt of the “Unfair Competition

Steve Roest

The report stated that employees of

Act” as part of UCP-directive (2005/29/

Viagogo offer the vast majority of ticket­

EC) by the European Union. So as such

offers on the websites of Viagogo.

Viagogo is misleading consumers. Do

The report even presented evidence of

you maintain the claim that Viagogo is a

Viagogo­employees using various credit

fan to fan ticket exchange following the Channel 4 airing of the Dispatches TV-

One might have expected that the following­

cards with different names to purchase

report­“The Great Ticket Swindle”?

interview would have proved difficult to

multiple tickets offered by primary

– Viagogo is an open marketplace and we

obtain­but this was not the case. Actually an

ticket vendors. As such Viagogo staff

allowed anyone to use our platform provided­

external PR-Agent of Viagogo even offered­

present false identities in order to work

that they deliver the tickets that they sell.

the opportunity for an interview shortly

around per person capped ticket sales.

This is clear on our website and we have

after­the first stories about The Great Ticket

Will Viagogo­continue these kinds of

never claimed to be exclusively a fan-to-fan

Swindle­w ­ ent to print.

business­methods in the future?

exchange. While, the overwhelming majority

– The section where Viagogo was accused of

of sellers are ordinary sports and music fans

The questions and answers were sent and

buying up tickets was misrepresented in the

who sell one or two tickets, there are larger

received­by email, supported by a conference

programme. It is certainly not the case that

sellers on the platform, including promoters

call with Steve Roest, who works as European

the tickets on Viagogo are offered by Viagogo­

and event organisers.

Sales Director for Viagogo and his PR-agent.

employees. We have in the past purchased a very small number of tickets ourselves­. The

The report furthermore revealed that

The

primary objective in purchasing­tickets is to

Viagogo­received

Great

Ticket

Swindle

actually

contingents

revealed­an inside view on the business

ensure we have a small number of tickets

from promoters. Which promoters does

practices of Viagogo. What are your

in reserve for fulfilling our guarantee that

Viagogo officially work with, and what

comments on the programme?

purchasers­will receive their tickets in time for

are the benefits for these promoters

– Viagogo was created to provide people

the event. In the secondary market there are

selling­tickets on the secondary instead

with a secure place to buy and sell tickets

a number of reasons as to why a seller may

of the primary market?

to live events. Before Viagogo, consumers

not fulfil their obligation to the buyer. We

– Viagogo has publicised many partnerships

looking­for the most popular tickets often

firmly believe that every customer should get

where we work with event organisers to sell

had little choice but to take their chances

the ticket they paid for or their money back.

certain premium tickets on our marketplace­

with a shady character outside the venue or

Therefore, a small number of tickets­are

at market prices for example; Madonna

an auction website, with no guarantee they

purchased­as “replacements” in the instance­

and Roger Waters. However, as a ticket

get what they paid for.

a seller fails to deliver. If the tickets are not

marketplace­, our sellers are our customers,

With Viagogo every ticket on Viagogo is

used they get sold on – sometimes at a profit,

and it is not our place to discuss the details

guaranteed – the buyers are guaranteed to

sometimes at a discount.

of our contracts publicly. These are legitimate­

get the tickets they paid for in time for the

14

ticket

business

arrangements,

but

like

many

event. In the rare instance that a problem

If as maintained by the Dispatches

commercial­contracts, the specific details are

arises, Viagogo will provide similar or better

programme­the majority of Viagogo staff

confidential.

tickets, or in the worst case a full refund.

members apparently sell tickets offered

VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

> indepth story > SEcONDARY TICKETING DEBATE

In an advertisement for the Madonna

their existing business practises, which

customers­with a secure environment, and

concert in Germany in the weekend

not so long ago were considered a “black

the guarantee­of getting what they pay

edition­of tabloid paper “Kölner Express­”

market­” business model. Don’t you fear

for. We’re proud that the problem that

on March 3 it says, “To secure best tickets­

that politicians or consumer protection

existed­before we launched six years ago, of

and selling at Viagogo.de”. How is

organisations will undertake efforts to

thousands­of fans every weekend being left

Viagogo­involved in the ticketing for this

forbid the resale of tickets as for instance

disappointed after buying dodgy tickets from

Madonna show or even the entire tour?

in the case of tickets for sport events

sites like eBay, is now almost a thing of the

– Viagogo is the official premium and

such as the Olympic Games in London?

past.

–

secondary­ticketing partner for Madonna’s­ 2012

European

tour,

which

includes

would

Did Viagogo close its German office last

drive the secondary ticket market back

summer as a result of the several court

organisers­of the tour as the place where

underground­with all the consequent safety­

cases filed against ticket sellers who

fans should go to sell on their spare tickets

and transparency­issues that arise from

offered­tickets via Viagogo for the Take

and to buy tickets once they have sold out at

that. Powerful legislation already exists to

That concerts in July 2011?

the box office.

outlaw­scam websites and fraudulent street

– No, Viagogo has managed its operations

Germany­. We are officially endorsed by the

We

believe

that

legislation

touting­ , which already face problems of

from its main office in London since the

The French promoter association Prodiss­

effective­enforcement­ . These policing and

beginning­of 2011.

currently lobbies against the resale

enforcement­problems would mean that the

of tickets. Similar political efforts are

bill would have little effect on the ‘wild west’

Where

going­on in the UK, as well in Sweden.

of scam websites and street touts, but would

subsidiaries­in Europe and how many

In particular­the TV-report “The Great

unfairly restrict the activity of legitimate

people does Viagogo currently employ?

Ticket­Swindle” can been seen and used

websites­like ours.

– Viagogo manages its operations from

as piece of evidence against Viagogo­ Anzeige_VIPMag_ProSky_X4.pdf

1

and other ticket re-sale platforms and

09.12.10

What’s

10:43

most

else

does

Viagogo

have

its main office in London where it employs important

is

providing

around 100 people

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

15

VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

YOUROPE Creates Standard Terms for European Festival Contracts Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com The

European

Festivals

Organisation,

VIP News spoke to Ben Challis:

YOUROPE, having introduced health & safety­ programs with the YES Group (Yourope

VIP News: What exactly was your role in

Event Safety Group) and addressed the

this initiative?

matter­of sustainable festivals with a series

– I was approached by YOUROPE in 2011 to

of workshops­with the GO Group (Green

advise on a set of standard terms that could

Operations Europe), have now turned their

be eventually used by all of their member

attention to the problems of artiste contracts

festivals. Christof Huber had already had

and riders.

one meeting in Hamburg in 2011, and we then sent out a questionnaire to members

For those who don’t know YOUROPE was

before EuroSonic in Groningen to see what

founded in November 1998, and now

members­ ’ views were. After a very well

represents­close to 80 festival members

attended­meeting in Groningen and input

including­the most well established festivals

from a number of events, I drafted a set of

in Europe. The intentions of the Association­

terms that covered areas of concern that all

Christof Huber

and its members are to collaborate and

of the festivals felt needed to be rectified­

share best practice to improve the European

- in particular force majeure provisions­ ,

Marc Lambelet chaired an interesting session­

festival­scene in terms of working conditions,

cancellation­, insurance, payment­terms, tax,

at the ILMC 2012 on this issue with a good

audience welfare, health and safety and

noise limits, visas, curfews and safety. We

and well-informed panel - and some of the

music­ talent.

then re-consulted members and received

pitfalls of ‘bad’ contracts became clear - not

another good response and additional­ least when nothing is signed at all. I can say Over the past year the members have

comments­led to the final draft being

conducted­workshops at their meetings in

finalised­over the ILMC weekend in March

which are festival specific, saves time and

after another meeting with members.

adds clarity and I think many European­festi-

Groningen and Hamburg, and most recently­ in London, to produce a final version of

that in 90% of the cases the use of our terms,

vals had the same feeling. To be fair - its not

standard contract terms applicable to the

Obviously you think this is a good idea,

usually the agency contract that is the prob-

engagement­of artistes and performers­for

do you think it will have positive results,

lem - it is more and more the artist­contact­

all participating YOUROPE member festivals­,

and how do you see agents taking to it?

riders which have expanded to cover issues

as well as a simple and fair standard­booking­

such as cancellation, control of the venue,

agreement

During­ – We introduced similar terms at Glastonbury

force majeure and insurance for example­ .

for

smaller

bands.

the project­music lawyer Ben Challis and

in 2010 across four of our main stages (the

I have spoken to a number of agents and

insurance­broker James Dodds (Doodson

Pyramid Stage, The Other Stage, The John

obviously their first loyalty is to their artiste

Entertainment­) advised YOUROPE.

Peel Tent and West Holts) and extended this

- and their own contracts - but most can

to the Dance Village in 2011. Like the new

see some benefits. However I have to say

In the Press Release Christof Huber, General­

YOUROPE terms, we designed these terms

some don’t like the idea. That said, I think

Secretary of Yourope said “It was the wish

to be fair, reasonable and appropriate. We

that the weather related tragedies at Pukkle-

from so many members to create such

were receiving many, many riders at a very

pop and the Indiana State Fair are focussing­

Standard­Terms for the European festivals. It

late stage, often with wholly inappropriate

everyone­’s minds - not least when in appears

should make life easier for festivals as they

and often irrelevant provisions: Often theatre

from some press reports that Sugarland­are

have standard terms for important topics,

tour or standard arena or stadium tour riders

potentially exposed to litigation because of

rather than a number of contract terms that

were sent containing provisions that could

their own contract terms. I hope what these

they can’t fulfil.”

never be met by a festival.

terms provide is a ‘win win’ situation in the long term:

16

VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

Christof Huber was on holiday when we called, and then went on to Budapest for the

• OYA FESTIVALEN NORWAY

next GO Group Seminar, but he mailed us to

(NORWAY)

say, “We have informed the main agencies

• MELT! (GERMANY)

about the standard terms. We have received some questions and some comments, but only a few. We will have to work on these

• OPENAIR ST.GALLEN (SWITZERLAND)

feedbacks within our group and check if we

• SUMMERDAYS FESTIVAL

have to react.”

(SWITZERLAND) • WINTERTHUR MUSIKFEST-

VIP News contacted a few agents to get their views on whether or not a ‘standard’ contract is viable. Some had not yet seen it; John Giddings of Solo, who operates both as an Agent and promoter of the Isle of Wight

WOCHEN (SWITZERLAND) • ITALIA LOVE WAVE FESTIVAL (ITALY) • SZIGET (HUNGARY)

Festival said, “…Never read it, in my experi-

• EXIT FEST (SERBIA)

ence it’s all about trust, all the contracts in

• INMUSIC (CROATIA)

the world don’t mean that you get paid...”

• BERGENFEST (NORWAY)

Rob Challice of Coda Agency has read it and replied, “I have taken a look at the ‘standard

• SELECTOR (POLAND) • LIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL (POLAND)

contract’ and have to ask whether any agents

• OPENER (POLAND)

were consulted in putting this together? He

• ROCKWAVE FESTIVAL (GREECE)

continued, “It just seems that this introduces

• HEITERE FESTIVAL

an extra level of work that is not needed.

(SWITZERLAND)

We think we do a good job on marrying artists­requirements with those of festivals.”

Rob also thinks that the contract has been circulated­too late “ With more consultation perhaps it should be for 2013, not 2012.”

(SWITZERLAND)

MyMusicMailer.com enables artists to MAIL their music to more than 6.000 venues and

• WOODSTOCK FESTIVAL

agencies worldwide…

• MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL

(POLAND)

Rob Challice also runs the Summer Sundae

• GURTENFESTIVAL

Festival in Leicester but as he says, “I’m not

(SWITZERLAND)

sure I have formed an opinion as a festival

• SLOTTSFJELLFESTIVAL

organiser yet.”

(NORWAY) • DOGNVILLFESTIVALEN

Eric van Eerdenburg organiser of the Lowlands­Festival in the Netherlands told us, “We did not use it.I have been looking into it

(NORWAY) • ONE LOVE FESTIVAL (TURKEY)

and think it’s pretty good but there are details

• DIA DE LA MUSIC (SPAIN)

that need adjustment. Yourope -at this stage-

• POHODA FESTIVAL (SLOVAKIA)

asked­not to make any adjustments.”

• 10 GIORNI SUONATI (ITALY)

It seems to be a fair point that it artist booking­ arrangements for the 2012 season must

No doubt there will be a lot more discussion­

in most cases be fairly well advanced, but

on the use – or not – of this ‘standard’

according­to the Yourope press release the

contract­and we will of course report on

following­festivals­have already confirmed their

developments­ . VIP News has seen the

participation in the new scheme, and will use

contract­and those that haven’t yet and have

the new standard terms for the 2012 festival

need to see it will we presume be able to get

season:

a copy from Yourope. www.yourope.org

17

VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

New Gema-Rates for Music Clubs and Discotheques Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com Following the German copyright collection society GEMA introducing­ significant rises in the rates for performing rights on concerts last year, the society has now announced, among others, a new scheme for rates for playing recorded music in bars, music clubs and discotheques­.

Besides the usage of recorded music, the new scheme also foresees revamped rates for live performances with musicians in restaurants, piano bars and other locations.

The new rates system is intended to become effective in January 2013 and has caused an outcry from those who will be affected. The “Bundesvereinigung der Musikveranstalter”, (BMV - Association for Music Promoters) commented on the new rates schemes insisting that, “GEMA has lost its sense of proportion.” The Association of Culture Promoters in Munich (VDMK) even published on its website

Meanwhile the promoter Matthias Rauh of Giga Event launched an

a calculator that evaluates what promoters are supposed to pay for

online appeal petition at openpetition.de, presumed to be the petition­

their events in the future. According to this calculator the future looks

commission of the German Government. The petition has already

great for composers and rights holders, but definitely not good for

gained more than 43.000 signatures but unfortunately never will be

promoters.

accepted by the petition commission as the website openpetition.­de­ isn’t the official website.

Various calculations reveal that even for smaller clubs the new rates easily rise by about 500 percent. For instance a music club of 80

In May 2009 the promoter Monika Bestle of the Kulturwerkstatt

square meters, open three days a week charging 5 Euro entrance fees

in Sonthofen successfully filed an official petition against GEMA

currently pays a yearly flat fee of 3417,71 Euro. According to the new

regarding­the unfair distribution of royalties, a lack of democracy and

scheme the annual fee charged by GEMA would increase to 11.700

transparency. This petition gained more than 107.000 signatures and

Euros. For bigger locations the new rates go up even more drastically.

as such qualified to be taken on by the petition commission. But until

A big discotheque with 1.200 square meters, open 2 days a week

now, the Parliamentary Members of the petition commission have not

charging an entrance fee of 7 Euro so far pays 22.389,67 Euro per

made a decision.

year. From 2013 onwards such a venue will supposedly pay 131.000 Euros annually.

Also it is interesting to be note that promoter associations such as the BDV or the VDKD did not ally with the BMV in taking joint measures­

These examples were given at a press conference by VDMK, an

against the latest attempt by GEMA do increase royalty payments

association­that also represents most relevant concert promoters and

from the live music business.

clubs in Munich such as Target Concerts and United Promoters AG. However the BMV might benefit from the political rise of the Pirate­ While previous negotiations with BMV have failed, GEMA has

Party in Germany. Since the party recently obtained 7.3 percent of

announced­an appeal to the arbitration court at the German Office

the votes in the March province election in the Saarland, established­

for Patents and Brands (DPMA) for clearance of the new rates. The ar

parties­in Germany are rethinking their copyright policies. As

bitration court is known for being very GEMA-friendly and so it is no

elsewhere­, the Pirate Party expressly calls for a reform of copyright­

big surprise that Georg Oeller, a GEMA board member who is also

laws. Nevertheless­ , this development probably won’t harm the

know for being a hardliner is quoted in a press release as saying:

traditionally­good relationship between GEMA and the arbitration

“We are convinced that going ahead with the new rate scheme is the

court at the DPMA for some time…

right direction and looking forward positively to the outcome of the arbitration case.”

18

VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

Bruno Kramm

Commissioner for Copyright at the Pirate Party Germany Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

Actually Bruno Kramm is a long time musician and owner of the

What is your point of view on GEMA’s new proposed tariff

dark wave label Danse Macabre. But aside from his music business

scheme for music promoters?

activities Kramm has been active in politics for a long time. Before he joined the Pirate Party, he was on the copyright steering committee

– Wrong Tariff - Wrong Timing. I wonder how a corporation like

of the Green Party but left this party as didn’t agree with the agenda

GEMA, equipped with a large strategy department causes so big harm

of his party colleagues.

for its own public image by releasing this tariff file while the public debate is fired up concerning copyrights. There are many reasonable­

VIP News asked Kramm about his point of view and his experience

proposals for changes in tariff structures - starting from small events

with the copyright collection society Gema and the copyright agenda

to welfare and public performances of small artists with their own

of the Pirate Party in Germany.

repertoire, but GEMA takes the big cut. Making the difference for recorded music in MP3s and higher tariffs for regular CDs shows how

19

VIP NEWS >

APRIL 2012

little GEMA respects transformational music styles which tend to use

– When it comes to Urheberrecht (A copyright term, but very distinct­

computer driven systems like Ableton Live and others for creative and

from US copyright) we want to accompany the paradigm shift into

spontaneous performances.

informational society by putting the creator and the user on a priority­

Do you think the new rates are appropriate?

We need to rethink the protection periods of TRIPS into a reasonable­

– From all points of view GEMA is blowing up tariffs massively while

level of max 20 years after death. Those 70 years just help law trolls

not giving any rebate for smaller performances. Even performances

and publishers. Modern society runs today so fast in rearranging

free of admission are inflated. Club culture in metropolitan areas are

and recreating styles and art. Those long limits would obstruct the

deprived as they start to perform much later than in smaller cities.

development­of societal participation. Bill Gates reference­, “We are

They also pay exorbitantly higher fees up 300% on the old tariff.

sitting on shoulders of giants” is not only a term for technology; it is

As club culture is hard enough to schedule for success these tariffs

about all human creation. The far more intensively discussed demand

will put the small businesses at much higher risk. This is the way to

of our copyright reformation is the uncommercial legal exchange and

suppress­culture in times of a global culture industries downturn.

copy of immaterial goods and files for the private field. We do not

level and cutting out some more of the privileges of industry and lobby.

Gema puts chains on to the organizers and imposes sanctions for the

accept­that evaluation rights disproportionately harm privacy in the

smallest mistakes.

net; this means classical systems like P2P sharing and copying. We need to find as we did already for the CDR and the music tape a kind

GEMA already appealed the arbitration court at the German

of compensation for the culture balance - but this is something that

office for patents and brands (DPMA). This court is known for

does not need the lobby. It needs to be a direct agreement inside the

being very GEMA friendly. How would you comment if the

human society between creator and user. We are still discussion about

court once again comes to a decision on the new rates that are

various ideas from cultural flat rates to micro payments and crowd

only in favour of GEMA?

funding systems. In contrast to many other parties, we also discuss in

– It would be further proof that the patent court is not the right

depth the necessary reforms of copyright corporations and contract

place­for conciliating perceptual copyright agreements. It will create­

law for artists and also the need of more support for artistry and

another­ 1 c­omplicated climate for urgent structural reformations,

culture­. Culture is the essence of our society - simple economisation is

which are so much, needed for artists and the modern informational

not the ongoing solution; culture better follows utilitarianism.

society.

In a current position paper you request a significant reform of You are yourself a musician and a label owner. What is your

GEMA. In May 2009 a petition filed by the promoter Monika

experience with GEMA?

Bestle at the petition commission of the German government

– Still the old routine for mechanical payments: When it comes to

also appealed for significant amendments at GEMA. So far the

licencing repertoire from GEMA they are so quick in sending their

petition commission has not come to a conclusion. However,­

invoices. The GEMA legislative conjecture stresses us a lot when it

could it be the case that in the case of GEMA, politicians

comes to GEMA free repertoire, as they always find some artist with

may have no legal opportunities to intervene on the internal

the same name and quickly send an invoice. On the other hand as

settings­of the copyright collection society?

an artist, I wait forever for my GEMA royalties. It took so long for the

– This is one of the problems. Through the Urheberrecht GEMA holds

VUT to get independent labels a tariff, which can compete with big

an institutional level as an economic association with many direct

industries. When it comes to our own shows and tour booking it is

links into the political system. This makes it too hard to change it as it

horrifically complicated to arrange all the paperwork to get at least a

is still an association, which is driven by members. Unfortunately­the

small share of what we pay for our own live repertoires. GEMA still

weight, division and vote is not balanced, therefore, drastic changes

believes that most listed music is so called standard repertoire, which

are almost impossible. Therefore we want to change the Urheberrecht­.

commands a higher multiplicator in the royalties. Therefore our own

We want to check GEMAs actions for their compatibility­with Basic

alternative songs will never have a chance to get the fair and real

Law, Associational Law, and start this reformation with simplification,

royalties since the PRO system tariff is dismissed.

transparency and the change of collection procedures and tariffs, to finally make the GEMA what it should be: An association for all artists­.

Since the Pirate Party won 7.3 percent of the votes in March for the province election in the Saarland, established parties in

For further information please check

Germany rethink their copyright policies. The Party expressly

Twitter: @brunogertkramm

calls for a reform of copyright laws, could you please explain what kind of copyright policy it is aiming for?

20

VIP NEWS > BUSINESS > april 2012

MUSIC IN SHARES

Music in Shares Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

CTS Eventim – Waiting for the Arbitration Court:

Music Festivals PLC – A Lack of Optimism:

It is about time for the Arbitration Court at the International

The share price reflects, so to say, a lack of optimism regarding

Chamber of Commerce to reveal its decision on their findings

prosperity and profitability. Since the end of February the share

as to whether or not CTS Eventim will receive compensation

price of the company went down from 58 to 48.5 Pence.

concerning its former fulfilment agreement with Live Nation.

There are rumours in the market that the decision has already been made, but one of the two involved parties has asked for the judgement to be held back for a certain time. Anyhow, since Mid April the share went up from 25.77 to 27.85 Euros.

DEAG – First Dividend Ever: For the very first time ever the DEAG board will propose to its shareholders to decide on the payment of a dividend of 4 Cents per share at its upcoming general assembly on June 22.

Since the Beginning of April the share price ranged between 2.75 and 2.84 Euros.

Live Nation – Business Results for Q1 to be reported on May 9: Live Nation has announced that it will reveal its business results for the first quarter in the second week of May. Looking at the share price performance indicates that there may be a certain reluctance, as the share price went down from $9.80 to $8.45 since the end of March.

21

VIP NEWS >

NOTICE BOARD

APRIL 2012

PrimaveraPro - First Details DayPro Programme

PrimaveraPro 2012 will programme over thirty conferences, workshops­, presentations, receptions and exclusive showcases within­

One of the main novelties of the DayPro will be a series of interviews­

the framework of DayPro, its programme of activities has been

with important national and international artists who will tell us, what

extended­to three days from Wednesday 30th until Friday 1st June

their participation in the development of their professional careers has

from 11am till 6pm.

been, all based on first-hand experience. The artists, key players in the music industry, will also participate in round table discussions­that will

Hotel Zero will be the headquarters of daytime operations with a

analyse the current Spanish scene and the role of musicians in these

programme­that has been tailor made for professionals from the

times of profound social change. The conference about music­events

music­sector. It is just opposite the Parc del Fòrum de Barcelona site,

will deal with questions such as the economic impact of festivals­,

where the San Miguel Primavera Sound and the showcases associated­

their future, the opinions of fans… and will discuss the creative­

to PrimaveraPro will take place. The increase in the number of

strategies­that they must adopt in order to survive. The Association­

accreditations­for this, its third edition is highly significant with more

of Independent­Festivals UK will be present at this debate. Other

than 65% of international professionals.

activities­will tackle the crowd funding system as a way to finance projects and its application in the different areas of the sector, as well

The DayPro programme will focus on three main subjects: The role of

as new tools for the promotion of music.

the artist in society and in their music career; Festivals and big music events; and The new ways to promote and finance music.

For more info: http://pro.primaverasound.com/

VIP-Magazine: The most In-Depth B2B Magazine for the people of the LIVE Music Industry.

All readers of VIP-Magazine are key decision makers in the live entertainment industry: - Agents - Promoters - Booking Agents - Venue managers - Festivals & outdoor show organisers - Industry organisations

To read the VIP-Magazine or book your advert – go to www.vip-booking.com ®

The No 1 Information Resource For The Live Entertainment Industry Having the right tools for the job is often the key to success. Through our ongoing communication with key Live Entertainment Industry Professionals, we have developed a range of services to meet the demands of agents, promoters, talent buyers, venue bookers etc. It’s no coincidence that we are now considered to be the No. 1 information provider for this thriving industry.

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APRIL 201>2 APRIL 20 12 NEWS > MISC > september 2011 VIP VIP NEWS > MISC

MEMBER PRESENTATION

Christopher Entertainment Christopher Entertainment is a Danish owned management, promotor­

The Skanderborg Festival, The Jelling Musicfestival etc. Christopher Entertainment­is management for mostly Danish artists: Stig Rossen,

and booking agency, established in 1986.

Gudrun, Jacob Andersen etc and we represent Andrew Strong and Christopher Entertainment has over the years presented some of

Barrage in Scandinavia. For more info please see www.christopher.dk

the world’s finest artists such as: Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Santana, Boyzone, The Corrs etc. As a booking agency Christopher Entertainment­has delivered artists to major festivals such as: The Roskilde Festival, The Midtfyns Festival, The Langeland Festival,

About Our Company VIP-Booking’s core product is the Internet’s oldest and

Today VIP-Booking offers a range of tools for the

largest database for the European Live Entertainment industry­– including VIP-News, VIP-Booking, VIP-Book MyMusicMailer.com enables artists to MAIL their music Industry www.vip-booking.com developed as a tool for and VIP-Contract. to more than 6.000 venues and agencies worldwide… industry professionals. Since it’s launch in the year 2000, Please visit vip-booking.com for further information. we have consistently offered our subscribers the very best in database services and now boast subscribers in

Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated.

Mail your music to the Live Music Industry…

over 30 countries.

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MONTHLY FEATURED ARTIST POWERED BY

Mercury Tide feat.

Dirk Thurisch

ARTIST AVAILS ORBITAL Territory: WORLD Period: APRIL 2012 ONWARDS Agency: VALUE ADDED TALENT Agent: DAN SILVER Phone: +44 207 704 9720 E-mail: dan@vathq.co.uk Homepage: www.vathq.co.uk

Dub Syndicate feat. Style Scott Territory: Europe Period: July-September 2012 Agency: Paperclip Agency Agent: Rob Berends Phone: +31 (24) 323 9322 E-mail: rob@paperclip-agency.com Homepage: www.paperclip-agency.com

THE DOORS ALIVE - BEST DOORS TRIBUTE ACT IN WORLD Territory: WORLD Period: JANUARY 2012 ONWARDS Agency: VALUE ADDED TALENT Agent: DAN SILVER Phone: +44 207 704 9720 E-mail: dan@vathq.co.uk Homepage: www.vathq.co.uk

Magnum Band Territory: Europe Period: July / August Agency: Paperclip Agency Agent: Hilde Spille Phone: +31 24 323 9322 E-mail: hilde@paperclip-agency.com Homepage: www.paperclip-agency.com

Terah Taali Territory: Europe Period: 16th June - 7th July 2012 Agency: De Kulture Music Agent: Berenika Rozanska Phone: 0048 667130595, 00919587659609 E-mail: events@dekulture.com Homepage: soundcloud.com/de-kulture-music/sets/terah-taali/

Dirk Thurisch – The voice of Angel Dust is back!After a break of ten years, former Angel Dust vocalist Dirk Thurisch finally returns with his band MERCURY TIDE, which once started as a project and now grew to a full-fledged band.

The new album “Killing Saw” is a natural progression from Dirk‘s last album “Why”. Eventually the time has come that one of the most important German

X.O.V.A Territory: THE WORLD Period: APRIL - NOV Agency: STRATOSPHERE MUSIC LTD Agent: STEVE HUGHES & ANDY CLIFF Phone: +44 [0] 7779 257 295 E-mail: xovamgmt@gmail.com Homepage: www.xovalive.com

Melodic Metal singers returns like a Phoenix, rising from the ashes!Dirk Thurisch has closed the chapter “Angel Dust” once and for all. Several failed attempts to revive Angel Dust only strengthened Dirk‘s wish to get started with MERCURY TIDE on a grand scale. Contrary to the debut from 2003, Dirk and his band, including drummer and producer Carsten Rehmann, bassist Chris “Dagger”

MORE ARTIST AVAILS ON: WWW.VIP-BOOKING.COM POST YOUR ARTIST AVAILS ON: WWW.VIP-BOOKING.COM

Pohlmann and keyboarder Sim Reaper, place value on a more traditional sound that suites the band‘s stage persona. Great emphasis lies on the creation of a diversified, consistent atmosphere.Magnificent melodies meet playful guitar

ORBITAL

riffs and catchy choruses, to which you want to sing along immediately. The opener and title track “Killing Saw” is a suiting introduction to MERCURY TIDE‘s musical landscapes. With “Home”, Dirk gives a clear-cut statement. He is happy to be back in the Metal scene and doesn‘t only look forward to meet up with his old fans, but also to make new ones. The song “Searching” is one of the album‘s highlights: drifty riffs, fine hook lines and Dirk Thurisch at his best!

Read more about Mercury Tide feat. Dirk Thurisch: http://www.mymusicmailer.com/epk/209/bio

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