VIP-News Premium - November 2014

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VIP NEWS

PREMIUM > VOLUME 173 > NOVEMBER 2014

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VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

McGowan’s

Now I know we’re all aware of the

here’s a tie up that’s hard to beat: Bob

how much they managed to bring in from

increasingly vital bond between artists

Marley, or at least those in control of his

this year’s top grossing world tour. I know

and brands, and that there is usually some

estate, name and likeness, have already

we’ve got a December issue to go before

attempt to at least try and establish some

done deals with clothing, coffee and

the end of the year and we’ll no doubt take

connection, or at least common ground

headphones – ‘earth friendly’ of course,

a look at the top touring acts then, but

between the artist and the product, but

but the latest is surely, almost literally,

considering that for the last couple of years

made in heaven, Bob’s image is now to

we’d been bemoaning the fact that it was

be the flagship for ‘the world’s first global

still the heritage acts that were earning the

cannabis brand’, Marley Natural! Privateer

lion’s share of international box office, and

Holdings, a Seattle-based private equity

there seemed to be no new artists coming

firm will start shipping various concoctions

through, you’ve got to hand it to them.

of ‘the herb’ to areas, and these seem to

You can also tell when we’re getting

be on the increase, where it’s legal to sell,

towards the end of the year when festival

towards the end of 2015. Chief Executive

talk has died down to be replaced with

Brendan Kennedy stated: “We are in a

Conference Communications, the Inbox

state of rapid transformation, some 70%

chimes as ever with reports on the progress

of Americans now live in a state where

of the developing events like Sonic Visions

cannabis in some form is legal. Now there’s

in Luxembourg and Glimps in Ghent,

something I’m very surprised to learn; talk

alongside the major established events, like

about a joint venture! (Sorry I couldn’t

Eurosonic in January, By: Larm in February,

resist it!)

and ILMC and SXSW in March. And there’s

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

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Musings

more as this wintry season also brings As usual, far too early, ‘It’s beginning to

news of further additions to the calendar

look a lot like Christmas’, you can’t walk

in February, MENT in Ljubljana, Slovenia,

into a shop or cross a station concourse

closely followed by Where’s the Music in

without the usual continual blast of

Norrköping, Sweden. How to fit it all in?!

irritatingly cheerful and highly repetitive

In the meantime, I’m off to Luxembourg

festive songs that will generate another

for Sonic Visions, then to what could be

substantial seasonal stipend in PRS returns

a very cold Beijing, China for Dong Dong

for the likes of Noddy Holder (Slade – for

(yes, I know it sounds like a bell, and that

those of you too young to remember) –

could be a Christmas type reference and

Humbug! I wonder if the members of One

I do actually quite like Christmas really!),

Direction have written their Christmas hit

anyway, as ever, all being well I shall report

yet, but maybe they won’t need to bolster

back..,

their pensions in years to come, considering

So, Ladies and Gentlemen – The News…

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

Michael Eavis Receives Music Industry Trusts Award Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

I recently had the pleasure to arrange an on

What was originally known as Pilton Pop

Coldplay sent a message, which said: “Thank

stage interview with Michael Eavis at The

Festival took place in 1970 on Mr Eavis’s

you for the incredible experiences you’ve

MaMA Event in Paris, and as we reported

Somerset farm, he was inspired to stage the

given us and so many others.” Damon Albarn

in a recent issue he was a charming, very

event after visiting a blues festival in Bath

has performed at the Festival with Blur and

down to earth and interesting subject, so I

earlier in the year, which presented Led

Gorillaz, he said: “I’d like to thank you for

was happy to hear that the founder of the

Zeppelin amongst other acts.

your husbandry of the musical health of the

Glastonbury Festival was to receive a Music Industry Trust Award.

British Isles and far further afield.”

Many artists who have performed at Glastonbury over the years have paid tribute

This is the 23rd year of The Music Industry

Coldplay, Damon Albarn and Sir Paul

to Mr Eavis. Lily Allen recalled a childhood

Trusts Award, over the years

McCartney were amongst those to pay

visit to Glastonbury with her parents,

it has raised more than £4.5

tribute to 79-year-old

before returning to perform many

million for Nordoff Robbins

Mr. Eavis as he received

years later, she said: “Your festival is

the Award. Eavis said:

literally better than Christmas.

and the BRIT Trust. Previous recipients

of

the

award

“I can’t believe that

include Sir George Martin, Sir

44 years of semi-

Elton John and Bernie Taupin,

controlled chaos has

and Annie Lennox.

led to me receiving this prestigious award.”

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14/15/16/17 jan 2015 GROnInGEn, nL

The musT-aTTend evenT for everyone in The music indusTry Ben Challis, Glastonbury Festival

REGIstER nOw www.EuROsOnIC-nOORdERsLaG.nL Eurosonic Noorderslag is the key exchange and networking platform for European music, with a proven track record for helping new acts break into the international music scene.

Selling out each year Eurosonic Noorderslag attracts over 3,200 delegates, including 400 international festivals. Eurosonic Noorderslag presents showcases by more than 300 acts and a conference programme featuring 150 panels, keynote speakers, interviews, workshops, dinners, pitches, parties and meetings on the latest developments in the international music, media and interactive industry.

Eurosonic Noorderslag has been responsible for kick-starting the careers of European acts like Ásgeir, Benjamin Clementine, EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG WORDTEzra, GEORGANISEERD DOOR Jungle, Kadebostany, SPONSOREN Birth of Joy, Coely, George Hozier, Milky Chance and MØ.

Present your product at the European Production Innovation Conference & Fair (EPIC) and the Buma Music Meets Tech programme. Submit at www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl.

aGEnda wE 14 jan European Border Breakers awards European Festival awards Eurosonic Festival tH 15 jan Conference: • European Production Innovation Conference & Fair (EPIC) • Buma Music Meets Tech pro • General conference programme Eurosonic Festival FR 16 jan Conference: • European Production Innovation Conference & Fair (EPIC) • Buma Music Meets Tech pro & Awards • General conference programme Eurosonic Festival sa 17 jan Conference: • European Production Innovation Conference & Fair (EPIC) • Buma Music Meets Tech live • Music & Media programme • General conference programme Noorderslag Festival

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

MMF

Statement on Streaming Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

VIP News and parent Company VIP-Booking.com as you all know mainly deal with the doings of the live music industry, but following the sector’s ‘promotion’ some years ago to the leading revenue source of the international music business, the industry has had to take note of continuing development in all areas. Although streaming on the face of it is mainly concerned with becoming the method of choice for the distribution and reception of recorded music, live concert recordings will be part of the available catalogue, and the attitudes of artists and managements will have knock on effects for the live busines., therefore the recent statement from the Music Managers Forum is relevant: What a 10 days it’s been for those interested

No longer restricted by physical barriers,

hide how the major music corporations

in the streaming debate. The independent

streaming gives a voice to those that want to

license streaming services and we have grave

label-services

company

be heard and a platform from which to build

concerns that the deals contain stipulations

Kobalt released encouraging figures as to

multi revenue businesses that cross borders.

that both significantly reduce the amount

the economic growth of streaming; Taylor

There are no guarantees of success but the

artists ultimately get attributed and damage

Swift withdrew her catalogue from Spotify

opportunity is there for all that want to give

the growth of the streaming economy. The

while,

it a shot.

real fight is more likely between opacity and

and

perhaps

publishing

contradictorily,

leaving

it on streaming service YouTube; Bono

transparency, and we call on all major music

commented on transparency issues with

Whilst encouraging to see the Kobalt data

corporations to take note and react in the

regard to how big music corporates license

on improving economics for streaming, we

best interest of their artists and shareholders.

streaming services and Spotify published

are disappointed to see Taylor Swift remove

details of a further big increase in users and

her catalogue from Spotify. Her label talked

subscribers.

about not being disrespectful to her fans who purchased the album but we do wonder

For the MMF, these developments provide

about the 15 million Taylor Swift fans who

an opportunity to underline what we stand

are not listening to her music on Spotify or

for and give to our members, together with

those near 20 million fans who have had her

anyone else for that matter, a considered

music ripped from their playlists. Whatever

viewpoint as to how we interpret what is

one thinks of the Spotify free, or more

going on in what often seems a confused

accurately termed ad - supported service,

and difficult space.

we wouldn’t be surprised if this was more about, headlines, badge collecting and

The MMF has always been and continues

economics.

to be a big supporter of streaming services.

Few markets are perfect and yes the ‘low

Like his band’s recent release strategy or not,

rate issue’ has conflicted many, but above

Bono hit the nail on the head with regard to

all, streaming services are a fabulous tool

one part of the economic debate that often

that connects artists and creators with fans.

goes untold. Non Disclosure Agreements

Taylor Swift

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VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

Flexible Festival Dates for Foo Fighters Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com In our last issue I noted that the Belgian Festival Rock Werchter’ s

Rock Werchter 2015 now runs from Thursday 25 June to Sunday 28

decision to change their dates to accommodate a then unknown

June, on the three stages at the Werchter Festival Park in Belgium:

headliner was a new phenomenen, possibly linked to a desperation

the Main Stage, KluB C and The Barn. Over the four days in 2014 the

linked to a lack of headliners. It appears that I was mistaken in my

festival sold-out attracting over 150,000 festival-goers.

assumption as my friend Willem Venema of Double Vee Concerts in Holland pointed out, mailing to say, “You might not have noticed that Pinkpop has moved dates (from their original vast dates) various times in the recent past to accommodate headliners directed by Live Nation associated agents or supporters.”

Also the mystery headliners are now named, a Rock Werchter press release states: Foo Fighters are coming by general demand. Every year we collect the wish lists from the friends of the festival and this year Foo Fighters are right at the top. To be sure of landing the band of the moment Rock Werchter is moving its dates forward a week.

This is because the band is heading back to the States at the end of June to play a huge concert in front man Dave Grohl’s home base of Washington D.C. on Saturday 4 July. In 2015 Foo Fighters will play Werchter for the third time in their 20 year history. They made their last appearance way back in 2005.

Foo Fighters

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VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

Upcoming Trade Events Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

Glimps Festival: Belgium It’s still relatively early days for this showcase festival and conference based in the historic and very attractive City of Ghent, but organisers claim that it is gearing up to its best edition yet, from 11-13 December, and in defence and celebration of the smaller showcase event, that this is an event where you can actually still discover and sign new European talent!

Glimps this year has attracted representatives from UK’s CODA Agency, Hungary’s Sziget Festival, Island Records from the UK, label for the likes of Mumford & Sons, SXSW, Germany’s Grönland label and the Haldernpop festival and label.

Networking events will be hosted by several key players from the Benelux music industry players such as the Music:LX reception, Nada Bookings Showcase, Peter Verstraelen Agency Showcase and the Toutpartout Showcase.

Acts appearing include new artists such as Aloa Input (DE), Blaue Blume (DK) and Natas Loves You (LU) All further details can be found here: www.glimpsgent.be and for the conference part: www.glimpsconference.be

Aloa Input

Need to know who is touring Europe?

®

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

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VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

Eurosonic Noorderslag Adds 48 Acts from 15 European countries to 2015 Line-Up It appears that Europe has an abundance of new acts on offer, as a result of what is referred to by the Eurosonic Noorderslag organisers as ‘An unprecedented number of highly promising artists.’ the European Music Platform has expanded its line up yet again, with latest additions including Mapei, Mina Tindle, Ninos du Brasil, Spidergawd and Taymir booked to appear in Groningen next year from 14-17 January.

The acts added to the Eu rosonic Noorderslag line up ar Acid Arab (fr) AnnenMayKantereit (de ) Aquilo (uk) Bad Breeding (uk) Black Flower (be) Bombay Show Pig (nl) Bulbul (at) Cairo Liberation Front (nl ) Dakh Daughters (ua) Die Nerven (de) Dolomite Minor (uk) Ella Eyre (uk) FM Laeti (fr) For BDK (se) Gavin James (ie) Gengahr (uk) Go Go Berlin (dk)

GODS (at) Happyness (uk) James Bay (uk) Joana Serrat (es) Joco (de) Jonas Alaska (no) Joy Wellboy (be) JoyCut (it) Klaus Johann Grobe (ch) Låpsley (uk) Le Vasco (fr) Little Dots (be) Mapei (se) Mina Tindle (fr) Mountain bike (be) Mourn (es) Neøv (fi)

Ninos du Brasil (it) Orla Gartland (ie) Oso Leone (es) Palace (uk) Punke (hr) Robbing Millions (be) Sevdaliza (nl) Sisters (ie) Spidergawd (no) Taymir (nl) The Hearing (fi) the Micronaut (de) Tourist LeMC (be) Zentralheizung of Death (Des Todes) (de)

About Eurosonic Noord erslag exchange and networkin g platform for European for helping to break new music, with a proven trac acts on the internation k record al live music scene. A sold-out event for ma Noorderslag attracts ove ny years, Eurosonic r 3,200 professional del egates, including repres entatives of over 400 inte Eurosonic Noorderslag rnational festivals. presents showcases by more than 350 acts alo ngs ide a conference progra panels, keynote speake mme featuring 150 rs, interviews, and works hops, as well as dinner s, pitches, parties and latest developments in meetings covering the the international music, media, production and interactive industries.

Eurosonic Noorderslag is the key

Eurosonic Noorderslag has been responsible for kickstarting the careers of European acts like Ásg eir, Benjamin Clementine, Birth of Joy , Coely, Emilie Nicolas, Ewert and the Two Dragons, George Ezr a, Hozier, Jaakko Eino Kal evi, Jungle, Kadebostany, Larry Gus, Mighty Oaks, Milky Cha nce and MØ.

Conference registrations can be

ww w.eurosonic-noo

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obtained through:

rderslag.nl

Eurosonic

e:

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

New Conference Covering Production Innovation to run alongside existing daytime events Eurosonic Noorderslag is launching the European Production

innovation at festivals and venues. The event consists of three

Innovation Conference & Fair (EPIC), a new conference that

days of discussions, presentations of products, ideas and new

runs alongside the existing Eurosonic Noorderslag Conference

ways to implement them at festivals, concerts, and venues, as

schedule, and is entirely focused on innovation at festivals and

well as in the production of events. SummerLabb, which is part

venues. In addition to that, Eurosonic Noorderslag is to continue

of EPIC, is where research institutes, polytechnic universities and

the successful Buma Music Meets Tech programme covering the

sustainability companies give visitors the opportunity to feel,

latest developments in the area of music and technology where

taste and smell (technological) sustainable innovations. EPIC is

start-ups can present their innovations.

the result of a partnership between Yourope, Double 2, VVEM, VNPF and Eurosonic Noorderslag.

EPIC The European Production Innovation Conference & Fair (EPIC)

EPIC takes place from January 15-17, 2015 in De Oosterpoort in

is a new conference stream that runs alongside the existing

Groningen. The price for a three day registration/passepartout for

Eurosonic Noorderslag Conference, and is entirely focused on

EPIC is 45 euros. A day ticket for EPIC costs 25 euros.

Where’s the Music?

The latest addition to the European road map of trade events is the premier edition of Where’s The Music? in Norrkoping, in Sweden on February 12-14, 2015. The new event is promoted by FKP Scorpio Sweden and has now announced the first list speakers.

Nominated speakers among others are Per Sundin, CEO Universal Music Sweden, Michael Chugg from Australia and Paul Boswell of Free Trade Agency (UK), Claes Olson, a producer and editor of the Swedish trade paper Musikindustrin, Mattias Hansson, CEO and partner of ABBA The Museum, Adam Lewis (Head of Planetary Group) Doug Croy (The Windish Agency), Matt McDonald (Booker CMJ), Joel Borg and Niklas Lundell (Borg & Lundell, Way Out West, Stockholm Music and Art), Helen Sildna (CEO Tallinn Music Week), Petri Lundén, (Artist Manager) and Fruzsina Szép (Berlin Festival/ Lollapalooza Berlin) The registration fees for delegates varies from 3.500 to 4.500 SEK (377/485 Euro) and includes lunch as at ILMC and privileged entrance to showcase program as at Eurosonic. All delegates are granted access to the Where’s the Music? – Festival 12-14 February 2015.

Per Sundin

For the more expensive ticket, delegates receive a guaranteed access to all concerts and conference sessions and an exclusive trade dinner.

Read more about the conference here:

The cheaper tickets include the lunch, but a first come, first served

www.wheresthemusic.se/en/program/

ruling for the concerts and conference.

Delegate pass: www.wheresthemusic.se/en/music/festival-

The conference takes place day time, 13-14 February 2015 at the

tickets/registration/

conference centre Louis De Geer, Norrköping.

For more information: www.fkpscorpio.se

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VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

Open Letter to Yourope from Arezzo Wave Organiser Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

facing

or particularly happy, in fact after 28

hazardous waste (all proved to be

problems; founder and organiser Mauro

editions there are many possibilities

unfounded) and so on. Last but not least

Valenti has reached out to his Festival

that Arezzo Wave Love Festival will end.

the refusal of the existing authorization

Italy’s

Arezzo

Wave

Festival

is

and pre-fitted location with a fallback to

industry colleagues, members of Yourope.

He copied VIP News on the letter and gave

We are the example of being in a state

another venue only provided only two

us permission to include it in this issue.

that we would like to be different, but

months before the start of the Festival.

unfortunately, at least in our case, things

All this has led to a financial loss and

Dear Yourope friends,

continue to be punitive or indifferent

work-related stress that is no longer

I am writing with great sadness and a

for those who do not have political

sustainable.

request for Arezzo Wave. In fact, after

support or submissions to local and

nearly thirty years of festival, it is in

national politics. Luckily for you these

It will therefore be impossible barring

serious danger of closing.

words in many countries are difficult to

miracles (we have not contacted the

understand and perhaps unrealistic.

Pope yet!) to do the 29th edition of

In 1990 I found myself at the New Music

Arezzo Wave Love Festival. However,

Seminar in New York with Leif Skov

Arezzo Wave was held in Arezzo for

we would like to continue the research

of Roskilde Festival and together we

20 years (until 2006) and saw 200,000

and promotion of Italian music in in our

came up with the idea of connecting

people a year. There were no admission

country, in Europe and in the rest of the

the European festivals in a network

fees for the first 20 years, and the festival

world.

of exchange and support. After many

brought for the first time in Italy and

meetings with various artistic directors

Europe hundreds of unknown artists

Our Foundation (Fondazione Arezzo

the first “Yourope” was born, the

that are famous nowadays. Since 2007, a

Wave Italia) has 3 main purposes: the

logo, the philosophy, common events,

clash with the new local politicians (who

first is Arezzo Wave Love Festival, “the

like Seville Expo in 1992, the pavilion

wished to intervene in the planning,

tip of the iceberg” as the press loves

of

European

in the location management, logistics,

to say. Over the years the festival has

TV Superchannel as Media partner.

incomes, etc.) led us to say no, forcing

brought the name of our city, Arezzo, to

Those were pioneering years. Later

us to travel around Italy through 6

the world.

on Hultsfred Festival, Leysin Festival

different places, distant from each other

in Geneva and other Spanish and

by more than 1000 km, just trying to

The other two aims of FAWI are less

German Festivals joined that project.

survive.

known abroad but not less important:

Switzerland

and

the

After a break in the mid-nineties, there

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first, the promotion of Italian up-and-

have been a new start with the actual

The latest edition, back in Arezzo, saw

coming bands thanks to an extensive

Federation.

a tremendous battle with committees

presence on the Italian territory, with

all against us, signatures collected

a supervisor in each of the 20 Italian

I am writing you knowing that I am

in parishes (rock = Satan), pro-Nazi

regions (with more than 40,000 groups

talking to many long-term friends of

Associations’ attacks (= rock community

selected in 28 years). Every year we

festivals that I have visited and know

of

immigrants),

organize 100 selections and regional

very well. The reason is not celebratory

petitions for noise impact, abandoned

finals and bands from each region play

drug

addicts

and

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

at Arezzo Wave Love Festival. Only

We therefore ask, if possible, to every

audience, as well as our website and our

Réseau Printemps de Bourges Festival

one of you, members of Yourope, if you

press office will advertise in a visible

performs a similar work, the only

could host at your festival at least one

way the European festivals involved.

difference between us is that our French

band chosen from Arezzo Wave Band

friends receive public and private funds

2015. It is very important to us to know

We have not seen each other this year at

for hundreds of thousands of Euros

if you accept our request by November

Mama, I did not want to take advantage

from the Government, local government

15th 2014 because in December we will

of

and civil society, and obviously this is

launch the contest and since we cannot

attending the event and eventually

absolutely correct. We instead work

guarantee a slot at our festival, like we

choosing a French band, since I could

with our supervisors without a single

used to do, we would like to offer at

not guarantee a slot at Arezzo Wave

Euro of public funds (we only had

least the possibility of playing in Europe

Love Festival 2015. But there will be

4,000 this year from SIAE!) and only

or beyond.

other opportunities to drink a beer

volunteering for more than 20 years.

the

hospitality

of

Fernando,

together and have a chat .. meanwhile

The live shows we organize in Palermo,

The quality of our bands is evidenced

.. I say goodbye to you all and thank you

Milan, Rome, Turin, Florence, etc. are all

by the fact that every year, from a

for your attention.

self-produced and have great costs. In

list of proposals made of both quite

28 years we never had a single meeting

established, and our up-and-coming,

Best Mauro Valenti

with the Government or the Ministry of

bands, Eurosonic has selected the

Culture and Youth Policy. Strange, isn’t

“new proposals “ coming out of Arezzo

VIP News also checked with Christof Huber

it? The third commitment that connects

Wave Band for the last 3 years. Also,

of Yourope as regards publishing this letter

us to the above mentioned is to promote

we always receive great feedback by

as it was addressed to the members of the

Italian bands abroad. We were present

Sonicbids and CMJ Music Marathon in

Association that he heads, he was fine with

at several events, like MIDEM, SXSW,

New York.

this. The Board are of course sympathetic

ILMC, MAMA, Eurosonic, etc., etc. All

to these problems being faced by a founder

shows of our Italian artists (last week

What can we offer you in exchange for

member, and will consider in what ways

we were at CMJ in New York with the

your help? In the more than 100 live

they can assist, such as providing letters of

stunning Mery Fiore) were paid with

shows of selection that we organize,

support to Mauro and Arezzo Wave, but

our assets that were the profits of the

we could advertise your festivals and

further discussions will take place before any

festival of the golden era.

expand your popularity talking to our

decisions are taken.

Mauro Valenti

11

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

School and Shopping Mall Touring Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Photos www.schooltouring.com

Back in 1995 UK Agent Steve Andrews (I

in covering a new artist if they’re appearing

his management company discovered the

worked with him when I was at Chrysalis

at a local school and if these additional

band. They are signed to Decca, managed

Agency in the early 70’s) spotted a gap in

promo opportunities can be bolted onto

in the UK by Martin Tibbetts and Steve

the market. He realised that there were

the schools tour they added value without

Strange for Strangeworld Management

many schools around the UK that possessed

increasing the tour budget.

and by Scooter Braun in the USA. Current

good facilities for presenting shows, and

single “Geronimo” is now in the Spotify

more importantly had access to young

Things have moved on a lot since those early

Top 20 Most Streamed Tracks in the World

people who would become tomorrow’s

days and Steve contacted us to give us an

with over 700,000 plays per day!

audiences for live music. He went to work

update, which tells us that School Touring

and after convincing various authorities

is now also working with international

We have now made an agreement with

that this was a sound idea he set up School

artists, and has added Shopping Malls to

Intu Malls so that we can streamline

Touring; the initiative led to artists ranging

its UK circuit:

the process of booking Shopping Malls

from singer-songwriters on independent We are very proud to have played an early

on a much less complicated and less costly

playing in front of kids ranging in age from

part in the growing and continuing success

basis than had been possible before. Intu

7 to 18 and in every major city and region

of

having

own most of the UK’s biggest and most

of the country. In many cases the acts

arranged five Shopping Mall appearances

prestigious shopping malls and this is a

would also play the more traditional venues

for

Legendary

major development for us and one we are

in the evenings. Andrews found that local

Australian promotor Michael Chugg who

delighted to be able to offer. If you would

radio and press are often more interested

signed them to his label in Australia and

like to know more just get in touch.

Photos www.schooltouring.com

12

appearances and offer their Malls to artists

labels to pop-rock bands on major labels

Australian them

band

during

Sheppard August.

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

We’re well into booking school shows for

will be in attendance

next term with a tour for new band Young

to record the whole

Kato – managed by Nick Mander and with

event.

Mark McQuillan and the team at Republic

of Music behind them. They have just come

We all know that

off the Rixton UK dates and will do a two

the most important

week schools tour in Jan/Feb 2015. This

thing for a new artist to do is to connect

the performance element and you have

will further consolidate their fanbase and

with its target audience and build a

a formula for creating real excitement

social network outreach in advance of their

fanbase and School Touring provides a

amongst your target audience. And now

own UK tour in March.

platform to enable an artist to use social

with Shopping Mall tours we can offer an

networks to actually forge “friendships”

additional way to do this.

We have also booked an exclusive school

with their newly-found fans. Internet

appearance for Katherine Jenkins who

marketing campaigns can only achieve a

So if you’re planning to tour your artist

will return to her old school in Neath to

certain amount - a new artist must also

or you want to build a fan-base before

perform as part of the launch for her new

be physically present in the marketplace to

touring, you should consider a School or

album. The album signals a “back to her

trigger the required response. The Q&A,

Shopping Mall tour - either as a stand-

roots” direction for Katherine and nothing

the meet and greet, the chat-session – we

alone activity or as a daytime addition to

could encapsulate that theme more than

programme all these into the school visit

your existing touring plans.

a visit to her old school. As part of her

to set up a real bonding process between

performance there she will sing a song

the artist and the audience member that

For more information:

with the school’s choir and press and TV

nothing else can replicate. Add to this

www.schooltouring.com

ImagIne

if you could go to one website and learn aLL about the european Live music Industry?

WeLL you can! www.vip-booking.com

®

vip-booking.com

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13

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

Pre-Christmas Gift For Concert Venues Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

The budget committee of the German Government has approved

correspondent for culture and media on behalf of the CDU (Christ

an additional grant of 1,5 million Euro to modernize the technical

Democrats). Livekomm already receives funding from Initiative

equipment of concert clubs and venues.

Musik, an organisation dedicated to the support of popular music on a nationwide level, mainly financed by the federal state secretary

The concert association Livekomm developed a new support scheme

for culture and media (BKM).

to provide subsidies for the investment into new digital technologies in smaller and midsized clubs. The new program foresees supplying

In terms of the administration and handling of this program,

around 100 venues with financial aid to purchase new digital sound

Livekomm will now undertake talks with representatives of Intiative

and light as well as DJ equipment.

Musik and BKM. Until now it is a one off measure that is limited to the business year 2015.

The leading political spin-doctor behind this measure is R端diger Kruse, a member of the German Bundestag from Hamburg. Kruse

For further information please check:

has been a member of the budget committee since 2009 and a

www.livemusikkommission.de

R端diger Kruse, member of the German Bundestag

14

VIP NEWS >

NOVEMBER 2014

A Summer’s Tale New German Festival

by FKP Scorpio Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

FKP Scorpio apparently knows how to

become the biggest festival promoter in

camping to upper class comfort lodging will

structure a diversified festival portfolio. Unlike

Europe.

be available.

has developed a wide range of various

The newest festival format from FKP

The event will take place in the nature

festival formats within a decade. Besides

Scorpio is entitled ‘A Summer’s Tale’, and

park Lüneburger Heide, close to Bremen,

music festivals such as Bravalla, Hurricane

the concept is very different from all other

Hamburg and Hanover on August 4-8, 2015.

& Southside, Meraluna or Northside, FKP

festival types that the company promotes.

A program has not yet been announced

any other concert company, FKP Scorpio

Scorpio also runs family entertainment

although tickets are already on sale, ranging

format such as the touring dining show

This festival’s strap line is ‘culture, culinary

from 69 Euro for day pass to 199 Euro for

Palazzo, a variety show combined with star

enjoyment and comfort’. Besides music it

a festival pass for one person including

awarded and prominent chefs.

will also feature an art program including

comfortable accommodation. Tickets for

readings, art exhibitions, cinema screenings,

kids aged 6 to 14 years start at 45 Euro per

Of course, not every FKP Scorpio venture

workshops, sport activities from beach

day and 85 Euro for four days. The entrance

was a success. Festivals such as Area4 in

volleyball to yoga, bicycle and canoe tours.

for kids below 6 years is free.

the Ruhr District in Germany or the take

Other festival features will be a distinctive

over of the Hultsfred Festival in Sweden will

food

not continue, but nevertheless and without

organic food and various opportunities for

www.asummerstale.de/en/

any doubts, in recent years FKP Scorpio has

accommodation on the site, ranging from

a-summers-tale.html

program,

primarily

focusing

on

For further information please check:

15

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

NOVEMBER 2014

There’s More To it Than Just Wacken...

Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com It is the most international German festival brand. No other open air event in the country attracts so many people from abroad, even coming from as far as Australia and South America to attend this event.

The share of international visitors is usually around 30 percent, and as usual next year’s edition is again already sold out. While ticket sales (except secondary ticketing) aren’t so much of an issue for the organizers of Wacken, VIP News took the chance asking Holger Hübner of ICS Festival Service GmbH about side projects and of course that secondary ticketing issue. Hübner founded Wacken together with Thomas Jensen in 1990, after coming up with the idea the year before. Since then this event has developed into a ‘must attend’ for metal

VIP News: How many people are

Air. The intention was to contain the resale

fans, providing various spin offs such as the

attending the Hamburg Metal Dayz

of Wacken tickets mainly because some

‘Full Metal Cruise’, the Hamburg Metal

(HMD) and foremost, are these mainly

people took advantage of our community

Dayz or social and environmental friendly

people from the business sector or just

and sold the tickets for a lot of money.

activities that sustain the vibe of this unique

normal Metal fans?

We wanted to protect the community.

Unfortunately, the German law does not

event.

Hübner:

Around 1000 people attended

VIP News: ICS Festival Service GmbH,

the Hamburg Metal Dayz this year. People

the

company

behind

Wacken

support our efforts. And for that reason the personalized tickets were not practicable.

is

from the business as well as Metal fans

organising a Metal convention. Please

enjoyed two days of music, entertainment

VIP News: Wacken is a landmark event

tell us, how you came up with this

and the chance to establish new business

and actually can be quite influential.

project...

connections.

However,

the

French

promoter

association Prodiss lobbied successfully conference

for a strict law against unauthorized

organized the Hamburg Metal Dayz which

program of HMD, there is a scheduled

secondary ticketing. Why is it that a

take place during the Reeperbahn Festival in

debate focusing on the subjects of

similar law hasn’t been introduced in

Hamburg. The Reeperbahn Festival is a great

secondary ticketing market and on

Germany yet?

festival but Heavy Metal was missing in its

the pricing of concerts tickets. Since

repertoire. So we decided to bring Metal

Wacken 2015 is already sold out

Hübner:

to this event. The Hamburg Metal Dayz is

again, what are your experiences in

a fact that France has a different law

not only an indoor festival with great heavy

reference to your efforts to combat the

than Germany in that case, so for French

metal music but offers the visitor a broad

unauthorized resale of Wacken tickets?

companies it is easier to react.

workshops. In addition, people from the

Hübner:

In the last two years we had

VIP News: When it comes to secondary

business come together and network.

personalized tickets for the Wacken Open

ticketing, German promoters are still

Holger Hübner:

Since 2012 we have

VIP

News:

Within

the

I can’t tell you that. But it is

program. We have panels, meet&greets and

16

VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY >

NOVEMBER 2014

acting in isolation. Until now the most

you please explain what this case is all

checks in every single case regarding the

successful companies to ban secondary

about?

amount of goods traded every day on their

ticketing are MCT and perhaps ICS Festival

Service.

In

France

platform. The result for us is that we’d have

Prodiss

Hübner: As mentioned, there’s no law in

to fight against every single reseller on eBay

created a coalition with the sport and

Germany regarding personalized tickets,

and, in that case, cannot force platforms to

theatre sector and proactively lobbied

reselling

offering

stop those offers. That means, that there’s

the French Government. Is it just a

personalized tickets or jurisdiction you can

no effective and doable way to avoid those

lack of understanding or rather a lack

rely on. We obtained an interim order against

offers at the moment.

of effort to develop joint strategies to

eBay at the district court in Hamburg to

strike back against companies such as

delete all offers regarding W:O:A tickets in

VIP News: Next year is going to be the

Viagogo or Ticketbande?

2013. We claimed that personalized tickets

25th edition of Wacken. Am I right that

personalized

tickets,

aren’t tradable goods (which is not clearly

your budget for fireworks is bigger than

Hübner: I don’t know why that is. But as

stated in law). But the district court was

the one for the marketing spending?

mentioned in your first question there’s

on our side. That forced eBay to stop those

a different situation in France and they

offers which is the only effective way to

Hübner: A little correction here: This year’s

have laws regarding secondary ticketing

fight against resellers. Then eBay appealed a

festival was the 25th edition of the Wacken

and ticket trading. So it is probably easier

conviction. the whole case was then decided

Open Air and we didn’t have any fireworks.

to fight this fight because you can clearly

by the Higher Regional Court. The Higher

analyse situations and foresee what’s going

Regional Court only make a decision if they

VIP News: How much are you involved

to happen - also from a legal point of view.

accept the conviction. In another lawsuit

in the Wacken Foundation, do you take

You know, we made huge efforts to stop

from a German soccer league team the

the lead within this organisation?

secondary ticketing but if the courts are not

same Higher Regional Court decided that

on your side it is difficult. There’s no law in

ticket personalization does not lead to the

Hübner: My partner Thomas and I initiated

Germany regarding personalized tickets,

fact that those tickets aren’t tradable goods

the Wacken Foundation but we are not

reselling

offering

anymore. In our case the HRC said that even

taking a lead within the foundation. The

personalized tickets or any jurisdiction you

if it WOULD lead to that fact (or IF tickets

foundation has different curators, which

can rely on.

aren’t tradable), further questions would

decide on the applications of the different

personalized

tickets,

have to be examined in every individual case

bands. Nonetheless the Wacken Foundation

VIP News: At the moment you also have

(every ticket offer) and that it cannot be

is really important for us and we try to

legal battle going on with Ebay. Can

expected from eBay to put up with all those

support in every way that we can.

VIP News: Can you please elaborate on the activities and the structure of the Wacken Foundation?

Hübner: The Wacken Foundation supports Heavy metal and hard rock newcomer bands. We need new, young bands to keep our music alive. As for the structure of the Foundation: The band writes an application for the support they need (i.e. money for their tour, equipment, rent for a rehearsal room) and submit it; this application is then reviewed by the different curators of the Wacken Foundation. One of the trustees is Metal Queen Doro Pesch for example. They then decide if they support the band.

Holger Huebner of ICS Festival Service GmbH

For further information on this festival please check: www.wacken.com

17

VIP NEWS > BUSINESS > NOVEMBER 2014

MUSIC IN SHARES

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

CTS Eventim - In The Waiting Loop The next CTS Eventim business report is scheduled for November 26.

Really big news is currently not the case for the company, certainly

One day later on November 14, DEAG announced that it will launch

not in reference to the ongoing investigations against Klaus Peter

with Myticket.de its own ticketing platform. The company therefore

Schulenburg by the prosecution department Munich. According to

teamed up with ticketing service operator white Label Ecommerce

media reports Schulenberg is allegedly suspected of being involved

GmbH who will supply the required software and technology.

in illegal secondary ticketing sales for the World Cup 2006.

The announcement at least caused a reaction from the analysts of Those investigations seem not to be so much of an issue to the US

Hauck & Aufhäuser, who optimistically raised their price target for

company FMR LLC, also known as Fidelity Investments, one of the

the share from 10.50 to 12.00 Euros. Anyhow, currently the share is

biggest investment companies in the world. Fidelity Investments in-

at 6.40, previously VIP News reported 5.95 Euro.

creased its stake in CTS Eventim from 3.0 to 3.05 percent. Since the last issue of VIP News the share went up from 20,42 to 21,92 Euro

SFX Entertainment - The Fascination Of Numbers

on November 20.

The business performance of SFX Entertainment is amazing. For the first nine months of 2014, SFX Entertainment reported revenue of

DEAG - Preparing for 2015

$258.8 million and gross profit of $64.4 million. Compared to last

After some legal re-encounters with Lieberberg concerning whether

year’s figures the revenue tripled with revenue of $86.2 and a gross

MLK is able to obtain the relevant permissions to run Rock Am Ring

profit of $11.3 million.

on the new site at the airport of Mendig, DEAG meanwhile came up with some news that concerns the daily business of the company in

But then there are these other figures entitled as ‘operating loss’

the near future. DEAG announced that it sold its 10 percent stake in

and ‘net loss’. The declared operating loss until September 30 was

Ticketmaster Germany to Ticketmaster NVH Inc. based in the tax ha-

$86 million, the net loss $94.4 million. Last time the reported share

ven Delaware. Besides the sale, DEAG declared that the companies

price was $5.40. This time it is $3.78. The report was published on

agreed a longer lasting distribution deal.

November 14, guess when the share price moved downwards...

Agency Group Continues Expansion Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com The Agency Group continues it’s rapid

over these past eighteen months, it became

growth having acquired another company

apparent that the time was now optimum for

with the purchase of electronic music-

our companies to finally come together. Kris

focussed US booking agency, Bond Music

and his team have built an extremely well-

Group.

balanced, dynamic roster and this acquisition brings in-house a professional, knowledgea-

Natalia Nas, CEO of The Agency Group’s US

ble and established team that will spearhead

operations stated: “We had been talking

the further development of our electronic/

with Kris [Krajewski, Bond Music Group CEO]

house/dance music division”.

for a while about some form of strategic tie-

18

up. With the major changes that have done

Amongst the artists on Bond’s books are

so much to transform The Agency Group

Moby, Dirty Vegas, Francois K and MNDR.

Natalia Nastaskin, CEO

VIP NEWS > BUSINESS > NOVEMBER 2014

Ticketmaster Buys Seatwave Live Nation’s Ticketmaster has bought some-

Under the new deal, Seatwave will continue

will continue to build consumer confidence

times controversial secondary ticketing firm

to operate separately but as “a Ticketmaster

and satisfaction in our resale marketplaces”.

Seatwave - or, specifically, it’s acquired “op-

company”. According the official statement,

erating assets from Seatwave” - a deal which

this move “builds on Ticketmaster’s success-

And on his side of the fence, Seatwave CEO

will enable the ticketing giant to extend its re-

ful strategy of creating best-in-class, con-

Ajay Chowdhury added: “This is great for

sale business into a number of new European

sumer-friendly resale platforms in the United

Seatwave’s customers. Since our inception

markets, including Germany, Italy and Spain.

Kingdom, Australia and the United States”.

seven years ago we have given fans of live

Live Nation boss Michael Rapino told report-

music, sport, theatre and comedy increased

The live sector has something of a love/hate

ers: “On a global basis we strive to deliver

choice when buying and selling tickets.

relationship with secondary ticketing (aka on-

fans all of their ticket options in a safe and

line touting), of course, though major player

convenient marketplace. The acquisition of

Live Nation/Ticketmaster quietly got into the

Seatwave is accelerating this strategy across

resale game in some countries, arguing that

Europe and we will continue investing in our

it’s better for online touting to be within an

platforms to provide fans the best ticket buy-

environment controlled by and ultimately

ing experience”.

benefiting the music business.

Meanwhile Mark Yovich, President of TicketTicketmaster’s US resale platform Tick-

master International, said: “Combining Tick-

etsNow has caused some controversy along

etmaster’s ticketing and technology exper-

the way, though its UK secondary service

tise with Seatwave’s business in additional

Get Me In has generally avoided too much

markets allows us to provide fans with a bet-

criticism, even when secondary ticketing has

ter ticketing experience across Europe, with

been under the spotlight in media and politi-

more ticket options to live events. We deliver

cal circles over here.

quality services in the resale industry, which

Seatwave CEO Ajay Chowdhury

Live Nation Report a 9 percent Rise in Quarterly Revenue Live Nation Entertainment reported a rise

attending one of its events, rose to 22.1 mil-

as their main earnings driver and the best

in revenue of 9 percent and the company

lion from 21.2 million.

means to engage and connect with their fan

expects record sales, adjusted operating income and free cash flow growth this year.

base,” CEO Michael Rapino said Thursday.

By segment, Artist Nation, the firm’s management service that boasts clients like Ma-

The company said it is promoting 22 of the

donna, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Miley

Top 25 global tours this year, including Jay Z,

Cyrus, saw the largest growth in revenue at

Beyonce, One Direction and Like Bryan. Live

18 percent. Concert revenue grew 11 per-

Nation said revenue was $2.5 billion in the

cent, ticketing grew 8 percent and sponsor-

third quarter, up from $2.3 billion a year ago.

ship and advertising, the smallest segment,

Diluted net income per share rose to 49 cents

grew 4 percent.

Michael Rapino

from 22 cents in the same quarter last year.

Shares of Live Nation rose fractionally to The company sold 36.6 million tickets during

$24.86 on Thursday and fell fractionally after

the quarter, down from 37.6 million while

the closing bell.

its total number of concerts worldwide rose 5,157 compared with 5,073. “Fans,” the

“The live business continues to have a ro-

term Live Nation uses to describe a person

bust outlook as artists are reliant on touring

19

VIP NEWS > MISC >

NOVEMBER 2014

MEMBER PRESENTATION

Armin Rahn Agency & Management Founded by Armin Rahn in 1973

ARTIST AVAILS Alan Parsons Live Project Territory: Worldwide Period: 2014 Agency: World Entertainment Associates of America Agent: John Regna - Artist Agent/Manager Phone: +1 407-993-4000 E-mail: JPR@JohnRegna.com Homepage: www.AlanParsonsTourPromo.com

Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club Territory: Scandinavia, Eastern EU, UK, Ireland Period: June-July Agency: Sasa Music Agent: David Flower Phone: +44 20 7359 9232 E-mail: rab@sasa.demon.co.uk Homepage: www.sasamusic.com

ORBITAL ñ 25th year anniversary tour in 2014 Territory: The World excluding USA Period: May onwards Agency: Value Added Talent Agent: Dan Silver Phone: +44 207 704 97 20 E-mail: dan@vathq.co.uk Homepage: www.vathq.co.uk

Tinariwen Territory: Scandinavia, Netherlands, Eastern EU, UK, Ireland Period: May - September 2015 Agency: Sasa Music Agent: George Prince Phone: +44 20 7359 9232 E-mail: george@sasa.demon.co.uk Homepage: www.sasamusic.com

THE ORCHESTRA starring ELO former members Territory: Worldwide Period: 2014-2015 Agency: World Entertainment Associates of America Agent: John Regna - Artist Agent/Manager Phone: +1 407-993-4000 E-mail: jpr@johnregna.com Homepage: www.THEORCHESTRAonline.com

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

the

European

Live

Entertainment

Industry

Bo Kaspers Orkester Territory: World wide Period: By request Agency: Lifeline Entertainment Agent: Michael Henriksson E-mail: michael.henriksson@lifeline.se Homepage: www.lifeline.se

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.

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20