8 minute read
● Industry interviews
Although the problems associated with COVID-19 are not completely over, the Live Industry seems to have bounced back stronger than ever in 2022 and the prospects for the future are looking good. We asked several promoters how their year has gone so far, how they dealt with the problems they were faced with during the pandemic, what they learnt from it and how they think the industry will change in the aftermath.
We are now stronger than before
Advertisement
Q3
TADC is an independent promoter promoting around 200 shows per year in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The company was formed in 2015 by Edward Janson and Chris Rotenius. Besides club shows and arena shows the company promotes the annual festivals Gefle Metal Festival and Atlas Rock.
Even though the last years have seen many agents leave the majors and start their own agencies, we’ve also seen many companies being acquired by major promoters and agencies, what affect do you think this will have on the Live industry?
Q1
After two years with limited touring the Live industry is now back in full swing, how has 2022 been for your business so far?
Some events, like Gefle Metal Festival and our 50 Cent shows have done really well. But there’s also a lot of shows that haven’t done well. Overall the shows during the spring and summer have sold less tickets than we expected. Having said that, it looks like the winter and spring will be much better.
Q2
On a more personal note, How have you coped mentally with the the largest crisis for many years, have you made any big changes fuelled by the lockdown?
The pandemic was a good opportunity for TADC to take some time to carefully plan for the future. When the restrictions were lifted we were ready to grow and we employed several new staff members during late 2021. It was obviously challenging times for us as it was for everyone else in the music business but we survived and we are now stronger than before.
Photo: Robert Hellström
The live industry needs independent promoters and independent agencies. TADC is now one of the very few totally independent promoters in Scandinavia and we see this as a strength.
Q4
There’s no doubt that the pandemic has been negative for the Live industry, but many have also experienced some positive things that have come out of the crisis. Have you learnt something new and positive that can be used in the future?
We have learnt that it’s important to have rather low overhead costs. If you have that you can survive a crisis and start to prepare for life afterwards.
Q5
What have you got in the pipeline for 2023 and what are your expectations for the Live industry as a whole for the coming year?
As it looks now, we will do more shows during 2023 than we’ve ever done before. We have got some very nice shows coming up, such as three new 50 Cent shows, Arch Enemy / Behemoth in Gothenburg and Stockholm, Lamb Of God / Kreator in Stockholm, a total of 10 Uriah Heep shows and lots more. And I believe that most of the post-pandemic problems will be over by 2023. There’s obviously problems with inflation and the recession but I’m positive for the live business during 2023.
Edward Janson CEO TADC
Saddening to witness work-life as we knew it disappear almost overnight
Vibes & Beats is a Showbusiness Production Company, signing national and international artists for The North Music Festival and solo productions over the years. The company marked its pace with intensity and diversity with shows at the country’s biggest venues, from tours to the conception of a new festival.
Q1
After two years with limited touring the Live industry is now back in full swing, how has 2022 been for your business so far?
Despite all the unfortunate events brought by the pandemic over the last two years, 2022 has been very productive although still with some challenges. It demanded the look for new means of booking and communication, from the adaptation to how to advertise and communicate our events, to the way we contact and create new partnerships with companies and investors. Nonetheless we have been received with open arms, creating synergies with all of those who are eager to celebrate Life, Music and all its energy.
We have been working hard to bring back all the power that we have been building throughout the years. North Music Festival had a great response from the bands as well as from the public. Also with our productions that cover a distinct variety of artists, with sold out shows and an amazing response from the public.
Q2
On a more personal note, How have you coped mentally with the the largest crisis for many years, have you made any big changes fuelled by the lockdown?
It was saddening to witness the work-life that we have known for so long to disappear almost overnight. In an Industry where people gather for the sole purpose of celebrating music, having that taken in a blink of an eye, it was a hard blow. Having been used to an office full of people with a team spirit and everyone co-operating with every team member, although it was hard to go through, we had the need to persevere and not let the pandemic take away all our work and dedication.
So, we did everything in our power to do what humankind does best – create a new culture – adapt to survive. And with this Motto in our minds, despite being physically separated, we all worked together remotely with online meetings and everyone jumping in with more and more creative solutions and inputs, in time we were able to find a new culture within our company.
Q3
Even though these last years have seen many agents leave majors and start their own agency, we have also seen many companies being acquired by major promoters and agencies, how do you see that affecting the Live industry?
No matter what the industry is, people will always leave to pursue their own goals and dreams, and companies will still work on growing and expanding their names and prestige. In an era where nothing is ever fully static and everything and everyone is always moving, we know one thing for sure – that nothing is ever taken for granted.
The Live Industry is no exception to this rule. With the expansion of the communication tools, the relationships developed throughout the years and with artists, bands, agents and all types of people in the Live Industry, there will always be a connection to people despite the agency or company they have or currently belong to.
Jorge Veloso Managing Director Vibes & Beats
Q4
There is no doubt that the pandemic has been negative for the Live industry, but many have also experienced some positive things that have come out of the crisis. Have you learned something new and positive that can be used going forward?
One of the most important things that I have learned from this crisis and I’m taking forward, is that the Connections we create with people will always be the basis for moving on with every type of event we want to create.
It’s fundamental to look for people with drive to surround yourself with. From there all kinds of ideas and projects almost create themselves. When you have a place where everyone is giving the best of themselves and help the ones around them build more than good projects and events. Working even closer with artists and agents that have been in projects with us it’s the other fundamental part of what the past years have brought to us. Because the goal is the same for everyone involved – to take the music and the concert spirit once again to everyone.
Q5
What have you in the pipeline for 2023 and what are your expectations for the whole Live industry in general for the coming year?
For 2023 my main goal is the next edition of NORTH MUSIC FESTIVAL, and to continue to diversify my events with the biggest venues in Portugal.
The North Music Festival (MNF) now known as “The First Festival of the Year” with the slogan “The Compass Points North” is now more than a music festival and we want to continue to grow along with its recognition from the Inventors, Brands, and most importantly from the Public itself.
As for my expectations for the Live Industry as a whole, I think that it has all the potential and even more to continue to evolve, because every single day there is a new dream and a new idea being born that can impulse the industry and the world, from a song to an artist, to a company or an agent, to a promoter to the public. One thing we can be sure, as long as we have music, we will always have movement.
29.09.22 Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
13.10.22 15.10.22 Danny Bryant & Bigband Cali
10.11.22 12.11.22 Saga Black Lives: From Generation to Generation
19.11.22 Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni Ba
11.03.23
11. - 14.05.23
17.06.23
opderschmelz.lu | dudelange2022.lu
