10 15 6 21 VIPNEWS PREMIUM > VOLUME 185 > DECEMBER 2015 19 11 17 8 16 14 2 VIPNEWS > DECEMBER 2015 McGowan’s Musings So here we are with the last News of 2015, next year, and as ever we invite you all to box office records and acts like Ed Sheeran an eventful year with, as we mentioned keep us informed on your activities so that and Nicki Minaj following up. The figures in the last edition, some terrible events we can spread your news… also show that the US is not completely besetting the world of live music. But there ruling the roost as 11 of the top 25 top were good things of course and maybe we Overall 2015 has been an extremely good performing acts this year are from other can concentrate more on those in this pre- year for the live industry; the ever reliable US countries. However the two top promoters Christmas edition, hopefully a time of good publication Billboard has just released highly are US Companies with global offices, Live will to all men and women and their friends impressive and improved figures for the year Nation dominates the touring market and and families in all sectors of the business in al sectors of live, and talks of, “… the the European Festivals, and is on a par with which keeps us all busy! We’ve asked a vibrant power of community that has driven the overall second placed AEG Live as far as few of our readers to let us know how their the concert industry since its inception, and operating US Festivals. Live Nation called its year’s went, and what they have in mind for has now re-invigorated it into an estimated earnings report for Q3, the biggest quarter $20 billion global juggernaut in the digital for live music, the “biggest quarter revenue age.” The inference is, I’m sure you’ll all be in the history of the company,” up 10% glad to hear, that people, of all ages, still year-over-year with over 24 million fans have an appetite for the live experience, attending its shows. and still wish to spend time sharing an experience in the company of others, no So, with international touring moving into COLOPHON > matter how many more digital pastimes and more and more emerging and expanding communications become available. markets the top end of the business is VIP-News is published by: experiencing its most successful phase for VIP-Booking.com Interesting to see that the biggest selling quite some years, perhaps even ever! 20-22 Wenlock Road London N1 7GU concert of the year was again by a ‘heritage’ United Kingdom +44 870 755 0092 act, with the surviving, and presumably Of course we’re aware that many of you are Managing Director: gratefully alive, members of The Grateful operating at the top end of the market, but Ronni Didriksen Dead with Phish’s Trey Anastasio taking the with small to medium clubs for instance this [email protected] guitar spot left vacant by the sadly deceased has been a year that has, as we’ve reported General Manager: Peter Briggs Jerry Garcia, staging two ‘Fare Thee Well’ in recent issues, seen great efforts being put [email protected] 50th anniversary concerts. The shows in into supporting the ‘grass-roots’, by helping Writer and editorial: Chicago and California grossed $52 million! small venues to survive. Also, as I discovered Allan McGowan [email protected] in Brussels a few days ago, the European Writer: But although a lot of other ‘old-timers’, Commission are looking at ways that music Manfred Tari including The Stones, U2, Paul McCartney, can benefit more from existing and future [email protected] AC/DC, Madonna etc were on the road and Culture Funds. Of course we cannot take For advertising enquiries please contact: more than ‘doing the business’, the worries anything for granted, but there seems to be Peter Briggs [email protected] about new acts coming through seem to grounds for optimism in 2016. So, Ladies +44 870 755 0092 have been put to rest, for now, with the likes and Gentlemen have a great holiday break, of Taylor Swift and One Direction breaking and here’s The News! 2 VIPNEWS > DECEMBER 2015 Russia propose new Live Industry regulations Allan McGowan [email protected] Russian legislators have proposed new regulations for the live Similar professional organizations exist in many countries,” said entertainment industry, under which a self-monitoring organization Dmitry Bogachev, head of the company Stage Entertainment to of promoters, to be titled Soyuzkontsert, will be formed. Billboard,. “And, similarly to them, we shouldn`t restrict ourselves to formal regulation of relations with consumers.” Aimed to improve the sector`s operations generally, the proposed regulations outline greater responsibility for promoters around According to Bogachev, companies in the live entertainment sector customer care. have many common goals and tasks that the new organization could address, such as regulating relations between partners, lobbying Promoters that have already joined the organizations include SAV the industry`s interests, competing with cinema and television for Entertainment, PMI and NCA, while other major players in the sector customers and tackling contemporary challenges related to security are expected to join. issues. The organization also plans to deal with such issues as simplifying the process of obtaining visas for touring foreign artists Industry insiders say that the organization would make the industry and resolving taxation issues related to their fees. more professional and efficient. The proposals include: The regulatory push arrives during a difficult period. An overall • Creating an emergency fund to cover expenses for cancelled shows economic downturn in the country has hit many promoters, especially • Forming a disciplinary commission that will assess professional those who specialize in booking in foreign artists. The ruble hit an standards of industry players all-time low this week against the US dollar and -- as foreign acts` • Liaising with local authorities to avoid cancellations of show at their fees are largely negotiated in US dollars and Euros while ticket prices demand are in rubles -- promoters assume big risks organizing shows by most foreign artists. “The creation of a self-regulating organization is a natural step as the live entertainment industry moves towards greater professionalism, Legislators are expected to adopt the new regulations in early 2016. Need to know who is touring Europe? ® Go online - www.vip-booking.com vip-booking.com 3 VIPNEWS > DECEMBER 2015 Roskilde Festival donates one million DKK to Christmas charities Allan McGowan [email protected] 135,000 people took part in Roskilde Festival 2015, celebrating for 300 young refugees. The Red Cross Youth-driven organisation music, art, community and much more. All profits from the summer Spilopperne have received funds for Christmas activities for children celebration are now being donated to social and cultural charities. at 15 different crisis centres for women. For many people, December in general and Christmas in particular are Other organisations are bringing people together for town square reasons to celebrate. For some, however, there is less reason to rejoice, parties, inviting homeless to the cinema, out for dinner and much and these are the people that many charities try to reach out to. more. Roskilde Festival has donated 1,150,000 DKK to help ten different The 1,150,000 DKK have been donated to the following Danish organisations with these important efforts during the otherwise organisations: festive holidays. Røde Kors (Asylcenter Avnstrup) Christmas donations for lonely children Foreningen Grønlandske Børn Spilopperne (Ungdommens Røde Kors) These organisations are actively working on improving the standards Kofoeds Kælder of life for marginalised groups of society, and this Christmas most of INSP! the donations are dedicated to lonely and socially isolated children Fundamentet and young people. Frelsens Hær Børnenes Kontor Red Cross have teamed up with Avnstrup Asylcenter (refugee camp Kafe Klaus Avnstrup) to organise an evening of festivities with food and music Mødrehjælpen Roskilde Festival 4 VIPNEWS > DECEMBER 2015 PRS for Music Foundation Announces Latest Momentum Music funded Artists Allan McGowan [email protected] PRS for Music Foundation, Arts Council England and Spotify have strong results: for those who have completed their project , £1 from announced the next round of artists to receive Momentum Music Momentum is generating £7.46 for the music industry. I’m looking funding. forward to seeing the latest artists benefit from Momentum and get to that next stage of their careers.” The list includes Eagulls from Leeds, Bristol’s Rozi Plain, and lyrics and Manchester’s Grime MC Bugzy Malone; full list is: Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England said; “Our creative industries are now generating 1 in 20 new jobs and Anna Meredith – Developing live and touring fuelling economic growth. Arts Council England’s investment in Big Narstie – Mixing, mastering, promotions and marketing cultivating the next generation of talent in this country through Bugzy Malone – Recording and promotions of new work programmes like Momentum is already paying real dividends. It’s Clock Opera – Recording, mixing and promotions for the 2nd album incredibly important that we continue to bring the creativity of EAGULLS – Touring and promotion performers, producers and songwriters to the fore.” Fyfe – Recording, marketing and promotions of 2nd album Get Inuit – Recording and marketing Bryan Johnson, Director, Artist Services of Spotify said: Holly Macve