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Live Nation to acquire Mainland Music

Following the acquisition of Openair Frauenfeld and the launch of TM Switzerland, the US concert colossus has deepened its involvement in the thriving Swiss market

By Jon Chapple on 11 Dec 2018

2019: Mainland team with Live Nation GSA

The Mainland team with Live Nation GSA's Matt Schwarz (front right)


Leading Swiss promoter Mainland Music is to be acquired by Live Nation, the companies announced today.

The acquisition – understood to have been in the works for some time, and expected to be completed in January 2019 – grows Live Nation GSA’s footprint in the Swiss market, following the acquisition of Openair Frauenfeld festival last July and the official launch of Ticketmaster Switzerland the following month.

Mainland – founded in 2012 in Christian Gremelmayr, Derrick Thomson, Marc Lambelet, Martin Schrader and Santosh Aerthott – is one of Switzerland’s largest concert promoters, organising more than 650 shows annually from its offices in Zurich and Lausanne.

“We are looking forward to partnering with a promising and thriving promoter like Mainland Music,” says Matt Schwarz, COO of Live Nation GSA (Germany, Switzerland and Austria).

“With their strong relationships and impressive industry insights, this important strategic move will strengthen Live Nation’s presence in the Swiss market and ensure the continuation of our success story through this merger in the years to come.”

“As a very successful boutique-style promoter, we will add our spirit to Live Nation’s reach”

Following the merger, Mainland Music will continue all existing operations while also joining forces with Live Nation on tours and other promotion opportunities, according to the new partners.

Previous Mainland Music shows and tours include Sam Smith, Macklemore, Queens of the Stone Age, Parkway Drive, Rise Against, Snow Patrol, Passenger, Die Antwoord, Cypress Hill, Hollywood Undead, Hozier and Biffy Clyro.

“By joining the Live Nation family, we will bring even more international top acts to Switzerland,” comments Christian Gremelmayr of Mainland Music. “As a leading local promoter, we will work with Live Nation to guarantee the best possible service for all artists.”

IQ’s last Swiss market report, in issue 72, found Switzerland remains one of the world’s healthiest touring markets, despite turmoil elsewhere in Europe.

“Connecting to Live Nation will give us new opportunities in the Swiss market,” adds Mainland’s Derrick Thomson. “As a very successful boutique-style promoter, we will add our spirit to Live Nation’s reach. “We are very excited and look forward to opening a new chapter in Mainland Music’s history.”

 


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