VIP News Premium - June 2019

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VOLUME 224

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JUNE 2019

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VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2019

McGowan’s

Musings

I have to admit to a very disquieting view

more depression to the whole Brexit fiasco

dalliance. Liam tweeted, “My name is Liam

of the political landscape of this United

we are now having, with no choice in

Gallagher. I have four beautiful children, I

(questionable!) Kingdom, just to add even

the matter, to accept the appointment of

have dabbled in drugs over the years, I’ve

a totally unacceptable prime minister to

had many number ones, now send me the

further screw up the situation! As I write

keys to Number Ten. I’ll sort this pile of

this he – there are no female choices – has

shit out! ParLIAMent, c’mon, you know”,

not yet been confirmed, but we’re all pretty

he added, promising to introduce a law

sure which cartoon figure he will be – and

putting Oasis back together! As sensible as

by the time I complete this edition of the

anything else that’s going on in the world of

news – we’ll know. Boris – I ask you – what

UK politics of late!

a name for a PM!

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

Anyway, another maker of hit records who As for the next Brexit moves and their effects

has come up with an idea that’s as good

on the live music industry, we wait and see.

as anything that’s come out of the Houses

At the UK Music summer party last week

of Parliament of late is Mr.Ed Sheeran. The

the organisation’s boss Michael Dughher

Master of the small guitar is apparently

said,

“At UK Music we will continue to

crazy about Heinz Tomato Ketchup, so

highlight the need for touring artists and

much so that he saucily (sorry!) offered to

musicians to be able to move freely without

do an ad for the product. By the way, the

the kind of cost and bureaucracy that,

sauce named after the Houses of Parliament

frankly, could make playing across Europe

is brown, not red. Anyway, Heinz, who are

simply not viable for many UK musicians.” –

now based in Holland and produce both

so, fingers crossed?!

condiments, have taken the red head seriously and produced a bottle of ketchup

So, what can I find to cheer myself up, which might even relate to the joys of the live music industry? Ah Ha! Here we

While you digest the ramifications of this,

go, an Oasis in the Desert (sorry!), Liam

I feel that I should call it a day on these

Gallagher has (not seriously of course –

Musings and return to worrying about

although…) put himself forward to be

the future of the country, whilst looking

Prime Minister! Following the list of quite

forwards to a visit to Serbia for the EXIT

frankly unqualified Tory MP applicants, Liam

Festival in the next week and a half…

could be as capable a choice as any of the others who have admitted the odd drug

2

called, Tomato Edchup!

So, Ladies and Gentlemen – The News!

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2019

DEAG buys into Swiss promoter From VIP-Daily News DEAG has acquired a majority stake in two

After the completion of the acquisition,

are designed to help the company expand

Swiss live concert companies.

Michael Drieberg will continue to manage

its

the business.

Switzerland into French-speaking Switzerland.

and Live Music Entertainment, owned by

His team will work together with DEAG to

Detlef Kornett echoed that sentiment in

promoter and event organizer Michael

drive growth for both companies. Drieberg

recent statements about the acquisition.

Drieberg.

also runs the 2,000 capacity Metropol

opportunities

from

German-speaking

The buy-ins involve Live Music Production

Theatre Salle Métropole in Lausanne on Lake

“We are expanding our range of events to

Drieberg has been a successful promoter in

Geneva.

include first-class French-speaking artists and

Switzerland for over 20 years. He organized

Detlef Kornett says the investment will

events and are gaining excellent access to

the outdoor event Sion sous les étoiles in

accelerate DEAG’s strategic expansion of

the French-speaking market.”

Caton Valais, which attracts over 40,000

business activities in Switzerland. DEAG

people per year.

expects to see profitable sales with the

On June 6th, DEAG acquired a 51% stake

potential to earn around CHF 35 million

in German promoter C2 concerts. The next

($35.8M USD).

day, DEAG announced another majority

The deal marks the third set of acquisitions for DEAG in just a few short months. The

stake acquisition in I-Motion. I-Motion is the

purchase also gives DEAG access to the

The acquisitions were made via DEAG’s

German arm of US-based electronic music

entire Swiss market.

Swiss subsidiary AIO Group AG. The deals

giant LiveStyle.

Michael Drieberg

3

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2019

Landmark celebration for Music Venue Trust Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

On June 18 VIP News attended the Music

Bernard Butler was a founder member of

We sigh at the loss of a venue not through

Venue Trust‘s celebration of the charity’s first

Suede, and has played guitar and keyboards

nostalgia or sentimentality, but for the missed

5 years of working to protect, secure and

with The Tears, McAlmont & Butler, Duffy,

opportunities for ourselves as well as future

improve the UK’s grassroots music venues.

Trans, Ben Watt, The Verve and The

generations. Protecting the network of

The event, titled 5/50/500 was, hosted by

Anchorettes, plus contributing to album

grassroots venues is to secure livelihoods,

long-term MVT supporters Ticketmaster,

sessions and tours for many well known

access to the arts and to art itself.”

and

and

artists. He Commented,: “I am honoured to

organisations which support MVT’s work, as

brought

together

companies

be a Patron of the Music Venue Trust. Every

Abbie

well as venue representatives and artists.

musician’s primal instinct is to perform,

Introducing, Kent said: “One of my favourite

and those baby steps require a nurturing

things to do is go to a gig – that amazing,

The tile of the celebration stood for 5 years,

environment in which to blossom. Music

excitable atmosphere, getting to hear the

50 patrons and 500 venues, which have

venues around the world from the local

songs you’re obsessed with performed

joined the Music Venues Alliance, on whose

church hall to the stadium play an invaluable

live, feeling a connection in that moment

behalf MVT works. In the last few months,

role in the creative process, allowing an

with your favourite artists, sometimes

particularly since the announcement of the

artist’s confidence, technique and craft to

discovering exciting new acts and meeting

first commitments to funding for venues

flourish. But it does not stop there. Every

fellow music fans. It’s such a buzz and that’s

from the Pipeline Investment Fund initiative

artist will return to venues of size and location

why since I went to my first gig aged 12,

and the launch of Arts Council England’s

continually throughout their lives, renewing

there’s not a week that goes by where I’m

Supporting Grassroots Live Music grant

bonds with loyal fans as well as forging new

not at a live show.

funding scheme, membership of the Music

creative avenues. Many of us return with great

Venues Alliance has grown to 547 venues

affection to stages we have trodden many

Many of the best shows I’ve been to have

and MVT has welcomed three new patrons:

times before, often encountering the same

been in tiny independent venues around the

musician Bernard Butler and broadcasters

dedicated promoters and sound engineers,

country. It’s the most special feeling when

Abbie McCarthy and Sarah Gosling.

often combined into several passionate roles.

you’re watching an act with only a handful

McCarthy,

from

BBC

Music

of other people & you can tell they’re going

MVT Patrons, BBC Broadcasters Sarah Gosling, Steve Lamacq and Abbie McCarthy

to go on to huge things, you know the magic memory of that intimate gig will stay with you forever. I started my Good Karma Club night to give new artists a platform to develop & learn their craft and we’ve had some incredible performances over the last few years. Without one of my favourite local venues, the Tunbridge Wells Forum, the likes of Slaves, Everything Everything & Frank Turner would not have grown to be some of the best live performers on the planet.

Socially, culturally, creatively, venues are crucial, we must protect them at all costs!”

Sarah Gosling, of BBC Music Introducing, Devon & Cornwall said: “Grassroots venues are where I’ve solidified friendships, developed my passion for discovering soul-shakingly

4

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2019

great new music, and had some of the most

would

lose

their

beating,

jumping,

they didn’t even know they had. We need a

memorable and defining experiences of my

dancing heart, and the world would lose

broad spread of music venues catering to all

life. The first piece of music journalism I ever

its technicolour. Yet despite this the most

tastes, just as is commonplace with theatres

wrote focused on the importance of small

pivotal venues of my youth - and the early

and galleries. The music industry can’t be

town venues supporting new music, and

stages for all my favourite mid-size bands

expected to fend for itself any longer, and

it’s been the central core of every piece of

- are now closed. Only a handful remain

creative lives can’t survive without these

broadcasting I’ve done since then.

in the South West, and they can’t keep

venues. That’s why I’m incredibly proud to

up with the demands for stage time made

be a small cog working to protect them as

Without them I wouldn’t have the incredible

of them from musicians across the entire

part of the Music Venue Trust.”

job I do today, the unsigned musicians I

artistic spectrum. Like plants without room

work with would be left without audiences

to grow, they become stunted, left with

You can see all of MVT’s patrons on the

to hone their craft with, communities

nowhere to develop and unfurl the leaves

website: musicvenuetrust.com/patrons

No UTA/Paradigm merger this time From VIP-Daily News After several weeks of increasing rumours about a possible acquisition

“I want to address the events of the past week and the press reports,”

by UTA, Paradigm chairman and CEO Sam Gores firmly put rumors

he wrote. “Our industry is in an era of significant change and also

to rest in an email sent to the agency employees Sunday afternoon.

unprecedented opportunity. The complexion of what the agency business will look like has led all of the major agencies including

In it, he explained that UTA had indeed made an offer to acquire

ourselves to look at ways to strengthen their platforms and provide

Paradigm, one that “would have represented one of the largest

more resources to clients.”

talent agency transactions in the history of our business.” The offer was, as suspected, for the talent/literary and music divisions.

Ultimately, Gores decided to end talks not because of unfavorable deal terms, a source close to the matter told The Hollywood Reporter,

The latter is a particular strength of Paradigm`s, representing top

but in order to shut down speculation as the two parties were still

artists including Janelle Monae, Imagine Dragons, Kacey Musgraves,

far from closing a deal. “There are reasons why a combination like

Shawn Mendes and Zedd, among many more.

this would have made sense for both agencies,” he wrote, “but in the end, what is more compelling for us is how unique the culture at

But “after careful consideration and in consultation with leaders of

Paradigm is and how powerful our independent path can be.”

both the Music and Talent/Literary executive groups, I have made the decision to shut down discussions and not make this deal,” Gores wrote.

Sam Gores

“We admire Sam and the business he and his colleagues have built,” UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said in a statement shortly after Gores` email was disseminated. “We are disappointed we didn`t come to an agreement. But we wish him and everyone at Paradigm the best.”

It isn`t the first time the two agencies have discussed some sort of possible merger or acquisition — occasional conversations have taken place as far back as a decade ago, as reported in the trades.

But recent agitation in the agency world — the two-months-andcounting dispute with the WGA over packaging fees and affiliate production and Endeavor angling to become the first publicly traded talent agency — intensified the pitch, and paranoia, around the latest talks, a factor that Gores referenced in his email.

5

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SESSIONS, SHOWCASES, MEETINGS, NETWORKING, AWARDS

→ SESSIONS WITH: KLAUS-PETER SCHULENBERG (CTS EVENTIM, DE), CORNELIA FUNKE (AUTHOR, US), MATT SCHWARZ (LIVE NATION GSA, DE), HOLGER HÜBNER & THOMAS JENSEN (WACKEN OPEN AIR, DE), MOLLIE LEHMAN (ATLANTIC RECORDS, US), TILL SCHONEBERG (KONZERTBÜRO SCHONEBERG, DE), JONATHAN FINEGOLD (FINE GOLD MUSIC, US), KELLY SNOOK (PRODUCER / ENGINEER, US), DOMINIQUE KULLING (BMG GSA, DE), ILANA GOLDSTOFF (SIZZER, NL), CARL LEIGHTONPOPE (THE LEIGHTON-POPE ORGANISATION, UK), STEVEN THOMASSEN (TOUTPARTOUT, BE), CORINNE SADKI (BUREAU EXPORT, FR), THOMAS MIKUSZ (PUBLICIST, US), ALEXANDER HOLLAND (DEEZER, FR), LILY ORAM (CODA AGENCY, UK), AND MANY MORE → CONCERTS BY: SLEAFORD MODS, JUSTIN JESSO, ELDERBROOK, CELESTE, DONNA MISSAL, SEBADOH, JAMES TW, SEA GIRLS, GEORGIA, EFTERKLANG, JONATHAN BREE, AZIZA BRAHIM, ALGIERS, MATTIEL, THE JAPANESE HOUSE, ÁSGEIR, YOUNG THE GIANT, STARS, CARLIE HANSON, YAK, SUZANNE SANTO, AND MANY MORE

→ 18.–21.

SEPT. 2019 Organiser: Reeperbahn Festival GbR & Inferno Events GmbH & Co. KG

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2019

Reeperbahn Becomes More International Each Year!

An Interview with Detlef Schwarte Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com The next edition of the Reeperbahn Festival

growth comes on top of the extra side

VIP News : What are the aims and

will take place from 18 – 21 September

events that you present in different

aspirations behind these international

2019 in Hamburg, Germany. Over the four

countries. Where have you and your co-

presentations? Who do you most expect

days delegates will have access to 1,000+

organisers been since the last edition of

to benefit from these new ideas? Is it

events, choosing from sessions, concerts

the Hamburg Festival?

a matter of making the Reeperbahn

and

showcases,

meetings,

Festival more famous and attracting

networking

events and awards shows as well as film, art

Detlef Schwarte: The activities at SXSW in

larger

and spoken word.

March and the Reeperbahn Festival New

audience, or what?

numbers

of

delegates

and

York Edition in June have been part of the Every year, Reeperbahn comes up with

annual programme for some time now.

Detlef: It´s about promoting cooperation

something new, both within the usual

In May we additionally did an exploratory

between German and European artists,

September schedule and at other times

journey to Music Biz Conference in Nashville

and artists from the respective destinations.

throughout the year, as it spreads its wings

to prepare the first regular involvement

Also enabling the co-organisation of new

to present new events in other countries.

planned for 2020. And in late May we

networks between music industry players.

realized

the

first

Reeperbahn

Festival

VIP News asked co–founder and organiser

Beijing in cooperation with the local WISE

As the main European music platform for

Detlef Schwarte to explain what activates

conference. We presented 8 artists from

international and transcultural exchange

and energises him and his partners to

Europe and China and had a delegation of

Reeperbahn Festival is the best stakeholder

continue to expand on what is already an

25 music professionals from six European

to

enormously full and active event.

countries

the

Europe and other territories. That´s why

that

were

involved

in

create

these

synergies

between

conference and several networking events.

the German Federal Foreign Office is

VIP News: Every year the September

It was a real success and we received great

supporting these activities that take us to

agenda expands considerably, and this

feedback from everyone.

Nashville, Beijing, New York, Accra and Los

Detlef Schwarte

7

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2019

Angeles. If a further effect is that the

it. We will see if we at Reeperbahn Festival

Besides that highlights will surely be the re-

Reeperbahn Festival continues to gain

can find something new to say about it.

created opening ceremony, the finding of

international recognition, we will of course gladly accept that.

this year´s Anchor Award winner or work VIP News: What new, or regular events

premieres like e.g. The Symphony of Sounds

and sessions are you most looking

by Matthew Herbert.

VIP News: You receive a lot of support

forward to in September, and do you

from the City of Hamburg; does this

expect to increase your attendance

Exclusively

international development feed back

figures again?

recommend to attend the Helga! Festival

into the culture and the economy of the City?

for

music

professionals

I

Awards Show and of course the conference Detlef:

really

session programme that is divided in 11

looks promising. We have already great

The

session

programme

thematic threats, plus a few of the around

Detlef: The programme is not first and

speakers confirmed like e.g. Klaus-Peter

50 showcases of our international partners

foremost about staging Hamburg or the

Schulenberg, CEO of CTS Eventim, Matt

where you will still find many, many artists

Reeperbahn Festival. We involve artists and

Schwarz, Managing Director Live Nation

looking for deals.

professionals from all over Europe and thus

GSA, Author Cornelia Funke, Holger Hübner

act as international ambassadors of music in

& Thomas Jensen, Founders of Wacken

Regarding the numbers we don´t expect a

the cultural and economic sense. This also

Open Air, Mollie Lehman, A&R Manager,

significant growth, because we’ve already

includes bringing artists and their economic

Atlantic Records, Alexander Holland, Chief

had good experiences with a healthy

environments from Africa, China and the

Content & Strategy Officer at Deezer, and

attendance.

USA to the Reeperbahn Festival. Hopefully,

Lily Oram, Agent Coda Agency.

VIP News : Is there anything else that

this will create added value for the festival’s visitors and the city.

For the first time we will have a thematic

you’d particularly like us, and potential

strand „Future & Film“ that will hopefully

attendees to know about?

VIP News: Do you have even more plans

attract many people from the film and TV

for additional events in new territories,or

series sector. The Festival Village will be

Detlef: Especially for delegates from abroad

are you now busy enough?!

home to the Art´s Playground, Music Maker´s

it might make sense to consider taking part

Playground and Future Playground. These

in our so-called BEX - the Berlin Experience

Detlef: We hope that we can continue our

will offer different kinds of presentations,

of the Reeperbahn Festival on Tuesday, Sep

international activities and the great interest

performances, panels and other formats

17. So, one day before Reeperbahn Festival’s

and positive feedback on the first SpinOffs

related to the universe of music. I am really

official kick-off, we are offering again a

that we receive from artists and industry

looking forward to that as I am excited

1-day-programme in Germany’s capital that

representatives give us good arguments for

about how that will be accepted.

gives an overview of the German music industry and visit some of the most relevant music and media companies based in the city. The participants will meet high level executives and insiders and get the chance to network on the Reeperbahn Festival train ride from Berlin to Hamburg.

More information can be found on our website where international delegates can register for this really intense and enjoyable programme.

VIP News : Do you get much of a chance to take a rest, and when?

Detlef: Whenever I manage to get the

Anchor Jury 2019

8

children to bed in time and they graciously sleep through the night. ;o)

VIP NEWS >

JUNE 2019

Swedish agency taken over by Live Nation From VIP-Daily News Live Nation has taken over with the Swedish booking agency

“We have run Appelgren Friedner for four years and now we are

Appelgren Friedner, which represents some of the country’s most

ready for new challenges. Becoming part of Live Nation its expanded

high profile artists.

platform creates a fantastic situation for our artists. We look forward to taking us, and our artists, to the next level,” added Lisa Appelgren

Founded in 2015 by Lisa Appelgren, and Uno Friedner, the company

and Uno Friedner.

reps Sabina Ddumba, JËLLY, Jonas Lundqvist, Cherrie, Movits!, and ROS among others.

Lisa Appelgren, Uno Friedner and Georgios Kalafatidis will remain with the company when it officially becomes part of Live Nation on August 15, 2019.

“I am very happy to bring in Appelgren Friedner under Live Nation’s wings. They have long experience that I have great respect for and together we will develop and continue to build the artists Uno and Lisa work with today. It will be great fun to get their knowledge and skills in the house,” said Markus Wiking, COO Local Artists, Live Nation.

Lisa Appelgren and Uno Friedner

EXIT ’19 Rocks!

From VIP-Daily News This year’s edition of the EXIT festival will as usual take place from July 4-7 against the dramatic backdrop of the Petrovaradin Fortress

The Cure headlines EXIT

perched high above the Danube.

Much of the bill for this year’s festival will feature rock acts, headlined by rock giants The Cure.

They will, among others, be joined by

one of the leading rock’n’roll bands of today, Greta Van Fleet, plus the iconic Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo with his new band The Illegals, as well as the diva of symphonic metal, Tarja Turunen!

The event is staged in the City of Novi Sad, not too far from the Serbian capital Belgrade. As well as the rock acts the award winning festival will as ever cater for music lovers of all genres with a diverse mix of artists performing on numerous stages connected by cobbled streets, ramparts and tunnels.

VIP News will be attending the conference element of the EXIT agenda, and will take part in a discussion on the possible set up of a music export office for the Serbian music market We will report back!

9

Paris - FR

The gateway to the french music market

3 days of international networking 150 keynotes & panels - 15 venues 5925 professionnals - 400 speakers MaMA Invent: the innovation area More than 150 concerts & showcases!

3-DAYS FESTIVAL + CONVENTION: 140â‚Ź ONLY!

www.mamafestival.com

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

JUNE 2019

Philipp Grefer in Wonderland Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com Philipp Grefer is one of the very few westerners

from

the

European

music

community who decided to move to China some time ago. As far as the music business is concerned this part of the planet is still often misunderstood and misrepresented.

Gathering some first hand information may perhaps help to de-mystify some of those assumptions still made by most people in the European music industry. From a western perspective China is not only geographically far away, it is also more or less a ‘wonderland’ in regards aspects that matter for the concert business as commonly applied in the West. Philip gives an interview loaded with information about a huge market, an extremely ‘young’ but ‘fractured’ live music sector, about Live Nation and AEG in China and the conclusion that “Everything in China is political.”

VIP News: Please explain what your company does?

Philipp Grefer: FakeMusicMedia, which I cofounded with Helen Feng, is a 360 music-,

Philipp Grefer Photo: Matjaz Tancic

creative- and events agency. We first started as a promoter in 2009 but since then we have probably done every imaginable job around the music and events business. From booking

VIP News: What are the main differences

VIP News: What kind of Western artists

around 200+ foreign acts into China/Asia,

between the live music business in China

have a chance to play shows and concerts

managing Chinese acts (Nova Heart, The

and Europe?

in China?

who we also publish and release on our label,

Grefer: I´d say one main difference is the

Grefer: Pretty much everybody can play in

organizing PR campaigns, organizing video

time horizon. The first festivals in Europe

China as long as they get a visa. The latter

& photo-shoots, consulting etc. I even DJ

started in the 60s. When I first came to China

mostly will be refused if your band name

myself sometimes. We also just finished the

in 2007, there was only one music festival.

and “Free Tibet” appear in the same Google

second edition of WISE (www.wisenotwise.

Other than pop stars and a handful of rock

search result. In the case of Justin Bieber

com), a platform for bringing together the

stars nobody could make a living making

“bad behaviour” was enough to get him

Chinese and international creative- and tech

music. So we are still dealing with a very

banned. Of course the question is: Does it

industries. For the music part our partner here

young industry. Another big difference is

make sense for your artists to play in China?

was the Reeperbahn Festival, which brought

censorship of course and also a lot of red

Unfortunately, very few artists or managers

a delegation of 20 music professionals

tape - to get a proper performance visa is

have an actual China strategy. I mean, it´s

to WISE and showcased 8 European and

a bit of a hassle. Other than that the speed

the same as in any other market as well: If

Chinese bands in Beijing with the support of

in which the industry is developing is quite

you don´t know what you are doing, you

the German Federal Foreign Office.

breath taking.

are lost.

Hormones, SHAO and pop star Li Xiaoyun),

11

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

JUNE 2019

VIP News: Are the infrastructure settings

what now happens when Chengdu all girl

VIP News: Apparently electronic music

for the live music sector very different

band The Hormones embark on their first

seems to do well in China, what

from those in Western countries?

European tour around Reeperbahn Festival.

about other genres, such as metal or

And of course our own acts are not the only

alternative?

Grefer: There are still not enough venues,

one touring in Europe. I guess the audiences

especially in the 1000-2000 capacity space.

are still small for these acts, but again: It´s

Grefer: Metal lives a quite comfortable niche

There are tons of smaller venues, a few

just a matter of time until the first Chinese

existence. There is a big hype around EDM

1000 capacity ones, quite a few arenas but

act really breaks in the west.

and also more underground electronic music

that midlevel space is missing. But I believe

genres. And it is true: Same as hip hop, it has

it’s just a matter of time. Also, since most

VIP News: Who do you consider as

grown quite fast in the last few years. But I´d

venues are new, the equipment is, too.

being the big players in Chinese concert

say most main stage acts outside of the EDM

industry?

circuit are still rock or pop acts.

Grefer: Live Nation and AEG have a

VIP News: How wouldyou describe the

presence in China but a lot of the time

audience and their interests for live

Grefer: Not really and a lot less than if a

collaborate with local promoters. I´d say

events in China?

European act would go the US, since visas

the market is still quite fractured and pretty

are a lot cheaper. Hotels, food and transport

localized. There are quite a few companies

are pretty reasonable as well. Mostly you

who organize more than one festival. E.g.

would either travel by train or fly. Touring by

Modern Sky; which is maybe the biggest

VIP

bus is rather unusual since distances can be

one if you take the number of festival

European whom recently went to China,

crazy. But of course, you still somehow need

shows; MIdi, Creamfilelds (a joint venture

he said, promoters plan their business

to finance your flights from Europe to China,

between Live Nation and a local promoter)

from day to day, as they are concerned

which is probably the biggest expense. Also,

and a few more. There is also a lot of

that public authorities might stop their

if you really want to make a dent, you need

investment money floating into the industry.

business over night.

to spend some money on PR and working

But there is only so much know-how money

the digital profiles.

can buy. Most Westerners who have a lot

Would you say that this observation is

of experience in the live music industry

correct?

VIP News: Does it take a lot of investment to bring an act over to China?

Grefer: Growing fast!

News:

Having

with

a

VIP News: Do you expect Chinese

don´t have a clue about China, and a lot of

talents and acts also to play in Europe

Chinese only have a few years experience in

Grefer: The observation is a bit too simplistic.

soon or later?

the industry since it is so young. The result

In China you have to learn how to think in

is literally a lot of dumb money, which at

dialectic terms. Things can go slow and fast

Grefer: Well, there are already quite a few

times can be quite annoying. On the other

at the same time. Sometimes you can plan

Chinese acts touring Europe. Our own acts

hand, there is a core group of people who

long ahead, but there is still a chance that

being a case in point. Things have changed

worked in the industry for a decade or so

you need to change your plan last minute.

though: When I toured Beijing electro punk

and have a good track record. And equally

Being flexible and learning how to adjust

outfit Pet Conspiracy back in 2010 everybody

there are also quite a few who worked for

quickly to changes is key. It also helps if

was complimenting me on what a great

that long and have a terrible track record

you have a solid understanding of politics.

Japanese act I was representing; When Nova

but are pretty talented in tricking people

Everything in China is political.

Heart played Glastonbury and a few other

into working with them. The success in

festivals in 2015, luckily nobody mistook

China, like everywhere, depends quite a bit

For more information please check:

them anymore for being Japanese. Let´s see

on working with the right people.

www.fakemusicmedia.com

Need to know who is touring Europe?

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

12

spoken

®

R U O TION Y T RA E G IST

!

W NO

G E R

ESNS: EU

STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG

ESNS: EU creative europe

VIP NEWS >

NAMES & JOBS

JUNE 2019

Lucy Dickins leaves ITB and joins WME From VIP-Daily News Lucy Dickins has joined WME’s UK team. Formerly a senior agent at

Dickins added: “Growing up in this business, I’ve been lucky to learn

ITB, Dickins stepped into the newly created role of head of WME’s UK

from the best, but now is the time for me to take the next step in

music division.

my career. The opportunity to join WME was hugely exciting, and I’m confident that this relationship can grow into something special.”

With an existing client roster that includes Adele, Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling, James Blake and Mabel, whom WME will now

Dickins began her career working for a small independent record

represent globally, Dickins also works with Hot Chip, Bryan Ferry, Rex

label before joining ITB as an assistant. She is part of a music business

Orange County, Jamie T, Jack Peñate, among others, all of whom are

dynasty that stretches back to her grandfather Percy Dickins, founder

expected to join her at WME as well.

of the NME.

Commenting on the company’s latest hire, WME’s head of music,

Her father Barry formed ITB in 1978 and her uncle Rob Dickins was

Marc Geiger said: “Lucy is a star player, and the perfect addition to

head of Warner Brothers. Her brother Jonathan Dickins, meanwhile,

our team. There’s no one else who possesses Lucy’s combination of

runs September Management and currently manages a hugely

pedigree, taste and respect in our industry. After being in business

successful roster including Adele.

with her family for so many years, we feel fortunate that she decided to join WME, and we look forward to bringing her perspective to our

Also following Dickins to WME’s central London offices will be ITB

clients and colleagues.”

agents James Simmons and Chris Payne.

Lucy Dickins

14

VIP NEWS >

NAMES & JOBS

JUNE 2019

Kevin French joins CAA From VIP-Daily News Kevin French, agent to Tame Impala, The

company to Portland, Oregon in 2005. In

National and The Decemberists, has left

2009, Bigshot Touring Artists merged with

Paradigm to join CAA`s music touring

Paradigm Talent Agency.

Kevin French

department.

“I have always had tremendous respect for

Darryl Eaton, co-head of contemporary

French will be based in the New York office,

CAA’s music department, so I couldn’t be

music in North America for CAA, said “We

bringing the three clients above with him

more thrilled to be joining the team. I’m

could not be more excited to have Kevin

as well as Hamilton Leithauser, Sharon Van

confident that the company’s collaborative

join us. His impeccable taste, as reflected

Etten and Julien Baker, among others.

culture, diverse clients and colleagues, and

by his amazing client roster, coupled with

entrepreneurial spirit will be a great fit for

his renowned character and leadership

He founded Bigshot Touring Artists in 2001

the next step in my career,” French said in

abilities, make him a huge asset for our

in New York City before relocating the

a press release.

colleagues and clients.”

THE HALL DUO IN NECKARPARK

UNIQUE AND DOUBLY GOOD

STUTTGART CATCHMENT AREA: MORE THAN 3 MILLION PEOPLE • HANNS-MARTIN-SCHLEYER-HALLE: UP TO 15,500 SPECTATORS • PORSCHE-ARENA: UP TO 7,500 SPECTATORS • 2019: ...ANDREA BOCELLI, TONI CHRISTIE, PARKWAY DRIVE, GHOST, 21 PILOTS, ZAZ, BASTILLE, HERBERT GRÖNEMEYER, REVOLVERHELD, MANOWAR, ELTON JOHN, GEORGE EZRA, MARK KNOPFLER, UDO LINDENBERG, SEEED, FETTES BROT, ANDREA BERG…

Tel. +49 (0) 711/9554-40 Fax +49 (0) 711/9554-500

AZ_in_stutt_VIPmag_2019_RZ.indd 1

info@in.stuttgart.de www.in.stuttgart.de

27.11.18 16:15

15

VIP NEWS > BUSINESS >

MUSIC IN SHARES

JUNE 2019

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

The first half year of 2019 is done and revealed astonishing findings

bought 50.1 per cent from its previous owner LiveStyle, Inc., the

and surprises. The investment saga of Superstruct backed by the

successor of the collapsed EDM-company SFX Entertainment.

private equity firm Providence Capital continues, but for the moment remains a bit of a miracle as private equity companies

Prior to this, DEAG announced that it had bought 51 per cent of C2

are not obliged to keep to transparency regulations comparable

Concerts, a local promoter based in Stuttgart, adding an expected

to those of stock market listed companies. The good thing about

revenue of 10 million Euro towards the company turnover results.

Superstruct and other investment companies interested in live music industry investments is that they open up opportunities for

DEAG revealed that it had acquired a major stake in the Swiss

potential sellers.

Companies Live Music Production LMP S.A. and Live Music Entertainment S.A. via its Swiss subsidiary AIO Group, adding around

If this will do good for the live music biz in the future, will be

other 35 million Swiss Francs towards the turnover figures of DEAG.

answered soon or later. In the meantime existing corporate concert

The recently reported share price was 4.48, this time it is 4.43 Euro.

companies are challenged to decide a bit faster whether to buy remaining independent concert companies that are up for sale.

Eventbrite - A Mix Of News CTS Eventim - EU-Court Ruling Decides Against Road

The number of announcements by law firms trying to claim

Charges For Foreigners

compensation on behalf Eventbrite’s share holders due to “misleading statements” regarding the migration of Ticketfly is still higher than

What was apparently supposed to become another business field

that of a positive analyst rating prediction, despite potential legal

for CTS Eventim appeared to be nothing more than an interesting

battles, there is still a promising outlook for the company. In terms

option. The joint service deal with the Austrian company Kapsch

of the previously reported share price, this had not made any

TrafficCom to collect on behalf of the German state road charges

difference at all since it has remained at $16.43...

on motorways for foreign cars and trucks have been cancelled due to a recent decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Live Nation - Apparently A Hedge Funds Darling The joint service deal with the Austrian company Kapsch TrafficCom to collect road charges on motorways for foreign cars and trucks

Within one month, Live Nation’s share price has increased from

on behalf of the German state has been cancelled due to a recent

$63.49 up to $66.27. Besides the company’s acquisition modus,

decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union, leading to a

there are further media reports saying that Live Nation is highly

lower share price than the previously reported 43.50 Euro. On June

ranked by hedge funds, belonging to an exclusive list of being

21, CTS Eventim’s share price was 40.74 Euro.

within the top thirty among popular stocks among hedge funds...

DEAG - Triple Expansion Booster

Spotify - Surprisingly Upwards

The company assets and brands of the German company I-Motion

For quite a while, the share price of Spotify has hovered around the

with its festivals and rave events such as Nature One, Toxicator,

$120 mark. In April, VIP News reported a share price of $121.58, in May

Syndicate, Revolte, Mayday and Ruhr In Love are supposed to

it reached $123.60. However, this time it has increased to $148.95.

contribute a revenue of 15 million Euro to the overall results of DEAG. At the beginning of June, DEAG announced that it had

16

Not too bad for looking forward to a BBQ in the summer break...

VIP NEWS > MISC >

MEMBER PRESENTATION

JUNE 2019

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

- The Music Factory History

of

Danubius

KAREN MÉNDEZ Territory: Worldwide Period: 3 years Agency: Be Real Agency Agent: Paul Fourmy Phone: +32 485 365 696 E-mail: paul@bereal.agency Homepage: www.realkeymusic.com

OUMAR KONATE Territory: worldwide Period: 2019-2020 Agency: Clermont Music Agent: Chris Nolan Phone: +1 518 755 5089 E-mail: chrisanolan3@clermontmusic.com Homepage: www.clermontmusic.com/oumar-konate/

Danubius Music

The

ARTIST AVAILS

Music

Production Office started in 2005 when the two friends, Zsolt Borsányi and Gábor Guba, decided to create an exclusive and unique ’Music factory’, that would bring

unique mission to develop cultural

the Hungarian cultural life on a higher

entertainment and to bring creative and

standard by introducing international

unforgettable concerts on stage!

stars and prominents of the classical, jazz, blues, world, and pop, rock music

Regarding the technical equipment:

to the Hungarian audience.

Today we are working together with the Hungary’s biggest technical team. We

The two founders’ passion for the

have our own staff for Stage, Lighting,

music

Danubius

Visual, Pyro, Laser and Sound system

Music to the top 3 concert organizer

industry

brought

including the best professionals in the

companies in Hungary.

field in Hungary.

Over the years they’ve had the possibility

References: The Original CATS Musical

to collaborate with plenty of Hungarian

from

and international artists such as: Ennio

Morricone, Jean-Michel Jarre, Lord of

Morricone, Jean-Michel Jarre, Lord of

the Dance, Faithless, Brian May, Paul

the Dance, Faithless, Paul Kalkbrenner,

Kalkbrenner, Ian Gillan sings Deep Purple,

David Helfgott, Postmodern Jukebox,

David Helfgott, Celtic Woman - Voices

Harlem Gospel Choir, David Duchovny,

of Angels, Scott Bradlee’s - Postodern

Kings on ice, Celtic Woman, James

Jukebox, Harlem Globetrotters, James

Newton

Howard,

Gregorian,

the

Westend

London,

Ennio

The

Newton Howard, 100 Gypsy Violins,

Original CATS Musical, Nicki Minaj, José

Kings on Ice, Edvin Marton - Ave

Carreras etc.

Maria Symphonic Live, Harlem Gospel Choir, Jimi Hendrix Memorial concert,

Through the years they’ve maintained

Gregorian, Nut-cracker - Cirque De

their values and they continue their

Monte Carlo és Edvin Marton.

FABIUS CONSTABLE & THE CELTIC HARP ORCHESTRA Territory: Worldwide Period: On demand Agency: Ass. Culturale `The White Stag` Agent: Sabrina Noseda Phone: +39 3927 711392 E-mail: arpaceltica@yahoo.com Homepage: www.arpaceltica.com

MAMADOU KELLY Territory: Worldwide Period: 2019-2020 Agency: Clermont Music Agent: Chris Nolan Phone: +1 5187 555089 E-mail: chrisanolan3@clermontmusic.com Homepage: www.clermontmusic.com/mamadou-kelly/

ZAP MAMA Territory: Europe Period: 2019 Agency: Artistagency gent: Bart Quintens Phone: +32 16 77 76 70 E-mail: bart@artistagency.be Homepage: www.zapmama.com

VALENTINO MITAJ Territory: Worldwide Period: Now Agency: Mitaj Music Group Agent: Al Maddin Phone: +1 917 267 2303 E-mail: ValentinoMBooking@gmail.com Homepage: www.ValentinoMitajMusic.com

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

Karen Méndez ®

vip-booking.com

17