Editor's note

So, here we go with the first Newsletter of the year in what promises to be a continuing year of dramatic change for the whole of the music industry. The very big bosses of the major record companies continue with the exhausting work of re-constructing their be-leaguered empires by sacking the big bosses, (we report on prominent cases in this News) downsizing, entering into download deals, expanding their battles against an increasing range of piracy and illegal access, re-jigging artist contracts (BMG and Sony in particular) to include shares in live performance earnings and preparing for opposition to merger plans. In the meantime target marketing becomes harder. As the youth market further embraces downloading as the acquisition method of choice the increasing power of the grey spend is highlighted by a study, funded by pharmaceutical Company Lilly-ICOS which reports that half of all purchases of recorded music in the UK will be made by people over 40 by the year 2008.

Changes may also be expected in the top end of live industry with various Clear Channel and DEAG corporate contracts coming up for renewal, and no doubt some retirements being announced. However in contrast to the record business the live industry should approach the coming months with a degree of measured optimism, with the recorded-music market in crisis, this may be the optimum time to re-establish the concert as the main expression of music talent.

Rather than the digital medium being an enemy the internet and every other medium can be an advantage for live acts. Ageing punters are reportedly not losing their enthusiasm for the live experience (which suits me!), and the increasing acceptance of all genres of popular music, particularly in Europe, as culture, is opening up more and more areas of support, including as we report here regional and national political moves, for developing artists through local shows and international touring. The trick will be to devise efficient co-operations between arts and culture based aspirations and the solid experience of open-minded professional managers agents, promoters, and venues. The ETEP programme is the first major practical pan- European initiative in this area, and all the Vip people were in Groningen, Holland, to watch its second year development as a major component of the Eurosonic Festival and Noorderslag Seminar. (Also to socialise, complain again about the amount of froth on Dutch beer, switch to bottled, moderate a panel with a fine hangover and have an all round good time!)

Manfred Tari and I wish you all the best of business success for 2004, and as always - keep us informed so that we may inform others!

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Last year at the Noorderslag Seminar and Electrosonic Festival in Groningen in the north of Holland, it snowed, this year it rained, but neither of these conditions could freeze or dampen the enthusiasm that attends this event.

 

Every day for three days there has been another prominent departure of an industry heavy weight from a record company.

Starting on January 14 when BMG announced letting 'L.A. Reid' go, followed by Tim Renner Chief executive of Universal Music Group Germany and Thomas M. Stein, President of BMG Germany, Austria & Switzerland.

 

A new - old player moves into the market. Ossy Hoppe has set up a new company named Wizard Promotion. As of the beginning of the year Ossy Hoppy is no longer with Global Concerts, a subsidiary company of DEAG. He also takes his team with him to the new company.

 

The company that now claims to be the UK's biggest organiser of live music concerts has pulled off what may be considered something of a concert-promoting coup.

 

The South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference and Festival, scheduled to take place Wednesday, March 17 - 21, 2004 in Austin, Texas, has announced two SXSW Interviews with major artists along with a first, extensive, list of performing acts.

 

Figures from The Performing Rights Society (PRS) indicate that 2003 was a record year for ticket sales in the UK, indicating a new appetite for live music. Resurgence of interest in rock acts is thought to be a significant factor.

PRS was set up in 1914 and has been keeping records of live concert attendance for all of the last 90 years.

 

More reference to the good health of the live industry was referred to at the BRIT Awards 2004 press launch at London's Park Lane Hotel on January 12. Top UK pop act Busted Mute act Goldfrapp and Island-signed Amy Winehouse performed in front of over 300 industry guests. The full list of this year's nominations was announced.

 

Partly in response to growing protest about the new Licensing Act the UK Government has set up a Live Music Forum to monitor and encourage the industry. The Forum is to be chaired by chaired by Feargal Sharkey, former singer of the Undertones.

 

BMG act Kosheen will headline the main stage for the British event which will take place in the Martinez Ballroom, Cannes on Monday January 26 2004. and, as usual, is hosted by UK groups the BPI, British Music Rights and PPL.

The showcase has previously featured Mercury Music Prize nominees Electric Soft Parade and The Bees.

 

 

On December 18, 2003 the board of the City of Cologne decided to levy an additional entertainment tax of 3,5 % of revenue, including handling fee of the presale and VAT, on peep-shows, game centres sport and cultural events. As one might expect this caused outrage from promoters and the awareness of the media. Local media particularly intensively reported on the affects on concert and sport events in the town. The buzz was massive and it took just one month for the council to come to the conclusion not to charge this tax.

In the end reasoned arguments lead to the decision to reconsider the tax. The consequences would have eventually led to many shows and events moving to the Ruhr area or to arch rival town Dusseldorf significantly affecting the local infrastructure for shows and events. However, the only good thing arising from the tax adventure is that next time official forces will probably think a little more carefully about the consequences of higher and extra taxes for these kind of business.

Clear Channel (CCU.NSE): No significant movement for Clear Channel share yet to be seen. 44.73 USD compare to 45.15 USD as reported on Vip News December 14.

CTS Eventim (EVD.FSE): When Vip News reported on the opinion of the analyst of the DZG Bank, the recommendation was buy and the price target was 9 Euro. The results of this report in terms of the price target are even better than expected. From 8.50 Euro up to 11.05 Euro.

DEAG (ERM.FSE) A. downside movement for DEAG shares. 2.33 Euro is the current price compared to 2.70 Euro in mid December 03.

Mean Fiddler (MEF.ISE) 36.00 Pence last time this 39.5 Pence this time. Not spectacular yet and lets see how Mean Fiddler will perform in 2004.

 

Viggo Lund Management AS is a management company representing Norwegian artists. Also, we represent a considerable part of Norway's professional presenters, who give presentations and seminars based on experience and knowledge from their own occupations. In addition to management responsibility and promotion work, Viggo Lund Management AS is responsible for production and the organizing of events, "kick-offs", shows, concerts and seminars.

 

International Artists is actually a group of companies, founded and lead by former musicians and agents who have been in the music-business for 30 years.

International Artists Holland is an international booking-agency lead by Miss José Lejeune. Main activities are bookings and event-organisation.

International Artists Germany GmbH is an International booking-agency lead by Wim van den Munckhof. Main activities are bookings and event-organisation.

International Artists Management.
An International Artists Management Company lead by Jacques Lejeune.

 

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