VIPNEWS PREMIUM > VOLUME 189 > APRIL 2016 Prince 1958-2016 VIPNEWS > APRIL 2016 McGowan’s Musings I had actually written the Musings on fact very pleasant, in Tallinn (more of that of Bob Dylan… I think some of them could Thursday April 21, but woke up on Friday later…), even though I’ve been there when do quite well. It’ll be interesting to see if the 22nd to hear the devastating news that the sea was still frozen over, Ruud Berends, average age of the performers on stage on another musical genius had died - of course Peter Smidt and I nearly fell through an each of the three days sets some kind of a we could not release this issue without iced over roof (another story…) and Martin record as they’re all in their 60’s and 70’s mention of Prince, though we have included Elbourne skidded over and broke his arm. (nothing wrong with that!). If it does set a a longer piece in our Friday daily news . It’s an eventful place, but I usually expect a record for the oldest set of rock stars it will Apart from his incredible writing and singing little less variety and uncertainty in Brighton highlight the fact that generally we are living abilities his attitude to live performance and London, but what happens? Two hot, longer, and old age is not what it was! was incredible, he played everywhere and yes hot, and sunny days, followed by really anywhere he could and had a passion for cold sunny days and a hailstorm, and when However this is I’m sure no real comfort to playing small venues, often unannounced, you’ve got a head that some may describe Brian Johnson of AC/DC whose worsening so that he could perform eyeball to eyeball as less than hirsute, those hailstones hurt! deafness, an affliction he shares with with his audience - he was without doubt Anyway…. Pete Townsend and maybe some others a complete original, we won’t see his like mentioned above, has driven him off the again. RIP Prince. Talking of Brighton, which I often do as I road, with the ever reliable (?) Axl Rose set live here, although local promoters, bands to take over for the upcoming tour dates. I haven’t moaned about the weather for a and venue owners recently met with local while have I? Well, let me say it was fine, in councillors to discuss difficulties for live Now, have we got any recent stories about music locally, the City is soon to be overrun young folk….? Ah, well apparently Led by music biz people and acts from near Zepplin - young? – sorry, it just seems that and far, as The Great Escape moves into the pensioners are in the News for now – COLOPHON > town for another edition of conference and these particular aging rockers have and festival fun and games. I usually act in been accused of purloining sections of other VIP-News is published by: a truly professional manner by setting up peoples’ songs. Shock, horror – they’re not VIP-Booking.com Enghaven 19 shop outside a convenient pub from which I the first, and they won’t be the last to be at Attrup 8444 Balle Denmark can wave at international visitors and invite least influenced by something that has gone them to buy me a drink- sorry that should before, and though the wholesale rip-off of Managing Director: Ronni Didriksen have read, invite them for a drink…See someone’s work is not to be condoned, I’m [email protected] what’s in store for Great Escape delegates not aware of people queuing up with Led General Manager: Peter Briggs in the report in this issue. Zepplin records demanding refunds because [email protected] the album features second hand product. Writer and editorial: Although we have for some years been It’s all relative… Allan McGowan [email protected] beset by complaints that the old guard of acts still ruled the roost, and it was time for a Right, apologies for dwelling on the elderly, Writer: Manfred Tari change, the big festival news is the proposed be assured it won’t always be that way [email protected] ‘super bill’ for a Coachella event in the US – or will it? – and the reports in this issue For advertising enquiries please contact: featuring such newcomers as, from the UK: will of course contain reference to young, Peter Briggs Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, The vibrant and newly creative goings on in the [email protected] +46 70 77 60 480 Who, and Roger Waters, plus from Canada business which concerns you all! Ladies and Neil Young, and an American by the name Gentlemen – The News! 2 VIPNEWS > APRIL 2016 High Profit at Roskilde Festival From VIP-Daily News Roskilde Festival 2015 resulted in profit of EUR 2,335,570. Additionally, the participating organisations, companies and societies enjoyed a record-breaking year, earning EUR 3,114,093. Roskilde Festival has always been a non-profit organisation, They are behind the many bars, shops and stalls around the festival. therefore all proceeds will be donated to charitable and cultural With the help of volunteers, more than 200 organisations, societies initiatives with a special focus on children and young people. and companies generated their profit. Nearly 100,000 guests bought a ticket for Roskilde Festival 2015, taking part in a festive week of music, art and a unique sense of community. The festival has 30,000 volunteers. Organisations like Red Cross, Kofoed`s Skole, the Syrian Culture Caravan, Save the Children, Ungdomsbureauet and DanChurchAid Roskilde Festival are among the recipients of Roskilde Festival`s profits in 2015. Roxette Cancel Summer Tour From VIP-Daily News Roxette management have confirmed that The duo had been set to kick off the final But on Monday the Swedish pop group the band will not only cancel their live 2016 leg of their RoXXXette 30th Anniversary issued a press release announcing that the Summer shows, but as a result of doctor’s Tour in Switzerland on June 3rd, before summer shows had all been cancelled after orders, Marie Fredriksson has been advised travelling onwards to countries such as Fredriksson`s doctor advised her to quit to stop touring. Germany, the United Kingdom and Russia. touring. The artist, who reunited with her fellow Roxette Roxette member Per Gessle in 2010 after being diagnosed with brain cancer eight years earlier, said she was sad, but proud, to leave behind a long career and vast collection of global hits. “It`s been an amazing 30 years! I feel nothing but joy and happiness when I look back on the Roxette world tours. All our shows and memories over the years will forever be a big part of my life,” said the 57-year-old. “Sadly, now my touring days are over and I want to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful fans that have allowed us on our long and winding journey.” 3 VIPNEWS > APRIL 2016 Saxon Split With Longtime Manager From VIP-Daily News After over 16 years working together Saxon and their long-time and look forward to watching them continue asserting their metal manager Thomas Jensen have split ways. power worldwide.” Saxon’s venerable frontman Biff Byford said, “We have had a great Jensen, Holger Hübner and Leo Loers will be expanding their and successful period with Thomas and will miss him very much. management company MPS Hanseatic where they will also be We will still be involved on other projects together in future, and offering business management, booking services and production we remain close friends and metal brothers.“ coordination. Thomas Jensen added, “I want to thank Biff and Saxon for over Picture left to right: Thomas Jensen (Managing Director, ICS 16 years of METAL and fun on the Road. I feel very privileged to Festival Service GmbH), Saxon frontman Biff Byford and Leonard have worked for one of the greatest metal bands on the planet, Loers (Managing Director, MPS Hanseatic) Ed Sheeran Follows Agent to CAA From VIP-Daily News Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has signed Ed Sheeran for worldwide Ed Sheeran representation, excluding US and Canada. The move had been expected since Sheeran’s agent Jon Ollier moved to CAA from Free Trade Agency in 2015. Sheeran, 25, recently completed a 179-date tour, selling out arenas around the world, including three dates at Wembley Stadium, making him the first-ever solo artist to headline the venue without a band. The singer continues to be represented by Paradigm Agency in the US and Canada. 4 GLOBAL CITY PLANNERS & THE MUSIC INDUSTRY TAKE PART IN MUSIC Canada’s and CMW’s international creative-economy summit A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH CITIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD Global city planners and the music industry take 2016 KEYNOTE part in Music Canada’s and Canadian Music SPEAKERS Week’s international creative-economy summit “The Mastering Of A Music City.” FRANCES MOORE CHRISTOPHER THORNBERG LESA UKMAN IFPI, LONDON, UK BEACON ECONOMICS, USA IEG, CHICAGO The day-long summit takes place during Canadian Music Week on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Sheraton 2016 SPEAKERS Center, Toronto. Individual tickets are available or you can gain access with the CMW VIP pass. The “Music City” is a true 21st Century paradigm – a shared realization that cities across the globe enjoy an often-huge economic dividend from the creation, performance and reception of music. TIM ARNOLD KATE BECKER PAUL BROADHURST MARK DAVYD JO DIPPLE NEILL DIXON MARK GARNER LONDON, UK SEATTLE, WA, USA LONDON, UK LONDON, UK LONDON, UK TORONTO, ON TORONTO, ON Whether it’s Austin, Texas, where music tourism represents half the city’s economic output from music, or Melbourne, Australia, where live music accounts for 116,000 jobs, or Toronto, where the Canadian recording industry has a $400 million impact, that song you hear is sung by robust civic economies worldwide.