VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
18
3 9
22
16 8
VIP NEWS
PREMIUM
>
VOLUME 159
>
AUGUST 2013
3
11 10 25
17 29
12
6 2
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
McGowan’s
Musings
Well, it’s good to be back, how are you all?
Ronni and Peter somehow managed to get
to support the introduction of legislation.
Hopefully you managed to get through July
themselves invited to Trinidad and Suriname–
Also a comment from Rob Hallet, Head
without us, but I suppose many of you had
via New York. So considering our main focus is
of AEG Live, in a Music Week interview,
festivals and holidays to take your minds of
Europe, VIP has been spreading its wings, and
statedthat he was more concerned with
the absence of VIP News. Of course August
why not, live music covers an ever widening
primary ticketing and that the success of the
is still a time of holidays and festivals, but I’m
international market, which offers increasing
secondaryticketers showed that in the main
sure you’ll take the time to catch up with
opportunities– there is a lot to learn and
concert tickets are undervalued and many
what we have to offer in this edition.
much information to be sought and passed
should be increased. This brought various
on – so continue to watch this space!
responsesfrom newspapers etc concerned
You’ll be glad to know that we’ve all been
that more and more fans were becoming
busy and have travelled afar over the last few
The summer of 2013 appears generally to
weeks; apart from coping with a heat wave in
have brought reasonably good news for
the UK – good news for a lot of events – I’ve
the live industry; there have been festival
The world of live music promotion has lost
attended two of the more unusualfestivals,
cancellationsbut not as many as last year,
two of its most iconic and legendary figures
EXIT, on a fortress in the middle of the
and again unlike last year the weather was
in the last few days; German promoter Fritz
Danube, and Oppikoppi – the Bewilderbeest
kind to most events. Apart from Glastonbury
Rau, a true innovator and original, he began
Festival in the middle of the South African
however there were few sell outs, but
bringing jazz and blues acts to Germany via
bush country - I’m still recoveringfrom such
most seemed to have covered. By the way,
his Company Lippman & Rau in the mid 50’s,
diversity! We covered the Roskilde Festival in
accordingto a report in the Sun Newspaper,
working with major acts from various genres
Denmark (see festival reports in this issue), and
Mick Jagger was so impressed by Glastonbury
over the following decades – Mick Jagger
following the Stones appearancethat he
once referred to him as The Fairy Godfather
wants to start one of his own – Stonesbury?
to everyone. (See Manfred Tari’s obituary in
– Let’s see…At the top end of the market,
this issue). A few days after Fritz passed away
Live Nation’s concertsdivision, the company’s
Sid Bernstein, perhaps best known as the
largest source of revenue, grew 10.9% to
promoter who put on The Beatles’ legendary
$1.2 billionin the second quarter. Its revenue
Shea Stadium show, died in his sleep at the
was up 11.9% in the first half of the year. In
Lennox Hill Hospital in New York at the age
fact according to a late June article in The
of 95. RIP.
COLOPHON > VIP-News is published by: VIP-Booking 145-157 St John Street London Ec1V 4PW 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 +44 870 755 0092
Financia l Times, leading Accountants Price Waterhouse Cooper report, “In fact the
So the live industry certainly hasn’t sat still
growth in live music will more than offset
over our month away, there’s been a couple
the continued decline in recorded music
of high-profile exits from major companies
revenues. It estimates that sales of tickets
(see this issue) and there is still contention
and sponsorship will generate revenues of
and much to be discussed – let us know how
$30.9bn in 2017, up from $26.5bn in 2012.
your business is doing and your thoughts on
Now let’s hope that at least some, hopefully
the state of the market wherever you operate.
all, of you will benefit from this optimistic
We’re here to spread the word. So enjoy the
projection!
rest of the summer (as long as it is summer where you are!), and in the meantimeLadies
Secondary ticketing as a topic of hot dispute in the UK still abides with more MP’s moving
2
priced out of the bigger shows.
and Gentlemen – The News!
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
Fritz Rau
– An Iconic Impresario Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com He was a pioneer in so many different
Fritz Rau
perspectives, laying the foundations for the development of the concert business that later on led to the evolution of this business into what is nowadays called the live music industry. Rau was a very impressive personality. He was accessible and certainly not arrogant. Actuallyhe was one of the very music
Yes, there is a difference between a concert
industryheavyweightswho had a passion for
agent or a promoter and somebody who is
understatement, somebody who cultivated
recognised as an impresario. Yes, impresario
relationships due to his reliability and his
is an old fashioned term, reaching way back
seriousness . The list of artists he worked
into the history of the concert business. But
togetherwith is very long, and the number of
it is also an expression that embodies several
stories by artists, companions and co-workers
other meanings that may be considered ‘old
about him is even longer. One of these stories,
school’ in today’s business environment. But it
just one of his nicknames, tells a lot about
is exactly these kinds of virtues that still make
his passionfor his professional perfection. It
CLICK-A-GIG.COM enables
a difference when it comes to a distinctive
is not known who, but someone apparently
artists to MAIL their music
understandingfor the interplay between called him “Ayatollah Choleri”.
to more than 6.000 venues
music, artists and their audience.
and agencies worldwide… Rau has been highly respected for his many
There is no precise definition when someone
achievements by artists and even those
in the concert business is denoted as an
beyondthe live music community. He has
impresario. It just happens when somebody
receivedmany awards, but certainly a
achieves merits as a concert promoter that
standoutmoment for the international regard
impresses competitors, artists and their
for his reputation, was the standing ovation
audience...
he gained when attending the 13th edition of the I.L.M.C. in London.
Regarding Fritz Rau, the list of merits is long and it covers more than just concerts.
One of the most notable statements about
His historyis spiked with stories about his
Fritz Rau that has often been quoted in many
personality, his passion and even his political
obituaries in the recent days was one by the
approach. When Rau started to promote
music journalist Wolfgang Sandner within a
concertsin the fifties, he put Germany on the
laudation on his 80 birthday in the Festhalle in
world map of culture again, in a time when the
Frankfurt, referring to the shark pool settings
memory of outrageous barbarian misdoings
of the music business, he observed, “He
was still fresh. With statements such as “jazz
neve_r has been a shark himself. But he has
music ‘denazificates’ him or “people who like
been as clever as a shark.”
jazz music can’t be racists”, he underlined the
3
humanistic approach which he has often been
Fritz Rau passed away on August 19 aged 83
admired for in his long lasting career.
in Kronberg near to Frankfurt.
3
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
Exit of Ticketmaster’s Global President, Nathan Hubbard
Departure of Bosses at Ticketmaster & MAMA & Co Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Both Ticketmaster and The Mama Group
managementstructure after the sudden
It seems that it is the Lloyds Development
have announced the surprisingly sudden
departure of CEO Dean James last week. In
Capital equity group, James’ backers in
departures of key executives.
2005 in partnership with then co-CEO Adam
the management buy out, which has now
Driscoll James transformedthe Channelfly pushed the MAMA chief out. The company’s The exit of Ticketmaster’s Global President,
group into MAMA. Since then he oversaw
Chairman, Richard Thompson, also boss of
Nathan Hubbard, has been confirmed in
the acquisitionof the Hammersmith Apollo
sports-focused talent agency M&C Saatchi
a regulatory filing by parent company Live
and most of the Mean Fiddler venue and
Merlin, is taking an executive management
Nation. A report in the Wall Street Journal last
tour promotion business. MAMA was then
role in the interim while the new manage-
week indicated that Hubbard was preparing
acquired by HMV in 2010, with James
ment structure is put in place.
to leave. Speculation was that Live Nation
becomingthe sole CEO of the business,
bosses felt the need of someone from more
befor e overseeing a management buyout
It’s not clear what these changes will have
of a tech background to lead their ticketing
of the company (minus the Hammersmith
on the recently revamped MAMA company,
company, as data-crunching becomes more
Apollo), just under three years later as the
and its venue, festivals and music services
of its core business., there was also rumour
HMV Group headed towards administration.
businesses.
that there were tensions between Hubbard and Michael Rapino. Ticketmaster’s top man in North America, Jared Smith, will take on many of Hubbard’s responsibilities, and both he and the chief of Ticketmaster Internationa, Mark Yovich, will report directly to Rapino. The London-based live music firm MAMA & Company were setting up a new
4
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
Jeremy Hulsh
Second ‘Tune in Tel Aviv’ International Music Conference & Showcase Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
Live concert promoter/partner at Viva Art
Although our platform is modest compared
‘live’ opportunitiesabroad. Moreover, I
Music & founder/managing director of Oleh!
to most similar events around the world, we
have seen some incredibl e value-added-
Records- Israel’s Music Export Office, Jeremy
have seen incredible results on multiple levels
collaboration sgrow organically through
Hulsh informs VIP news of the progress that
from both our local industry and the acts they
our work within the local market, especially
Israel’s annual industry music event made this
support: 80% of all our industry guests have
developing projectsthat bring together
past July:
either invested or collaborated with local musician s from both sides of the border talentwhich they discovered at Tune In Tel
with remarkable results- through shared
This second incarnation of ‘TUNE IN TEL
Aviv. Our platform is open to all musicians/
tastes in similar musicculture , not con-
AVIV’, our annual music industry event
genres (both Israeli & Palestinians); and in
trived political agendas . Such projects
played host to a dozen festival talent buy-
the future we plan to begin showcasing are always a powerful reminder of what
ers, publishers, and label veterans from
regionaland international emerging talents
music can do to bring people together
abroad, presenting our showcase/conference
withpartnerships and investment from more
rather than what governments can do to
brand which was created to package and
countries.
keep them apart. This October, Europe &
market the local music scene/industry for international consumption.
the UK will be treatedto a co-headlining In less than a decade, our music export tour which has been orchestrated between venturehas generated well over three
the internationally acclaimed rock/metal
Last year, our first, we staged over 60 acts;
quartersof a million USD for local
groups, Orphaned Land (Israel) & Khalas
this year, we did about 80 bands. Festival
musiciansthrough directinvestment deals
(Palestine/Israel).
directors /programmers from the likes of
the we’ve structured, includingpublishing,
Glastonbury , Primavera,
label signings , and money earned from
EXIT,
Liverpool
www.tuneintlv.com
Soundcity, CMJ, SXSW, Amsterdam Dance Event, Zebra (one of biggest alternative festivalsin mainland China approx. 80K Capacity ), and
agents
including:
Tom
Windish, Alex Hardee (Coda), Emma Hogan (ITB) and many more - came to discuss importantsubjects with our local sector and check out our local talent.
5
5
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
London’s Roundhouse Renovated and Upgraded Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
Camden venue The Roundhouse, home to the legendary UFO Club in
the venue’s carbon footprint by decreasing both heat production and
the late sixties – the only place The Doors ever played in London, and
power consumption.
location of too many outstanding shows to mention, has undergone a £800,000 renovation and upgrade. Audience capacity has been increased by 68 (61 seated, 7 standing), bringing it up to a total of 3118, as a result of the installation of an all-new retractable seating system in the Circle. This new system also means that Circle seating can be sorted on the day, rather than days in
A spokesperson for the venue said:
“Roundhouse can now lay claim to being one of London’smost flexible and sophisticatedspaces.”
advance as before. New upholstered seats have been put in, and the audience can now leave and arrive without disturbing anyone because
Improvements to the Grade II listed building were funded by money
of the new quieter system
from the Arts Council England Capital Grant, alongside additional funding from the London Borough of Camden and the Wolfson
A new state-of-the-art LED lighting rig with a larger range of
Foundation.
pre-installedequipment offers more versatility for artists. It also reduces
Roundhouse
6
With over 3,250 delegates, showcases by 300 artists and a conference program with 150 panels, keynote speakers, interviews, workshops, dinners, parties and meetings, Eurosonic Noorderslag is the key exchange and networking platform for European music, European artists, hundreds of European Festivals, international music industry and interactive professionals, companies and organizations. Full conference registration rates and deadlines: € 245,- (Early Bird) Deadline 13th of June 2013
€ 275,- (Medium) Deadline 10th of October 2013 € 315,- (Late) Deadline 12th of December 2013
€ 380,- (Walk Up) from the 13th of December 2013
Award Winners 2012
NEW: Saturday only pass (Conference & Fair & Noorderslag festival) € 100,- (Early Bird) Deadline 13th of June 2013
€ 120,- (Medium) Deadline 10th of October 2013 € 135,- (Late) Deadline 12th of December 2013
€ 150,- (Walk Up) from the 13th of December 2013 To register and submit: www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AND ARTISTS SUBMISSION NOW OPEN WWW.EUROSONIC-NOORDERSLAG.NL EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG IS ORGANIZED BY
STICHTING NOORDERSLAG
IN COOPERATION WITH
MAIN SPONSORS
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
> INDEPTH STORY > FESTIVAL FOCUS
Festival Focus I doubt that anyone really knows how many festivals take place throughout the World or even ‘just’ Europe throughout the year, so obviously we can only focus on a few, and primarily these are ones that we or close associates have actually attended, The three that we cover in this edition are, in chronological order: ROSKILDE – Denmark, EXIT, Serbia and BEWILDERBEAST – OPPIKOPPI, South Africa. I notice one thing that links these events, and it’s something that links us all I suppose, and that’s DUST! I remember Roskilde as being very dusty last time I was there, I see that EXIT’s press release talks about the dust settling and Oppikoppi’s clouds of dust added hues to the sunsets! Anyway let’s go first to Denmark…
The ORANGE feeling Anne Frank Alsted aa@vip-booking.com
Times may be hard for European festivals
I mean, she’s in charge of all bookingsand
but as long as The Orange Feeling thus I thought her work had to be done as survives, so will Roskilde, festival Creative
soon as the festival started (yes, I’m new
Director Rikke Oexner predicts…
in this business ). But no. Bands have to
Rikke Oexner Photo: Andreas Houmann
deal with a new festival or venue every day On behalf of VIP-News I went to this year’s
over their summer tour so despite trying to
Roskilde festival at the beginning of July. It
preparetheir stay at Roskilde long ahead, the
was my first time there, but someone has to
blonde booker of Roskilde had to stay in the
do the dirty work. I went to search for the
shadows of her temporary officeright behind
spirit known as The Orange feeling. I had
Orange Scene through the entire festiva l
heard about its ability to protect Roskilde
dealing with the last details of booking.
from suffering the same fate as some of its peers around Europe.
It was love at first sight when Rikke Oexner went to Roskilde festival for the first time
So, before enjoying performances by the likes
back in 1984. Since then she has only missed
of Rihanna, Suicidal Tendencies and a very
one festival and has booked artists for the
heavy rapper from NYC called KillerMike ,
festival for 16 years now, being the chief
I had a talk with the Creative Director of
musicdirector the last nine. It is her signature
Roskilde festival Rikke Oexner about the
that appears on all of the contracts and this
In addition to being director 48-year-old Rikke
challenges of booking the event.
year she managed a budget of 5.5 million
Oexner is part of the festival’s management
Euros.
responsible of, discuss, plan and coordinate
Initially my plan was to talk to Rikke Oexner
8
the many projects the festival are involved
during the festival; you know... the two of us
It was the former chief of Roskilde Leif Skov,
in. But the booking of next year’s festival is
strolling around with a cold beer in this place
who hired Rikke Oexner in 1995, and as she
her main priority, and it is not an ordinary 9-5
that once a year for 10 days transformsit’s
says, over the seven years they shared a desk
job, but a job that requires passion, structure
self into the fourth biggest city in Denmark.
he became an invaluable mentor.
and leadership qualities, she says.
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
> INDEPTH STORY > FESTIVAL FOCUS
“I have six genre bookers in my team and due
For the first time in five years, Roskilde
move our audience from their comfort zone
to our network from all over the world and
2013 wasn’t entirely sold out. 75.000 of the
and make them listen to music they never
in the business we are constantly updatedon
total78.500 tickets were sold. The Festival
would have heard if not at Roskilde. This year
what’s happening in the variousscenes. There
presented 195 concerts on 8 stages within
they could move from the Womack concert
are many enthusiasts who are passionat e
8 days –none of them shorter than 60
and directly on to a young punk band or
about their respective genres, and in some
minuteswhich is another unique thing about
from Metallica to Sigur Rós. This is our core
scenes, you almost have to be a part of the
Roskilde.
competence – to mix a bowl of diverse music
environment to follow. We in the booking
like no one else.”
committee cannot be out there everywhere,
As with every year before this, the finished
but I think we are good at findingthe right
festival poster announced a line-up that
75 % of the artists on this year’s festival was
people to consult with.
representeda balancing act: on one hand
debutants and though Kris Kristofferson was
the wishes, demands and expectations of the
amongst the elder ones of these, the director
My share, as a booker, is the relation to the
audience had to be respected and responded
wants to put spot on the newest trends and
many London agencies, notably related to
to, and on the other hand the festival had to
seek new talent and new borders.
the major artists. It is important to know the
present a broad variety of music challenging
”We must find and provide space for
people in the business and know what they
and seeking new dimensions.
tendenciesthat are not experienced at other
stand for. Fortunately a lot of us have been in
venues yet. Music moves all the time, so even
this business for several years, we know each
On the day of the presentation of this year’s
though our goal is the same each year, it’s
other well, know each other’s budgets and
lineup no less than 55.000 people all over
always a challenge to find the balance and
conditions and that makes it easier to make
the world were online waiting to see the
to spot what’s new and exciting,” says Rikke
profitable deals. Nevertheless it takes a great
program. It has been much discussed since if
Oexner.
deal of negotiation and tactics, but I like the
Rihanna was a fit artist for a festival known
“If you picture Roskilde as a mixer, the
game.”
amongst its faithful followers to be more
buttons and slides must never just remain
rock than pop. According to Rikke Oexner,
stationary from year to year. They must be
Rihanna was a perfect match.
adjusted continually, so we never stop being
Besides travelling to London a great deal, Rikke Oexner also always attend SXSW in
inquisitive”
Austin, Texas in March, at least one summer
“Our audience also wants pop and it was
festival and CMJ in New York in the fall and
great to see how Slipknot fans enjoyed
Booking gets harder
all together that takes her to up to 100
Rihannaand the other way around. One of
Rikke Oexner loves what she does and
concertsa year.
our biggest achievements each year is to
underlinesthat it’s more a lifestyle than
Orange
9
9
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
> INDEPTH STORY > FESTIVAL FOCUS
a job. I guess that’s the right attitude, as
to secure the perfect bands for the lineup.
There it was again – this Orange Feeling. I
the art of booking has become more of a
“Basically it is all about getting the best
have been really thorough in my investigation.
challenge over the years. Live Music is more
possibleline up to the audience from the
I’ve literally been into every corner (to pee).
expensive; recessionhas swept all over Europe
resourcesand opportunities available to
I’ve checked out several strawberry daiquiris
and festivalshere and there have had to quit
us. Of course the competition affects our
to make sure the feeling didn’t hide in the
becauseof these and other reasons. Most
booking, but at the end of the day, I think
bottomof the glass as a twist of Orange. I
recentlythe Swedish Peace and Love event
the biggest threat comes from within”, Rikke
have attended several concerts in the pit in
had to turn out the lights.
International
Oexner says and further explains, “Some
front of Orange Scene. I’ve been on a walk
organizationssuch as Live Nation and the
festivals have a lot of music to offer, but on
in the massive camping areas where Rikke
German Scorpio (responsible for 17 Festivals)
the other hand that’s all they have. We offer
Oexner still sleeps every festival and the par-
make the festival market competitiontougher.
so much more than music, a total experience
ties never stop (and I was reminded of my
It’s no problem for Roskilde and Rikke Oexner
of food, art, sustainability, music, culture
age) and I have looked into the smiling eyes
to get the Danish and Scandinavian bands,
and not least our unique camp site – all the
of so many different people and it seemed
but with fewer international guests and no
things that make that special Orange Feeling.
like everybody felt as I did: Orange!
option to offer the big international bands
Losingthis and the characteristic of Roskilde
more than one festival job, as opposed to
Festival would be the end of us.”
Scorpio owningseveral festivals, it gets harder
Creative camping, Roskilde Festival
10
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
> INDEPTH STORY > FESTIVAL FOCUS
EXIT Festival Serbia Breaks Records Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Emilia Mihailescu
EXIT describes itself as a non profit
attendance record was also broken, with over
organisationwhere
meets
25.000 during David Guetta’s performance.
activism, having attended half a dozen times
The Fusion Stage’s attendance record was
so far this makes sense to me!The dust (see
broken during the performance by Dubioza
what I mean – Ed!) has settled after the14th
Kolektiv, and the largest amount of single-
edition of this remarkable event which takes
daytickets in the history of the festival was
place over 13 stages presenting a spread of
sold – 20,000, with a record entrance speed
musical genres in the Petrovaradin Fortress
- 300 people per minute entering.
hedonism
on an island in the Danube across the water from the fine City on Novi Sad, Serbia.
“EXIT
2013
succeeded
expectationswith
beyond
audience
all
numbers
audience
significantlyup on last year. We are especially
attendanceover the five days of the Festival.
proud of the fact that the leitmotif of the
During The Prodigy’s performance, Main
festival was happiness and smiles on people’s
Stage attendance record was broken, with
faces, which made EXIT a specific oasis of
over 35.000 people, and the Dance Arena’s
positive energy and awakened optimism. ”
This
year
broke
records
for
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 • 2013 ...pUr • pAUL kALkBrENNEr • chrIS DE BUrGh JOE cOckEr • ErOS rAmAzOTTI • pINk • ErIc cLApTON • cELTIc WOmAN • ANDrEAS GABALIEr • ThE BOSS hOSS...
Tel. +49 (0) 711/9554-40 Fax +49 (0) 711/9554-500
AZ_in_stutt_VIPmag_2013_RZ.indd 1
info@in.stuttgart.de www.in.stuttgart.de
13.11.12 18:32
11
VIP NEWS > Enthused
AUGUST 2013
EXIT
Festival’s
> INDEPTH STORY > FESTIVAL FOCUS CEO
Dušan
Kovacevic.
and the society in general. A special tribute was paid to one of the biggest scientistsand inventors of all time, the brilliant Nikola Tesla,
The organisers of the event never forget its
whose name was featured on the name of
beginnings through youth activism in war
the festival’s main stage, as well as the Tesla
torn times, and make great efforts to make
Corner, named after the famous Tesla Corner
EXIT much more than just a great music
in New York City, where the visitors had the
event. They aim to continue to mobilize
opportunity to interact with various experi-
whose results will come to life during the
publicopinion and thought leaders in the
ments.
next edition of the festival.
and a global level. On the opening day of the
Through a series of public discussions, media
Other projects EXIT are involved with are
festival, and the birthday of Nikola Tesla, one
articles, workshops, lectures by successful
promotingpositive role models for young
of the greatest scientists and inventors of all
start-ups, Exit is encouraging young people
people in the region and highlight all those
time, an initiative for Serbia’s (re) branding
to take destiny in their own hand and start
young, talented, creative people who work
took place with EXIT taking a leading role in
their on start up business. Several workshops
hard everyday to make positive change in
promoting positive changes and the image of
took place on festivals where mentors were
their own life and their community. Exit
Serbia and Balkan region to the world and
giving free lecturing about various topics
donatedhundreds of free tickets to the best
boost its tourism and economy development.
including; how to create/produce electronic
students, youth activists, young artists and
music. The leading European eco-conference
young humanitarian workers.
field of youth development on a regional
An agreement with the cooperation of the
Go Group in cooperation with the European
University of Novi Sad and EXIT was signed,
Festival Association was also held, alongside
It’s also about having a good time, and
with a goal to promote the importance of cul-
a large number of socially responsible actions
havingspent my second birthday in a row
ture, science and education among the youth
that were created during the festival, and
back stage – believe me – I know!
Exit
12
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
> INDEPTH STORY > FESTIVAL FOCUS
For the second year the organisers of ETEP and CEETEP and invited
Fruzsina Szep of Sziget Festival, one of the originators of the CEETEP
guests met at EXIT to discuss the further goals and the progress of The
concept, thanked everybody for attending, and explained that the
Central and Eastern European Talent Exchange Program.
main goal of the meeting was to discuss common challenges, to learn from each other and most important to get to know each other,
CEETEP is a sub-program of ETEP, the initiative of Eurosonic
as having a good network is very important in music business. In a
Noorderslagintroduced in 2003 to further the exchange and support
lot of aspects Western European music industry lies 30 to 40 year
of new European music in Europe, together with in total 16 CEETEP
ahead. She affirmed that we’ll have to build a solid system behind the
festivals in the CEE region and selected CEE media partners, Eurosonic
Eastern European musicians to help them further. CEETEP has been
Noorderslag and co-organisers Sziget Festival, Budapest, Hungary and
developedfor linking artist managers, media and festivals to each
Exit Festival, developed a scheme for the circulation of CEE artists
other and build this system together. This will take many years but
and repertoire in the CEE countries. A grant from the European
she was sure that we are at the beginning of something beautiful.
Commissionfacilitated the introduction of ETEP 2.0, the new version
CEETEP artistswho play most CEETEP shows and have not played
of ETEP in 2012 with eight new festivals from Central Eastern Europe
Eurosonicbefore, will get to play the event in the following year. In
(CEE) joining and expanding the Program. The intention is that ETEP
this way this cooperationwill help more CEE artist perform across
2.0 will grow from 60 participating festivals in 2011 to 100 in 2016.
borders within Central Eastern Europe, and by playing Eurosonic Noorderslag they participate in ETEP and reach the whole of Europe
By working together, the CEETEP festivals and their media partners
and beyond. Fruzsinasaid that it was and is her dream to connect
will help more CEE artists perform across borders within Central
Eastern and WesternEurope and she is happy this dream is starting
Eastern Europe and the winners from CEETEP via shows at Eurosonic
to become real. I confirmed that Central Eastern European music
Noorderslag in the Netherlands throughout the whole of Europe
business is starting to emerge. In the 70’s it was a ‘mystery region’
and beyond. In 2012 CEETEP realized 29 shows by 19 acts from 10
and now 12 percent of the people visiting ILMC were from Central
countries. Recently announced figures (June) for 2013 reveal that this
Eastern Europe..
new sub-programme has so far created 25 confirmed shows by 18 artists from 11 different European countries.
Toomas Olljum, manager of Ewert and the 2 Dragons from Estonia, and Guna Zucika - International Relations manager – Prata Vetra –
Ruud Berends and Douwe Dijkstra of Eurosonic Noorderslag were on
Latvia, have both had some success in Western Europe and beyond,
hand and I was again very happy to host the second of the CEETEP
and addressed the meeting to discuss their experiences urging long-
Artists Managers Meeting which reviewed the first year’s progress and
termthinking, a creative mindset, flexibility, solid investment and the
determined to address the future of the initial intention and purpose
importance of having a plan!
of this unique programme i.e. to help develop talent by providing opportunities and developing a structure to make it easier for acts
The speakers included all attending managers and artist representatives,
to cross borders to play at the participating major CEETEP festivals,
(see list) plus guests including those listed below involvedin open
promoted by the participating CEETEP media in the region.
discussions, plus smaller targeted round table discussions, and break out sessions. Discussions continued in restaurants and bars, crossing
13
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
> INDEPTH STORY > FESTIVAL FOCUS
over with speakers and attendants of other meetings, including the Go Group.
Comments from the attendant artist representatives:
Problems and Solutions Discussed in 2012, were continued with progressbeing made on the addressing of matters such as: Lack of
Petra Safarikova
Music Business education, problems with Music rights organisations
– PR Manager of Swan Bride - Slovenia
not operating as they should; Lack of promotion of national artists
“I am glad I could attend CEETEP meetings at Exit Festival and talk to
on radio and TV; Networking problems; a Lack of good managers:
the people from different areas of music. It was good opportunity
Festivalsand media not investing in national artists (the very thing
to find out how the band is considered from various aspects, I mean
that CEETEP has initially addressed) and a Lack of Music Export
- what is important for the festival bookers or managers in order to
Organisations, amongst other things.
pay attention to the band. All the speakers were happy to talk and share their experience. Fruzsina`s inspirational story ‘I had a dream’
Online marketing Strategy for CEETEP
proved us that everything is possible with patience and cooperation with dedicated people. Over the 2 days I have gained an overview of the situation in the region and how the CEETEP programme can help the artists to deal with some issues, especially as a platform to
Peter and Vladimir of EXIT festival presented the online marketing
break the main barriers regarding networking because - as it is well-
strategy for CEETEP that Exit has developed. This plan includes a
knownfor all of us - there’s a lot of talent in the region and it is worth
Facebook /Twitter Campaign promoting the CEETEP artists, trans-
supporting it.
mediaand link building, e-mail marketing, CEETEP radio shows and suggestions to create a free download compilation with one song
The band I represent - Swan Bride - has played at couple of European
from each of the 2013 CEETEP artists and a crowd funding platform
festivals, such as Europavox, Rock for People or Pohoda but we would
for CEETEP artists. Peter and Vladimir encouraged the artists/artist
like to focus on playing more shows across boarders. Hopefully it will
managers to join the campaign by sharing the links, putting CEETEP
be possible in the future with the assistance of CEETEP and thanks
banners on their website/Facebook and to make a track available
to everyone I met at the meetings, so that it could lead to kind of
for the download compilation so that we can build this campaign
co-working. I had a big talk with Toomas, manager of Ewert and The
together. Anyone with questions or ideas for this campaign is urged
Two Dragons, about the difficulties that his band had to face at the
to contact supremefactory@gmail.com.
very beginning. He gave me much useful advice, which I’ve already discussed with my band to improve our current situation. Now we
The following guests were involved in the discussions and took part in
need to put in some effort to make it work well.”
a very busy session of speed meetings. Vojtech Dohnal Ms. Fruzsina Szép
– representing Charlie Straight - Czech Republic
– program & artistic director – Sziget Festival, Budapest, Hungary
“Many thanks to the team of hosts for this opportunity and I hope to be a part of CEETEP meetings at Exit next year to see how the things
Vladimir Vodalov
have moved on (and to celebrate your birthday again :).
– EXIT Festival: Executive Manager of AAA Production I’m very happy that I could be part of this meeting; now I see more Toomas Olljum
beyond Czech borders, and I see what problems other bands deal
– manager of Ewert and The Two Dragons, Tallinn, Estonia
with. Being more together and supporting each other means being stronger in a way I think....
Guna Zucika – International Relations manager – Prata Vetra – Latvia
Because Adam Ryan (MAMA Group - Great Escape booker) saw our gig at Waves Vienna, he invited us to play at TGE this year. So we
Adam Lewis
played at Brighton’s Coalition club and it was great! We play mostly
– Co-Owner Planetary Group – USA
in Czech Republic now but also we will go to play at Galapagai festival (Lithuania). We are trying to find a booker who will be able to put us
Jake Beaumont-Nesbitt – Executive Director of The International Music Managers Forum (IMMF).
14
together with some big band in UK, so we can support their tour :-)
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
> INDEPTH STORY > FESTIVAL FOCUS
Because of Ruth Kolova’s success, I’m wondering about going to
Romania is a particular market from some perspectives, even in the
Japan. We receive many requests for autographs from Russia and
CEETEP region. I think we are the only country facing the local radio
Ukraine every day, so maybe we should go and play in Russia :-)
problem (all our main radio stations play 100% euro dance, there is
Anyway, we have decided to try UK first. Thank you for this meeting
no live/alternative/rock music on Romanian mainstream radios) and
again!”
this is something that needs to be fixed from the inside, I don’t think there is anything CEETEP can do.
Strahinja Beganovi – Kill Me Laser - Serbia
Also, another issue that is worth addressing is, I think, the fact that a
“As an artist, who is part of CEETEP program, I wish to thank you,
lot of the Central & Eastern Europe countries still don’t have a music
ETEP/CEETEP representatives and EXIT festival, for efforts you put
export bureau, which would be tremendously helpful in promoting
in organizing this years conference. It was real pleasure having a
the local talents.”
chance to meet regional artist and artist representatives, exchanging
knowledge and experiences, learning about music industry trends
The CEETEP online label idea was very interesting and something
and development and at the same time enjoying some great music
that hopefully will prove to be helpful for the local acts. After Grimus
performances. Information I got from informal and formal talks with
won last year’s CEETEP program and went to perform at Eurosonic,
colleagues and artists helped me build a better picture about the state
this year they were confirmed for two ETEP festivals: Arezzo Waves
of the regional music industry. I think all this will help in spreading the
(Italy) and Waves Vienna (Austria). The Romanian bands present in the
voices of young creative people in the region.”
CEETEP program this year (Hot Casandra, Electric Fence, Subcarpati, Toulouse Lautrec, Blue Nipple Boy) scored the following appearances
Emilia Mihailescu
at festivals this summer:
– New Business Development Manager – Music in Space -
ElectricFence - Romania
Hot Casandra – Open’er Poland
“It was very nice to attend the CEETEP meeting this year as well. I
Electric Fence – Rock for People (Czech Republic), B’estfest (Romania)
found the speed meeting idea very helpful, as we got the chance to
Toulouse Lautrec – B’estfest Romania
ask the questions and get rapid answers from all of the people that
Subcarpati – B’estfest Romania
could share their knowledge.
15
COUNTRY
FESTIVAL
BAND
REPRESENTATIVE
Czech Republic
Rock For People
Charlie Straight
Vojtech Dohnal
Hungary
Sziget
Grand Mexican Warlock
Zsolt Jeges
Croatia
INmusic Festival
Mika Male
Lucija Potočnik
Serbia
Exit Festival
Kill me laser
Strahinja Beganović
Serbia
Exit Festival
Eyesburn
Nemanja Miidorović
Serbia
Exit Festival
Overdrive
Dragan Midorović
Serbia
Exit Festival
Repetitor
Boris Vlastelica
Poland
Coke Live Music Festival Heineken Open’er Festival
Poparzeni Kawa Trzy
Marian Hilla / Jacek Kret
Slovenia
Slovenian Music Week
Melodrom
Mina Špiler / Matevž Kolenc
Slovenia
Slovenian Music Week
The Tide
Tomaz Štular / Dejan Osterman
Slovenia
Slovenian Music Week
The Swan Bride
Petra Šafáriková
Romania
B'estfest
Electric Fence
Emilia Mihailescu
Romania
B'estfest
Blue Nipple Boy
Andreea Cotet
Romania
B'estfest
Hot Casandra
Andreea Filip
Romania
B'estfest
Subcarpati
Daniel Clinci
Latvia
Positivus Festival
Prata vetra
Guna Zucika
Lithuania
Galapagai
Garbontas Bosistas
Algirdas Barniskis
Lithuania
Galapagai
Golden Parazyth
Mantas Rasimavicius
Bulgaria
Spirit of Burgas
Ruth Koleva
Ruth Koleva
15
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
Oppikoppi
– Into the Belly of The Beast! Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com It was as I careered down a steep and rocky track, being dustily aware of festival goers hurling themselves into thorn bushes as Carel Hoffman’s battered and headlightless motor bike bore down on them at a speed not recommended for such bushveld terrain, that I figured that all I could do was hang on to the ex-mining engineer turned festival organiser’s shoulders, abandon all thoughts of crash helmets and safety in general and relax. As we raced around the festival site, I put my trust in the fact that Carel did this several times a day and night, he knew what he was doing, and probably did it much faster without my considerable weight on the back of this decidedly off road and pretty small machine – I survived! Then we did it all again the other way round and back up the hill to the Bewilderbeast (the theme of the Festival for 213) – Oppikoppi headquarters for more stiff drinks – thank you barman! The hair- raising (if I had any) ride pretty much represents the whole ethos of the Festival – sited in the middle of nowhere on a dusty rocky plain where you can see for miles to the mountains in all directions, much better suited to wild life, which backs off for a couple of days as tribes and herds of humans move in – it’s gloriously rough and tumble and the sort of H & S rules applied to European events don’t really apply!
Carel Hoffmann co-founder of Oppikoppi
However that’s not to say that the event has not matured and become more sophisticated over its 19 year existence. There are tented hotels, plenty to eat and drink, banking facilities – the event is now cashless
the Lime and Yellowcard, and to my surprise the talented but troubled
and wristbands have to be topped up, and busy medical facilities
Scottish-Ghanaian reggae singer Finlay Quaye, who I remember well
(apparentlythe most common injuries are burnt foreheads from over
from West London in the 90’s – he was backed by a fine band of
indulged campers dozing off whilst leaning over their fires! Drinking
South African session musicians, who appeared with various acts over
booze through funnels probably didn’t help!) Although the days are
the three days.
hot, the evenings can get very chilly, it is after all the South African winter.)
I have to admit that my knowledge of South African acts was (it’s betternow!) limited – being of a certain age I remember Johnny
South Africa’s largest music festival took place just outside Northam,
Clegg, whose son Jesse played the James Phillips main stage. So I was
in the province of Limpopo, with an estimated 20,000 people in
not aware of the legendary Mango Groove, unlike the audience who
attendance. The majority of the acts are South African, with many
sang along to every song, or Afrikaans folk-singer, writer and social
stand out acts such as Black Cat Bones, Nakhane Toure, Shadowclub,
activist Koos Kombuis, who was honoured by Oppikoppi.
Fokofpolisiekar, who sang in Afrikaans and whose name I translated
16
correctly and without help as Fuck off Police Car, and others – I didn’t
Oppikoppi has plans to help export South African acts to Europe
see them all – 6 stages over three days – how could I! However over
and elsewhere, funded in part by monies left over from the cashless
the past few years major international acts have headlined - this year
payment systems set up by the main sponsor of the festival for the
Bewilderbeast edition featured Deftones, Manchester Orchestra, Drop
past three years, Standard Bank. Ruud Berends of Eurosonic has been
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
a previous Oppikoppi guest, as has Australian promoter Michael
childrenand adults – mainly women – dance in the community
Chugg, this year Adam Ryan, of the MAMA Group in the UK, booker
square. We then visited the school where Lucas showed us around
of The Great Escape accompanied me to the Festival, as a guest to
and the children sang for us. I felt privileged to be there.
spot possible local talent. Although the Oppikoppi audience is mainly white, there are more and Beer Drones
more black festival goers each year, and it is obvious that the Festival
Apart from the annual theming, and the inclusion of poetry,
and its organisers, Hilltop Live, are making a difference in the still
shadowpuppetry, naked races and other events, Oppikoppi goes
evolving South African Democracy.
for innovationand this year’s ‘piece – de – resistance’ was the beer drone (see picture) – by downloading an app, thirsty festival goers
I read a quote from Carel Hoffman “Surviving Oppikoppi is a bit like
could dial up for an airborne beer delivery, the helicopter like drone
surviving war. That is why people keep coming back!” Surviving a ride
takes off and guided by the GPS co-ordinates of the ordering phone,
on the back of his bike is more like it – and yes, I’ll be back!
parachutesthe beer to the customer – who just has to make sure that nobody else grabs it before he or she does! This was my first visit to South Africa and of course my first to Oppikoppi – both offered experiences that I won’t forget in a hurry. One stand out memory will be the visit to one of the local villages attached to one of the Anglo-American mines, Misha Loots, coorganiser of the Festival was good enough to invite me on this annual trip, organised by him and the admirable Lucas who was born in the village and is obviously vital to the cultural and educational well being of the villagers. Some of the Oppikoppi musicians, including Black Cat Bones and others play off the top of a camper van as villagers,
Beer Drone
South Africa’s largest music festival Oppikoppi
17
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
Christopher Brosch joins Melt-Booking Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com
Christopher Brosch worked as a freelance production/tour manager
certainly hope that I will be able to work with some of the exciting
for various promoting companies – before joining Peter Rieger
artists that are emerging at present in person.
Konzertagentur in 1986. He then moved to Hamburg in 1989 to first work with Blindfish
What differences do you see comparing MELT!-Booking to
Promotions and then run his own booking agency Bizarre Productions
other companies?
from 1992 to 1998 when he moved to Berlin, joining DEAG Touring
– MELT!-Booking and in particular the acts that they handle, has given
Companies - till 2003, co-promoting and tour managing German
me a great deal of belief in the fact there is a new music-scene apart
singersMarshall & Alexander for about six years. He was Tour
from bands that have come out of competitions or casting-shows
accountantfor Rammstein’s global performances since 2004. Most
and just aim for the next top-ten position available. I was becoming
recently, from 2009 to 2011 he had what he describes as a ‘brief
a little desperate looking at what I figured to be the future of music.
encounter’ with Trinity Music in Berlin (local promoter) - in charge of
Before I even talked to Stefan I saw this famous TV-show ‘Introducing’
Citadel Music Festival.
on Arte. A show promoted by Melt-Booing and the music magazine Intro, featuring strictly concerts of new acts. At that time I was in a
VIP News spoke to him about his latest career move:
position where I thought about rebuilding my own live-roster again, after having been actively touring for quite a while.
How did you finally arrive at MELT!-Booking? – Stefan Lehmkuhl invited me for a talk and told me that there was a
There were two bands particularly that I saw and I felt, ‘Wow, there
vacant position within the company. At that time I had some sort of
are still some young bands out there, which have a solid musical basis
vacancy in my life and so we concluded to try and make ends meet.
and, well, you could be dealing with them - if it wasn’t that MELT! already had them on their roster!’. These bands were Man Without
Did it take you long to make up your mind about working for
Country and a Swedish band called The Royal Concept. That was all
MELT!-Booking?
before I even knew that the conversation with Stefan would happen,
– No, not at all, because for me it is a challenging enterprise, I find
but then having this conversation was actually like opening a door
that being here is a realistic perspective at this point of my life.
into a space, in which I already felt comfortable but again was looking for the right key to access. And in a way that appears like a recurrent
What is your exact position within MELT?
theme in my life, I love to be on the ground where discoveries can
– Mainly my position is to oversee the structures within MELT!-Booking.
be made.
You see, over the years I might have gathered some experience by
18
having worked here and there, having had the opportunity to look at
Would you still say that there is room for starting a new
this business from various angles. It seems like a good idea to me to
concert-company in Germany?
be able to share some of these views with an ambitious young crew
– What I learned is, there will always be young kids seeking some
aiming to become a respected, structured enterprise. Saying that, I
sort of musical expression. They’ll have their very own followers, and
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
consequently, there is a need to link these two, the artists and their audience. That’s what I define as the role of the promoter. MELT! has a history, last but not least defined by the Intro-magazine which can be considered as one of the seeds of their development. They’ve been discovering and reporting about young music for years, and they are consequently now featuring opportunities for these artists to present themselves not only in print, but also on a stage. Very few of our artists have a history that dates back for ages. It’s a different kind of music and it was a real revelation to me to be at the MELT!-Festival and see that there is a whole bunch of young people that have a completely new attitude towards music and that don’t bother about who Elton John or Ray Davies might have been as long as they could listen to the likes of Azealia Banks or Woodkid. And that’s where the room is created - an audience with a desire for their artists will need someone to open the doors to the concert halls - and as long as both sides trust you to be their door-opener - well, there is your room. How is this working together with agencies from the UK or elsewhere? Do you think that there are also companies mirroringthe vibe and passion of Melt-Booking? – I see that there is a bunch of young agents as well. At some point I had a bit of a problem in terms of having been out of the live-business and live-booking for a while. I happened to know some agents of ‘my generation’ but naturally, you can’t keep up with all of those that followed, as you happen to have embarked with a certain ticket. But apparently, MELT! has a remarkable input of offers and opportunities, maybe because people realize that there is a genuine effort made to create a suitable environment. And I have to say, that feels great, and I hope I can play my part in that orchestration for a while. In terms of selling tickets for new acts, would you say that Berlinis probably the most interesting city for these acts? Do you think that it is still possible to go to the countryside with new artists? – Well, I wouldn’t say that everything apart from Berlin is countryside. But we have this focal point on Berlin because we have the BerlinFestival, we have this great newcomer-festival which is called ‘First we take Berlin’. So within this city we have a market-playground that is created and prepared to acknowledge ‘the new’. And Berlin does undeniably host a great part of the new media covering such developments. But that is a general movement, if you look at the audience of MELT! Festival, they are not particularly from Berlin or Leipzig, the bigger citiesin the surrounding area.In fact, we sold a great bunch of tickets to punters coming from even non-domestic regions so, I think there is a bunch of new music and there is a bunch of people, who want to see these new artists, that doesn’t have to be limited to Berlin.
19
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
Nevertheless, does that also go for clubs in the middle of
On the other way, it is not exactly my decision, if somebody says, ‘Hey,
nowhere?
I’ve got a new act to come in and we want to play five shows, so what
– What Melt-Booking does for some part, is book DJs and I’m quite
would you recommend?’ I wouldn’t say Aachen or Osnabrück, the
amazed that there are a lot of clubs that I’ve never heard of. Just
first things that would come to my mind would be Berlin, Hamburg,
recently, I’ve been approached by a club in Aachen, as I’m from
Munich and Cologne. Then you can discuss if you want to play in the
Cologne, for me Aachen is definitely somewhere in the middle of
East or in Frankfurt or wherever else in this country.
nowhere. They wanted to book Miss Kittin for an event. So, I think it’s quite possible to book these acts in whatever cities.
Budget wise, how does it look on that side of the business? You mentioned before, that the calculation of the budget of
But still a typical tour-routing for a new artists these days
course is relevant. On the other hand it is well known, that
means that artists or their agents prefer to play in the so called
in these kinds of media-towns you don’t get the same fees as
media-cities. This means that they have less available dates to
somewhere else. Who supplies the budgets that actually make
go to regions not considered as media hot spots.
touring in Germany possible for new acts these days?
– But this also involves a plan, or budgeting questions. If you want
– Well, I don’t know. Sometimes I’m really wondering how people can
to have exposure in the media and you have a certain budget to do
afford to do these tours. I have no idea how artists can afford touring
this you’re aiming to go to these ‘media-towns’ first and then have
with a nightliner-bus and all the other things they need by getting
opportunities left over to go to Heidelberg or Freiburg, well, you can
paid what you can actually give them on a three- or five hundred
do so. For considered reasons, some people would say, okay, let’s do
capacityclub show as a ratio of the relation between numbersof
the usual five towns and have a live-audience PLUS some relevant
punters times entrance fee. So there’s got to be some money coming
media coverage.
from somewhere. To me, personally, I don’t know, where it comes from, and in a way, it’s not my part to have an answer to that. A
But nevertheless, the media-landscape has also changed
promoter’s role ends at the point where you’d make an offer and
significantlyin the last twenty years. I’m wondering if this
the other side accepts it as a basis of performing live. And I’m happy
is still the same procedure as it was many years ago when
anytimeI see that we’ve supplied a frame within that exchange
meanwhilelot of things turned out completely different,
become reality.
particularlyin terms of the media-landscape. – But, with all respect, is there a relevant media-landscape in
Melt-Booking is mainly focusing on the German market. Is it an
Heidelberg, Weinberg or Whateverberg? I mean, if you go there,
option for MELT! to take on domestic or international artists
then you want to reach the people in Heidelberg. But if you have
and to book some tours in Europe?
the classicalcombination of promoting a new album and wishing
– Melt-Booking does some DJ bookings outside the domestic market
to exploitthe media as well, gaining coverage in the print-media or
and does represent some acts outside of Germany - like the Berlin
whatever, than you go to where the media is based. A great part of
based band Mighty Oaks. But I don’t think its one of our main goals
that, you’ll find in Berlin. I think it has changed, in the past you had
to become a pan-European agency. It’s a ‘never say never’ situation
to do Hamburg, Cologne and Munich, because those were the main
without a specific drive in that direction, I’d say - at this stage our
media-cities in Germany. But a lot of that has been taken over by
main task is to get Melt! established as a reliable partner in this
Berlinbecause all of a sudden all of the people found themselves in
country, one who can prove the ability to set up not only a great
Berlin again - and we even have this enormous amount of ex- patriots
festivalbut also some great tours for artists that fit into our scheme. If
who just decided they’d make Berlin something like their second base.
we can afford to grow in that direction, then maybe it’ll be like that.
CLICK-A-GIG.COM enables artists to MAIL their music to more than 6.000 venues and agencies worldwide…
20
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
How was the MELT!-Festival for you? Have you been there
site, I was in one and somebody said: “Does anybody know the song
before?
Lemon Tree”?” and the people said “Yes, we know that song!” and
– It was the first time for me. I was quite impressed with the efforts
so the whole shuttle-bus was singing along while riding down to the
and the dedication put into designing the festival for the audience.
festival site. We’re not arguing about that particular song now, but
It is much more than just an open field, where you’d set up some
this festival just has a very positive vibe and that’s been a very pleasant
stages , some food-stalls and some Dixie-Toilets – and invite your
experience for me, discovering that Melt! is quite different compared
punters in to have ‘a good time’.
to a lot of other festivals.
There is so much more done for the audience in terms of setting up
I haven’t seen you at some of these music-conventions, such
the whole site, to illuminate all these old cranes and those things. I
as Eurosonic or ILMC in recent years. Will you now start to go
even liked the variety of food offers, which is much more sophisticated
back again to these events, and in case you do, which ones?
than on an average festival. It is pleasure to see, that there is so many
– From the motivation, yes. Picking the ones to go to, that would
efforts undertaken to serve the audience with a surrounding in which
be something to discuss internally, because I’m not the only one
they can enjoy themselves. The musical activities start at six o’ clock
representingthe booking-department. There are some people in the
in the evening, but the people hang out there from Thursday night to
booking team that have more experience and judgement in this kind
Sunday. It’s an experience to stay there, there is the lake, there are a
of music and I think, in some ways they have much more rights than
lot of things that can be done over the day and before one can plunge
me, to visit conventions or to see new talents on events like Eurosonic
again into another night of music and excitement.
. So, that is definitely a matter of a discussion within the team. But I wouldn’t deny, I always wanted to go to Eurosonic. As I was a kind of a single man enterprise, it was always a question of what can I
audience because I’ve been to festivals where you got these boozed-
actually offer. Now, as a part of an organization it takes a part of that
upgeezers everywhere taking a piss at any available fence. On the
away, because you can always say that this is the MELT! booking and
contrary you got all these people here with a smile on their face.
you all know what we are able to do - so, if you want to jump on this
We got these shuttle buses from the camping grounds to the festival
train, here’s your ticket.
25.-28. SEPT.
2013
That’s the main thing I like about MELT! I like the music, and I like the
INTERNATIONAL
Organiser: Reeperbahn Festival GbR and Inferno Events GmbH & Co. KG
TALENTS, TRENDS AND TRADE MUSIC KATE NASH ∙ ANNA CALVI ∙ BUILT TO SPILL ∙ CSS ∙ JOHNNY FLYNN ∙ 65DAYSOFSTATIC ∙ SHOUT OUT LOUDS ∙ YOUNG REBEL SET ∙ EFTERKLANG ∙ KVELERTAK ∙ WILLIS EARL BEAL ∙ JOSH KUMRA ∙ SPECTOR ∙ BORN RUFFIANS ∙ THE BOXER REBELLION ∙ CHLÖE HOWL CAMPUS 2800 PROFESSIONALS FROM 35 NATIONS ∙ CONFERENCE WITH: DAVE STEWART (WEAPONS OF MASS ENTERTAINMENT, US) ∙ CORNELIA FUNKE (AUTHOR, US) ∙ SHAUN ABRAHMSON (MUTOPO, US) ∙ KEN DOCTOR (NEWSONOMICS, US) ∙ PHILIP GINTHÖR (SONY, D) ∙ NICHOLAS LOVELL (GAMESBRIEF, UK) ∙ RICHARD FIRMINGER (EMEA / FLURRY, UK) ∙ ANETTE NOVAK (FOJO MEDIA INSTITUTE, SWE) INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASES FROM: CANADA ∙ THE BALTICS ∙ DENMARK ∙ LUXEMBOURG ∙ NETHERLANDS NETWORKING ∙ MEETINGS ∙ AWARDS ∙ PARTIES ∙ SHOWS ∙ SPECIALS
ARTS FRANK SPILKER (READING) ∙ FLATSTOCK EUROPE 10 ∙ A WALL IS A SCREEN ∙ STEVE BLAME (READING)
21
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
Intellipay Cashless Payment System Debuts in Europe Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com walls. Adding extra security, bike license plate numbers were stored on their owner’s wristbands to ensure only the owners could leave site with the bike. “The speed of the system really worked for us, as well as the transparencyfor both visitors and merchants,” says head promoter Attila Dobai. “Most of our crowd had never seen an RFID wristband before, but everyone found it easy to use, and despite being a 24hourfestival with some heavy pressure on the bars at peak times, Intellipay more than stood up to the challenge.” “By adopting Intellipay and being the world’s first fully integrated RFID festival, Open Road has set a new standard for RFID at live events,
Serge Grimaux
and shown us a vision of the consumer experience of the future,” says IntellitixCEO Serge Grimaux. “Everyone at Intellitix is immensely
London, 22 July. Intellitix, the world’s leading RFID solutions company
proud to have been involved in raising the bar to new heights, as we
for live events, launched the industry’s most advanced cashless
strive to improve and better the live event experience for all involved.“
payment system last month. Harley Davidson’s key European event, Open Road Festival, became the first in the world to adopt Intellipay,
While Open Road was the first fully cashless festival to adopt Intellipay
using RFID for cashless payment across the site, as well as for all ac-
this summer, Intellitix has also since successfully deployed site-wide
cess control and social media integration.
Intellipay systems at both Stavernfestivalen (11-13 July) and Slottsfjell (18-20 July) in Norway.
A video case study of Open Road Festival can be viewed: www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4aQ-4i0Z_8
For more information please contact: Greg.parmley@intellitix.com About Intellitix Intellitix is the leading global provider of RFID access control and cashlesspayment systems for live events. Since 2011 the company has activated over 4 million RFID tags at music festivals and live events. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and with offices also in the UK, Australia and USA, Intellitix technology cuts queues to a minimum and eradicates ticket fraud and unwanted resale, while its
The 5-9 June event, which took place at Lake Balaton in Hungary,
social media tools more closely connect promoters and brands with
saw thousands of motorcycle and music fans register and top up their
their audience.
RFID wristbands online or at dedicated booths around the site. With Intellipay cashless terminals at every food, bar and merchant points,
In 2013 alone, Intellitix has deployed RFID solutions at festivals
patrons were able to simply and quickly transact around the site, and
includingCoachella and Bonnaroo (US), UEFA Champions Festival
keep track of their spending online.
and Barclaycard British Summertime (UK), Bluesfest, Festimania and Festival d’Été Quebec (Canada) and worked with brands including
All attendees including general admission, staff and VIPs were issued
Ford, Spotify, HTC, Sony, Gazprom, PlayStation, UniCredit, adidas and
with RFID wristbands (supplied by ID&C) which were also used to
Red Bull.
ente r and exit the site, and to instantly post status updates and
22
photos from various sponsor zones and other areas to their Facebook
www.intellitix.com
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
Legalgogo for Viagogo in Germany Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com Viagogo’s long lasting success in Germany
One of the most prominent has been
appearsto have taken a bit of knock – so
“ViaNogo”. The initiators of this campaign
far, and at least, only in terms of the re-sale
officiallyapproached club members of
of football-tickets. Major Clubs Schalke 04
Schalke04, assembling enough votes to
and Bayer Leverkusen are suing the Ticketing
force the management to cancel the ticket
Company.
deal with Viagogo. However, the club now has now announced that the management
As regards Schalke 04, a popular football
has filed a case against Viagogo alleging
club that on average sells more than 60.000
breach of contract.
ticketsper home game, the legal battle is the
announcedthe consideration of possibly
consequenceof a previous cooperation deal.
The newspaper Rheinische Post reported
Bayer Leverkusen filed an interim junction at
the original deal had a value of 3.6 million
the beginning of August forbidding Viagogo to
Euro and that for a very long time the club
Nevertheless still there are still no signs of
sell tickets for Champion League games, before
management was very much in favour of
moves, whether by German football clubs
the club even started official ticket sales.
the deal. But in response to the members
or by concert promoter associations to join
decisionand the club statutes it had to quit
forces on a campaign which could eventually
the partnership with Viagogo.
lead to a law against the unauthorized resale
In recent years Viagogo successfully managed to buy into several cooperations with German
takinglegal action against Viagogo.
of tickets similar to that instituted in France
football clubs such as FC Bayern Munich, VFB
Bayern Munich declared that it wouldn’t
in spring 2012. Besides the French promoter
Stuttgart, FC Cologne, HSV Hamburg and
prolongthe
include
associationProdiss it was a coalitio n of
others. However by last summer the first
the currentseason 2013/2014, with the
various parties that finally led to the French
protestcampaigns had been launched by
secondaryticketing company. Even the
government ratifying a strict prohibition of
fans protesting the company’s practices.
DFB (GermanFootball Association) has
the black market for tickets.
ongoing
deal
to
IMAGINE if you could go to one website and learn ALL about 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
23
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
Reeperbahn Campus ‘13 Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
As the Festival season comes to an end, the Conferences begin - the
Shaun Abrahamson (Mutopo, US) on “Creating Big Ideas with
next major event, the Reeperbahn Festival and Reeperbahn Campus
Huge Online Crowds”,
will take place in Hamburg from September 25-28. Ken Doctor (Newsonomics.com, US) on “Playing the Media Blur”,
THE MUSIC AND DIGITAL CONFERENCE PROGRAMME IS FINALISED
Richard Hofmeier (artist / US) on the “Game of Love”,
With more than 80 events focusing on topics relating to the music industry and digital economy the Reeperbahn Festival aims to present its most comprehensive conference programme so far in 2013. Delegates can look forward to inspiring keynotes and talks, heated
Dieter Semmelmann (Semmel Concerts, Germany) and Christian Dieckmann (DEAG, Germany) on “The German Live Entertainment Market in 2012”,
panel discussions, and informative workshops. More than 200 speakerswill share their views and insights with the 2,800 expected delegates. The conference will take place in seven conference venues, some of them spectacular locations, near the Spielbudenplatz, all
Christoph Lieben-Seutter (Elbphilharmonie, Germany), André de Ridder (Stargaze, Germany) and Bryn Ormrod (Barbican Centre, UK) on “The Path to the New Music”,
within walking distance of the central festival hotel. Eberhard Kromer (Domus, Germany), Roxanne de Bastion (Featured The programme aims to impart knowledge, provide contacts, and, above all, offer inspiration for successful work in the music business,
Artists
Coalition,
UK)
Drücke
and Florian
(Bundesverband
Musikindustriee.V., Germany) on “How to Fight for Copyright”
the games and mobile sectors, the digital media, and in additional related fields in the creative industries, and also seeks to contribute actively to an effective interlinking of all these areas.
Reginè Debatty (we-make-money-not-art.com, Belgium / UK / Italy), Christopher Dell (theoretician / artist / musician, Germany), Chris Bruckmayr (Ars Electronica, Austria) on “The Making of (Digital) Urban
The keynote speeches by Dave Stewart and Cornelia Funke – both
Interventions”,
international stars in their respective fields – clearly reflect the ReeperbahnFestival’s new orientation and appeal to the music and digital creative industries. Representing the music industry, Dave Stewart is a globally successful musician and creative entrepreneur. In his keynote address “Where
Celine
Lazorthes (Leetchi.com
/
MangoPay,
France)
on
“Crowdfunding, A New Economy?”, Nicholas Lovell (GAMESbrief / The Curve, UK) on “How to Make Money by Selling Emotion, Not Content”,
Is the Money?” he will examine the central question of the music businessin the digital age.
Cameron
Kaiser (William
Morris
Entertainment,
UK), Ingo
Beckmann (Target Concerts, Germany) and Aline Renet (Prodiss, Head Bestselling author Cornelia Funke tops the line-up of the conference’s digital component. In her keynote, she will present the revolutionary
of Communication, France) on “The Agent’s Agenda – The Midsize Crisis”,
app “MirrorWorld” and explain how the fusion of art and technology can successfully lead to new forms of storytelling.
Anette Novak (Fojo Media Institute, Sweden) on “On the Citizen’s Side”,
Other prominent and inspiring speakers will take up the microphone during talks and panel discussions, including:
Kristina Rothe (Microsoft / Germany) on “Microsoft’s Vision of the Next Era of Gaming”,
Folkert Koopmans (FKP Scorpio, Germany) Eric van Eerdenburg (Lowlands Festival, Netherlands) Baris Basaran (Pozitif Live, Turkey) on the “Festival Season 2013/2014”,
Mark Wheatley (Nokia Music, UK) on “New Channels: Music & Telecom Industries”, Martin
24
Brem (Red
Bull
Media
House,
Austria), Michael
VIP NEWS >
AUGUST 2013
- Songpier – The Service for Cross-Screen Engagement, presented by Songpier - Crowdfunding-Club:
How
Do
I
Conduct
a
Successful
CrowdfundingCampaign? presented by NORDSTARTER by HamburgKreativ Gesellschaft - FORMAT: BÜHNE. – Work Creatively, Be Successful! presented by the German Federal Government’s Centre of Excellence for the Cultural and Creative Industries -
Innovative Management
-
Internet of Things
-
Kids’ Music – New Genre, New Prospects
-
Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: Collecting Societies and the World
Kramer (brandX, Germany), Derek Richards (Piece of Cake,
of Electronic Music
Germany ) and Marcel Engh(Exploding Plastic, UK) on “Branded
-
Mobile Apps, Communities & Events
Entertainment– Love Band, Love Brand?”,
-
Mobile Music Discovery
- Music Glue’s Official New Platform Launch, presented by Music Scott Cohen (The Orchard, UK), Thorsten Freese (Believe Digi-
Glue
tal, Germany), Matthias Glatschke (Songpier, Germany), Manlio
-
Music Moves Europe
Celotti (Membran
-
New Frontiers – Mobile Music Now!
-
Old School vs. Nu School
-
PHONONET – Improve Your Business, presented by Phononet
Germany), Richard
-
Sharing Is Caring!…But Is Caring also Sharing?
Ziljma (AmsterdamDance Event, Netherlands) and Andreas
-
Sync & Licensing – A Business in Sync?
Weitkämper (Warner Music Germany, Germany) on “Fascination
- The Power of New Blood: How to Help the Next Generation,
Entertainment,
Germany)
and Jeremy
Silver (SemetricLimited, UK) on “Direct 2 Fan Reality Check”, Gareth
Davies (Kontor
Records,
Dance”,
presentedby the German Music Publishers’ Association (DMV) -
Understanding Eastern Europe
Sven Ossenbrüggen (Xyrality, Germany), Denis Rogic (Threaks,
-
When the Levies Break:
Germany) and Tommy Palm (King.com, UK) on “Free-to-Play:
Copyright Levies 2.0, presented by Field Fisher Waterhouse
PromisedLand or Digital Skinner Boxes?”,
-
Where’s the Story? – New PR Strategies for Festivals
-
Work Together – Not!
Michael Pohl (Kontor New Media, Germany), Jamie Searle (base79,
-
Culture, A Lossmaking Venture: How Endangered Is the Quality of
UK) and Kevin Godley (artist and producer, UK) on “Revenues Beyond Music’s Own Nose”.
Classical Music Performances? Delegate registration provides access to all Reeperbahn Festival
The
conference
programme
includes
the
following
topics,
Campus events (and to all concerts and the complete arts programme).
which will be addressed in a variety of talks, panel discussions, and workshops. Further information, including speaker line-
Register at
ups , can be found at www.reeperbahnfestival.com/campus
www.reeperbahnfestival.com/tickets/delegates-registrierung/
-
Agencies Are Dead:
-
Everything Is a Remix?
How Free Is (GEMA-) Free Music? presented by GEMA
-
Balance 2020 – What Is Reasonable?
-
Beyond the Good Game
-
Club International: Best Practice Exchange – Of Burdens & Barriers
-
Club National: Reality Check – The Promotion of Pop
-
Communities Revisited
-
Content Was Never King
-
Creative Europe
– A Reality Check of the New EU Support Programme
25
The hottest business event at the Reeperbahn Festival
Meet your insurance broker Save the date: 27 September 2013 from 16:30 to 18:30 at the Jazz Café, Reeperbahn 1, Ground Floor Tanzende Türme, Hamburg. We‘re looking forward to seeing you!
VIP NEWS > BUSINESS > AUGUST 2013
MUSIC IN SHARES
Music in Shares Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com
CTS Eventim Profitable as Usual CTS Eventim significantly increases business results: The first half of the ongoing business year (H1-2013) proved to be
CTS Eventim reports that the net results are due to expenses for the
successful for CTS Eventim according to the recently released business
arbitration case against Live Nation as well as higher expenses for
results of the company. Revenue and earnings results for the two
restructuringmeasures for its ticketing staff and acquisition costs
company divisions Ticketing and Live Entertainment rose positively.
“temporarily affected”. The EBITDA after these extra efforts is 37, 9 million Euro (H2-2012, 34, 6 million), the EBIT 27.8 (24.3 million
Since the beginning of the year the share price of CTS Eventim has
Euro).
been rising, with the share price rally being backed by more than solid business results. The company revenue went up from 256.0 to
Also the results for the Live Entertainment division developed very
312.3 million Euros, an increase of 21.6 percent. The Earnings before
positively. The revenue rose by 22.9 percent, from 162.5 to 199.8
Interests, Taxes, Depreciation & Amortisation (EBITDA) from 51.1 up
up almost 200 million Euros. The EBITDA also scored a sensational
to 63.4 million Euro, the Earnings before Interests & Taxes (EBIT) from
increase of 29.4 percent, from 18 up to 23.3 million Euros. The EBIT
41 up to 49.9 million Euro.
also climbed by 29.6 percent from 17 up to 22 million Euros. The company as usual announced the expansion of its internet
The Ticketing division increased its revenue result from 96.6 to 115.7
ticketingand plans for international expansion. The share price since
million Euro, with a normalized EBITDA therefore of 40.1 million Euro
the beginning of the year rose from 26.90 up to 33.50 Euro on
and a normalized EBIT before the allocation of purchase expenses of
August 19.
35 million Euro.
DEAG Probably Profitable
27
The business results for DEAG for the first half-year are still in the
nevertheless developing positively since the beginning of the year.
pipeline and will be released on August 30. Until now though the
Rising from 3.05 Euro at the beginning of January to 3.47 Euro on
DEAG share price development showed up and down movement,
August 19.
27
2013 > AUGUST 2013 VIP NEWS > AUGUST BUSINESS
MUSIC IN SHARES
Live Nation Almost Profitable Live Nation impresses with good results and lowered its financial
In order to improve debt facilities, the company furthermore reported
loss significantly.
that it has re-structured its debts. With a little help by the JP Morgan
Live Nation is an amazing company. Earlier this month the company
Chase Bank, Live Nation has been able to complete a financial measure
announced its business results for the second quarter of the ongoing
that includes a new $335 million revolving credit, a new five year loan
year (Q2-2013). With an increase of the company’s total turnover of 8.3
of $115 million and a new seven year lasting loan of $950 million.
percent up to $1.679 billion, the business strategy of the management
Togethe r with the new notes offer, Live Nation interest payments
pays off, in particular down to the strategies of Michael Rapino.
accordingto the company will decrease by $12 million annually. In H22013 the interest expenses were $58.19 compared to $59.19 million in
Nevertheless, Live Nation as usual hasn’t been able to gain profits.
the same period one year ago. The total current liabilities on June 30,
Despitea profit of $58.1 million in Q2-2013, the half-year result (H1) is
2013 were $2.5 billion, previously on December 31, 2012 - $1.7 billion.
still negative, but at minus $5.1 million still much more investor friendly than last year’s H1 minus $61,4 million result. The loss per share this
But just as the news flow regarding the H2-2013 results caused a
time went down from $0.33 to $0.03.
share price climax from $16.32 on August 6 up to $18.76 on August 8, Bloomberg reported that Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino had sold
The biggest gainers have been the Sponsorship & Advertising division
640.000 shares of the company for about $11.7 million in two tranches
with a growth of 16.2 percent. The revenue therefore went up from
on August 8 and 12.
$61.3 to $71.2 million. The biggest revenue driver has been the Concertsdivision, which has been able to increase its revenue from
According to the media report other board members Ari Emanuel of
$1.076 to $1.193 billion. The revenue for the Ticketing leg of the
William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and Mark Shapiro at Dick Clark
companywent up from $328.9 to $337.8 (2.7 percent), while only
Productions have also been in selling mood, as each of them sold shares
that of Artist Nation shrunk, from $109.2 to $99.7 million. Live Nation
worth about $501.000. This news caused a share price drop on August
additionally announced shortly after it revealed its business report ,to
10 down to $17.32. On August 16 the share was at $17.20. However,
offer new notes, worth $200 million.
the share started in January with share price of just $9.69.
Need to know who is touring Europe ®
Go online - www.vip-booking.com
28
vip-booking.com
MONTHLY FEATURED ARTIST POWERED BY
ARTIST AVAILS Bond Style: Rock Territory: Europe Period: 2013 Agency: GLP Agent: Georg Leitner E-mail: gleitner@glp.at
Hollywood Burnouts
Barclay James Harvest feat. Les Holroyd Territory: W orld Period: Summer 2013, Autumn/Winter 2013 Agency: Kultopolis Agent: Markus Sollner Phone: 0049-6861-939980 E-mail: booking@kultopolis.com Homepage: www.kultopolis.com
MUSICAL YOUTH Territory: THE WORLD Period: AUGUST 2013 - MARCH 2014 Agency: STRATOSPHERE MUSIC Agent: STEVE HUGHES Phone: +447779257295 E-mail: musicmgmt@hotmail.com
Mory Kante Territory: World Period: 2013 Agency: GLP Agent: Walter Laurer E-mail: wlaurer@glp.at Homepage: www.glp.at
Since their foundation in 2008, Hollywood Burnouts (from Augsburg/Bavaria)
Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash Territory: Europe excl. UK, E, B, NL, G Period: Summer 2013, Autumn/Winter 2013 Agency: Kultopolis Agent: Markus Sollner Phone: 0049-6861-939980 E-mail: booking@kultopolis.com Homepage: www.kultopolis.com
stand for melodic hard rock, influenced by glam / sleaze rock, blues and heavy metal. The first line-up consisted of Mike (vocals / guitar), Chrizzy (guitar, vocals), Nikki (drums, vocals) and Vito (bass, vocals), four professional musicians who were able to build a steady growing fanbase - both nationally and internationally .
TV Off Territory: Europe Period: 2013 Agency: RedBerg Agency Agent: Juha Juoni E-mail: juha.juoni@redberg.fi Homepage: www.redberg.fi
This is (amongst others) due to the bands goal to have a natural, classic sound. There are no live vocal overdubs or tons of guitar effects – just pure Rock`n`Roll! After releasing a demo EP 2010 that was highly acclaimed by critics around the world and sold almost all of the 1000 available copies within one year, HB recordedtheir debut album “Excess All Areas”. The album was released in march 2012 by RockRoad/Soulfood.
MORE ARTIST AVAILS ON: WWW.VIP-BOOKING.COM POST YOUR ARTIST AVAILS ON: WWW.VIP-BOOKING.COM
“Excess All Areas” cost the band not only a lot of time (Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2011 were sacrificed), but also a heap of courage because the production of the album is very “old school”. “EAA” was recorded in an analog way with a 70s Harrison mixing console to a tape recorder, just like the great 70s/80s/90s pop/ rock recordings– a very rare experience and also quite an adventure, that proves
Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash
HB to be one of the few bands who know about the legacy they´ve adopted. In August 2012, the band hit the studio to record their second album “Kick it up a notch!”. Album release date will be friday 13th in september 2013. Read more about “Hollywood Burnouts”: http://www.click-a-gig.dk/epk/270/bio
29
VIP NEWS > MISC > AUGUST 2013
MEMBER PRESENTATION
Marc Kirchheim Entertainment GmbH and Co. KG MKE is an internationally-oriented commercial agency for star acts,
We advise you on what stars fit in with your concept and we offer
personalities and high-carat artistes with a focus on the event sector,
cost-effective celebrity endorsements according to the type of event,
the advertising and industrial sector
your budget and their availability.
Nationally and internationally renowned stars and artistes offer a
But our work doesn’t stop with negotiating a celebrity appearance.
wide variety of options in event marketing and other sectors of the
We also offer professional advice in all legal aspects of the events
communications industry for image transfer to products and services
industry. Examples include contract law, non-performance or deficient
as well as effective media presentations of very different kinds.
performance of contracts, limited tax liability (known as non-resident tax), sales tax, artists’ national insurance contributions, copyright and
Our direct contacts with celebrities and our know-how in event
ancillary copyright / GEMA and GVL [German performing rights and
marketing enable us to offer professional consulting when it comes
ancillary copyright associations].
to the stars and personalities for your special events - perhaps the appearanceof an artiste, a patron or a guest of honour at an evening
We can, on request, see to all the logistical arrangements, such as
gala, trade fair, product presentation, kick-off function, company
flight and hotel reservations, transfers, security and other services
anniversaryor incentive event.
associatedwith the usually comprehensive contracts for stars and artistes.
About Our Company MyMusicMailer.com enables artists to MAIL their music VIP-Booking’s core product is the Internet’s oldest and Today VIP-Booking offers a range of tools for the to more 6.000 venues agencies worldwide… industry– including VIP-News, VIP-Booking, VIP-Book largest database forthan the European Live and Entertainment
Industry www.vip-booking.com developed as a tool for industry professionals. Since it’s launch in the year 2000, we have consistently offered our subscribers the very
and VIP-Contract. Please visit vip-booking.com for further information.
Mail your music to the Live Music Industry…
best in database services and now boast subscribers in
Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated.
over 30 countries.
®
vip-booking.com
30