Top professionals from every corner of the globe infiltrated London last week, their rendezvous the top-secret office of M, the date Friday March 8, 2002, their mission, should they choose to accept it, to save the world from mediocre entertainment. From behind the very same desk from which James Bond was dispatched to do battle with the evil Dr. No, M briefed some 660 agents, on - 'Mission Irreversible'.

This was the opening scene and the theme of the fourteenth International Live Music Conference, which took place at London's Royal Garden Hotel over three days last weekend. Light hearted as the theme and the dressing of the conference was, all in attendance were well aware that this year's conference was set against the background of an industry in a dramatic state of metamorphosis, beset by deeply serious world events and public safety issues. M, in real life Martin Hopewell, MD of Primary Talent, and respected founder of the ILMC welcomed the largest number of delegates yet to the conference, and urged all present to take an active role in positively influencing the fundamental changes which are taking place in the business. ...

Following an opening party hosted by Claudio Trotta of Italy's Barley Arts, and Martin's briefing, Carl Leighton-Pope of LPO chaired 'Talking Shop - A Review of The Year'. This appeared to be the beginning of many twisted necks in a Conference full of people trying to look over their shoulders and ahead at the same time! Although a year full of problems, the arrival of the euro, artist tax moves, TV manufactured artists, the UK's 'foot and mouth' epidemic, Roskilde and the disaster of September 11th, some aspects were surprisingly considered good, Arena shows were generally buoyant, and those festivals that took place did reasonably well.

Congratulations went to Juri Makarov of Makarov Muusik, who has promoted in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia since 1987, on his sell out success with Sting in Estonia, suggesting a new confidence in Eastern Europe. Kylie Minogue became a huge star, and stuck with Dave Chumbley of Primary Talent, the agent that had worked on her career for 13 years. ...

Roger Barrett of Star Hire UK and members of the ILMC Crowd Safety Panel chaired 'Safety in Numbers - The Report, Last year the in depth investigation of crowd safety issues attracted the attention of the international media, and highlighted areas of deep concern. A focus group was set up to work on the issues in detail, with volunteer representatives from the areas of show production, festival organisation and crowd management. The findings presented in Roger's presentations were alarming to say the least, and it is more than obvious that essential work in this area has to be done to avoid future, at the moment inevitable, disasters. However like anything else, it requires funding, initially for the work of The Safety Focus Group to continue. This is an example of the serious benefits that ILMC can bring to the industry, in terms of forming and presenting expert legislation to the authorities. We are all in this industry, so if you can offer help or advice, contact: sfg@ilmc.com.

Saturday's sessions included a well-attended Festival Forum, chaired by Philippe Cornu, and Christof Huber of Switzerland's Gurten and Openair St. Gallen Festivals. Various problems were discussed, including scheduling, i.e. trying to avoid all the major festivals taking place at the same time. YOUROPE are addressing this by establishing a European Festival database, allowing promoters to have advance knowledge of each other's plans, and to enter into discussion.

Other panels were 'Meet the Venues', 'Emerging Market Places' and a discussion session on business planning, and the present level of protection offered to promoters by current show agreement provisions and financial planning 'The Dance Club' dealt with the increasingly large share of the business, previously dominated by rock, now taken over by dance, with it's own deal structures, events, terminology and personalities, and attempted to make this more accessible.

This was the conference session that said all in its title -'A Five Year Plan for The Industry'. A few years ago the idea of putting together a business plan, as in other industries would have been nearly unthinkable for the majority of those involved in a volatile industry based on rapidly changing tastes and trends. Staying in business from year to year was the focus, now it is all about where the business is heading, or possibly being taken by the likes of Clear Channel Entertainment. The choice of chairmen was exactly the right balance, the man who thinks as much or more about the tickets that don't sell than those that do, Canadian Michael Rapino of Clear Channel Europe, and the somewhat more eccentric individual Salamon Hazot of Garance, France. John Giddings of Solo/Clear Channel, Emma Banks of agency, Helter Skelter, Stuart King of Carling, Wim Schipper of The European Arenas Association and Peter Jackson of Ticketmaster, made up a heavyweight panel.

There was an air of confrontation in the room, the old guard who had created and built the business from nothing, and the corporation that intended to decide where and how it would grow in a new century. Rapino laid out the stark facts: Piracy and Internet use up -record sales down; ticket prices up - number of shows down. The positive aspect - the consumer still wants the product. ...

Brian Becker's unplanned, but spontaneous double act with Harvey Goldsmith on Saturday trailered the Clear Channel's CEO second double up with Ed Bicknell, veteran manager of Dire Straits. Although Ed has conducted these interviews before at 'In The City' events, most memorably with the now departed Peter Grant, the format had not been tried at ILMC. In the event, it was the weekend's hot ticket. From Ed's opening deliberate confusion of his guest with a certain German tennis player with a liking for close games in small cupboards, an easy and relaxed conversation revealed much about the man and his Company.

Again this would need an article of its own, but in summary the man from Houston Texas stressed that they see themselves as a theatrical live entertainment company, not only involved with music. His aim is to find more innovative ways to sell tickets and to develop their business, being aware of the changes that technology will bring, and training people to handle these new techniques. They do intend to nurture new talent, by instituting secondary stages in their venues, and encouraging the booking policies of their existing agents in 1500-1600 capacity venues across Europe.He maintained that tremendous growth is possible over the next 10-20 years , as long as new talent is developed, and opportunities taken.

The final session, in good and balanced contrast to much of what had gone before, dealt with 'The Real Life Music Industry', the new acts, the non headline acts, and the small to mid range business that occupies the time of many of the ILMC members.

The Conference closed with Martin Hopewell announcing the good news that there will be an ILMC 15, (before disappearing to collapse with fatigue and relief in the green room!) and many new ideas were proposed from the floor, such as the inclusion of younger people, those training for the industry with something to say, new blood for what is still, and will remain to be the most vital and important forum that this industry is fortunate enough to have.