VIP News Premium - August 2019

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PREMIUM > VOLUME 225 > AUGUST 2019

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AUGUST 2019

McGowan’s

Musings

So, how did you manage to get through

resulting in emergency measures in France.

the stage in 2069 I wonder – I’m pretty sure

these summer months without us? A fair

This year’s edition of Glastonbury was one of

I’ll be otherwise engaged!

amount has happened since we were last in

the hottest ever. Then unusually high winds

touch in June, heat waves, high winds, and

had their effect on festivals and other events

But maybe a festival encouraging alien

for us, a new Prime Minister! I can’t quite

and attractions. In the UK large events such as

visitors

express the deep joy and optimism I feel for

Boardmasters and Houghton were cancelled,

‘Alienstock’, an Area 51 themed event has

our European future now that Boris Johnson

and In Winchester, at the Boomtown Fair,

been announced to supposedly take place

is at the helm – no, you’re right I’m not being

dozens of tents were wrecked overnight

close to the town of Rachel, (population 50!)

serious! Anyway what was that? You think

on Friday after 52 mile an hour winds tore

Nevada, close to the US Air Force base, which

I’m just going to use this intro as an excuse

through the campsites.

alienists believe houses alien technology.

to talk about the bloody weather again….

offer

something

different,

Coordinators of the now-defunct “Storm

well, actually yes I am, as it has to say the

I was in Serbia for the EXIT Festival in early

Area 51” are now planning a full-fledged

least been more than erratic; The summer

July, where Ruud Berends myself and others

music festival supposedly to take place next

kicked off in June , as I’m sure many of you

cleverly managed to secure ourselves in

month. However the townsfolk of Rachel are

across Europe were painfully aware, with the

a restaurant as the heavy rain and winds

not happy with the idea of their town, which

searing heat wave which saw temperatures

flattened a couple of the temporary festival

apparently lacks shops, a petrol station, and

reach 45C in some parts of the continent ,

venues on the Petrovaradin fortress, but the

facilities for cashless payments (Oh No!)

EXIT crew pulled out all the stops and the

being taken over and are determined that

event was up and running within a couple of

Alienstock should not go ahead. As far as we

hours. The Cure had walked on stage on the

know, no comments or ticket applications

first night to be greeted by heavy rain, but

have been received from certified aliens.

pretty soon this eased off, and even the often

Watch this space (ship?)

COLOPHON > VIP-News is published by: VIP-Booking.com Enghaven 19 Attrup 8444 Balle Denmark Managing Director: Ronni Didriksen rd@vip-booking.com General Manager: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com Writer and editorial: Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Writer: Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com For advertising enquiries please contact: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com +46 70 77 60 480 Charlie Presburg cp@vip-booking.com +44 (0) 7980 817496

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may

seemingly not that cheerful Robert Smith, began to smile. Bloody good they were too!

So, that’s enough festival reference, but one last thing that could relate to aliens;

Sticking to the Festival theme, after efforts to

according to a new book on DNA, ‘Pleased

stage a massive event celebrating Woodstock’s

To Meet Me: Genes, Germs And The Curious

50th anniversary failed to materialize, the

Forces That Make Us Who We Are’, Author

15000 capacity Bethel Woods Centre for the

Bill Sullivan maintains that following analysis

Arts in New York’s Catskills region became

of a blood sample from Osbourne, in a bid to

the only show to celebrate this half century

map his genetic code by a research company

memorial to the 1969 event and its musical

called Knome, apparently Ozzy Osbourne is

and cultural importance. The nostalgic event

a genetic mutant whose genes make him

featured Ringo Starr (and band of course!),

more prone to addiction but also more able

The Edgar Winter Band and Blood, Sweat &

to consume large quantities of alcohol. Well,

Tears on the Friday; Santana played Saturday

would any of us have guessed such a thing!?

with the Doobie Brothers; and John Fogerty celebrated Creedence Clearwater Revival

Following that observation of the rock and roll

with Grace Potter and Tedeschi Trucks Band

condition, we at VIP will be preparing to spend

on Sunday. Arlo Guthrie, Winter, Santana

some days in Hamburg at the ever growing

and Fogerty had all performed at the

Reeperbahn event, we shall report from there

original festival. How many acts that played

in the next issue, but in the meantime Ladies

festivals this summer will be around to take

and Gentlemen – The News!

VIP NEWS >

AUGUST 2019

UK Promoter MJR Group sold to TEG From VIP-Daily News Australian entertainment giant TEG is making

business and this acquisition marks a

the last five years and this next step in our

its first push into Europe with its biggest ever

significant step towards TEG becoming a

evolution will further strengthen our position

acquisition of UK-based promoter and venue

global live entertainment powerhouse,” said

in the market.”

operator MJR Group.

Jones in a statement.

Both companies are digitally-focused, adds

Based in Bristol, England, and with offices

The MJR Group, he notes, “has strong

Buck, noting “this synergy allows both

in Sydney and Port Macquarie, MJR Group

management talent and a clever live

parties even more leverage by combining

produces more than 2,000 shows each

entertainment model to which TEG can add

each other’s tech expertise and insights to

year, including dates for Sia, 50 Cent,

ticketing, analytics and digital capability…

best connect with live entertainment fans.”

and Hans Zimmer, and has operated and

(and) brings significant additions to our

promoted tours across Dubai, South Africa,

venue portfolio.”

Going forward, The MJR Group’s operations

Japan and China.

The

group’s

will be incorporated into TEG’s global

four-strong

collection

of

TEG’s portfolio is already an impressive one

activities, with its U.K. operations to be

which spans ticketing, live entertainment

renamed TEG UK.

venues includes Tramshed in Cardiff and

and

Birmingham’s

Digbeth

Arena

and

technology.

Its

interests

include

The

Ticketek, TEG Live, Qudos Bank Arena,

The MJR Group’s international touring

Mill. MJR also own the popular club brand

Eventopia, and TEG Dainty, Paul Dainty’s

operation MJR Presents is producing this

Propaganda and has stakes in six other

concert and events promotion company

October’s four-date Bring That Beat Back

venues including The Warehouse in Leeds.

which it acquired in 2016.

tour of Australasia, featuring Flavor Flav,

Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

Following the acquisition, The MJR Group’s

Bobby Brown, Bell Biv Devoe, Montell Jordan and Blu Cantrell.

three partners, Richard Buck (Group CEO and TEG CEO Geoff Jones says MJR is a “great

Head of U.K.), Scott Mesiti (Head of Australia

“We’re really excited to join the TEG family

fit” for TEG, recognised as Asia Pacific’s

& New Zealand) and Dan Ickowitz-Seidler

and looking forward to the next chapter,”

largest diversified entertainment company,

(Head of U.K. Venues and Propaganda), will

enthuses Scott Mesiti, MJR Australia Director.

and the development goes some way

remain with the TEG group.

“We have very similar synergies in our

toward the Australian business realising its global ambitions.

digital approach to the promoting business Buck comments, “We are very excited by

and we’re particularly excited about the

this venture and the enhanced business

infrastructure TEG has at high management

“TEG is already Asia Pacific’s leading

opportunities

level, which will provide MJR with the right

ticketing, live entertainment and technology

worked hard to scale the business over

brought

by

TEG.

We’ve

support for our continual growth.”

[L-R] Head of UK venues and Propaganda Dan Ickowitz-Seidler, TEG chief executive Geoff Jones and MJR chief executive and head of UK Richard Buck

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VIP NEWS >

AUGUST 2019

Coda Becomes Paradigm Following Merge of UK and US Companies Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com The international booking agency business continues to develop, while

change. Merging with Paradigm enables us to evolve and challenge a

VIP took a short summer break, the ever active UK Company Coda

very dynamic marketplace. With this larger Paradigm platform, we can

announced a full merger with Paradigm, five years after the American

span the globe without losing our personality, ambition, individualism

booking agency took a 50% stake in the London-based company.

and innovative approach”.

Paradigm CEO Sam Gores stated, “ Coda and Paradigm have had

So, from now on, Coda will also be known as Paradigm, though

tremendous success throughout our five-year partnership, creating

continuing to be lead by Hardee and Schroeder, along with James

opportunities and building enduring careers for a roster of exceptional

Whitting and Dave Hallybone.

talent. We look forward to the next chapter as one global company, driven by agents who share an unwavering focus on the artists we

Also, Marty Diamond, who became Paradigm Talent Agency’s head

represent and the art they create”.

of global music in April, is to be honoured in an upcoming awards ceremony in New York for his “longstanding support” of the live music

Adopting the tongue in cheek approach which he has become well

industry. He will receive the Summer Stage Icon award at the City Parks

known for, Coda UK agent Alex Hardee commented: “We have

Foundation’s (CPF) 2019 gala fundraiser on 26 September.

achieved the impossible: we found some Americans that we actually get along with”.

“I’m one of many who directly benefit from City Parks Foundation and their ongoing effort to enhance and preserve the city’s open spaces,”

Colleague Tom Schroeder added: “We are A&R leaders, building

says Diamond, whose roster includes Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Sara

creative plans for our clients in an industry that is in a constant state of

Bareilles, Janelle Monáe, Liam Gallagher, Snowpatrol and Sigur Rós.

Paradigm London’s James Whitting, Dave Hallybone, Alex Hardee and Tom Schroeder; Paradigm Chairman and CEO Sam Gores, Head of Global Music Marty Diamond, and President Greg Bestick

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VIP NEWS >

AUGUST 2019

Good News for Some Smaller UK Venues Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

The last few years have been notable for the disturbing number of reports of venue closures in London and the rest of the UK. However, as we have reported, the excellent and continuing work of the Music Venues Trust has gone a long way towards some improvement in the situation. One very successful campaign championed by the Trust resulted in the introduction of the ‘Agent of Change’. Based on a legality in operation in Australia, this principle sought an amendment to the guidelines used by the planning committees of local authorities, whereby these committees introduced the responsibility of developers siting residential properties next to existing venues to both anticipate and counter any future noise issues. The following item reports a successful application of the principle, and an extremely lucid explanation by a judge of the logic behind agent of change.

Guildford Venue Successfully Appeals Noise Abatement Order The Music Venue Trust has welcomed a ruling in Guildford

The order resulted from a complaint from the developer of a new

Magistrates’ Court in which a noise abatement order, issued against

block of nearby flats. The Shepherd Neame brewery, owners of the

a local venue following a complaint by the developer of new block

pub, appealed the order, arguing that compliance would reduce the

of flats, was quashed following a court application of the agent of

business’s revenue, potentially forcing the venue to close.

change principle.

The developer wished to convert an office block next to the existing Guildford Borough Council first issued the noise abatement order last

music venue into a residential property. It would seem obvious that

October against the Star Inn, a pub in the town that stages live music.

choosing to position new flats next to an existing music venue, would lead to the developer assuming the responsibility to deal with resulting noise issues, however in the past this has not been the case, and situations had arisen leading to at least the imposition of heavy costs to cover acoustic work on the venue owners, and in some cases the closure of venues.

This situation resulted in the the ultimately successful agent of change campaign in the UK, making it the responsibility of developers to both anticipate and counter any future noise issues.

Judge Nick Wattam explained the reasoning behind the decision to refuse Guildford Borough Council’s noise abatement order relating

Star Inn Guildford

to the Star Inn: “The Star was said to have only been a nuisance because of [the new flats] existing. It wasn’t a nuisance before the

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VIP NEWS >

AUGUST 2019

conversion of the office building into flats. The venue has a useful or

In a post on Facebook, the Music Venue Trust, which campaigned

reasonable use. Matters in the venue are carried out in a lawful way.

for agent of change alongside the likes of the Musicians Union and

The venue is no greater nuisance now than when the building was

UK Music, said: “Attention all developers: Stop and read this judge’s

first converted”.

decision carefully. Our door is open to all developers that want to talk sensibly about how to build around grassroots music venues in a

The pub’s general manager Georgina Baker told Surrey Live: local

manner that protects culture and beloved community spaces”.

radio station, “This has been going on for basically a year, so we’ve had a whole year of not knowing whether we can carry on with our

The post went on: “Let this case be the end of trying to work around

music, whether we can keep booking bands”.

agent of change or bend the law or planning guidance. Let it be the start of building great housing that protects our cherished grassroots

She added that the real problem was a flawed system when the local

music venues”. It then concluded: “Congratulations to the team at

council considered the planning application to convert an office block

the Star. Absolutely brilliant!’

into flats all the way back in 2013. Officials should have recognised the potential issues with those new flats being adjacent to an existing venue and should have ensured that the developer was working to

Georgina Baker

deal with those issues as part of the conversion work. Which, of course, is the kind of logic that the agent of change principle says planning committees should always employ.

Commenting on the court’s decision to quash the noise abatement order, Baker added: “It’s such a high, we had no idea which way the decision was going to go even until we adjourned today. It’s so nice that we’ve now got the go-ahead, we can carry on, we can go back to doing our live music and our local bands - that’s what the lifeblood of this pub is”.

Venue Developments Brighton’s The Haunt Announces Capacity-Boosting Relocation I’m happy to report that a venue in my home town of Brighton is to

nights such as Fat Poppadaddys and Secret Discotheque will continue

more than double its current capacity: There were reports that The

to run, while it will also be working on new nights to take advantage

Haunt was to close down but it has now been announced that it is

of the larger space.

moving into the former cinema next door. Later this month, it will reopen over five floors in the city’s Savoy Centre.

With a 350 capacity in its current location, the new venue will hold up to 825 people. Retracting walls will also mean it can host 350, 600 and 825 capacity events without looking embarrassingly empty.

A smaller 150 capacity second room will also be available for smaller shows.

The old venue will close on 1 Sep, with the new one opening its doors on 19 Sep. There are already 50 shows on sale between the opening and Christmas, with performances from acts including Fat White Family and Swim Deep. The venue has also confirmed that club

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The Huant

VIP NEWS >

AUGUST 2019

Hoxton, London Venue to Relaunch Venue operator Mothership Group is relaunching Shoreditch’s Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen as Colours, and will ally with fellow East London multi-art spaces Village Underground and EartH on future programming.

Mothership Group also runs Shoreditch’s Queen Of Hoxton and The Book Club, as well as Patterns in Brighton - they say that Colours will “inject a much-needed vibrancy into Shoreditch’s music landscape”.

Colours will be a bold and beautiful temple of creativity and celebration of live music. A testament to Hoxton’s past, which overflows with

The new look venue will host gigs, club nights and other cultural

seminal moments across club, culture and the art scene, Colours

events, while still operating as a restaurant during the day. Though

is part of a dedicated push to keep young artists and musicians in

that won’t be the only daytime activity, with Mothership saying that it

East London”.

hopes Colours will become “an incubator for invited local artists and creative networks, providing a free space for collaborators to host

Mothership acquired the Hoxton Bar & Kitchen off previous owner

meetings, rehearsals and record podcasts”.

MAMA in 2015, following the latter’s acquisition by Live Nation.

Confirming all this, Mothership’s Chloe Uppington says: “Painting a

So, overall it’s very good to be able to report positive smaller

revolution of raw performance and inclusive and accessible culture,

venue news!

Future of Baloise Session Secured till 2025 Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Insurance Group Basler Versicherungen has confirmed the future of

The 34th BALOISE SESSION will be held from 12 to 31 October 2019.

the Baloise Session until 2025. The Company is extending its current

This year’s line-up will be published on 21 August. Advance tickets sales

Presenting Sponsorship contract by another five years. This assures the

start on 28 August.

future of the music festival up to and including 2025. In so doing, the insurance group states that it is demonstrating its close ties with the boutique festival and its commitment to the promotion of music.

Beatrice Stirnimann (CEO Baloise Session) and Michael Müller (CEO Schweiz Basler Versicherungen)

Baloise Session

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REEPER BAHN FESTIVAL MUSIC, ARTS, FILM, WORD, DISCOURSE

SESSIONS, SHOWCASES, MEETINGS, NETWORKING, AWARDS

→ SESSIONS WITH: MATT DILLON (ACTOR, US), CORNELIA FUNKE (AUTHOR, US), ALEXANDER HOLLAND (DEEZER, FR), HOLGER HÜBNER (WACKEN OPEN AIR, DE), THOMAS JENSEN (WACKEN OPEN AIR, DE), THOMAS MIKUSZ (WHITE BEAR PR, US), PATRICK MUSHATSI-KAREBA (SONY MUSIC, DE), KATE NASH (MUSICIAN, GB), KOOL SAVAS (MUSICIAN, DE), MOLLY NEUMAN (SONGTRUST, US), PUJA PATEL (PITCHFORK, US), BOB ROCK (PRODUCER METALLICA, CA), ZAN ROWE (TRIPLE J RADIO, AU), TILL SCHONEBERG (KONZERTBÜRO SCHONEBERG, DE), KLAUS-PETER SCHULENBERG (CTS EVENTIM, DE), MATT SCHWARZ (LIVE NATION GSA, DE), KELLY SNOOK (PRODUCER ENGINEER, GB), AND MANY MORE → CONCERTS BY: FEIST, DERMOT KENNEDY, SLEAFORD MODS, DOPE LEMON, PENGUIN CAFE, ELDERBROOK, PORTICO QUARTET, AURORA, BILLIE MARTEN, ISHMAEL ENSEMBLE, CELESTE, ONE TRUE PAIRING, SEA GIRLS, THE JAPANESE HOUSE, DONNA MISSAL, JAMES TW, WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS, ALGIERS, AMERICAN AUTHORS, SASAMI, JUSTIN JESSO, SYML, SEBADOH, DEAN LEWIS, AND MANY MORE

→ 18.–21.

SEPT. 2019 funded by

supported by

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

VIP NEWS >

AUGUST 2019

Application Call from Reeperbahn for ACCESS in Accra, Ghana Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com There is no doubt that many of the African

next „Reeperbahn Festival International“

Representatives of internationally oriented

markets are developing fast! Reeperbahn

spin-off. This time they invite professionals

music

added panels and meetings dealing with this

who want to attend Africa’s leading music

Europe can now apply to become part of

at last year’s conference, and now here is

conference, ACCES, which takes place in

the delegation to Accra. Prerequisite for

news of another of their increasing Festival

Accra, Ghana from 28 – 30 November 2019

participation is activity in the recorded,

spin – offs taking place in Ghana:

to apply until 11 September 2019.

publishing, distribution, booking/live or

companies

from

Germany

and

management fields and concrete interest in After visiting Beijing and NYC already this

For the third time the Music In Africa

year with an amazing group of professionals

Conference For Collaborations, Exchange

from all over Europe, Reeperbahn is now

And Showcases (ACCES) will bring together

The application deadline is 11 September

ready to start collecting applications for its

music

2019.

industry

players

from

over

50

the African music market.

countries to exchange ideas, discover new

Acces Accra

talent and create business linkages. Held in

To get more information about Reeperbahn

a different African city every year, ACCES

Festival spin-offs (including Accra) meet

offers a dynamic programme including

the organisers of the partner events as

music industry talks, keynotes, showcases,

well as the Reeperbahn team, join us the

networking sessions, exhibitions and visits

info session during Reeperbahn Festival:

to music hubs in the host country. Get more

11am, Friday 20 September, Ginger Room,

information about ACCES 2019 here.

East Hotel.

PRS Reports Dance Music as Biggest Growing Festival Genre Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com At the end of July UK Collection Society PRS noted that, according to a new report that

Rad Season at Amsterdam Dance Event

Electronic music festivals such as Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) have seen the fastest growth over the last decade.

PRS stated that ADE, which has hosted a PRS for Music-organised songwriters’ camp for the last two years running, has grown more than 23,000 per cent since its first event in 1995, which hosted 300 attendees.

Last year’s edition attracted 70,000 punters from around the world to venues across the whole city.

Other Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festivals faring particularly well include Electric Daisy

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VIP NEWS >

AUGUST 2019

Carnival in Las Vegas (up 2,600 per cent),

Heritage Festival, which was founded in 1970

Sonar in Barcelona (up 1,233 per cent) and

and has grown by 17,000 percent since then.

Germany’s Melt! Festival (up 900 per cent).

Festival heavyweight, Glastonbury, which StubHub, the company behind the research,

has also been running since 1970, has

said: ‘The fastest growing festival genre is

enjoyed an 8,900 percent growth since it

in fact, EDM. This specific genre of festival

first opened its gates to just 1,500 people. It

is overriding any other, including festivals

now hosts 135,000 each June.

which host a mix of genres.

The fastest-growing festival of the last ‘In second place to EDM is jazz. While at

decade is Boomtown Fair, which started in

opposite ends of the musical spectrum, it

2009 with 1,000 revellers. The Winchester

summer, PRS for Music sends a field team

seems that the festival fan base for both has

event now has a capacity of 66,000 and has

to all the major UK festivals to collect set

seriously grown.’

grown by 6,500 percent since its inception.

lists from artists and performers, and that members should make sure if the had played

However, the jazz results were skewed by the

These figures were made available to PRS

a festival this summer, that they should be

runaway success of the New Orleans Jazz and

members, who were reminded that each

sure to submit their set lists.

Green Man Festival

Top 10 Fastest Growing Festivals (and growth since first year) Amsterdam Dance Even t, Netherlands – 23,233% New Orleans Jazz & Herit age Festival -17,043% Glastonbury Festival, UK – 8,900% Boomtown Fair, UK – 6,5 00% Green Man Festival, UK – 3,233% South by Southwest, Te xas – 2,757% Electric Daisy Carnival, Vegas – 2,600% Dour Festival, Belgium – 2,320% Strawberries & Creem, UK – 1,775% St Jerome’s Laneway Fe stival, Australia – 1,329%

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THE GATEWAY TO THE FRENCH MUSIC MARKET 10th anniversary - Paris > Pigalle / Montmartre

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

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

AUGUST 2019

Summer Sales in the Concert Business Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

Even though the practice of staging summer

It should also be mentioned that Germany’s

“Providence Equity Partners, LLC (USA);

sales has a long history in the retail trade, the

DEAG acquired a majority stake in I-Motion

indirect acquisition of control of ICS GmbH

announcement of the takeover and purchase

(Nature One/Mayday/Ruhr in Love, among

International Concert Service, Wacken (D) et

of International Concert Service - and thus of

others) at the beginning of June and

al.” Subject to the approval of the German

the Wacken Festival - by Superstruct, marks

that the takeover of Wacken Open Air

Federal Cartel Office, the takeover could be

another climax in the incidence of buy and

by Superstruct at the end of the summer

formally sealed within four weeks, which

sell in the 21st century concert business. And

holidays marks the change of ownership

would then provide for a majority takeover

this recent transaction took place in the year,

of Germany’s most internationally known

by Providence Equity, the actual financier

when Wacken celebrated its 30th anniversary.

festival brand.

of Superstruct. The takeover of Next Events GmbH for Parookaville has also been under

In this year’s February issue, VIP News published an article under the heading “Sales Time in the Concert Industry” and reported

The Complications and Formalities Involved in these Company Take Overs

on the financial involvement of investment

review since 31 July. If within four weeks no decision has been made, the consideration phase will automatically be prolonged by another three months.

companies from outside the industry relating

The bigger the buyer, the more demanding

to their holdings in concert companies.

the procedures are when buying a company.

The following entry on the website of the

A prominent example of this is the takeover

Austrian Federal Competition Authority is

One of the key players in this context is

of Four Artists by the German industry leader

somewhat more revealing, but also more

Superstruct, at least as far as the European

CTS Eventim, which was not approved by

confusing: “LMF Luxco S.à.r.l. intends to

festival market is concerned. Within a very

the Federal Cartel Office in 2017. Providence

acquire indirectly via the acquisition vehicle

short space of time, this company has

Equity, on the other hand, with fixed assets

Superstruct Germany Holding GmbH, 55

acquired the following festivals and concert

of around 40 billion US dollars, deals in

% of the shares and sole control of (i) ICS

companies; Down The Drain (Northside

even bigger transactions which explains the

GmbH International Concert Service, (ii)

Festival/Tinderbox/DK),

wording of the registration of the deal with

ICS Festival Service GmbH, (iii) Hübner &

the German Federal Cartel Office.

Jensen Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, (iv)

Elrow

(ES),

Flow

Festival (FI), Oya (NO) Sonar (ES), Sziget (HU) and, most recently, Parookaville (DE).

Hübner & Jensen GmbH & Co. KG and (v)

These transactions were empowered by the

Consequently, the notification dated 9

SH-Promotion GmbH & Co. KG to acquire.

financial support of the mighty Providence

August on the website of the Wacken

The proposed transaction concerns the live

Equity Partners from the USA.

takeover authority reads:

entertainment sector”.

Wacken Open Air

The fact is that the Wacken ‘empire’ as a company is of course still in operation, albeit with different subsidiaries. Another, on the other hand, is that the business construct of the Wacken operators and their subsidiaries appears like an open book compared to that of Superstruct.

“Acquisition vehicle” Superstruct Unfortunately, it was not possible to find out why the takeover of the Wacken Open Air

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VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

AUGUST 2019

and its accessories needs also to apply for

the upper classes of the finance community

approval in Austria at the time this article

and the concert industry.

James Barton - CEO Superstruct

went to press.

Starting young, he kicked off in 1992 in Though a remarkable consideration is the

Liverpool with the club event “Cream”. The

mentioning of the company names LMF

400 person rave grew into the Creamfield

Luxco S.à.r.l. and Superstruct Germany

Festival in 1998, which at its best attracted

Holding GmbH. According to the entry in the

up to 50,000 visitors and made its successful

commercial register, the mentioned company

debut as an export hit in Argentina in 2000.

name “Blitz D19-414 GmbH, Düsseldorf, c/o

Further spin-offs followed in Brazil, Chile,

Blitzstart Holding AG” became “Superstruct

Mexico, Poland, the Czech Republic and

Germany Holding GmbH” on 30 July. The

elsewhere.

company LMF Luxco S.à.r.l., which in turn is based in Luxembourg and represented

On top of that, in 2008 Barton tapped

by the international law firm Squire Patton

into the London listed venture capital fund

Boggs, has been the owner of the brand

Ingenious Live VCT, one of the very first

to expand the industry vocabulary with

name “Superstruct” since 20 July 2017.

funds to finance concert companies, and in

technical terms such as “Due Diligence” or

2012 sold the mother ship, Cream Holdings,

“Vertical Spend Estimates”...

Location Advantage Tax Havens

for £13.9 million to Live Nation. The concert industry giant immediately appointed him

Failure of Fishing for Quotes

It is part of the development programme of

‘President of Electronic Dance Music’, which,

major international companies to be based

given the size of the company, is more like

Needless to say, the Wacken Open Air is

in locations that offer advantages from a

the status of a branch manager. At the

the best internationally known festival

fiscal point of view. In the case of Providence

end of 2016, he resigned this post and

in Germany. The takeover of this event

Equity, the company is located in Providence,

established himself as CEO of Superstruct in

by

Rhode Island. In the ranking of international

January 2017.

and highlights that the live music sector

offshore tax havens, however, Rhode Island occupies only a lower midfield position.

It is interesting to note, however, that

Superstruct

additionally

confirms

continues to undergo serious amendments

Basic knowledge in buying and selling

Providence Equity has its registered office

in terms of business settings and structures.

To get some observations on the meaning of

in Delaware according to the entries on the

It is obvious that a lot of specialist jargon

such deals for the live music sector, VIP News

website of the US Securities and Exchange

from legal to business questions arises in

asked 12 German industry players three

Commission (SEC), as does Live Nation.

such transactions. While Next Events used

questions regarding their opinion on these

Delaware, however, occupies a top position

the consulting agency Mayland AG for the

market developments:

in the Champions League of relevant tax

sales negotiations for the Parookaville, the

havens alongside the Cayman Islands and

creators of the Wacken Festival, according

How do you expect such deals will change

Lichtenstein and ahead of Luxembourg.

to their own statements, managed without

the concert business in general in the near

the help of M&A experts (Mergers &

future?

James Who?

Acquisitions).

Despite all the indications, James Barton, the

Information on whether and which concert

CEO of Superstruct, is by no means just a

companies are next to be sold or taken on

resourceful investment mogul who knows

board by investors is treated just as discreetly

Do you consider these acquisitions rather as

the concert business only by observing

as the purchase prices for Parookaville or

positive or negative for the German festival

the share price development of major

Wacken. It is already clear, however, that the

market?

Companies such as CTS Eventim or Live

concert business of tomorrow will undergo

Nation. Barton, born in 1968, instead knows

substantial changes at both national and

Guess what happened? VIP News received

the festival and promotion industry from

international level in view of the ever-

statements from three of these players

scratch and has come a long way from being

growing conglomerates of companies in

ranging from “ Just one word : Evil!”, “It’s

a local promoter to a middleman between

the industry. Reason enough in any case

really unbelievable, once again someone

Do you expect more such deals to take place?

13

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

AUGUST 2019

WITHOUT any reason.” and “My answer to

AEG and Live Nation moving into the

all three questions you asked is rather blunt

European market years ago also affected

but true, I’m afraid: I got no fuckin’ idea.!”

us all as well, but not to the point that the

Julia Frank

independent companies, with an adjustment Perhaps the selection of industry inmates

of their game plan, were struggling or dying.

approached was inappropriate, but at least

Superstruct buying into Parookaville and

one of bravely submitted her comments.

Wacken will give these festivals financial

Julia Frank of Wizard Promotion delivered a

stability and they can concentrate on strong

proper conclusion and analysis, that covers

line-ups and teaming up with the other

today’s market developments accordingly:

Superstruct-owned festivals. I imagine it will be more difficult for the independent

Julia Frank – Wizard Promotions (DE)

promoters to place acts in the future, but the German festival market is strong and we

The investment industry seems to have

have a lot of mid-size events that are very

discovered the live concert market, so more

successful and sell out in advance every year.

of these deals are to be expected in the

They depend on us as much as we depend

future. We will find out how this will affect

on them when it comes to acts as the big

us as the industry in general, but we have

festival promoters often block them, so

learned from the consolidation of major

historically we have been working closely

labels around 15 years ago, that a lot of

with them - a relationship that we will

employees and artists were left on the street.

continue in the years to come.

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

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VIP NEWS >

AUGUST 2019

The Failure of the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com When Roger Daltrey, frontman of The Who,

DEAG was asked in an interview with the

a speech by Thunberg, where she requests

was asked at ILMC 2019 about the band’s

financial paper “Euro am Sonntag” about

among other things if it’s “time to rebel”

concert at Woodstock (1969), he said that

an anniversary edition of the festivals he

and calling for “civil disobedience.” The

it was “the first nail in the coffin of the

says: “I think everything has its time. Of

proceeds of this song will be donated to the

Vietnam War, the first thing to make the

course Woodstock is the biggest global

UK movement “Extinction Rebellion.”

government sit up and take notice.” With

brand for festivals and is anchored in

his statement Daltrey at least acknowledges,

collective memory as the culmination of the

Thunberg itself is the figurehead of the

that this festival had a political impact.

Love & Peace era. But that freedom, that

pupils movement “Fridays For Future” and

Grateful Dead atmosphere of the past, you

is considered according to an article on BBC.

Probably not intended by the promoter

can’t bring back today in air-conditioned

com by Matty Healy, the lead singer of The

as

reports

tents with built-in showers, and that’s a

1975 and their manager Jamie Osborne as

suggest, but more or less resulting from the

good thing. Basically, it’s nothing more than

“the most important person in the world to

performances of those participating in the

slaughtering an old brand.”

give a platform to.” Even more remarkable

documentaries

and

media

event. Unintentionally or not, Woodstock

is their quote regarding how the band

retrospectively became an iconic milestone

The days of Grateful Dead are gone, as

apparently struggled, when approaching

for a progressive perception of popular

well as previous political issues. Since

other artists to join their charity project for

music and its meaning for society issues.

then Woodstock at least indirectly and

the Extinction Rebellion: “Other artists didn’t

unintentionally paved the way for charity

want to do it - it’s madness, bigger artists

Since medieval times popular music always

events such as “LiveAid”, “FarmAid” or

than The 1975.”

produced protest songs, but Woodstock has

movements such as “Rock Against Fascism”

been without doubt one of the very first

or “Rock the Vote.”

mass events, triggered by popular music.

This quote says a lot about what has changed since Woodstock 1969 and in

As Daltrey in terms of Woodstock correctly

Political engagement by the music sector

particular how the music industry and

refers to the reactions to the Vietnam War

appears here and there, but all appears

their protagonists have changed. But as

as a meaningful political motive that raised

to have changed. A very current example

Woodstock was staged far away from the

concerns in society in those times, there are

therefore is the collaboration between the

deadly battlefields of Vietnam, today’s

today many other political issues that are

UK-act The 1975 and Greta Thunberg. The

worldwide festival sites unfortunately are

equally meaningful for the state and which

band teamed up with the Swedish climate

more likely than ever before of being hit by

shape for the cohesion of society.

activist and earlier on in July released the

an extreme weather incident. With this in

single “The 1975” from the new album

mind, never mind Woodstock, think of how

“Notes on a Conditional Form”, featuring

to launch “Festivals for Future”...

One of the best articles summarising the failure of the staging of an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock was published by Billboard.

Headlined as “The Turbulent Saga of Woodstock 50: A Timeline”, this story provided an overview about the manifold reasons for, and what lead to the cancellation of Woodstock 50.

Well, leaving aside nostalgia, that particular article in Billboard describes a proper picture of today’s settings in the live music industry. When Peter Schwenkow, CEO of

The Who at Woodstock 1969

15

VIP NEWS >

NAMES & JOBS

AUGUST 2019

New MD for Live Nation Finland From VIP-Daily News Live Nation Finland has appointed Tomi

produce high-quality, memorable events and

Saarinen as its new chief executive officer,

develop our artist roster. We want to be the

the company has announced.

best partner for artists, and enable them to develop to their full potential, while providing

Saarinen, who is based out of Live Nation’s

Finns with ever-more exciting experiences. I

Helsinki office, was formerly marking director

thank Live Nation for this great opportunity.”

of Sony Music Finland and has also worked at Finnish radio stations YleX and NJR. He

Castrén added: “I leave Tom with a strong,

succeeds outgoing CEO Nina Castrén, who

stable and successful market leader and

is stepping down for health reasons.

continues “I am proud of the company, and I believe Tom will continue to increase its

Of his appointment, Saarinen said: “It’s great

success with his input.”

to be part of a top team that has recently Risto

Finland‘s

year career. Her legacy provides Tom with a

Metallica, as well as several other gigs over

chairman said: “The company is very grateful

solid foundation from which to develop Live

the Finnish summer. We will continue to

to Nina for her contribution, both as CEO

Nation’s market leadership.”

Tomi Saarinen

16

over the last nine years and over her 20-

performed spectacularly with Muse and

Juvonen,

Live

Nation

R U O TION Y T RA E G IST

!

W O N

REG

STICHTING EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG

VIP NEWS > BUSINESS >

MUSIC IN SHARES

AUGUST 2019

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

The financial community apparently loves live music. Perhaps this is

announced expectation of further growth figures for the on-going

outlined by a video clip released by The Economist, where a young

business year.

reporter asks the question: “Why are music festivals so expensive?”

Since the beginning of August the share price of CTS Eventim went The clip scratches the surface of what non-industry-folks or public

up, successfully overtaking the 50 Euro per share mark, maintaining

interest journalists assume to know about the live music industry.

the level of 50.55 Euro on August 23, when this report went to press...

However, coming up with a catchy observation the journalist concludes as part of video-report that we are living in the age of the “experience economy.”

DEAG - Feeding The Growth Story

‘Well said’, could be the overall assumption, not going too much

DEAG acquired 51 per cent of Meves Entertainment Group, a

into details about the functioning of this industry, except the hard

company specialized in so called “Schlagermusik.” No information

facts that artists fees are going up and that festival promoters today

on the purchase price has been given, but since June 27 the share

have to cope with significantly higher production expenses.

price went down from 4.65 to 3.65 Euro...

However, “experience economy” is a proper buzz term that should work for analysts and investment managers to spent a few extra

Eventbrite - Slightly Up

bucks when it comes to a positive decision how to invest money.

The share price of Eventbrite has faced tough times. In March 2019 still above $30, but on May 30 down to $15.33, presently at least

CTS Eventim - Convincingly H1/2019 Results

it is up to $19.11.

Politically CTS Eventim is, indirectly due to a court decision by the highest EU court regarding its promising Autobahn-toll-business, in

Live Nation - The Outperformer

the news. Andreas Scheuer, the German minister for traffic signed contracts before the court decision, leading to the fact that the

Basically this company fulfils investor and analyst expectations with

ministry for traffic might now have to pay compensation fees for

its growth strategy. For the business year 2005, the year of the spin

the minister’s breach of contract .

off from Clear Channel on December 21, Live Nation reported a turnover of $2.51 bn*. Now Live Nation reports for the 2nd quarter

Whatever is in it for CTS Eventim has currently caused a political

2019 alone, a turnover of $2.63 bn.

uproar. However, the business results for the first half year by CTS Eventim indicate upwards trend for the shares of the company.

Backed by positive analyst ratings and due to the fact that institutional investors raised their share holdings in the company

The revenue moved up from a previous 606,6 in H1-2018 up to

the share is now up to $70,72 and exceeds therewith a market

696,6 million Euros. The revenue for the ticketing division moved

capitalization of $15 billion...

from 183,4 up to 200,2 million Euros, while that of the live music activities rose from 429,1 up to 504,5 million Euro.

Spotify - Summer Recovery The Earnings before Interests, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization

18

(EBITDA) peaked at 111,8 million Euros compare to 94,1 million

Since June 3rd this share has experienced a recovery, up from

Euros one year before, while the management of CTS Eventim

$122.81 to $138.0 on August 23....

VIP NEWS > MISC >

AUGUST 2019

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 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/

ACOD Territory: World Period: 2019 - 2021 Agency: Phenix Agency Agent: Julien Pagnon Phone: +33 6869 11017 E-mail: julien@phenix-agency.eu Homepage: www.acod-music.com

AME.Media is one the biggest management and booking companies in Germany working with international artists such as Lou Bega, Hermes House Band, Marquess, Loona, and Feuerherz.

Get in touch via contact@ame-media.de or +49 (0) 2451-909487. www.ame-media.de

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

ROBERTA BONFARDECI Territory: Germany - Paris Period: August Agency: THEWEBENGINE Agent: Giuseppe Fisicaro Phone: 35 199 23670 E-mail: info@thewebengine.it Homepage: www.thewebengine.it

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.

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