Vip magazine #17 2015

USTRY ENT IND

TAINM E ENTER IV L E H E FOR T ESOURC

E N I Z A G A IP-M ATION R

INFORM THE NO1

V

17 EDITION # ER 2015 B M E T P E S

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Booming GLP… times for 0

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Once again VIP-Booking.co

r stories pth magazine with longe de inan is ine az ag -M VIP ews. ly free news service VIP-N collected from our month a festival feature In this issue we bring you European festivals, that sums up some of the tatives attended by VIP-represen en be ve ha ich wh of st mo rs or as concertgoers ;-) either for business matte t all of us at the VIP office It’s with great sadness tha s been in of John Gammon who ha ath de the t ou ab d rne lea many years, the Live Music Business for Pollstar.

Europe correspondent for the last 15 as the UK and and jokes We will miss your laughs sic conferences when we met at Live mu all over Europe. RIP John.

ÂŽ

THE VIP TEAM vip-booking.com

#3 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

CONTENTS: VIP-MAGAZINE 17#2015 05

UTA buys The Agency Group

06

The meaning of Live Nation Germany

09

John Gammon passes at 64

10

Festival Feature – Paleo

12

Festival Feature – EXIT

13

Festival Feature – Sziget

14

Festival Feature – Roskilde

18

Solomon Parker joins Coda Agency

20

Booming times for GLP

24

Rikke Øxner new director of Aarhus City Festival

26

Artist Avails

14 20 18

24 VIP-BOOKING.COM The No 1 Information Resource For The Live Entertainment Industry Having the right tools for the job is often the key to success. Through our ongoing communication with key Live Entertainment Industry Professionals, we have developed a range of services to meet the demands of agents, promoters, talent buyers, venue bookers etc. It’s no coincidence that we are now considered to be the No. 1 information provider for this thriving industry.

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FRONT COVER: Marek Lieberberg – Photo by Jim Rakete

Manfred From VIP-Daily Tari mt@vip-booking.com News

Neil Warnock, founder of The Agency Group

BUYS THE AGENCY GROUP In a move to significantly bolster its music business, United Talent

TAG founder and president Neil Warnock (pictured) will become

Agency announced Thursday that it acquired the Agency Group,

UTA’s head of worldwide music, filling the vacancy left by Rob

the world’s largest independent music agency.

Prinz when he departed for ICM Partners in April, while TAG CEO

The Agency Group represents some of the biggest global touring­

Gavin O’Reilly will leave the company.

and live music artists, including Muse, Paramore and the Black Keys. The company has more than 95 agents operating out of

UTA’s acquisition of TAG was financed by a new minority investmen­t

offices­in London, Los Angeles, New York and several other cities.

from Jeffrey Ubben, founder and CEO of San Francisco-­ based­ ValueAct­Capital, which has significantly invested in companies

Adding TAG, which will be combined with UTA’s existing music

including Microsoft, 21st Century Fox, Adobe and CB Richard Ellis.

division­, instantly makes UTA a heavy hitter in the space, with a

But unlike those investments, the UTA relationship is a personal

roster of about 2,000 clients headlined by artists including Muse,

investment from Ubben, who joins the board of directors as a non-

The Black Keys, Paramore, Nickelback and Guns N’ Roses and

votin­g­member and becomes its first non-agency shareholder.

featuring­emerging acts including Chris Janson, Action Bronson and G-Eazy, who will all join existing UTA clients including Kanye

“It’s not a typical institutional investment that comes along with

West, Mariah Carey and Milky Chance.

all kinds of restrictions and voting rights,” Zimmer says. “This investmen­t is really about bringing a smart, seasoned investor into

TAG has more than 95 agents across seven offices in London, Los

the company to help us consider our future growth. It’s a much

Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Toronto and Malmo, Sweden­,

more comfortable and organic relationship.”

which will give UTA a presence beyond L.A. and New York for the first time – yet another major milestone for the agency.

“It’s a quantum leap forward for us in the music business,” UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer tells THR, highlighting TAG’s resources in Nashville and the global and Canadian market as well as in corporate­and festival booking. “There are so many different areas of expertise that go into being a top-shelf music agency, and we were able to find all of those in one place at The Agency Group, along with a tremendous reservoir of real veteran leadership.”

#5 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com

The market entry of Live Nation in Germany­

and MLK, the company has been the

Originally Marek Lieberberg operated­as

by taking on Marek Lieberberg as CEO and

gatekeeper of Live Nation artists for the

the managing director for these companies­,

Daniel Lieberberg as President came as a

German­market. It is presumed that Live

which also means that the MLK companie­s

surprise­to many industry players. The move

Nation­Germany­will launch its busines­ s

remain as an asset within the CTS Eventim­

is the second attempt by Live Nation to run a

activities­on January 1, 2016.

networ­ k of

subsidiary in Germany following a trial period­

companies.

Even

more

interesting­is the fact that the naming­rights

with German promoter Johannes Wessels as

In July 2000, shortly after the IPO (Initial

of the festival­Rock Am Ring are owned

Managing Director in 2010.

Public­Offering) of CTS Eventim in February­

by MLK GmbH & Co KG. Rock Am Ring

2000 at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange,

is one of the biggest­festivals in Germany,

The departure of Lieberberg from Marek

CTS Eventim acquired 51 percent of Marek

attractin­ g 80,000 visitors­and due to its

Lieberberg Konzertagentur (MLK) is remark­

Lieberberg Konzertagentur (MLK) Holding.

relevance has been an important strategic

able­for many reasons . For years MLK has

The MLK Holding each owned 100 percent

instrumen­t within­the value chain of MLK

been a key asset within the value chain of

stakes of MLK GmbH & Co KG and MLK

and subsequently­for CTS Eventim.

CTS Eventim. Lieberberg had already sold

Verwaltungs­ GmbH.

100 percent of his stakes in three companies­

In 2014 the trademark

containin­g his name to the Medusa Music

By the end of 2003, the Live Nation

rights for Rock Am

Group, the holding name under which CTS

forerunner­Clear Channel Entertainment

Ring became a

Eventim bundles its Live Music Activities­ .

(CCE), had acquired­a 20 percent stake

matter

MLK used to be a vital concert provide­ r

in MLK GmbH & Co KG. Since 2010 CTS

contention

for CTS Eventim, filling up the content

Eventim­no longer reported concrete figures

between

pipeline­for their ticketing division that

of stakes it holds in its various subsidiaries. As

MLK

within a decade became Europe’s biggest

of 2011, MLK is listed as a fully consolidated­

and

ticketing­company. Since the beginning of

asset within the annual report of the trade

the

the collaboration­betwee­ n CTS Eventim­ register Bundesanzeiger.

#6 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

of

TH MEANI LIVE N GERM

Andre and Marek Lieberberg

administrators of the Nürburgring, the race

Andre Lieberberg opens up wide ranging­

including,

track where the festival had taken

challenges for CTS Eventim. Currently no

Halestorm and Tesserac T, Tickets for these

place since its first edition in 1985. Due

official news has been published as to what

shows still will be sold via CTS Eventim. Live

to difficulties with the new owners of the

the departure means for the festival Rock

Nation however expect Live Nation Germany

racetrack­, MLK moved the festival last year

Am Ring. According to industry players

in the long run to sell tickets via its local

to an airfield in Mendig, very closely located

the festival is supposed to be organized by

division­of Ticketmaster Germany.

to the Nürburgring.

Lieberberg in 2016 at least as part of a joint agreement with CTS Eventim.

As recently as March 2015 MLK GmbH &

among

others,

Motörhead,

Live Nation is also involved in the Berlin festival­and the first edition of Lollapalooza­

Co KG filed an application to obtain the

When the announcement for the launch of

in Berlin via its subsidiary Festiva­l Republic­

trademark­rights for this festival in variou­s

Live Nation Germany was released on August­

due to a joint venture with the Unter­

areas such as merchandising and print

3, it also included the news that the new

nehmensgruppe

products­; in June an objection was filed

company is supposed to add more than 700

clear if Live Nation Germany­will, in the

to this and the application is still

shows towards the concert catalogue­of Live

long run, include­those events within its

Nation. Bearing in mind that such a number

portfoli­ o. Taking­many of these aspects

pending.

HE ING OF NATION MANY

Hörstmann.

It

is

not

of shows needs a certain infrastructure­, it is

into consideration­it looks like Live Nation

Nevertheless, the

currently not clear with whom Live Nation

will follow­a soft launch policy and that it

main message

Germany will work in the future as local

will take some time before CTS Eventim has

promoter­.

a solid competitor in the live music sector in

is that the departure of

its own home market.

Until now, MLK benefited from the network­

Marek

of local promoters that belong to CTS

Unlike CTS Eventim, Live Nation and its

and

Eventim. At the moment MLK has already

forerunners­have until now never been

announced shows and concerts for 2016

profitable­. The US-company follows a strategy­

#7 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

like the on-line retailer Amazon, who also

This aspect is certainly the most considerable­

expectations of Live Nation might be high,

never­delivered any profits to its shareholders­.

component that CTS Eventim will have to

at the end of the day the German concert

But at least Live Nation deliver­s impressive

cope with in the future. One of the biggest

market­is still very different from other

revenue figures and is following an expansion­

efforts by CTS Eventim was the fact that

European­ markets.

strategy. Even if Live Nation has reported

the management of this company was able

profits­for the second quarter­of 2015. It has

to combine the largest German promoters

The fact that domestic talent and artists

over the years become a tradition for the

under­one roof.

have become very popular in recent years

company­to report a year end loss.

and have enabled many independent The departure of Lieberberg towards Live

concert­companies to grow, won’t make it

In the short run, the departure of Lieberberg­

Nation Germany underlines the fact that

any easier for a subsidiary of Live Nation in

may cause a potential gap in CTS Eventim’s

the purchase of companies by prominent

Germany.

revenue results. This of course will be filled

promoters isn’t a guarantee that the main

as soon as FKP Scorpio is fully consolidated

people behind a company will be retained as

Instead Live Nation Germany will benefit­

again into CTS Eventim’s company results.

decision makers within the company.

from having many international artists­on its roster. The newly found company will also

CTS

main

face a very strong domestic competito­r in

considered­to be an associated company

promoters­in the past with plenty of

Eventim

have

provided

its

CTS Eventim that other subsidiaries­of Live

of CTS Eventim, with 47.5 percent partly

freedom­to run their business units almost

Nation in Europe­have not had to cope with

owned by the Medusa Music Group. But CTS

independently. The recent news, shows how

when the World market leader expanded­

Eventim­is now forced to re-organize its lines

dangerous­such a policy can be for corporate­

into those territorie­s.

of defence.

concert companies. Although the business

21 – 24 SePT.16

haMburg/gerMany

Since 2010, FKP Scorpio has only been

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#8 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

JOHN GAMMON PASSES AT 64

He was also very well known by the

News pages until this week. It is difficult to

industry­people that attends the Live Music

encapsulate­years of collaboration into a

conferences­in Europe where John always

paragrap­h.

was a visible character.

The best we can do immediately is say A press release from Pollstar reads:

farewel­l and acknowledge his contribution

He was passionate in getting the root of

to not only the company, but the concert

the story, even if it may have ruffled some

industry as well.

feathers­. Gammon¨s background includes a career as an agent as well as mangaging acts like Katrina & The Waves and Kingmaker, the latter of whom could boast opening acts like Radiohead during its ‘90s heyday.

VIP Sales Manager Charlie Presburg, worked with John for many years at Pollstar: As someone who worked with John

A native and resident of Ely, Cambridgeshire­,

for many years at Pollstar’s UK office­,

England, Gammon studied journalism at

I was always impressed with his sheer

harlow­College. That education was put to

tenacity as a journalist and his ability

UK/Europe

use when Gammon was recruited by Pollstar

Corresponent­over the last two decades has

to report from the International Live Music

died. He had been fighting cancer.

Conference on a one-off basis.

John

Gammon,

Pollstar’s

to get to the core of any news story that he was writing.

He was a proper old school journalist­ who wasn’t afraid to ruffle a few

Gammon covered stories that ranged from

The response to his reportage was so

feathers along the way. I shall miss

the innocuous to the extremely sensitive

overwhelming­that Gammon became Pollstar’­s

his witty banter and seeing him at

and was the first to break stories such as

longtime UK and Europe correspondent­ .

Lollapalooza´s entrance into Berlin.

His work anchored Pollstar’s International­

the various music conferences he always­loved to attend, he will be very sadly missed, RIP John.

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#9 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com

FESTIVAL FEATURE As much as every Spring brings a crop of doom laden stories, in the broadsheets particularly, predicting­ the collapse of the festival market, it never actually seems to happen­and the majority­of events seem to thrive, with even a few new ones popping up here and there. The uptake of registrations­for the International Festival Forum seems to imply that agents and organisers have no doubt that the future is festivals! As to how many there are – who really knows! Certainly too many for one on-line journal to cover, but here’s a brief round up of the events we VIP people got to visit or communicate with so far this season:

PALEO July 20-26 saw the 40th edition of Switzerland’s Paleo Festival. The

VIP News spoke to Head of Production and Programming, Dani

event ran over 7 days rather than the usual 6, and featured shows

Hassenstein:

from Robbie Williams, Kings of Leon, Sting, The Script, Ben Harper­, Robert Plant, Joan Baez, Patti Smith, Christine and the Queens,

How long have you been involved with the Festival?

Johnny­Halliday and others.

– I’ve been in this job for 7 years, but I’ve worked at Paleo for 15 years – I’m actually one year older than the Festival!

The Festival sold out attracting 35,000 people­ every day, 10,000 seven day passes­ were sold. 530 media representatives from 240

There’s been quite a lot of rain, and therefore­quite a lot of mud!

companies attended, alongside 600 professionals from other

Has that caused any problems?

musi­c companies. 1700 artists appeared, including many from

– No, we typically get a bit of everything over the days of the festival – it’s

the Far East who took part in an Asian focus on the Festival’s

a world festival and we get world weather!

world stage.

#10 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

KONZERTE · PARTYS · LESUNGEN THEATER · FESTIVALS · KONFERENZEN

From left to right: Michèle Müller (press officer), Daniel Rossellat (president), Dany Hassenstei­n (booking), Jacques Monnier (vice-president) and Allan McGowan (VIP-News).

What were the high points of this edition?

– The big productions, Robbie Williams and Kings of Leon were great, but my personal highlights were Joan Baez, Patti Smith and Robert

— IM HERZEN BERLINS —

Plant. They all gathered for each other’­s shows. They have history with the Festival­, Robert Plant tells stories and is a great personality. He music stage, and he played the day Amy Winehouse died. Joan Baez appeared back in ’82.

Putting something this size together for a week is quite an undertaking­, have you had problems with crime or injuries etc.?

– Yes, it’s like building a city! But even so, we’ve only had 58 reported thefts, and fortunately­we’ve not had any deaths, or births, although we’d be prepared for that! If there was a birth then we’ve said the child could have a lifetime membership!

We’ve always tried to make sure that the musician­s feel like part of the family, and understand­all the work that goes into building­Paleo.

HIGHLIGHTS HERBST 2015 The GrandMothers of Invention (11.10.) // Bear’s Den (18.10.) // Cäthe (06.11.) // Warren Haynes (08.11.) // Kovacs (09.11.) // Ane Brun (15.11.) // Lianne La Havas (16.11.) // Scala & Kolacny Brothers (28.11.) // Maximo Park (07.12.) // Ibeyi (11.12.) // 17 Hippies (29.12.)

Schönhauser Allee 36 · 10435 Berlin Telefon +49 30 44 315 100 info@kesselhaus-berlin.de /kesselhausberlin www.kesselhaus.net

wienberlin.com

covers­such a broad spectrum of music, he once played the world

#11 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

FESTIVAL FEATURE

EXIT FESTIVAL On July 9-12, VIP again visited this remarkable event in Serbia, staged

Exchang­e Program (ETEP) in 2003 and since then there have been

on the Petrovaradin fortress island in the middle of the Danube. A

a total of 2294 shows by 810 European artists from 30 countries

certain editor was apparently spotted dancing to the music of Manu

presente­d at the 90 ETEP festivals (2003 - 2014).

Chao! Unfortunately we didn’t make it to Montenegro for the Sea Dance festival that followed on from EXIT on July 15 – 18 (maybe

CEETEP (Central and Eastern European Talent Exchange Programme) is

next time!) The two events made up this summer’s Exit Adventure,

an ETEP sub-programme, together with the 18 CEETEP festivals in the

which resulted in a record-breaking 300,000 visitors to the fortress

CEE region and selected CEE media partners, Eurosonic Noorderslag­

and to Montenegro’s Jaz beach. EXIT reported the most well attended

and co-organisers Sziget and Exit Festival developed a scheme for the

night in the event’s history. Continuing the theme of festivals being

circulation of CEE artists and repertoire in Central and Eastern Europe

like towns or cities, with all the processes of urban life taking place

at the festivals and in the media­. The Program is coming to an end

besides the music, two marriage proposals were made and confirmed

with acts from the region being featured at Eurosonic in Groningen,

at EXIT and Seadance.

Holland, next January.

EXIT also again played host to the annual CEETEP meetings and

We will report on the progress made by the program in the next

workshops­ . Eurosonic Noorderslag started the European Talent

couple of issues.

#12 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

SZIGET FESTIVAL SETS ATTENDANCE RECORD Sziget Festival Hungary sold out the 2015 event despite increasing its

also try to make sure that fans choose Sziget because we offer more:

daily capacity to 90,000.

a huge adventure, a cultural holiday, an experience-packed week full of positive surprises. That’s what we will keep on focusing on, while

Held from 10-17 August, artists included Robbie Williams, Avicii,

we definitely don’t want to be involved in a dangerous competition

Kings Of Leon, Kasabian and Ellie Goulding. Organisers say 441,000

to get overpriced headliners. That’s just not our path.

people from 95 countries attended over the course of the event.

“We hope our message gets through to our visitors, as they are the “We worked hard to create a festival that has its own unique

ones who create the magical vibe of the place we call the Island of

identity­,” said Sziget’s main organiser Karoly Gerendai. “Our aim in

Freedom.”

the long term is to make sure Sziget’s image gets independent from its headliners, as we believe the most important features of the event

Next year’s Sziget has been set for August 10-17.

are not necessarily playing on the big stages.

“To keep it simple, we try to give good reasons for fans to come to Sziget. We’re still trying hard to get good bands on our stages, but we

#13 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

FESTIVAL FEATURE

45 YEARS OF ROSKILDE AND STILL GOING STRONG! Roskilde Festival was once again blessed with blistering sunshine as

VIP-News questioned Roskilde’s Head of Music & Creation, Anders

100.000 ticket buyers enjoyed what was indeed another magical­

Wahrén, about the success of this year’s event, competition on the

event. Headlining acts on the Orange Stage included Muse, Pharrell­

Danish Festival Market and the festival’s future bookings.

Williams, Ryan Adams, Florence & The Machine, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj and many more. Following the wide success of the

How is your general feeling about this year’s festival and how

Rolling­Stones show in 2014 the festival opted once again for a

did it compare to previous years?

legendary act in Paul McCartney who took the stage as the 2nd to

– This year’s festival went really well so my general feeling is very

last headliner on the last night in front of a packed audience who

good and I am very happy with the way the festival went and how

were entertained with a classic repertoire spanning over 5 decades

our audience took in new initiatives and participated. Every year

including songs from the Beatles era, Wings and new material. All

is unique and it’s always difficult to compare with previous years.

this ended with a magnificent fireworks display and an audience of

However in 2015 everything – including the things we can’t plan

all ages singing Hey Jude for 10 minutes after McCartney had left

ourselves such as the weather – fitted together like a perfect puzzle­.

the stage – quite a moving moment one hastens to add.

After this year’s success the festival expects to be able to donate an impressive 15-18 million Danish kronor to charity (approx. 2-2.5 millio­n euro).

#14 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

Anders Wahrén – photo by Julie Hjort

#15 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

FESTIVAL FEATURE The introduction of the new festival Tinderbox which took place

– The important thing for us is to present a diversified program

just a week before Roskilde Festival in Odense caused quite a

with artists that are both relevant and great live performers at the

stir in the Danish Music Industry when it was announced­. How

same time. Topping it off with legendary acts such as the ones you

did this affect your bookings, did you end up fighting over the

mentioned­is great – and it is amazing to experience how much

same headliners and did you notice a change in ticket sales due

recognition­they receive from a young audience as well - so as long as

to this competition?

it makes sense in the full lineup I expect we will continue, but it is not

– I wouldn’t say that it affected us, we strive to make the best possible

a “must” for us nor for our audience; we can tell from the ticket sales

festival every year, regardless of what’s going on around us, and we

that it’s the diversity that makes the difference. And I have to say that

haven’t changed our ambitions or way of booking. Roskilde Festival

legendary acts can come in other sizes than McCartney and Stones.

2015 was sold out extraordinary early this year so the only changes we have seen there have been from new initiatives from our own

How do you see competition from domestic festivals and

side. But of course there are a few top names that will be relevant

festivals in neighboring countries such as Sweden affecting

for all broad festivals of a certain size, or ambitions to grow, so in a

Roskilde in the future and do you think there will ultimately

packed European summer, there will be some acts that everybody is

be casualties in what is a per capita comparatively crowded

fighting to get.

festival market?

– I believe you have to look at it in a broader perspective where not

How has the ticket buyer demography changed over the past

just music festivals but the rising number of cultural, arts, food etc.

10 years and do you see this as a trend for the future?

festivals and events in general are affecting and inspiring each other,

– Ten years ago about 50% of our audience came from outside of

keeping us on our toes and aware of what is unique about each of

Denmar­ k, especially from Sweden, Norway and Germany. That

us. In that sense competition is not a bad thing – and it’s not a new

number­has decreased over the last ten years, so today there are

thing either.

about 15% foreigners attending the festival and the Swedes are no longer the largest group from abroad. That place now belongs to the

Both we, Smukfest and Northside sold out this year so for now at least

Norwegians. It’s difficult to say how it will develop – we noticed­a

it seems that the audience for music festivals is there. But there is a

small rise in international guests the last couple of years and hope that

risk, I fear, that the development with more music festivals bein­g built

that development will continue. Other demographics seem stable;­we

from the top with lots of money to invest in headliners in time will

have a 50/50 gender mix and an average age of around 24 years.

challenge the diversity of the market, especially the smaller festivals­ and new initiatives since that inevitably will make it harder for them

Besides the hugely diversified program that Roskilde presents,

to both attract artists and pay them.

you’ve put your trust in old legendary acts such as The Rolling­ Stones and Paul McCartney over the past few years which

Have you confirmed any acts for 2016 yet and what would be

have proved to be hugely successful in not just attracting a big

your dream booking?

audience but also bringing together people from all ages. Is

– Well… let’s just say that we’re working on it and we’ll let you and

this something you plan to continue in the future?

everyone else know when we have news.

Roskilde Festival

#16 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

Arcade fire, Baseballs, BB King, Ben Miller Band, Billy Idol, Black Star Riders, Bo Kaspers Orkester, Bon Jovi, Boney M, Bryan Adams, Cecilia Bartoli, Cesaria Evora, Chigago Blues, Cliff Richard & Shadows, Grace Jones, Deep Purple, Diego El Cigala, Dionne Warwick, Dream Theater, Femi Kuti, Fran Perea, Gary Moore, Gregorian, Gypsy Queens & Kings, Heaven and Hell, Helmut Lotti, Ian Andersson, Ian Hunter, Jean Michel Jarre, Jerry Lee Lewis,

Joan Armtrading, Johnny Winter, Jose Feliciano, Kings of Salsa, Lady Gaga, Leonard Cohen, Linkin Park, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mahala Rai Banda, Manhattan Transfer, Mötley Crüe, Nazareth, Neil Young, Omara Portuondo, Over the Rainbow, Patricia Kaas, Paul Potts, Rival Sons, Roberta Flack, Roxette, Roxy Music, Scooter, Scorpions, Status Quo, Steve Lukather, Stevie Wonder, Suzanne Vega, Take 6, The Count basie Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Moody Blues, Thriller Live, Uriah Heep, Wailers, Whitesnake, Youssou N´Dour, ZZ Top...

juha.hytti@eastwaylive.fi Tel. +358 400 408 423

From VIP-Daily News

SOLOMON PARKER JOINS CODA AGENCY Agent Solomon Parker has left William Morris Endeavour (WME) to

Alex Hardee, Partner at

join Coda Agency as a Senior Agent.

Coda Music Agency said, “Solomon Parker’s dad, Louis

Parker, who will be based in Coda’s London offices, has been at WME

gave me my first job. Cris Hearn who

since 2007 – before which he ran Concorde International Artistes.

recently joined Coda also worked there, the company was called Concorde.

He brings with him a roster of acts that includes include Take That, The Prodigy, Cheryl Cole, Matt Corby, Haelos among others.

“I think Cris left with Solomon’s dad’s car and I took a tankful of terrapins­. Solomon’s dad and those early days at Concorde were very

Solomon Parker said, “I am excited to be joining what I consider a

influential to my career.

fast moving and dynamic company who, over the last few years, have garnere­d a reputation for breaking acts that is second to none.

“It’s great that Solomon, Cris and myself are back under one roof, along with Tom Schroeder, James Whitting, Rob Chalice, Nick

“Between the partners there they have created a fantastic culture

Matthews­, David Exley, and Paul Buck plus the multitude of younger

and following their recent far-reaching partnership with Paradigm

agents and bookers.

Talent Agency in the U.S. they are now perfectly placed to deliver a bespoke service to their clients that is second to none.

“We represent acts as diverse as Take That, Prodigy, Bastille,

“Coda put their artists and managers front and centre of everything

Disclosure­, Ellie Goulding, The Libertines, Jess Glynne, Years & Years

they do and I’m very much looking forward to being a part of it.”

, John Newman­, The xx, Jake Bugg and Emeli Sande. That’s just a short list from the top of my head – but what it also represents is that

Claire Horseman, Managing Director of Coda Music Agency said,

exciting times are ahead of us.

“Bringing someone of Sol’s standing into the Coda team further demonstrates­our ambition to continue building a world class agency­.

“Anyway I am not sure where Cris left the car and the terrapins

His experience and reputation in the industry are second to none and

died, proving that agents are the most durable of the reptile species.­”

he will add real value to our overall offering.”

From left to right: Claire Horseman, Rob Challice, Solomon Parker, Alex Hardee, Tom Schroder

#18 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

ImagIne if you could go to one website and get aLL the contacts you need for the european Live music Industry?

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The No 1 Information Resource For The Live Entertainment Industry Having the right tools for the job is often the key to success. We have developed a range of services to meet the demands of agents, promoters, talent buyers, venue bookers etc.

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Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com

BOOMING

TIMES

Georg Leitner

FOR GLP

GLP is currently experiencing a boom with

In the light of this success VIP-News asked

We are also looking to expand the area

many of the acts represented by the agency.

CEO Georg Leitner about the company’s

of Rock (e.g. next year we celebrate

The success of the collaboration between

principles, future plans and strategies:

FOREIGNER’­s 40th anniversary tour – and we

CHIC feat Nile Rodgers with Daft Punk 3 Years

are considering some great collaborations

ago was followed by an 80 city world tour

How many shows & concerts is GLP

with other Rock acts.

(booked by GLP). This paved the way for a

handling­per year and what are your

revival­for many of the other Funk & Dance acts

strategic plans for GLP in the future?

Furthermore we will focus on Show Acts.

represented by GLP (Kool & the Gang, Sister­

– GLP handles around 800 shows per year

This is currently the fastest growing depart­

Sledge, Earth Wind & Fire Experience feat

across the globe. Over the past 35 years

men­t­­within the GLP family with shows such

Al McKay etc). Recently GEORGE CLINTON­ GLP has become a strong force in the area

as Peter Pan on Ice, Royal Moscow Ballet and

PARLIAMENT / FUNKADELIC ´s collaboration­

of Funk / Soul / R&B as well as Reggae /

with RUDIMENTAL lead to a similar marketing

Dancehall­and World Music. Strategically

input. Similarly more and more Rock acts are

we will focus to expand on the EDM area,

Lastly we are focusing on bringing talent to

teaming up with Funk artists such as KOOL

especially­with a view to further develop

developing markets. We recently had some

& THE GANG’s tour with VAN HALEN and

musical­collaborations­between some of the

exciting tours in India, the Pacific Islands

FOREIGNER’­s tour with KID ROCK.

top DJs and our Funk/R&B artists.

(Tahiti­, new Caledonia etc.) and Africa. This is

#20 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

Vivaldianno.

Georg Leitner with Robert KOOL Bell and Nile Rodgers

in line with our history – with GLP being one

When we started the company in the early

consider­this development as a positive

of the first international companies to tour

80’s with artists such as James Brown, Ray

one?

artists behind the iron curtain in Europe in

Charles and Kool & the Gang, there was

– The music industry was one of the first

the early eighties.

generally­a lot more “wheeling & dealing”

industries­in the world that applied globali­

going on in the music business - so GLP stood

zation. In terms of the corporatization of

out with a strategic outlook.

the live market in Europe – the national

As one of your company principles

promoters­ , even as part of multinational­

you are mentioning on your webtowards

Also today we have a very high rate of

companies

improvement­s of the methods applied

academically­trained personnel – and I am

independently­– so in terms of people, not

in the industry” What do you mean with

happy to say that in this spirit the members­

much has changed.

this policy?

of the GLP family continue to follow the

To give you an idea – on the same tour we

– Having studied marketing & economics

principles­of flexibility, internal mobility,

work with AEG in one territory and Live

at University – we’ve always had the goal

multi-­skilling and retraining.

Nation­in another territory. Right now we

site:

“Academic­striving

in

Europe

still

act

highly

are in negotiations for one of our show acts

to deliver­a service at the highest standards – with a strategic outlook to expand the

The market concentration and corpora­

for a worldwide deal with one multinational

market­potential of our artists.

tization­in Europe is rising. Do you

promoter.

#21 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

In reference to the current market set

Nevertheless, compared to the Record

VIP-News: What are the next milestones

up, what are the issues that concern you

Industry­or the Publishing Business­the

you’ve set for GLP?

most?

live music sector runs no trade bodies on

– We are right now developing touring festival

– I am most concerned about the fact that

a European or International level. Do you

concepts (like we did in the past – MASTERS­

there are too many tours pushing into the

consider this as a lack of professionalism­

of SOUL, or the Tribute to BOB MARLEY

market (due to lack of income from the

or just as something the Live Music

FESTIVAL­tour). Last year we had the RTL Chart

recorded­music side) – and we have come

Sector­is not ready for yet?

tour with a 4-act-bill concept including KOOL

close to an oversaturation. Also we have

– There are many issues where we as the

& THE GANG, CHIC feat Nile Rodgers, SISTER

to find ways to focus again on developing­

most important sector of the industry should

SLEDGE and IMAGINATION. Similar to that

tomorrow´s talent. With the decline of the

act united and have our interests represented

we are developing a touring festival that will

record­companies – the agencies have to

on a Pan European scale. These issues reach

include some current EDM musicians joining

take a more active role in the A&R area.

from harmonizing authors rights companies

together with some of the classic acts.

At GLP we have a section dedicated to the

rates to security, standing strong when you

development­of new show formats as well

have national tax issues (such as recently

We will bring to the road what is currently

as new talent.

in Spain with the drastic increase in VAT on

hitting the charts (e.g. co-operations like

tickets­ ), harmonizing Foreign Entertainment

Nile Rodgers / Daft Punk or George Clinton /

The relevance of the Live Music Sector­

Tax etc. GLP will support any effort in that

Rudimental­).

within the value chain for music products­

direction­– maybe this can be brought up

has risen significantly over the years.

again at next year’s ILMC?!

I am looking forward to some exciting times ahead!

#22 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

#23 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

Manfred Anne Frank TariAlsted mt@vip-booking.com aa@vip-booking.com

RIKKE ØXNER NEW DIRECTOR AT AARHUS CITY FESTIVAL Rikke Øxner

Aarhus City Festival has hired 50-year-old Rikke Øxner as their new

something, and here we have an urban space that we need to put

director. She joins in October replacing Jens Folmer Jepsen, who has

in play”, she says.

headed the Aarhus City Festival for nine seasons. Rikke Øxner has a very experienced and recognized cultural profile after 20 years at

She will not transform the festival week and shake all the traditions:

Roskilde Festival, where she has over the last several years, been part

“I have no ambition to turn the city festival into a music festival, but

of the leadership team, as head of booking and artistic director.

I have many, many ideas”, she says. She will not concretize her vision before the upcoming festival week is held and she starts the new job.

She still lives in Copenhagen, but is moving to Aarhus soon. “I must have my base here and have the city under my skin and I can

Rikke Øxner has been hired on a four-year contract. Her first task

only do that if I live here”, she says. “Both Roskilde Festival and

will be to help to hire a new head of administration for the festival

the Aarhus City Festival are about doing events in a defined area.

week. Aarhus Festival was first held in September 1965. Last year the

At Roskilde Festival, we had a great field where we had to create

festival week had 500,000 visitors.

A concert without our stage is like a body without a soul

M E G A F O R C E

#24 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

Megaforce Veranstaltungs GmbH Jöhlinger Straße 118 D-76356 Weingarten

Phone: +49 7244/7202-0 Fax: +497244/7202-22 Mail: info@megaforce.de

WWW.MEGAFORCE.DE

The Tennessee Whiskey brand Jack Daniel’s has launched an initiative

playing­the small venue circuit is how you learn your trade. From

supporting some of the UK’s independent small venues. Jack Daniel’s

a fan’s point of view it’s about those real memorable moments,

will team up with venues across the country to host regular events

discovering­‘that band’ playing to a handful of people before going

featuring both up and coming talent and established acts.

on to headline Glastonbur­y years later.”

It is third time Jack Daniel’s up-weighted its music budgets and it now

“That’s why we think it’s important to support and put a spotlightn on

represents 30% of the whiskey brand’s total spend on marketing­.

these places by creating an initiative dedicated to smaller, independent­

Jack Daniel’s senior brand manager, Michael Boaler, says:

live music venues as part of our music plan – we really hope that our

“Independent­venues such as the Southampton Joiners and the

Jack Rocks nights help the venues to continue the great work they’re

Brighton­Joker are essential to every new band’s development,

doing whilst discovering some top notch new bands along the way.”

ARTIST AVAILS See/Add more Artist Avails at VIP-Booking.com

Dionne Warwick

Chris Thompson (Ex-Manfred Mann’s Earth Band) Territory: World Period: available all year on request Agency: Live Concept Entertainment GmbH Agent: Michael Widmann Phone: +49-7203-9219180 E-mail: info@live-concept.de www.christhompson-central.com

Bo Kaspers Orkester

Placido Domingo Jr. Territory: World Tour Period: July 2015 - July 2016 Agency: Totalisimo Agent: Manuel Villegas Phone: 0034670666023 E-mail: direccion@totalisimo.com www.totalisimo.com/en/artists/placidodomingojr.html

BANCO DE GAIA Territory: World incl. USA Period: May 2015 onwards Agency: Value Added Talent Agent: Dan Silver Phone: +44 2077049720 E-mail: dan@vathq.co.uk www.vathq.co.uk

Bo Kaspers Orkester Territory: World wide Period: By request Agency: Lifeline Entertainment Agent: Michael Henriksson Phone: + 46 70 632 00 23 E-mail: michael.henriksson@lifeline.se www.lifeline.se

Basement Jaxx Territory: Europe Period: 2015 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Peter Eilliot Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: peter_elliott@primarytalent.com www.primarytalent.com/basement-jaxx/

Noel Gallagher`s High Flying Birds Territory: Europe Period: 2015 Agency: Primary Talent International Agent: Ben Winchester Phone: +44 20 7400 4500 E-mail: ben@primarytalent.com www.noelgallagher.com

Sandro Territory: World Tour Period: July 2015 - July 2016 Agency: Totalisimo Agent: Manuel Villegas Phone: 0034670666023 E-mail: direccion@totalisimo.com www.totalisimo.com/en/djs/sandro.html

Dionne Warwick Territory: Worldwide Period: 2016 Agency: World Entertainment Associates of America, Inc. Agent: John Regna Phone: +1 4079934000 E-mail: JPR@JohnRegna.com www.DionneWarwickTourPromo.com

The “Original” Blues Brothers Band Territory: Europe Period: on request, May - August 2016 Agency: Basitours Agent: Peter Basler Phone: +41 79 7692393 E-mail: office@basitours.com www.basitours.com/artist/original_blues_brothers_band

Alan Parsons Live Project Territory: Worldwide Period: 2016 Agency: World Entertainment Associates of America, Inc. Agent: John Regna Phone: +1 4079934000 E-mail: JPR@JohnRegna.com www.AlanParsonsMusic.com

Need to know who is touring Europe?

Go online - www.vip-booking.com

#26 VIP-MAGAZINE 17/2015 www.vip-booking.com

®

vip-booking.com

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