VIP News Premium - September 2016

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VIP NEWS

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PREMIUM > VOLUME 193 > SEPTEMBER 2016

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VIP NEWS >

SEPTEMBER 2016

McGowan’s

Musings

It’s been a pretty full on Indian Summer

objections the event moved to Trepptower

So, that’s how we spend an Autumn month

– I’m not complaining! - September for

Park, and Fruszina Szep and her team

in pursuit of things that you readers should

many of us music business types. Berlin was

deserve our congratulations on presenting a

get to know about – tiring, but fulfilling,

the first port of call for a highly enjoyable

highly successful festival event, overcoming

I think you’ll agree! And it doesn’t stop

visit to the second edition of Lolapalooza;

all the odds. Wasn’t I just saying in last

there; this week sees the second sold-

with last year’s Tempelhof Airport site

month’s edition what enterprising people

out edition of the International Festival

having been reallocated to house refugees,

many of these festival organisers are?

Forum bring a mass of agents and festival

the organisers were presented with the

organisers and bands to Camden Town in

problem of finding a new site capable

Unlike, I must say, the management of

North London. Then it’s only a few ever

of accommodating 70,000 people a day

Southern Rail, who seem incapable of

shortening days till this year’s 7th edition

attracted by the likes of Radiohead, Kings

running

of the MaMA event in Paris. www.mama-

of Leon and others. In the face of many

Brighton, and other areas of the South

trains

between

London

and

event.com.

Coast, meaning that I couldn’t make it to

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

2

Grosvenor House for the Live & Ticketing

There certainly seems to be no let up in the

Summit with MMF & Songkick – I was

number of trade events, and attendance

complaining! I did make it to London

seems to continue to grow for most of

though for Musexpo – the first UK edition

them. You should have seen the size of

of the annual L.A. event in the UK for six

the queue for raclette (hot cheese!) at the

years. Presented in cooperation with Music

Swiss Music Export reception!) It’s true

Week the standard of panels and panellists

to say that they’ve become an industry

was very high; though the number of

in themselves, and the greatest threat to

delegates

showcases

some seems to be that they become victims

at the legendary 100 Club were well

of their own success. A lot of people cite

attended. Next stop back to Germany for

SXSW as an event that has just become too

another successful Reeperbahn Festival,

big, but the giant still pulls in the numbers,

with numbers again up on last year, with

which indicates that if long-term delegates

the organisers Inferno Events thanking

are dropping out then the shortfall is

38,000 fans including 4,400 international

presumably made up of completely new

delegates from 40 nations for attending.

delegates, which is in theory good for

All of the VIP-Booking team were on duty

the business. Also, I do tend to see, and

in Hamburg, with only one of the worst

like to see the ‘family’, those international

Indian meals we’ve ever had putting a bit

professionals that appear on a regular basis

of a dampener on things – although in the

at the main events – that doesn’t seem to

end even this one-off mini-disaster had

change – so, I guess I’ll see you in Paris?

was

down,

the

to be laughed off! Reeperbahn tickets for September 20 -23 are already on sale at an

But in the meantime, Ladies and Gentlemen,

early bird rate of €124 plus VAT.

The News!

VIP NEWS >

SEPTEMBER 2016

Industry veterans launch new UK Promoter From VIP-Daily News Crosstown Concerts has launched in the UK

salaries by purchasing concert tickets, and

and providing fans with better–than–ever

by long-time promoters Paul Hutton, Conal

for too long they have not been treated

live experiences.”

Dodds and Fraser Duffin, the company has

with the respect they deserve.

set up offices in London and Bristol, and

Crosstown Concerts already has a number

has already put on its first show: Massive

“One of the key areas we will be tackling

of shows lined up across the UK, with acts

Attack’s homecoming sell-out on the

is secondary ticketing, which has a huge

such as the Pixies, Kano, Seasick Steve,

Bristol Downs on 3 September.

negative impact on the UK live music

M83, PJ Harvey, Super Furry Animals,

scene. We are committed to tackling the

Savages, Explosions in the Sky and Billy

problems surrounding the resale of tickets

Talent.

Crosstown has partnered with independent ticketing and concert discovery platform Songkick as part of its launch. Songkick will be the primary ticketing and technology partner across all Crosstown events.

Hutton

celebrated

the

launch

in

a

statement, while also referencing the ongoing problems with secondary ticketing sites, which have been headline news in the music and live industry since last year’s Waterson report was published.

“The most important people to us are the general public,” he said. “They pay our

Crosstown Concerts founders Paul, Conal and Fraser

New name for famous Dutch venue From VIP-Daily News From 2017 the famous Amsterdam venue Heineken Music Hall will

The internationally famous Heineken Music Hall opened its doors

change name to AFAS Live.

in 2001. The location is also known for its Hardstyle events such as Radical Redemption: The One Man Army, X-Qlusive B-Front and I Am

The software company will take over the popular venue after 15 years,

Hardstyle. The venue welcomes 600.000 visitors anually and the hall

because the company sees potential in the concert location. The

is able to accommodate 6.000 visitors.

company will shift its focus more towards the business market next to the concerts and events. The front of the location will get a new look and the corporate identity will be visible. Heineken will remain

Heineken Music Hall will change name in 2017

the brewer of the venue.

The software company didn’t want to call the new location ‘AFAS Music Hall’, because they think that the words ‘Music Hall’ focus too much on music. The location is suited for more than only concerts and events. AFAS already sponsors other organisations like AZ & the circus theater in Scheveningen.

3

VIP NEWS >

SEPTEMBER 2016

CTS Eventim to operate venue in Copenhagen From VIP-Daily News Nordisk Film and CTS Eventim will operate

sporting events, conferences, shows and

design and construction will give the many

the iconic Danish venue K.B. Hallen when it

cultural events. With a capacity of up to

guests a great experience.

is rebuilt in 2018.

4,900, the new K.B. Hallen will offer a very flexible setup.

K.B. Hallen will re-establish itself as the

The recently formed joint-venture between Nordisk Film and German CTS Eventim will

leading culture and sports venue in the

”With its unique history and excellent

operate the venue. Eventim is the leading

Copenhagen area for both local and

location, K.B. Hallen is a strong brand and a

ticketing services provider and concert

international events.

venue with great potential. The new multi-

promoter in Europe, and already operates

purpose arena is perfect in size and will have

a number of iconic venues throughout

Radiohead, The Strokes, Katy Perry, The

state-of-the-art facilities, which can be used

Europa, e.g. Apollo in London, Waldbuehne

Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Laurel and

in many different ways.”, says CTS Eventim

in Berlin and Lanxess Arena in Cologne. The

Hardy, Bjørn Borg and Winston Churchill are

Senior Vice President, Rainer Appel.

parties have signed a 10 year agreement

just a few examples of the many artists and

with traditional sports club Kjobenhavns

personalities that have made K.B. Hallen an

“The new K.B.Hallen will match promoters’

Boldklub (K.B.) securing strong long term

iconic venue throughout the years.

and bookers’ needs perfectly as there is a

cooperation.

strong demand for a venue of this calibre A fire destroyed the original K.B. Hallen,

in the Copenhagen area,” adds director in

”For more than 70 years K.B. Hallen was

designed by Hans Hansen, in 2011. The

Nordisk Film, Asger Flygare Bech-Thomsen.

a cultural, musical, political and sporting

new arena, designed by Christensen & Co., is expected to be completed by the

The new K.B. Hallen will have excellent

Nordisk Film we have a strong local

end of 2018. After completion, it will once

access to public transportation – the

partner and with Eventim we get unique

again be the leading venue for cultural and

municipal plan for the area includes a

international expertise. At the same time,

sporting events in the Copenhagen area.

direct footpath to K.B. Hallen from the

KB will have an opportunity to use the

Nordisk Film and German CTS Eventim will

neighbouring train station of the same

venue as a sport training facility too” says

be operating K.B. Hallen as a modern multi-

name. The venue itself can be individually

Kjobenhavn Boldklub’s chairman of the

purpose arena with room for concerts, fairs,

tailored to fit an event, and its modern

board, Niels-Christian Holmstrøm.

K.B. Hallen will open in 2017

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venue in the Copenhagen area. With

VIP NEWS >

SEPTEMBER 2016

Ticketmaster launches Seatwave in Sweden and Finland From VIP-Daily News This

latest

expansion

will

establish

Ticketmaster’s

resale

marketplaces in 16 markets including the Ticketmaster Resale platform in Australia, GET ME IN! brand in the United Kingdom, and TM+ and TicketsNow marketplaces in North America.

Ticketmaster has announced the launch of its industry-leading ticket resale marketplace Seatwave in Finland and Sweden.

Seatwave, which was acquired by Ticketmaster in 2014, provides a platform for fans to sell tickets and a safe purchase option for events that might otherwise be sold out.

Mark Yovich, President, Ticketmaster International said: “As the demand for resale tickets grows globally, the launch of Seatwave in Finland and Sweden enables us to provide more fans with the safest and most secure resale platform available.”

Mark Yovich

Mojo CEO steps down after nine months From VIP-Daily News Mojo Concerts’ CEO, Wilbert Mutsaers, has stepped down after less than nine months according to IQ Magazine.

Mutsaers’s took the helmet of the Live Nation company last November, two weeks after the departure of former CEO Dick van Zuylen.

According to IQ the decision was made mutually with “respect and harmony” and cited a “difference of opinion on the future of the company” as the reason for the split.

Mojo also tells IQ the company is not currently seeking a replacement for Mutsaers, with his duties taken up by former CEOs Leon Ramakers and John Mulder.

Mojo Concerts is the Netherlands’ largest touring and festival promoter owned by Live Nation.

6

Wilber Mutsaers

VIP NEWS >

SEPTEMBER 2016

Breakthrough Artist Manager Short List Revealed Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Jonathan Dickins will receive the Manager

Epworth as well as a host of developing and

of the Year Award at The Troxy on

successful creators.

They are:

November 24th.

MMF Chief Executive Annabella Coldrick Adele’s 25 was released in November 2015,

said “I watched the campaign for 25

debuted at No.1 in 25 countries around the

unfold before joining the MMF. The voice

world smashing records for first week sales

of the artist shone through an impressive

and has sold in excess of 20 million copies

subtle, yet precise, global campaign that

to date. The ‘Hello’ video was the quickest

put the music first. Management is about

video ever to reach 100 million views on

sharing an artists’ vision and delivering

YouTube. Awards have been heaped upon

it and Jonathan delivered the last part of

awards and the live tour is just about to

the trilogy with exemplary skill. We are so

pause in the US after 107 dates worldwide.

pleased that he has accepted the Manager of the Year Award”

director

of

September

Eight

- Niko Michault, Jack Savoretti - Sam Stubbings, NAO/Mura Masa - Tobe Onwuka, Stormzy - Martha Kinn, Years & Years - Johnny Pinchard & Dan Bearman, Snakehips - Claire Southwick, Spring King - Steve Ambler & Matt Johnson, Oh Wonder

Jonathan Dickins is the founder and managing

- Amy Morgan, Glass Animals

management

teams

have

been

Management and the artist manager of

shortlisted for the Breakthrough Manager

multiple Grammy Award, Oscar and Golden

of the Year Award. Managers today

The winner will be announced on the night.

Globe winning artist Adele Adkins who he

are

disparate

The Artist and Manager Awards will

has managed from the start. September

entrepreneurial strategies for a wide range

take place at the Troxy on Thursday

now has a roster of 16 artists including

of artists and achieving success all over the

24th November 2016 and will again be

producer (and Adele collaborator) Paul

world.

supported by DICE

developing

increasingly

Jonathan Dickins

7

VIP NEWS >

SEPTEMBER 2016

A Difficult Summer?

Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com The predominance of the live sector of the music industry still maintains, but the release of UK Music’s annual Measuring Music

London city mayor Sadiq Khan

report 2016 indicates a drop of 2% in the value of the sector. Not an enormous amount you might think, but we have been used to receiving news of steady increases and this comes at a time of significant problems in various areas of live; the ongoing troubles of the grass roots venues, the never ending saga of secondary ticketing, (see reports in this issue), and the much talked about closure, following deaths from drug related incidents, of London club Fabric, with the Police being accused of being overly heavy – handed in insisting on closing the venue down.

Grass Roots Venues: London Mayor to Introduce Principle to Protect Venues: There is some good news for venues in London, City mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged to introduce the ‘agent of change’ principle

This rule, if and when introduced, would mean that when new

in the capital to help protect cultural venues from the licensing

residences are built near a venue, the responsibility to protect

nightmares that can result from property developers erecting new

against noise affecting the new properties would fall to the

residential properties alongside their buildings.

developer, rather than the venue. The lack of protection such as this has endangered numerous UK venues in recent years, such as The Night & Day Cafe in Manchester and Ministry Of Sound in London.

Khan actually announced his plans to introduce the agent of change principle following the recent threat of closure of London’s Curzon cinemas due to offices above being converted into flats.

“I intend to protect venues like the Curzon Mayfair by introducing an ‘agent of change’ rule into the next London Plan”, wrote Khan on Facebook. “Developers would be responsible for ensuring their new developments don’t threaten the future of existing venues.

That would mean developers building flats near existing venues

The Night & Day Cafe, Manchester

will need to ensure that residents are not unduly affected by sound from the venue, and that may include paying for soundproofing”

Need to know who is touring Europe?

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

8

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12/13/14 OCT. 2016

120 CONCERTS PARIS - PIGALLE / MONTMARTRE

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3 DAYS OF INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING 50 KEYNOTES AND PANELS 15 VENUES 4600 PROFESSIONALS 250 SPEAKERS M@MA INVENT : THE INNOVATION AREA MORE INFOS AND PASSES : WWW.MAMAFESTIVAL.COM

VIP NEWS >

SEPTEMBER 2016

Music Venue Trust Announces FIGHTBACK Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

In continuance of their efforts to stop music venue closures across the country threatening the future of live music National charity Music Venue Trust has announced two projects; the first is a one-off evening of music, entitled FIGHTBACK in a bid to raise vital funds, and the second will present initiatives concerned with the themes of Bringing Down Venue Costs, Building Up Venues at Venues Day 2016:

FIGHTBACK invites music fans to gather

Mark Davyd of MVT explained: “We’re

at The Roundhouse in London on Tuesday

announcing an event which has no artists

18th October for a gig, which so far has

booked and no infrastructure confirmed

arranged no artists, bands, sound engineers

because this is urgent. What’s happening

or even lighting. MVT has launched an

to our music venues is an emergency,

appeal for headline and support artists to

which should concern every music fan,

come forward to support the event. Sound

every musician, and everybody working in

venues, is seeking to raise vital funds for

engineers, lighting technicians and backline

the music industry in the UK. As of 9am

its new nationwide initiative ‘Emergency

suppliers are also urged to contact the

this morning (September 19) we genuinely

Response’ which aims to directly stop

charity to share their expertise and make

don’t know who is playing. It might be me

music venue closures by tackling the number

FIGHTBACK happen.

with a ukulele and a bass drum tied to my

one root cause - the cost and complexity of

back, or it might be the biggest artist in the

legal advice and expert opinion on planning,

Ticket booking for FIGHTBACK opened

world. We’re asking music fans from across

development, noise and licensing issues.

on

the

London to please join us for just one night

Roundhouse website, with initial early-bird

Monday

to say loudly and clearly that we’ve all had

By filling in a simple online form, venues

tickets on sale for just £10. As artists are

enough of music venue closures and we

will be able to access the very best advice

confirmed, the ticket price will increase.

aren’t going to put up with it any more. We

from the UK’s leading experts on licensing,

hope musicians and music fans will believe

acoustics, noise, legal and tenancy issues

that’s a cause worth joining. If it turns out

with a guaranteed response in 72 hours.

someone who believed in that cause paid

Initial advice from the service will be free to

£10 to hear me whistle the national anthem

all Grassroots Music Venues in the UK which

and rant about the importance of venues

alone could save a venue £2,000 - £5,000.

for half an hour, then the cause will still be

worth it. And if you buy a ticket on Monday

Davyd said: “Too often, venues are going

for £10 and it ends up being stuffed full of

to the wall because they don’t get the

Brit Award winners and the people around

best advice they can as early as they can.

you paid £100, then lucky you”.

Developers and local authorities have got

deep pockets to pay for the best legal

The charity, which works to protect, secure

advice; venues need somebody in their

and improve the UK’s grassroots music

corner and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Mark Davyd

10

19

September

from

VIP NEWS >

SEPTEMBER 2016

Bringing Down Venue Costs, Building Up Venue Reputation Music Venue Trust has announced its series

across three years of work that tickets

of sessions at Venues Day 2016 aiming

in these venues should be exempt from

to give venues the information and direct

VAT. A method to do that already exists,

practical advice they need to drive down

deliberately created by the Treasury to

costs, increase audiences and improve

support cultural institutions and activities,

relationships with their key partners.

but music venues aren’t set up to take advantage of it. In this series of panels, we

Localism & Community is a series of six

are going to explain how to recognise and

panels featuring MPs, Councillors, Lawyers,

utilise such opportunities”.

Tax and Rate specialists, and a wide range

and advice on how being perceived that

of examples of best practice which will

MVT has gathered together experts from

way opens up access to rate relief, local and

encourage venues to restructure, relaunch

across a range of areas including licensing,

national grants.”

and re-examine how they manage key

planning,

partnerships.

structures, ticketing, grant funding and

Localism and Community will take place

politics.

across six panels at The Roundhouse on

noise,

rates,

VAT,

company

Beverley Whitrick of MVT explains: “One of

Tuesday 18 October as part of Venues Day

the key things we’ve noticed impacting on

“We’re aiming to make a big difference to

2016. Panellists already confirmed include:

the economic and political stability of music

how venues structure themselves, but also

Feargal Sharkey, Thangam Debbonaire MP,

venues is a failure to pick up on existing

how others see them,” continues Whitrick.

Cllr Jonathan Cooke (LB Wandsworth),

opportunities which are fully used by arts

“Your local music venue is a cultural and

Rebecca Walker (Sheffield Leadmill), Lohan

centres, theatres, museums, libraries and

social hub. We are going to give them

Presencer (Ministry of Sound), Vic Galloway

other parts of the cultural sector. On VAT,

advice on how to engage with local councils

(BBC Radio Sotland), Vanessa Reed (PRS for

for example, it’s been a running suggestion

to make sure they are perceived that way,

Music Foundation), Richard Robinson (Help Musicians UK), Eamonn Forde (Journalist), Jane Beese (Roundhouse), Nick Wright (Altus

RatesRecovery),

Mal

Campbell

(Hebden Bridge Trades Club), Guto Brychan (Clwb Ifor Bach).

A full line up of the panellists, discussions, topics and opportunities for Venues Day is being released in the next two weeks.

Venues Day 2016 is a one-day event, running from 10.30am - 6pm. General delegate passes are on sale now from: www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/245561 Venue representatives can apply for a free pass by emailing: beverley@musicvenuetrust.com Further event details are available from the

Beverley Whitrick

MVT website: www.musicvenuetrust.com

11

VIP NEWS >

SEPTEMBER 2016

Ticketing – Still Problematic Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com business to continue to innovate to ensure our artists’ tickets reach their intended audience at the right price. We all know that

MP Sharon Hodgson to Put Pressure on UK Government re Secondary Ticketing:

this is a huge challenge. We are operating within a dysfunctional market, where the

MP

abuse of unregulated ticket resale websites

pressure on the UK Government concerning

FanFair Alliance and the Music Managers

is out of control. However, while we wait

secondary ticketing following fears that the

Forum (MMF) have published a guide to

for Government to act, it is essential that

issues raised by the Waterson Review would

help managers minimise the touting and

managers and music businesses develop

be ignored.

resale of their artists’ tickets on secondary

ticketing strategies that aim to disrupt the

ticketing websites.

touts and help fans. This guide marks a first

Professor Michael Waterson made a series

step towards that goal.”

of recommendations and called for greater

The guide, available as a free download from www.fanfairalliance.org,

Sharon

Hodgson

intends

to

put

enforcement of the Consumer Rights Act

offers

Measures advised in the guide include

2015 in his review of the resale sector,

Ten Tips To Beat The Touts, as well as case

applying tighter terms and conditions to

published in late May.

studies from leading managers and music

control transferability of tickets, such as

industry professionals - including Adam

printing names on tickets, ensuring fans

Four months later, with delays blamed

Tudhope

Pawson

have clear information about those terms at

on the EU referendum and the following

(Young Turks), Alex Bruford (ATC Live),

the point of sale and offering a face value

governmental disarray he is yet to receive

Angus Baskerville (13 Artists) and Richard

resale or reallocation option for ticket-

a response from Westminster. “I am

Jones (Key Music Management). It will be

buyers who are genuinely unable to attend

expecting a response, but I am concerned

circulated by the MMF to its 500 manager

an event

it will be pushed into the long grass,” said

(Everybody’s),

Caius

members.

Waterson.

FanFair has also announced that a raft

The launch follows the Live & TIcketing

of leading ticketing services and direct-

Labour MP Hodgson, who is co-chair of

Summit at London’s Grosvenor House

to-consumer businesses have signed its

the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)

Hotel, organised with Songkick and the

Declaration including Active Ticketing, DICE,

on ticket abuse, told Music Week: “The

MMF, which was attended by some of the

Music Glue, Pledge Music, Scarlet Mist,

government have sat on their hands for

UK’s leading music managers and booking

Songkick, Twickets and WeGotTickets.

too long in responding to the Waterson

agents. (But not your Editor, due to the joys of Southern Rail!) MP Sharon Hodgson also addressed the Summit , see below.

Speaking at the launch, Mumford & Sons manager Adam Tudhope, co-founder of the FanFair Alliance, the recently-launched campaign against industrial-scale online ticket touting, described the guide as a “first step” towards pooling industry knowledge to fight back against touts and develop proconsumer ticketing strategies.

He said: “When we launched FanFair in July of this year, we encouraged managers, agents, promoters and others in the live music

12

MP Sharon Hodgson

VIP NEWS >

SEPTEMBER 2016

Review, and it’s time that they got round to

responding

and

implementing

the

Meanwhile, the Competition and Markets

Rob Hallett

Authority is expected to publish the findings

recommendations set out in the review,

of its compliance review into the four largest

especially an investigation by the police and

secondary ticketing websites, by the end of

trading standards and the identification of

the year.

power-sellers.”

Two Leading Promoters Call on the Live Industry to Embrace Dynamic Pricing for Shows:

Hodgson wrote to new culture secretary Karen Bradley in August to reiterate the need for action. “I received a response saying that she is carefully considering the review’s

Speaking

recommendations and has offered to meet

at

last

week’s

MUSEXPO

Europe at the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair

with myself and other representatives from

of those people. I don’t think you will ever

London, Live Nation’s president of touring,

the Ticket Abuse APPG,” said Hodgson.

eliminate it, but you will reduce it.”

international, Phil Bowdery and Robomagic CEO Rob Hallett referred to dynamic

University Of Warwick-based economist

Ignition Management’s Marcus Russell, who

pricing during the live panel at this week’s

Waterson suggested the live sector was

represents Noel Gallagher, among others,

MUSEXPO Europe conference.

“leaving money on the table” in its pricing

responded: “You’re not trying to maximise

of concerts by seeking to attract a particular

your income there and then, you’re trying to

Bowdery said, “We’re under priced in the

audience.

actually develop a career. I think this is one

front of the house and that’s evident because

of the huge misunderstandings, certainly in

of all the prices you see on the internet [on

“If you do leave money on the table then

Westminster, as to what the market price of

resale sites],” said Bowdery. “We have

there are going to be people who will try

a ticket is and the fact that we’re all insane

to look at it and, same argument as with

and pick it up - and those are the people

by charging other than the market price.

airlines, it’s dynamic - dynamic pricing is

in the secondary market. You therefore

On the contrary, we’re in the business of

something that we all really need to get into

have to take action to reduce the influence

creating long-time careers for our artists.”

to make it work, otherwise someone else is taking that revenue. We’re [taking the] risk

Phil Bowdery

for the band and that revenue’s walking out the door.”

Rob Hallet referred to experimenting with dynamic ticketing during Bon Jovi’s 2013 UK stadium tour, in his former position as AEG Live’s president of international touring. “We had £25 [tickets] in the upper tier and up to £150 in the golden circle,” he said. “I think [dynamic pricing] has to come in, I think it’s important. Hotels do it, airlines do it. We need to encourage people to buy quickly and we need to make a bigger differential between the front of the house and the back of the house. That would also negate a lot of the secondary ticketing as well because once the price has been reached for the front of the house, people won’t pay much more, and you need to fill the back of the house.

It makes sense on a number of levels if it’s done right. It won’t work on every act, but it worked with Bon Jovi.”

13

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

SEPTEMBER 2016

Euro-Egos vs. Europe Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com Comment by VIP-News writer Manfred Tari Europe is an endangered concept. Almost all

However there are elections scheduled

over Europe Euro-scepticism is growing and

in France and Germany in 2017 and one

BREXIT appears to be just a starting point

in Austria later on this year. All of these

with more euro-exits to follow.

three elections will have an impact on the

Despite

the fact that the music sector benefitted

European issue in general.

from much that the European Union has introduced, provided for its member states,

At the current edition of Reeperbahn

such as the Schengen agreement, most

Festival the topic of the implemented made

European

to measure European Commission support

music associations still remain

quiet.

programme for the music sector appeared on the conference agenda. When talking

Only

the

festival

association

Yourope

released a mission statement earlier

with the French promoter Bernhard Batzen

this

from Azimuth, he commented on how long

year in favour for Europe and in the light of

the industry has been waiting for such an

BREXIT, the PR-activities by UK trade bodies

initiative. But he also says “Hopefully it is

giving a statement to vote in for Europe are

not too late.”

At Reeperbahn-Festival a spokesman of the

perfect example of how little this industry really seems to care the European Union.

Manfred Tari - VIP News

European Commission declared that the In fact Batzen expresses a serious concern.

EU-Commission intends to host a European

The idea for a music programme seems to

Music Forum at Midem in 2017. Apart from

The best example are the websites of the

be promising, but it is already too often

the questionable relevance of Midem, which

BPI (British Phonographic Industries), that

contradicted by personal and political

suffered significant decline in recent years,

of the Association of Independent Festivals

power playing. In summary it just seem

this decision reflects just how difficult it is

(AIF) or that of UK Music. At least the BPI

to mirror the current situation of Europe,

to deliver a practical driven policy to raise

put out a press release on June 3, stating

where European politicians and people

awareness and support for this European

that” UK Labels Back ‘Remain’ in an BPI

have extreme difficulty in agreeing on

project in favour of the European idea.

Survey.” The overall music association UK

serious issues such as the handling of the

Music as well as AIF did not issue even one

refugee-crisis, migration policy or the

The live music community, the current cash

press release before the public voting on

widening social-gap. Also the loss of legal

cow and most relevant driver for jobs and

June 23 touching on the subject of BREXIT.

achievements such as the freedom of

prosperity in the European music community

press in Hungary or Poland are proof, that

is almost anywhere else than at Midem. At

The Brits are now out anyway and still yet it

there are national governments in Europe

the beginning of the festival season it is

is far too early, to predict what this means

that would rather follow policies closer to

already obvious that this peer group simply

for the music sector in the UK in the future.

Ankara than to Brussels.

won’t be able to be in Cannes in June 2017.

So the claim of organising a European Music

Bernhard Batzen

Forum is already in doubt before it kicks off.

At this year’s Midem, Martine Reicherts, Director-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) at the European Commission delivered a keynote speech as part of the sub-conference “Music Moves Europe” hosted by the European Commission within the conference programme of Midem.

Among other comments she said “Artists

14

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

SEPTEMBER 2016

As Entrepreneurs” seemed to be from her

close to Reicherts, explaining to her that

circle to feed the overall needs of the

point of view an interesting aspect to be

her passion for “Artists As Entrepreneurs”

European music sector.

considered in the new programme.

is almost as realistic and in line with the conditions of the music sector as suggesting

While the initiative of the EU-commission is

In July 2016 the artist Marsen Jules published

a distinctive policy of “Consumers As

a significant milestone, there still is a huge

an open letter, declaring among other

Lawyers” for European citizens.

workload waiting to be undertaken to bring

things: “I recently decided to reduce my

this programme on the road. To get rid of

efforts in being a ‘musician’ to a minimum

Reicherts is a graduate lawyer and may be

the Euro-Ego’s is nearly impossible. Yes,

for an indefinite period of time.” He

able to understand this comparison, but

the first drafts are totally missing a holistic

explained: “Getting the music to a market,

whosoever are her consultants apparently

approach. Yes, the gap between the ones

which I recently discovered feels totally

have either a lack of knowledge of the

with commercial driven interests and the

unnatural and unsatisfying for me. Even if I´m

music industry or have a hidden agenda, to

ones from the culture and educational

a good PR-consultant for others, it doesn´t

convince Reicherts to put on an extensive

sector is huge.

feel good and authentic to work on this

support-programme to educate artists as

for myself. This is not a general statement

entrepreneurs.

It will take serious efforts to create

about the music industry, but a personal

something good for the European music

decision. Also it has to do with the fact, that

But these randomly chosen examples also

community, but the biggest challenge is

after creating music, which happens very

show that the number of music industry

that that the European music community

fast and intuitively in my case, there is a lot

professionals waving their flags in Brussels

has to learn to collaborate and to make

of organizational work afterwards. Work

in

comprises in favour for Europe and not only

that makes me feel unauthentic, that puts

ridiculously low. When once being in touch

me under pressure and which also doesn´t

with someone in Brussels, I recall asking

produce many results.”

the person how these kind of questionable

The European Commission instead has to

comparison

to

other

industries

is

just for themselves.

decisions came about, he replied: “They

learn to develop structures that suit a sector,

As neither the highest EU-representatives

can’t hear you if you’re too far…” (away

because the music sector is the gateway

Jean Claude Junker nor Martin Schulz have

from Brussels).

to European music fans, a target group

ever been spotted at Wacken Open Air or at

that until today has far too often being

Tomorrowland, it could be taken for granted

As the editor of this article was been

neglected. Europe obviously needs more

that Reicherts has never bought a record

part of the very first consultations for

fans and the music sector can be a perfect

or promoted a concert with Marsen Jules.

the development of the new support

mediator for this overall task.

In reference to the open letter by Jules,

programme,

currently there just seem to be nobody

became obvious. Far too often some of

But just bear in mind, the music sector

the people who joined the workshops of

unfortunately can’t rely on it artists. The

the EU-commission to find out more about

majority of artists are just like politicians.

the needs of the music sector, tended to

Perfect examples therefore are U2 or the

demand that the new programme should be

Rolling Stones, trying like Apple to pay

designed to serve their very own nterests.

hardly any taxes, using tax havens and legal

something

else

quickly

loop-holes for their own benefit very similar The hearings mainly took place in the

to the likes Neelie Kroes, a former EU-

Ancienne Belgique venue and the results of

commissioner, who due to the Bahamas-

the consultations have since been published

Leaks became known for having an off-

as the “AB Music Working Group Report.”

shore account and company registered at

Some of the results read very well, but there

the Caribbean island.

are also projects and proposals that just reveal that some of the attendees rather

For further information please check:

see their mission as being spin doctors for

Link to the “AB Music Working Group

their own projects, hoping to access the

Report”

funding-pipeline of fortune for isolated

Marsen Jules

funding-schemes that have no interactive

Videocast of the Music Moves Europe

momentum to be integrated within the

conference at Midem 2016

15

VIP NEWS >

SEPTEMBER 2016

ETEP: summer festivals round-up Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com This year, Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora, UK act Blossoms, and the Danish/Finnish electronic band Liima are some of the biggest winners of this year’ s European Talent Exchange Programme (ETEP). Spring Break Showcase Festival & Conference are the newest members of the ETEP programme:

Aurora

Aurora NO 11 Blossoms UK 9 Liima DK 8 Nothing but Thieves UK 7 Mura Masa UK 7 Stormzy UK 6 My Baby NL 6 SOOM T UK 6 Lost Frequencies BE 5 Have You Ever Seen The Jane Fonda Aerobics VHS? FI 5 Fakear FR 5

Results The results presented include 385 confirmed shows by 144 artists from 27 different European countries. A total of 2690 shows by

Liima

972 European artists from 30 countries have taken place at the 100 ETEP festivals (2003 - 2015). These are the top scoring countries with their top scoring ETEP act:

Aurora NO 123 Blossoms UK 11 Liima DK/FI 8 Have you ever seen the Jane Fonda Aerobic VHS? F I6 The Academic IE 6 Fews SE 6 Amber Arcades NL 6 Lost Frequencies BE 5 Jain FR 5 Sara Hartman DE 5 View all results at the ET

16

About ETEP ETEP is an initiative of Eurosonic Noorderslag to stimulate the circulation of European repertoire on festivals, on radio and across the media in Europe.

You can listen to all booked ETEP acts in our ETEP Spotify

EP website

Playlist.

VIP NEWS >

NAMES & JOBS

SEPTEMBER 2016

Chrysalis Records hires John Dyer as new MD

O2 Arena London names John Langford VP and GM

From VIP-Daily News

From VIP-Daily News

Last month John Dyer left Domino Records after 11 years with the

John Langford has been named VP and General Manager of AEG’s

label. Now he has landed a new job as MD for Chrysalis Records.

The O2 arena in London after spending three years at The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow.

He will be charged with the day to day running, creative and strategic direction of the label.

Langford replaces Rebecca Kane, who quit AEG to become MD of Really Useful Theatres earlier this year.

Prior to his tenure at Domino, Dyer was GM of [PIAS] Recordings UK and also worked for Mute Records as their Marketing Manager.

As Director of Live Entertainment at The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Langford’s leadership was pivotal in transforming

Jeremy Lascelles, CEO Chrysalis Records said, “John’s track record

The SSE Hydro arena.

speaks for itself. He has worked for many of the leading independent labels and in his recent spell at Domino, a company we much admire,

During his tenure, the venue significantly added to group profitably

he has worked with and helped to break some of the most exciting,

and economic impact for the City of Glasgow.

important British bands of the last decade.

Prior to the SECC, Langford spent seven years as Chief Operating “He will be a huge asset here at Chrysalis Records and is an indication

Officer at Africa concert promoter BIG Concerts International.

of the ambitions we have for the label.”

He has previously held senior management roles in the commercial John Dyer, MD Chrysalis Records said, “It had to be a very special

radio industry.

company and challenge for me to make a move and taking on the MD position at Chrysalis fulfills both those criteria.

Leading the team at The O2 from November 1st, Langford will be responsible for the overall operational management, commercial

Chrysalis Records was acquired from Warner Music Group in 2016

delivery, event booking and content creation at the London venue as

in a deal led by Blue Raincoat Music’s Jeremy Lascelles and Robin

well as setting the vision and strategy.

Millar CBE. Reporting directly to AEG Europe’s SVP Facilities, Richard Krezwick, The agreement saw the co-founder and original owner of Chrysalis

he takes over as the venue approaches its tenth birthday in 2017.

Chris Wright CBE, reunited with the legendary label as Non Executive Chairman.

John Langford John Dyer

17

VIP NEWS > BUSINESS >

MUSIC IN SHARES

SEPTEMBER 2016

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

CTS Eventim

DEAG

- The Under Pressure Phase

- No Gain Insight Yet

For more than a decade CTS Eventim was a warrantor for growth

The DEAG share maintains its low price level. As the previously

and prosperity. Unlike Live Nation, CTS Eventim continuously

reported share price was 2.54 Euro on September 27 it was at

delivered profits and dividends to its shareholders. CTS Eventim is

2.60 Euro. Finance-Magazine.de meanwhile reported that the

likely to expected to do so also in the future, but perhaps a little bit

chances of a claim filed against the new owners of the racing-

less than in the past.

site Nürburgring for a compensation of 10 million Euro seems to offer very limited chances of success. The new owner of the

A lawsuit filed by the consumer watchdogs of the Verbraucherzentrale

Capricorn Nürburgring (CNG) is a Russian oligarch, who apparently

NRW might by one of the reasons for this situation. The district court

may just liquidate CNG. are according to the magazine regarding

Bremen decided in favour of the consumer rights organisation, that

the chances of an ongoing case with the insurance company

the 2.50 Euro service fees levied by CTS Eventim on print at home

Gothaer Versicherungen about 7.5 million Euro are little bit better.

tickets as well as on its premium postal service of 29.90 Euro are

Apparently in this case a successful outcome seems to be more

not permissible. As soon as the verdict became public, the share

likely than with the oligarch.

price plunged to 29.44. The share price meanwhile slightly recovered to 30.42 Euro, but long time investors before 2016 can mainly remember only that this share was a solid growth gainer.

Live Nation - Slow But Steady Gain

The reported share price of 31.19 Euro reported in the August issue is the only indicator that this share lost within one year 5.6 percent on

From $26.84 previously, rising within one month to $27.44. On July

its value. However, CTS Eventim shareholders have no reason for panic

1 the closing price was still at $23.52 but since then the Live Nation

sales. Perhaps they need just a little bit more patience in the future.

share is on its way up.

Capricorn Nürburgring

19

VIP NEWS > MISC >

SEPTEMBER 2016

MEMBER PRESENTATION

ARTIST AVAILS JOHN CALE Territory: Europe Period: 2016 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Andy Woolilscroft Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: andy@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.john-cale.com

PATRICIA KAAS Territory: Worldwide Period: On demand Agency: Richard Walter Productions Agent: Jean-Hugues Feugeas Phone: +33 432 600 599 E-mail: jh@rwprod.net Homepage: www.rwprod.org/en/artistes/patricia-kaas.html

Stefan Lohman - Talent Buyer for Corporate Events and Festivals - Speaker at the Reeperbahn Festival Conference - Live Entertainment Concepts for events of all sizes - Aritst relations manager for German Sustainability Award - Founder of the Berlin Show Orchestra – works with Schiller, Howard Jones, Jimmy Somerville, Ute Lemper .....

TRICKY Territory: Europe Period: 2016 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Ben Winchester Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: ben@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.trickysite.com

- Green Ticketing - work several ticketing companies and looking for getting them all - Founder of the sutainable Event Solutions Network – helping event organizers and touring artists to bring down theier CO2 Footprint and compensate the rest of it with certificated projects all over the world.

Climate neutral events our partner network works for:

THE WOMBATS Territory: Europe Period: 2016 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Matt Bates Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: matt@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.thewombats.co.uk

PRG Live Entertainment Award, German Sustainability Award, Fifa World LAIBACH Territory: Europe Period: May Agency: IBD Agent: Sabine Waltz Phone: +49 8202 9049870 E-mail: sabine@ibdbooking.de Homepage: www.laibach.org

Championship, G7 Meeting, Fantastischen 4, Schiller ....

About Our Company VIP-Booking’s core product is the Internet’s oldest and largest­ database­for 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 30 countries.

Today VIP-Booking offers a range of tools for the industry­ – including VIP-News, VIP-Booking, VIP-Book and VIP-Contract.

SPECTOR Territory: Europe Period: 2016 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Matt Bates Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: matt@primarytalent.com Homepage: www.spector.co.uk

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

Please visit vip-booking.com for further information­.

Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated­.

®

John Cale vip-booking.com

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