Corida acquires 50% of Pitchfork Paris promoter Super!

Corida Group, one of the largest independent live music companies in France, has acquired half of Super!, the promoter behind the Pitchfork Paris, Cabourg Mon Amour and Biarritz en Été festivals.

The deal – signed on the eve of Pitchfork Paris (1–3 November) – sees Super! join other semi-independent promoters the Talent Boutique and Pi-Pôle, along with Corida itself, under the Corida Group umbrella. The set-up, says the company, offers “a distinct and innovative alternative to multinational promoters”, such as Live Nation France and the recently launched AEG Presents France, “in Europe.”

Corida is the live music arm of France’s multifaceted Because Music Group, which is also involved in publishing, artist management and venue ownership.

The company now owns five festivals – its portfolio already included We Love Green and Peacock Festival – and programmes a further two (Super! is exec producer of Red Bull Music Festival and curator of Villette Sonique), while its promotion roster is boosted by the likes of the XX, Bon Iver, Four Fet, Mumford & Sons and Caribou.

“Together, we can be a real alternative, and attract the most talented independent acts touring France and Europe”

Julien Catala, who founded Super! in 2006, says: “I am delighted and proud to be joining the Corida and Because groups. This new partnership will enable Super! to develop its booking activities, festival production and special events, and continue to expand.

“In a globalised industry with multinational operators, being part of an independent group remains crucial to the Super! concept and the whole team. I am looking forward to working alongside Emmanuel [de Buretel, Because founder], Olivier [Darbois, Corida MD] and their partners at the Corida Group in order to expand an independent, innovative and modern network, while cultivating a strong and unique artistic ambition.”

“Super! is a fantastic addition to our group,” adds Darbois, recently appointed president of Prodiss. “Julien will continue to operate Super! independently while we will offer him our expertise and strength to help him expand. Together, we can be a real alternative, and attract the most talented independent acts touring France and Europe with a world-class level of service”.

De Buretel comments: “I am particularly excited to have the opportunity to work with Julien and his team. He is an imaginative entrepreneur who has demonstrated over the past 12 years that you can build a real alternative in a very competitive market like France. He will be an important asset for Corida Group across artist development to festivals, and we look forward to building synergies across the Because umbrella.”

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