VIP News Premium - May 2018

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VOLUME 211

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MAY 2018

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VIP NEWS >

MAY 2018

McGowan’s

Musings

Things have not been quiet of late in the

Music fans and audiences are undeniably

town by the sea which I have called home

resilient,

for the past fifty years – (I only intended to

discomforts of queues and cold weather;

stay for a weekend!), any way Brighton has

recent festival research has revealed that

been besieged (even more than usual!) by

one year on from the Manchester Arena

entertainers, actors, comedians, jugglers,

bombing, festival goers are still defiant

clowns etc., since the start of the month. This

after that atrocity and other recent terrorist

is because the annual Brighton Festival, and

attacks, and although aware that they have

the Brighton Fringe have taken over all the

to be alert the majority do not intend to be

theatres, pubs, churches, open-air spaces,

intimidated into staying away from their

cinemas, from morning till late at night.

favoured events. Let’s hope that this year’s

Then, to make sure that everything becomes

upcoming festival season stays safe in every

even more hectic, the music business en

way!

putting

aside

the

minor

masse descends upon us for four days

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

2

in May for The Great Escape. The event’s

So, how many of you would be happy to

conference and showcase activity takes over

never ever hear or read the words General

even more venues, and this year added one

Data Protection Regulation ever again!

of its own, with various tents being erected

Email after email drops into the inbox (apart

on the beach.

from when the bloody system is down as happened to me this week – I’m not sure

Still all this gives me a chance to talk about

what’s worse!) with yet another request

the weather - which of course I rarely do!

to sign up, do nothing, turn sideways,

– The Great Escape has operated in some

subscribe, unsubscribe, pretend you’re not

dreadful weather for several editions. The first

actually a robot – which obviously I am, or

year, some thirteen years ago took place in

admit to being human, which I’m loathe to

the most severe wind and rain, I promoted

do as it puts me in the same category as

a show on the pier which people could

Donald Trump and all those who voted for

not reach as they were driven back as they

bloody Brexit!!

struggled to reach the venue! Still this year the sun shone during the days, but some

…well, I feel a bit better for that – ping!, on no, another one…

evenings were very cold, and those queuing for the sold out gigs were seen to shiver. Still,

I think Ladies and Gentlemen, that it’s best

the daytime parties, of which there were

to just get on with the news, unless you feel

many, cheered the guests as the drink flowed

like entrusting me with all your data till the

and the snacks were devoured! Still more of

next issue? Have fun, and I hope the sun

The Great Escape further on in this issue…..

shines on you!

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2018

UK Arenas Mark the Anniversary of the Manchester Bombing Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com On May 22, the 22 member venues of the

who showed such bravery, compassion and

UK’s National Arenas Association (NAA)

professionalism under the most harrowing

along with government buildings observed

of circumstances.”

a national minute’s silence to mark the oneyear anniversary of the Manchester Arena

A recent inquiry into the bombing, the

bombing.

Kerslake report, praised arena operator SMG Europe and security company Showsec

The arenas – which include the O2 and SSE

for going “above and beyond their roles to

Arena Wembley in London, the Motorpoint

provide humanitarian assistance” to victims

Arenas in Cardiff and Nottingham, Echo

of the bombing, which left 22 dead.

Arena in Liverpool, Genting Arena in Birmingham, 3Arena in Dublin (Rep. of

who were so tragically affected by the

The NAA is collaborating with ILMC, the

Ireland) and Manchester Arena itself. A

Manchester terror attack one year ago.”

European Arenas Association (EAA) and the

statement from the association stated

Association of Event Venues on the second

that the arenas and other buildings fell

The statement continued, “NAA venues

Event Safety & Security Summit (E3S), which

silent at 14.30 on the 22cnd to remember

will also be recognising our friends and

returns to London in a new, larger-capacity

those victims and their families and friends

colleagues working at the arena on that day

venue on 30 October.

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3

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2018

Emma Banks to receive Music Industry Trusts Award From VIP-Daily News Emma Banks, the CAA executive whose clients include Katy Perry,

if I would accept the award I was honestly dumbfounded. The MITS

Arcade Fire, Lorde and Florence + The Machine, will be awarded with

‘roll of honor’ is packed with people that I admire and respect – I

the 2018 Music Industry Trusts Award to honor her more than 25-

never expected to be added to that list but will do my very best to

year career in the music business.

be worthy of it!”

Banks, who is co-head of CAA London, also represents Kylie Minogue,

Banks began her career at Wasted Talent, later called Helter Skelter.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Muse, HAIM and Paramore, and

She joined CAA in 2006.

is the chair of Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef committee. She will receive the award at the Nov. 5 ceremony held in London.

She follows previous recipients Sir George Martin, Sir Elton John, Sir Lucian Grainge CBE, Michael Eavis CBE, Simon Cowell, Sony Music CEO Rob Stringer and Annie Lennox OBE, among others. The gala ceremony benefits U.K.-based charities the BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins.

Said Banks: “I am overwhelmed at being honored at the MITS this year. I am rarely lost for words but when David Munns rang me to ask

Emma Banks

CTS Eventim acquires Doctor Music From VIP-Daily News future, we will be able to offer them not only

artists and fans the best services, for an

efficient ticketing, but also a range of tour

unforgettable live experience.”

options. With its international portfolio of artists and inventory strengths, Doctor Music

Last year, Doctor Music announced that it

is the ideal partner for this advance.”

will be reviving Spain`s Doctor Music Festival in the Pyrenean village of Escalarre in July

Live entertainment giant CTS Eventim is

Upcoming shows by Doctor Music will

acquiring a controlling stake in leading

feature acts including Beth Ditto, Bruno

Spanish promoter Doctor Music.

Mars, Camila Cabello, Jason Derulo, Katy

2019, after a 20-year absence.

Perry, Parov Stelar, Shawn Mendes and Texas.

The acquisition, which includes the legal entities Big Tours S.L. and In Cow We

Doctor Music CEO Neo Sala said: “We were

Trust S.L., follows four acquisitions for CTS

one of the first concert promoters to bring

Eventim in Italy since September.

the greatest pop-rock stars to Spain, 35 years ago. Since then, Doctor Music has worked

Klaus-Peter

4

CTS

tirelessly to put Spain on the international

Eventim, said: “The Spanish market has

Schulenberg,

CEO

of

rock and pop stage. This partnership is a

shown encouraging growth in recent years

huge leap forward for my team and myself,

and is one of the most important destinations

allowing us to tap the resources and the

for artists from across the world. In the

network of a global player to offer both

Neo Sala

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2018

Entertainment Agents Association Warns of Increase in Email Scams Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

On the 15 May , The Entertainment Agents’ Association issued a checklist for concert promoters to help ensure that they are dealing with the genuine agent of an artist when booking a show. The checklist was issued following recent scams that have seen fraudsters claim to represent artists including Adele, Justin Timberlake, Dire Straits, Beyoncé, System Of A Down and Eminem.

“We’re seeing a worrying increase in this style of email scam,” said

until you have double checked that the ‘agent’ is indeed who they

Association president Neil Tomlinson. “Before agreeing any show

say they are. Please get on the phone to the agents you are doing

and sending deposits, promoters must be 100% sure that they are

business with – everything on email makes these scams so much

dealing with the real booking agent for that artist.”

easier for people to instigate.”

Unless a promoter is sure of an agents’ identity, the Association

Members of the Entertainment Agents Association include 13 Artists,

urges promoters to adopt the following steps…

Asgard, ATC Live, CAA, Coda, ITB, Primary Talent International, UTA, WME & X-ray Touring.

• Check

the email address is correct, in particular the email domain,

and if in any doubt call the agency to confirm it (do not use the telephone number on the email).

• Check

the artist’s website for any conflicting touring plans

• Make

sure you have full contact details of the agent you are

Neil Tomlinson

working with and speak to them on the phone at least once.

• Before

sending a deposit, call the agency to confirm the booking

and check their account details.

• Check

with promoters in other markets to verify the artist is touring

in that region at that time.

• If an offer is accepted and seems too good to be true, it probably is.

“Please be very careful if you get mails that don’t quite look right,” added Emma Banks at CAA. “Follow the common sense steps that the Agents Association have suggested and don’t send any money

5

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2018

The Great Escape ’18 Sells Out Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com More than 450 bands played at some 35 Brighton venues at

dealt with carefully chosen and presented topics including

this year’s 13th edition. 13,000 festival goers packed into,

Music Education, Mental Health in the Industry, and the

or queued outside sold out venues, to see, or hope to see

Chinese Market.

such up and coming acts as Bodega (US), La Boom (Ireland),

again entertained in shambolic fashion with Dutch Impact

Echo Vandell (Australia) Paceshifter (The Netherlands),

winning the Export Office of the Year Award, significant as

Beaches (Canada) and many others. 4 days of Conference

the Netherlands were the guest country for this 2018 edition.

The Yearly Music Conference Awards

THE GREAT ESCAPE - an essay from the back of the venue Ville Leppanen - Finnish Co -Founder of

The Great Escape took place last weekend.

happy weekend of music and the business

London based Artist Management and

We were there, along with five of our

that surrounds it.

Production Company The Animal Farm, and

artists. Our showcase was packed, the

sometime guest writer for VIP News, reflects

bands played well and a good time was

It felt good to see our previous work

on his time at The Great Escape, and one or

had. Many other showcases and talks about

experience interns strutting around, having

two other things….

the state of the industry all blended into a

found gainful employment in music. Meeting old colleagues, with some of whom we’ve had working relationships for over two decades, made me realise that having most of our own hair and teeth after nearly thirty years in the business is quite an achievement…!

It was encouraging to see a lot of action.

There certainly is no shortage of people wanting to make and perform music. No shortfall of managers, labels, promoters, publishers, PR people, A&R people and so on. No lack of options. The hills are alive with the sound of music.

That said, it was dispiriting to find so little music actually connecting with audiences.

Or maybe people these days just experience live shows differently: via staring at their smartphones while the bands play. At the ends of songs they look up and do that perfunctory whoo-hoo thing that seems to have become the norm in showing one’s appreciation to a performer.

Ville Leppanen

6

Are people pretend-playing pads and mini keyboards while they’re actually performing

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2018

karaoke along with a MacBook really the

These aren’t conversations that musicians

anyone at all. It isn’t a good enough

future? I should hope not.

who’ve been coming to our studios for

alternative to chart pop, the imagined

the past 15 years have very often, if at all.

enemy of “real music”.

The death of guitar music was widely

Musicianship isn’t discussed, isn’t valued.

discussed. Someone pointed out that some

I agree that most chart pop is computer

of the best music in every decade since the

One day, in mid session, I was doing scales

generated muzak fronted by committees of

50s has been made by people with guitars,

on my guitar. The guitarist in the band we

perky, fame obsessed Instagrammers, the

and that we shouldn’t dismiss it too readily. I

were producing looked at me and said: “I

only point of which is to make someone a

concur. Then again, big bands and orchestras

could never do that”.

celebrity. The chord progressions Am, F, C,

made some of the best music before the

G and its variant C, G, Am, F are really nice,

50s. Classical orchestras performed some of

Maybe he meant that he couldn’t ever do

the greatest music ever made for a couple

it out of some weird principle t o continue

of hundred years before Bill Haley rocked

to suck at playing, or he thought that my

I don’t agree at all that rock music needs

around the clock.

ability to move my fingers rapidly and

to be dead or that guitars are obsolete. I

accurately across the fret board was a gift

do think with absolute conviction that both

I was born with.

the artform and the instrument have a lot

Things change and for the genre to reinvigorate itself to avoid the fate of genres,

but hardly the zenith of culture.

to offer to new generations.

which it replaced earlier in time, it, too,

Any blog of mine would not be complete

needs to change.

without mentioning squash, a sport I play

It will start to happen once fundamental

with a degree of seriousness. I recently had

stuff like ability, technique and substance

There’s no denying that rock music is not the

the chance to play in a charity event with

are respected and music is explored with

cultural force it once was. I offer one reason

the world’s top pros. Watching the masters

the genuine desire to create something

for this state of affairs: the people who play

at work is fun when you’re on the outside

new. Both the artists and the men in suits

it can’t impress anyone with their playing.

looking in. It’s only when you’re in the box

have to have that attitude.

with them that the difference between In a recent BBC documentary about Jeff Beck,

what you do and what they’re capable of

In the late 1800s, the British Scientific

Jimmy Page described their first meeting and

becomes wonderfully, joyfully clear.

Society declared that every technological/

the impact that finding a guitarist soul mate

scientific

invention/discovery

had

been

had on his life. They could explore music and

Their rackets do things that mine doesn’t.

made and no more would be forthcoming.

learn how to play together. They’d compete

Their bodies even more so.

They seriously considered shutting down

on who could play the solos on current

shop.

records better. Other guitarists like Clapton,

In contrast, what happens in most venues

Gilmour and Wood chimed in about their

at most gigs is that useless poseurs who

Think about that for a second before you

constant search for a new musical vocabulary.

possess no skill or substance fail to impress

say that everything’s been done.

The great escape

7

HAMBURG/GERMANY

19 – 22 Sept.

2018

150 Sessions · Hans-Holger Albrecht (Deezer, DE) · Mathew Daniel (NetEase Cloud Music, CN) · Bettina Dorn (Warner Music Group, DE) · Milena Fessmann (Cinesong, DE) · Tina Funk (Vevo, DE) · Cherie Hu (Billboard / Forbes, US) · Scarlett Li (CMC Holdings/Zebra Media, CN) · Carl Leighton-Pope (The Leighton-Pope Organisation, GB) · Christopher Mazur (Netflix, US) · Peter Schwenkow (DEAG, DE) · Jean-Noёl Tronc (Sacem, FR) · Jackie Wilgar (Live Nation, GB) · and more 600 Concerts · Bear's Den · Ibeyi · Goat Girl · Jess Glynne · Lewis Capaldi · David August · SIGRID · Tank and the Bangas · Alexis Taylor · Darwin Deez · Bishop Briggs · Okkervil River · Lxandra · Anna Burch · Black Foxxes · Graveyard · The Magic Gang · Soccer Mommy · BOY AZOOGA · Jamie Lenman · Fieh · Poppy · WhoMadeWho · and more Arts · Awards · Education · Film · Meetings · Networking · Showcases · Word

reeperbahnfestival.com Organiser: Reeperbahn Festival GbR & Inferno Events GmbH & Co. KG

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2018

Intro Magazine to Close Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com of Intro will be the closing edition. The

newspaper Melody Maker with the New

company will be shut down in July, with

Musical Express (NME), leading recently

around 30 people losing their jobs.

in March 2016 after 66 years to to the fact that even this weekly ceased its print

In the joint statement Hörstmann and Koch

version.

explained that the advertisement business for print magazines in recent years had

The monopoly situation in the online

dropped significantly, while the rates for

world where platforms such as Amazon,

online advertisement remain on such a low

Facebook, Google no longer have any real

level that the economics of running a full

competition but cause significant friction in

editorial team simply don’t make sense.

the offline world.

In fact music journalism is hit hard by the

A good definition of what this will bring

rise of social media outlets and streaming

about in the future can be read in a recent

platforms such as Spotify and Youtube. But

article in The Guardian under the headline

music magazines are even harder hit by

“Jeff Bezos vs the world: why all companies

For more than 25 years the music magazine

marketing trends which currently create a

fear ‘death by Amazon.”

Intro has enriched the German media

radical shift towards social media platforms

landscape. Launched by and until recently

like Facebook, viral campaigns or even

By the way, will the majority of not so well

kept alive by Matthias Hörstmann and his

sales driven on Amazon or the other usual

paid employees at Amazon in the future be

team. On April 27 almost out of the blue

suspects like Google or Youtube.

able to afford high price tickets by the likes

Hörstmann together with the editor in chief

of U2 or Coldplay or do the Bono’s of this

Daniel Koch issued a statement, saying that

The departure of Intro is the newest episode

world already start thinking of only playing

only more issue is to be published before

in the decline of music magazines, that

private shows for Jeff Bezos, followed by

the media venture will close down.

actually begun in 2000 in the UK with

intimate after show parties, discussing new

the merger of the 1926 founded weekly

innovative tax optimization strategies?

Intro was a sort of mother ship, and used to be the incubator for many other enterprises.

Intro

Verlag

belongs

to

Hörstmann

Matthias Hörstmann

Unternehmensbeteiligungen, which besides Intro also includes the Festivalguide the first annual magazine dedicated to festivals only, Praise, a magazine for sneakers and live style, Sneakerness, a Sneakers Convention.

Historically pop culture driven it also used to be home base for the indoor festival format Introducing, the music video portal Putpat and the Helga, probably one of the best award shows dedicated to festivals that in recent years took place in Hamburg during Reeperbahn Festival.

This year’s edition of the Festival guide will be released as scheduled and the July issue

9

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2018

London Mayor launches ‘Sounds Like London’ Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Celebrating live music & supporting the capital’s grassroots music scene, a new summer programme will take place across the capital – with gigs and events taking place every single day throughout June.

The initiative is part of a package of measures from the Mayor to help support and protect the capital’s grassroots music scene.

The

Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has announced the full programme for ‘Sounds Like London’ - a month-long celebration of live music taking place throughout June 2018 which aims to encourage Londoners and visitors to support grassroots music venues. Sounds Like London will feature more than 200 gigs across the capital, with events taking place every day during June. The full programme

Sadiq Khan

of events can be viewed online at: www.london.gov.uk/sounds-like-london Even though women make up almost

feature all-male line-ups and only five per

Sounds Like London will also shine a light on

two-thirds of entry-level roles in the music

cent of DJs, producers and sound engineers

women working in the music industry and

industry1, they are underrepresented at a

are women2. Sounds Like London will include

is part of the Mayor’s #BehindEveryGreatCity

senior level – from label management and

a number of gigs and initiatives to encourage

campaign, which celebrates the role of

promoters to board members and senior

more women in the music industry and shine

women in the capital.

executives. Two-thirds of UK live music acts

a light on female role models.

International Festival Forum Earlybird Passes Sold Out Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Summer Rate passes available., though these

previous topics have included everything

are being taken faster than ever this year, so

from corporatisation and global deals to

those planning to be at this most influential

gender, hypothetical scenarios, tech and

meet-up in the international festival business,

data.

it’s advisable not to hang about.

If you have a topic to discuss or a suggestion

10

Earlybird passes have been snapped up

With two mornings of dedicated panels and

for a speaker, IFF would love to hear from

for IFF 2018, and the Summer Rate passes

workshops at IFF, the conference is (mostly)

you. For any and all suggestions related to

have now all gone as well. However, the

serious

the IFF agenda, please email Ruud Berends

organisers sat that there’s still plenty of Late

focussed on the festival and agency worlds,

business.

With

subject

matter

ruudberends@gmail.com.

VIP NEWS >

MAY 2018

Loveparade Trial Continues Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com On May 22 the owner of Lopavent, Rainer Schaller, the promoter of the Loveparade appeared as a witness in the on-going trial in Düsseldorf. Three days are scheduled for the questioning of Schaller, who as the owner of McFit took over the brand Loveparade, using the event as a “marketing-tool” to promote his chain of gym-studios.

Before he appeared in court Schaller apologized for what had happened at the event in Duisburg, where 21 people died and more than 600 were injured. It wasn’t a natural disaster, it was a human made failure, he said. According to media reports the examination of Schaller lasted six hours, which generally revealed, that he completely left operational tasks in the responsibility of the production team for the Loveparade.

In fact none of the high ranked decision takers responsible for the event taking place in Duisburg are accused in the trial. Neither Adolf Sauerland, the former mayor of Duisburg nor Schaller or anyone at Ruhr2010, the umbrella brand of the former EU Capital of Culture under which banner the Loveparade was moved from Berlin towards the Ruhr district.

In fact only 10 people are officially accused, four people working for Lopavent and six employees of the City of Duisburg. Also nobody from the Police are officially facing charges. The trial is supposed to

Rainer Schaller

last until autumn.

Loveparade tragedy 2010

Need to know who is touring Europe?

®

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VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

MAY 2018

Black Box Brussels Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com Preparatory action for the Music Moves Europe initiative

“The Preparatory Action has four specific objectives:

proceeds to the next level.

To develop a better understanding of the market trends and to Currently many of us are busy with the new “General Data Protection

propose sustainable mechanisms on how to monitor them, as well as

Regulation” the new EU-law for data protection and privacy coming

to identify the funding needs of the music sector;

into effect on May 25. The terms and definitions of the regulation are defined in an 88 page document which is a masterpiece of

To identify innovative and sustainable distribution models that would

jurisprudence and almost impossible for those that did not attend a

support European music diversity (such as promoting the circulation

law school to understand. The adoption of the new law interacts via

of local repertoire beyond mainstream international hits).

e-mail inboxes with the daily life of of music industry professionals and the European music community, offering various versions of how

To promote the cross-border mobility of artists through implementing

this law should be responded to and interpreted.

different cross-sectorial training schemes bridging industry silos and addressing the most relevant gaps in knowledge of the sector.

Sometimes the subscribers of newsletters who want to be kept on a mailing list need to do nothing, sometimes they need to re-confirm

To develop a strategic approach for the promotion of European music

their subscription while replying to a mail or clicking a checkbox on

on the international market.”

a website. Don’t forget, that even photos showing people in the audiences of concerts without permission could easily lead to a legal

At first glance, so far, so good. But let’s take a look at how this works.

case in the future.

The easy versions are two “calls” concerning application for EUfunding, dedicated to:

Moving on to Music Moves Europe there are certain regulatory similarities to be spotted. Brussels is currently a hotspot for formalities,

a.) Music Moves Europe – Training scheme for young music

a perfect environment for lobbyists, graduate experts and those who

professionals

have certain understandings for administrative law.

b.) Music Moves Europe - Online and Offline Distribution

For Music Moves Europe-newbies this is it what the European

Both calls are accompanied with application forms consisting

Commission is currently investigating in the first steps towards getting

of only 16 pages, including questions about: general and specific

the highly anticipated support programme for the music sector in the

objectives, a description of the implementation of the main activities,

upcoming budget period starting in 2021 up and running:

the methodology of the implementation, expected results and their use and of course, among others the “sustainability of the project’s achievements.” The budget for the training scheme in total is 550.000 Euro, available for ten applications requesting a maximum budget of 55.000 Euro each. The one for Online and Offline Distribution is 300.000 Euro, limited to 30.000 Euro per application.

But these two calls are just those for beginners. The more advanced and financially more lucrative include one feasibility study on a study for the establishment of a “European Music Observatory, and a gap analysis of funding needs for the music sector”, valued at 350.000, and a study on the development of a “proposal for a European Music Export Strategy,” equipped with a grant of 300.000 Euro.

Tibor Navracsics Music Moves Europe

12

These two tenders can be found on ted.europa.eu and include considerations of more than 60 topics. Let’s look into the targets of the study:

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

MAY 2018

“Description of the procurement: The first specific objective of the study is to provide a state-of the art assessment on current market trends, explore opportunities offered to music by the digital economy, especially in relation to fairer structures of remuneration. The study will explore for each identified trend: - What is currently being addressed sufficiently by the Creative Europe program and how;

Well, to cut a long story short: The realisation of Music Moves

- What is currently not being addressed sufficiently by the European

Europe might not be only a political challenge. It seems likely to

funding instruments and how its successor program could better

also be a bureaucratic challenge. Lets very much hope, that at least

address it.

the study for the observatory eventually discovers that the aspect of

- Provide convincing justification for the need of future support on

less complex application forms might help to install a proper support

European level, taking the principle of subsidiarity and the European

programme for the music sector that feeds the needs of the branch

dimension into account.

and not only the preferences of those familiar with administrative laws.

The second specific objective of the study is to undertake a thorough stakeholder analysis by ensuring transparency of identification and

Perhaps EU-politicians and officials may have noticed that anti EU-

inclusion of all relevant partners of the music sector with a focus on

parties won not only elections in Eastern Europe but also in Austria

the European level.”

and most recently in Italy...

ImagIne if you could go to one website and get aLL the contacts you need for the european Live music Industry?

WeLL you Can! www.vip-booking.com

®

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

vip-booking.com

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VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

MAY 2018

Let’s Talk Politics

(And About Music Moves Europe) Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com With Christoph Storbeck

industry conference Linecheck, part of Milan

Christoph Storbeck: It’s an initiative from

Music Week.

the European Commission to support the music sector, at first through a few pilot

VIP News interviews Christoph Storbeck from Striker Entertainment about his experience

He has also booked tours, tour managed and

programmes, in order to see if the music

of running a typical music company in

promoted and produced concerts in Italy and

sector justifies more support potentially

today’s business environment for SME’s

abroad, represented labels and coordinated

through a future programme.

(Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.)

international releases. Storbeck is German born and raised but has been a frequent

More support would be very welcomed

Storbeck manages the songwriter Fabrizio

Italian traveller for almost 20 years, and was

by creators and industry organisations and

Cammarata

a founding member of the young Music

institutions, including the IMMF of which our

Managers Forum in Italy.

young organisation MMF Italy is a member.

and

XIXA,

handles

the

international PR and logistics for the award

Indeed I learned of it some time ago through

winning indie rock tastemaker festival Ypsigrock in Castelbuono and is the head

VIP News: What do you know about

the IMMF thanks to their participation in the

of the conference programme of the music

Music Moves Europe?

Commission’s series of roundtables.

VIP News: Do you think the European Commission handling of the on going proceedings for Music Moves Europe is transparent and informative?

Storbeck: Due to some intense work with the artists and festival I am fortunate to be involved with, I am not always able to closely follow the Commission’s work, one of the reasons I value being a member of a trade association.

There have been quite some events around MME (Music Moves Europe) at Eurosonic, our event Linecheck and others. Though, speaking with other colleagues, I reckon the full importance of the Commission’s vision hasn’t slipped through to all the single players yet, me included. The information though is discoverable - of course - and when you ask you will learn what you want, but that’s the reason why MME and CE (Creative Europe) is again on our agenda for Linecheck conference 2018, and will give the associations and the Commission itself, space to promote its plans and inform the

Christoph Storbeck

14

community. Usually these topics are quite a hard sell to very busy people in business with

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

MAY 2018

very limited time, but they directly impact

So it’s not the enemy of European music, it’s

Storbeck: I’m the head of conference at

the industries trading environment.

a possible partner: the centralistic approach

Linecheck (22-24 Nov 2018, Milan) and we

to promote artists is only one of the possible

had a very diverse programme, so I didn’t

ways to go.

manage to see all of the panels. But yes,

Though, whether MME or CE, every such EU project is a lot of work: to stay informed

attendance was good and the audience is

about calls, to apply and when accepted to

Though I’d expect, if run reasonably and

very interested. Most of all it showed that

actually do what you’re supposed to do and

successfully, MME can lead to encouraging

even the Majors recognise its necessity and

then also virtuously create added value.

more professional and creatively courageous

potential: the panel was actually suggested to

players in the European music industry,

us and hosted by Italian’s IFPI, FIMI (Federation

throughout the entire EU.

of Italian Music Industry) and featured FIMI’s

Sometimes it seems projects are run for the sake of running projects and secure

Enzo Mazza, Florian Druecke from BVMI and

a tentative alternative income stream to

As a manager, I hope the infrastructure

cross-finance, instead of a necessity for

gets better throughout Europe, leading in

Guillaume Leblanc from SNEP.

your cultural business or an endeavour to

the long run, to generally more musically

This year we’ll host the Impala board

participate in such a project, but that’s a

well educated audiences that appreciate

meeting and MME and CE will be part of

different topic. European funding is a world

live music in better equipped venues etc.

the discussions in and beyond the Italian

(and a business) in itself. In the end... every

National support for the creative industries

context.

funding project is a lot of work.

should become streamlined throughout VIP News: Currently Music Moves Europe

Europe, too.

seems to be an exclusive battlefield

Transparency and reporting can never be good enough, not only for MME, but for

As a Sicilian Indie-Rock festival we hope to

for lobbyists. Only those who can

CE. Check quickly what projects have been

be able to build up professional talent in our

participate or raise their flag in Brussels

funded, who the partners are, if there’s

region and be able to maintain the talent,

and have the financial resources to

something that connects to you... Quite

and see more exciting talent from all over

invest in lobby activities. Would you say

some work.

the place drawing paying audiences.

this is an appropriate way of handling

When digging into the matter, it seems quite

As a conference in Milan we hope to be a

transparent though and the online presence

platform for all of the above.

the development of such a programme?

Storbeck: Not in an ideal world. In Utopia,

of the EU in general has improved massively.

the EU would already have internal market I’d expect that the European Commission

experts that are so informed that they know

VIP News: As somebody working in this

gets a proper understanding that first comes

better than from learning from lobbyists...

sector what are your expectations in

the education of managers, recording-rights

But in the end it’s what it is and in Brussels

terms of Music Moves Europe?

holders, agents, but most of all realised that

there are rotating politicians that usually

musicians and creatives achieve realistic self-

have a different education than a music

Storbeck: Generally I hope that MME

understanding and stimulate great diverse

business professional. So there’s no way

leads to the much desired objective, i.e.

creativity instead of pure copying.

around getting organised, to stand up within

to significantly raise the European budget

the association and umbrella organisation.

of Creative Europe and/or make it a

But in the end, as much as you force and

So you have to have your voice heard. But

proper programme to feature diversity,

support the business, it’s the professional’s

that’s not limited to the music sector...

digitalisation, creativity, and to strengthen

education and the artist’s comparative

Europe as competitive markets.

international

quality

that

makes

the

difference.

VIP News: The latest results of the Italian elections, similar to those in Austria, Poland or Hungary, not to forget

I share the objectives of strengthening and augmenting European production and the

VIP News: You had a panel regarding

Brexit,

professionalization of music, though I of

Music Moves Europe as part of the

and populist parties gained more votes

revealed

that

course recognise the international legitimacy

conference agenda at Line Check in

than

of UK-US and also Australian and Canadian

November 2017. Was the panel well

parties. Are you concerned about these

music business. There’s a high grade of

attended and can you say anything

developments and as a European citizen,

organisation of the business and especially

about the audience reactions on this

what are your assumptions regarding

in the UK the business itself seems “pop”.

panel?

the reasons for these movements?

pro-European

Anti-European

(except

France)

15

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

MAY 2018

Storbeck: Yes, very concerned. People, not

That in company with the populist very right

only in Italy, rarely see anything beyond their

wing Lega Nord is even more frightening.

very limited micro-social system. I am such

It means also that the political education

a frequent traveller to Italy. I consider it my

has failed terribly, but that’s probably a

second home, because of European projects

different interview and goes way beyond my

and the facility to travel and do business, so

expertise.

comfortably. Every time I get upset when

politically active wouldn’t have been there:

realising how much money one is losing in

VIP News: In 2017 the leader of the UK

exchange rates, visas, work permits, widely

Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, delivered

withholding-tax payments and recouping

a speech at Glastonbury Festival. On

So yes, the sector must be politically active,

money to double taxation agreements. Wish

the other hand hardly any UK-Artists

or at least aware of what’s going on and be

it were even more streamlined. Sure there

(except Blur in a one sentence statement

organised in solid associations that help to

are downsides, but in itself, rather try to

in the newspaper The Guardian) spoke

divert existing public monies into the music

improve the system then split it up.

up in 2016 for staying in the European

sector. Education though should be a priority

Union. Should the music sector become

for the music sector to push for, since we’re

We’ll have to see how this develops, but to me

more politically active or is this, due

talking not only about our next customers

it seems the ideas of the Five Star Movement

to the current generation of European

but also our next politicians.

are mainly against a system but pretend to be

politicians, an indication that this is not

with “the people” with obviously very vague

of interest for those people representing

VIP

ideas on how to finance their plans. That is

culture

observations in terms of the election

concerning. It’s even more concerning for

community for those people?

battle in Italy?

Europe’s biggest but also one of the world’s

Storbeck: Regarding the artists, that’s a

Storbeck: Culture wasn’t a topic in the

top 10 music markets. The music market

fragile thing. Not all artists have that mind-

elections, not sexy enough I reckon.

grew steadily over the last years; the general

set and character. A good start is to convince

progress seemed to go quite ok too. But

through great and diverse products that go

In the last years a few good programmes

there’re quite some question-marks now.

beyond the mainstream, scratch the surface,

were initiated in Italy. The Ministry of Cultural

invite the audience to reflect and do things

Heritage and Activities and Tourism MiBACT

differently to the others.

seemed to open the cultural financing to

or

in

particular

the

music

Eurosonic is just the tip of the iceberg.

News:

What

have

been

your

such a big economy as Italy, not only one of

Fortunately it’s not all Italians and somehow the political establishment dug its own

rock and pop music festivals, the S’Illumina

grave leaving plenty of frustrated citizens,

But while artists come and go, usually the

programme by MiBACT and handled by

but considering a choleric comedian writing

music professional remains in business and

SIAE distributes monies coming from private

on blogs and shouting into crowds and

sees generations changing. For me it’s only

copies into new creativity and infrastructure.

cameras, for a political movement whose

been a little over ten years, but still, you

Last year was the first Milano Music Week.

major communication tool is owned by

see what effect well crafted programmes

Puglia Sounds has been doing good things.

private company, is definitely frightening.

can have to build things that without being

Since November Italy is probably the last nation in Europe to finally have a national Italy Music Export - Office powered by the SIAE that is starting to do a great job. After years of basically spending all creative/ cultural-money on movies, it seems at the Trade Commission people finally start to understand that music is an efficient way to export with a good return on image. Also European Projects like Europavox (Estragon) and NIMPE (Assomusica) have Italian partners and many more deserve support.

Milano music week 2017

16

For further information please check: www.striker-entertainment.com

ARTIST APPLICATIONS CURRENTLY OPEN! ESNS: EU

APPLY VIA WWW.ESNS.NL STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG

ESNS: EU creative europe

STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG

VIP NEWS >

NAMES & JOBS

MAY 2018

Kilimanjaro Live adds two new promoters From VIP-Daily News Kilimanjaro Live has welcomed two new

I’m both honoured and excited to become

representing Kilimanjaro in the incredibly

promoters to its ranks.

part of their team,” said Anderson.

competitive live music scene of the UK.

Jamie Anderson who previously worked

Previously promoter assistant, Denmark-

“We’re all immensely proud of the artists

at PCL Presents in Scotland, and Peter

born Tomsen will work with new music

we work with and these appointments are

Tomsen, who joined Kili in 2017 as part of

artists and singer-songwriters, including his

a recognition of the need for us to maintain

the company`s internship programme, have

main passions of indie and scandi-pop.

our eyes and ears out at shows whilst also

both been added to the booking team.

providing the best service we can to our “It’s all hugely exciting for me, I can’t wait

existing clients.

Anderson has worked on shows by artists

to get started and repay the trust that has

such as Catfish and The Bottlemen, Jack

been shown to me by the great Kili family,”

“Peter and Jamie are here to build their

White, Noel Gallagher`s High Flying Birds,

he said.

own careers as well as those of the artists

Liam Gallagher, Vampire Weekend, Haim

they bring in and we’re excited to have

and Arcade Fire. He has also been closely

London-based Kilimanjaro, which celebrated

them on board and to be able to contribute

involved in Scotland’s biggest multi-venue

its 10th anniversary earlier this year, was

to their development in the industry. I

festival, the Stag & Dagger Festival in

crowned Best Promoter at last month`s

sincerely hope each of them loves working

Glasgow.

Music Week Awards and will be promoting

for Kilimanjaro like our whole team do and

15 dates of Ed Sheeran`s upcoming UK

I wish them the best of luck out in the field

stadium tour, which begins next week.

and hope they find and develop industry

He

will

be

responsible

for

booking

and promoting his own artists as well

relationships that allow them to fulfil their

contributing to the Kilimanjaro festival

Company director and senior promoter

potential to the max along with that of the

programme.

Steve Tilley said: “I’m delighted to welcome

artists they bring into the company.’’

Peter and Jamie to the fold and have them

18

“Having known Kilimanjaro and its strong

join myself, Carlo Scarampi, Alan Day,

Pictured:

reputation in the industry for many years,

Georgie Donnelly and Mark Walker in

Jamie Anderson and Peter Thomsen

VIP NEWS > BUSINESS >

MUSIC IN SHARES

MAY 2018

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

CTS Eventim

Since the last issue the number of law firms seems to have increased

- Pleasure Booster For Share Holders

steadily, similar to the share price of the company which since then went up from $40.11 to $43.64.

With a revenue growth of 32.5 per cent and earnings results up 22.8 per cent, CTS Eventim delivered satisfying figures for the first quarter

Spotify

of 2018 (Q1-2018.) The revenue went from 207.2 in Q1-2017 up to

- Industry Share Holders Are Cashing In

274.5 million Euro, the Earnings Before Interests, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) increased from 45.4 up to 55.4 million Euro.

The debut of Spotify at the New York stock Exchange earlier on in April lead Sony Music and Warner Music to reduce their stake of shares in

The ticketing division of CTS Eventim growth as usual, revenue nearly

the company. Warner Music sold 75 per cent of their share earlier on

up10 per cent from 92.6 to 101.8 million Euro with the usually highly

in May, while Sony Music previously sold 17.2 per cent of their shares .

impressive profit margins, summing up from 36.5 up to 40.4 million Euro.

Anyhow, the previously reported share price for Spotify has been $158.40, this time it is $156.75.

The most impressive result was achieved by the Live Entertainment segment of CTS Eventim, a revenue growth of 50.8 per cent from 116.1 up to 175 million Euro. Contributors to this development have been the recently acquired Italian promoters and additionally gained revenues due to the sale of the festivals Northside and Tinderbox.

Soon or later the acquisition of Spanish company Doctor Music will furthermore boost the revenues for this part of the company On April 23 the share price was 38.80 Euro, on May 24 it rose to 40.42 Euro.

DEAG - Annual Meeting Scheduled On June 27 DEAG will hold its annual meeting in Berlin. A positive report will have to be that since the last issue of VIP News the share price of DEAG went from 2.62 up 3.10 Euro.

Live Nation - Class Action Case Gains Awareness As recently reported several law firms called on Live Nation share holders to join a class action case against the company regarding false and misleading statements due to the news that US Department of Justice investigating of the company undertook business practices that are not in line with a consent decree once agreed by Live Nation when merging with Ticketmaster in 2010.

19

VIP NEWS > MISC >

MAY 2018

MEMBER PRESENTATION

This space is dedicated to present some of our clients using VIP-Booking.com. Companies presented here have our best endorsement...

ARTIST AVAILS THE HORRORS Territory: Europe Period: 2018 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Steve Backman E-mail: stevebackman@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.thehorrors.co.uk

TRACK DOGS Territory: orldwide Period: August onwards Agency: AMA Music Agency Agent: Mark Downing AMA Music Phone: + 353 862504795 E-mail: mark@amamuscagency.ie Homepage: www.amamusicagency.ie/trackdogs

Rockhopper Agency is an independent and international agency which have offices in Helsinki and Los Angeles. Rockhopper combines the agility of an aggressive new, boutique agency with the vast experience of its agents.

Rockhopper Agency concentrates on international agency representation and local promotion. We are also putting our efforts on acquiring U.S.-based artists in need of European booking services.

Juha Juoni has long and distinguished career in the music business. He started at

FIREHOUSE Territory: UK, Europe, Asia Period: November / December 2018 Agency: ARM Entertainment Agent: Dana Strutz Phone: 6514838754 E-mail: ds@armentertainment.com Homepage: www.armentertainment.com/firehouse

FOREVER KING OF POP Territory: World Period: 18/01/2018 - 01/01/2020 Agency: Summum Music Agent: Rosa Alfageme Phone: +34679002969 E-mail: rosa@summummusic.com Homepage: www.foreverkingofpop.net

Welldone Agency that later became Live Nation Finland. He moved on with his agent/ promoter career at RedBerg Agency as an owner of the company before he started Rockhopper Agency. Juha worked for ten years for Provinssirock, one of the biggest Finnish festivals.

SMOKIE Territory: Worldwide Period: 2019 Agency: NOW Music Co Agent: Jason Colombick Phone: +44 (0)1484723557 E-mail: jason@now-music.com

Archie Dani enjoys a long-time working relationship with Mr. Juoni, and brings to Rockhopper a wealth of experience and talent. As a former recording artist herself, enjoying a lengthy career while under contract with Universal, Ms. Dani also has a vast network of professional contacts throughout the industry.

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 subscribers­in over 50 countries.

PHOENIX Territory: Europe Period: 2018 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Peter Elliot E-mail: peter_elliott@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.wearephoenix.com

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