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The UK’s Music Venue Properties (MVP) has acquired Newport’s Le Pub under its Own Our Venues scheme.
Founded in 1992, Le Pub (also known as Le Public Space) has been touted as a ‘cornerstone’ of Newport’s music scene with alumni including Skindred and Kids in Glass Houses.
The venue, which also operates as a bar, restaurant, and nightclub, has endured a handful of challenges over the years including a relocation to new premises. Now, under MVP’s #OwnOurVenues initiative, the future of the venue has been secured.
Own Our Venues was originally launched as a Community Share Offer in 2022 as the first step in a long-term campaign to take control of the freeholds of music venue premises and bring them under a protected status of benevolent ownership.
The project was made possible by more than 1,200 individual investors including £500,000 investment from both Arts Council England and Arts & Culture Finance.
“Having a landlord who is as passionate about live music as we are, will make a massive difference to us”
To date almost £2.8m has been raised from over 1300 individual investors and funding. The scheme has received additional support from the Community Ownership Fund including £250k to realise the purchase of Le Pub.
In addition to Le Pub, Own Our Venues has purchased four other venues: The Snug in Atherton, The Ferret in Preston, The Bunkhouse in Swansea and The Booking Hall in Dover.
“We are very excited to be part of the Music Venue Properties family of owned venues,” says Samantha Dabb, the manager of Le Pub. “Having a landlord who is as passionate about live music as we are, will make a massive difference to us and guarantee the venue’s future in Newport.”
Mark Davyd, founder of Music Venue Trust, adds: “Le Pub was one of the very first venues to join the Music Venues Alliance, and has been, for the last ten years, one of the most vocal and active campaigning voices about the importance of grassroots music venues to our communities, towns and cities. To see it taken into protected ownership, guaranteeing its future for decades to come, is a huge step forward for live music in Wales and a beacon of what can be achieved through projects like Music Venue Properties.”
To mark the acquisition, Le Pub tonight (10 January) will host a special plaque unveiling and evening of live music with performances by local homegrown talent Murder Club and a guest set by Sam Duckworth of Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
The event will also feature speeches from supporters and local government representatives.
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Ticketing company AS Piletilevi Group is expanding its reach in Romania with the acquisition of Ticketing Nation, which manages the Entertix.ro and Myticket.ro platforms.
The merged companies say they will sell nearly five million tickets, worth more than €30 million, per year and collect more than 24 million online visits. Piletilevi Group previously acquired a majority stake in Romania’s oldest ticketing company Bilete.ro last summer.
According to shareholder and board chair Sven Nuutmann, Piletilevi Group sees great potential in the Romanian market, both in terms of concerts by major international artists and in the technological development of the country’s cultural sector.
“Through this transaction, we are not only increasing our market share in Romania, but also creating a strong foundation for further expansion throughout Central and Western Europe,” says Nuutmann. “Our goal is to offer event organisers and ticket buyers across the group high-quality service and innovative solutions that meet the needs of our customers and partners.”
Piletilevi Group operates in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.
“After seven years of operation on the Romanian market, Ticketing Nation can be considered one of the most important, mature and successful ticketing companies in the country,” says Valentin Vasiloiu, head of Entertix. “With a diverse portfolio, providing services to the biggest concert and festival organisers, top sports clubs, prestigious cultural institutions, unique exhibitions and much more, the company has experienced continuous development and an impressive comeback after the pandemic period.
“A new chapter begins now as we bring together two great companies under one vision”
“In order to maintain and strengthen this growth rate, we have decided to join forces with another important player in Romania – Bilete.ro. The result is definitely a company with market leader potential, offering the best services and boosted by the decades of experience accumulated by both teams.”
“A new chapter begins now as we bring together two great companies under one vision,” adds Bilete.ro CEO Andreea Pop. “Together, we are stronger and I am honoured to lead us into a future full of opportunity and innovation.”
The deal, which has been approved by the authorities, is being co-financed by SEB Bank.
“We are very happy to be Piletilevi Group’s partner and that the company has managed to implement another expansion,” says Estonia-based Peep Jalakas, a member of the bank’s management board. “Piletilevi Group’s ambition and professionalism to expand in the competitive service sector is impressive, resulting in achieving one of the leading market positions in this region,.”
Piletilevi Group also acquired GoOut.net, one of biggest market players in Czech Republic, in 2023, and acquired two companies in Poland, Kicket.com and Biletomat.pl, earlier this year.
“Our ambitions are not limited to this, but at the moment we are focusing on integrating the acquired companies with the Piletilevi Group and developing cross-group solutions to meet the needs of both event organisers and ticket buyers,” adds Nuutmann.
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Swiss independent promoter AllBlues Konzert has been acquired by live music conglomerate, the Bierhübeli family.
Founded in 1994, AllBlues Konzert organises around 100 concerts a year in Switzerland in the fields of jazz, world, funk & soul, blues and singer-songwriter, as well as the long-running Zurich Jazznojazz Festival.
The Winterthur-based firm has promoted shows for the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Gregory Porter, Ludovico Einaudi, Joe Bonamassa, Candy Dulfer, Mariza, Angélique Kidjo, Goran Bregovic, Caetano Veloso, Paolo Conte, David Byrne, Elvis Costello and Benjamin Clementine.
The firm has also managed Ed Sheeran’s Swiss concerts, from his first performance in the country in 2012 at Kaufleuten Zürich to his four sold-out concerts at Letzigrund Stadium Zürich in 2018 and 2022.
“We are in an excellent position to operate successfully as an independent concert organiser in Bern and throughout Switzerland”
“I am delighted to have found a successor who offers our team a promising future and who will continue our work and live our passion for concert,” says Johannes Vogel, founder and managing director of AllBlues Konzert.
“During our discussion, it quickly became clear that we share the same values and pursue the same goal: To be successful with top-class concerts. I will continue to support the company to ensure a smooth transition.”
The Bern-based Bierhübeli family owns Bierhübeli (a 800-capacity venue complex in Bern), Sun Music (a music agency for booking and management), K-events (a JV with Kursaal Bern AG for cultural events in the Kultursaal Bern convention centre) and remusic (a promoter for concerts and corporate events).
Nando Hepp, managing director and Bierhübeli CFO adds: “The acquisition of AllBlues Konzert AG is another milestone. With a strong team of 130 employees and a good 300 concerts a year, we are in an excellent position to operate successfully as an independent concert organiser in Bern and throughout Switzerland. We look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
Read about Switzerland’s live music business in the latest market report.
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Portugal’s competition authority has greenlit Live Nation’s acquisition of Lisbon’s MEO Arena, along with promoter Ritmos e Blues (Rhythm & Blues).
It was revealed in April last year that Live Nation was purchasing a majority stake in the venue’s owner Arena Atlântico and subsidiaries including ticketing company Blueticket, in addition to an “indirect controlling stake” in Ritmos e Blues.
The deal was held up by an in-depth investigation by regulator Autoridade da Concorrência (AdC), but has now been cleared, more than 18 months on, after LN proposed “adequate, sufficient, proportionate and feasible” commitments to address potential competition law concerns.
The 20,000-cap MEO Arena opened in 1998 for the Expo 98 World Trade Fair and has hosted superstar acts such as Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, Adele, André Rieu and Travis Scott.
“Lisbon is one of Europe’s most exciting capitals, and we’re honoured to be part of its cultural fabric,” says John Reid, president of Live Nation EMEA. “With this investment, we’re committed to bringing more shows to Portugal, supporting the local economy and creating incredible experiences for fans.”
Ritmos e Blues, which was founded in 1990 by Nuno Braamcamp and Álvaro Ramos, has promoted concerts by the likes of Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Prince, U2 and the Rolling Stones, and was part of the consortium that controlled Arena Atlântico.
“MEO Arena is known nationally and internationally for hosting Portugal’s major shows and events”
LN, whose partnership with the firm dates back to 2011, is also active in Portugal in the promotion of the Rock in Rio Lisbon festival through its Better World subsidiary, and holds a stake in the Rolling Loud festival.
AdC says the commitments put forward by LN include a guarantee of “effective freedom of choice of the ticketing company by the promoter who uses the services of MEO Arena”.
Following the deal, renovations are planned at MEO Arena to upgrade premium seating, skyboxes, dressing rooms and concessions, while Live Nation will also build on current sustainability efforts – focusing on reducing its environmental impact and increasing social benefits in line with its Green Nation pledges.
“MEO Arena is known nationally and internationally for hosting Portugal’s major shows and events,” adds MEO Arena CEO Jorge Vinha da Silva. “With this deal we want to build on the arena’s reputation as a cultural destination, and we feel that Live Nation is the right strategic partner to achieve this. I am really excited to enter this new era, not only for MEO Arena but also for Portugal.”
Daily operations at the venue will remain under its current leadership team, supported by Live Nation’s global network, with the acquisition expected to be finalised in late 2024/early 2025.
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Superstruct Entertainment has signed a partnership and investment agreement with Spanish promoter Riff Producciones, it has been announced.
Co-founded in 1994 by Carlos Espinosa and Chris Ortiz, Riff has brought several major international draws to Spain, including Bob Dylan, Los Lobos, Paul Simon, Mark Knopfler, John Fogerty, Iron Maiden and Joe Satriani.
The Andalusia-based firm also books a handful of Spanish artists and organises several festivals including I Like Festival and Eutopía in Cordova, Musicians in Nature in Castilla y León and Blues Cazorla in Jaén.
Superstruct, which has interests in 23 Iberia-based festivals such as Arenal Sound, Benicàssim and Sónar, says it will support the development and growth of Riff with its resources and international experience. Riff’s current team will continue to manage the company.
“We are delighted to add Riff Producciones to our global network,” says Roderik Schlösser, CEO of Superstruct Entertainment.
“This alliance with Superstruct is a recognition of the work and effort of our team over the years”
“Their legacy of excellence and commitment to quality in event production in Spain is unmatched, and together we will be able to continue offering unforgettable experiences to millions of people.”
Espinosa, director of Riff Producciones, adds: “This alliance with Superstruct is a recognition of the work and effort of our team over the years. We share a common vision of raising the standards of live music and we are sure that this union will open new doors to continue creating unique shows in Spain and the rest of the world.”
Last month, private equity firm CVC secured a stake in Superstruct just weeks after KKR’s acquisition of the festival behemoth was given the green light.
Fellow global investment giant KKR, whose interests include music company BMG, acquired Superstruct from Providence for €1.3 billion in June – a deal that was approved by the European Commission last month.
Superstruct owns and operates over 80 music festivals across 10 countries in Europe and Australia, including Wacken Open Air, Parookaville, Tinderbox, Sónar, Øya, Benicàssim, Kendal Calling and Boardmasters. It was founded in 2017 by Creamfields founder and former Live Nation president of electronic music James Barton and Roderik Schlosser while at Providence.
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Warner Music Group (WMG) has acquired a minority stake in SkillBox, a live entertainment and ticketing platform based in India.
WMG says its strategic investment in the firm “enables us to expand the services that we can seamlessly offer artists, both domestic and international, connecting them with fans across India”.
The record label conglomerate already has a foothold in India’s live music market, after acquiring live events and artist management company E-Positive in October 2023.
“We see huge opportunities in India’s still nascent live entertainment industry,” says Alfonso Perez Soto, President, Emerging Markets, Warner Music. “We’re eager to leverage SkillBox’s expertise in this space and tap into this high-growth market.”
Founded by Anmol Kukreja and Sandip Ranjhan, with Roydon Bangera and Amarjeet Singha joining as part of the founding team, SkillBox began as a ticketing platform and expanded into a full-suite live entertainment company with ticketing, live brand solutions, and live tech services such as Skillbox Pay.
The company has previously worked on artist tours such as Jacob Collier, Steve Vai, Ben Howard, Karnivool, The Midnight, DIVINE, Hanumankind and more, as well as creating live events IP like Bloomverse, K-Wave, Lemonade, and LiveBox. The SkillBox platform counts over 1.5 million users.
SkillBox has also expanded into artist management through its dedicated management arm, LevelHouse, which manages prominent India-based artists such as Parvaaz, Blackstratblues, Raman Negi, JBABE & Parekh & Singh.
“Live entertainment [in India] is slated to grow rapidly”
“Investing in SkillBox, which is a ticketing, live events, and artist management company, blends perfectly with Warner Music India’s aim of being an artist-first, fan-first company,” says Jay Mehta, Managing Director, Warner Music India & SAARC.
“SkillBox’s innovative approach to live entertainment aligns exactly with our vision of providing comprehensive services to artists. Live entertainment is slated to grow rapidly. By joining forces, we can create dynamic new opportunities in India’s fast-growing entertainment market, ensuring that our artists have the best platforms to thrive.”
Anmol Kukreja, CEO & Founder, SkillBox, adds: “This collaboration aligns with our mission to redefine live entertainment and provide unparalleled experiences to both artists and fans. With Warner Music’s extensive industry expertise, artist roster and global reach, we aim to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the live music space, creating more opportunities for artists and delivering memorable events for audiences across the country.”
Warner Music India launched in March 2020 and has since struck distribution deals with Bollywood specialist Tips Music and Punjabi music company Sky Digital India.
The firm has also inked strategic partnerships with Indian pop star Armaan Malik (in February 2022), with JetSynthesys in September 2021, and with Jjust Music in April 2022.
Earlier this year, the major acquired a majority stake in India-based digital media and music firm Divo and made a strategic investment in Global Music Junction (GMJ), the music and entertainment subsidiary of JetSynthesys.
Read more about the rapid growth of India’s live music sector in the latest edition of the Global Promoters Report.
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AXS has announced the acquisition of Hamburg-based ticketing company white label eCommerce.
Founded in 2012 by renowned German music and sports ticketing executive Arndt Scheffler, the firm specialises in white-label ticketing that allows music, sports, and festival event operators to ticket events through a simple self-service “autonomous” platform that can be custom branded.
Following the acquisition, white label eCommerce will continue its business but as part of AXS Germany, based in Berlin and Hamburg.
Current white label customers including music festivals Wacken Open Air, Jazz Open Stuttgart, Ulmer Zelt), sporting events (including the handball series champion THW Kiel), live music shows, venues, and theatres (Die Fantastischen Vier, SIDO, 6K United) throughout Germany, will be serviced by the AXS Germany team.
“Their stellar reputation for client service, iconic list of clients, and forward-thinking technology aligns with our brand’
In October, AEG-owned AXS reached an agreement with AEG’s Uber Arena in Berlin and Barclays Arena in Hamburg to service premium ticketing at both venues.
“The entire team is thrilled to become a part of a respected global business like AXS and the broader AEG team,” says Scheffler. “We know that our clients, employees and ultimately the entire German market will all benefit from the world-class platform and operations. Now we are expanding our existing portfolio and becoming part of a highly competent and financially strong sports and entertainment group. We’re excited about what lies ahead.”
Blaine Legere, president, International, AXS, adds: “We’re honoured to welcome white label eCommerce to the AXS global team. Their stellar reputation for client service, iconic list of clients, and forward-thinking technology aligns with our brand. The white label team has a growing and diversified customer base, and is poised to play a meaningful role as we accelerate our business going forward.”
AXS’ growing global footprint includes venues, sports teams, festivals, and live events across UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand such as B.League, Swedish Elite Football, Venues New South Wales, American Express Presents BST Hyde Park, All Points East, The O2, OVO Arena Wembley and Stockholm Live!
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Deutsche Entertainment (DEAG) CEO Detlef Kornett has spoken to IQ about the firm’s latest acquisition and how it fits into a wider expansion strategy.
Today, the Berlin-based live entertainment giant announced its first foray in Italy with the acquisition of Milan-based rock promoter MC² Live.
MC² Live was launched after the company’s founders, Andrea and Stefano Pieroni, sold a 51% stake in their former business, Vertigo, to CTS Eventim in 2017.
DEAG says the brothers will continue to manage MC² Live in the long term together with their team, who will all remain with the company.
Speaking about his admiration for the company’s leader, Kornett told IQ: “Andrea has been in the industry for decades and has a very impressive roster of artists and bands that he works with internationally, as well as Italian-language acts.”
“We have had a very impressive growth curve and I believe this acquisition will help us to continue on that path”
Over the past few decades, the stalwart promoter has organised numerous concerts, festivals and events with stars such as Judas Priest, Slipknot, Rammstein, 50 Cent, Ne-Yo, Eros Ramazzotti and Negrita.
“MC² are of a certain size already so this is a very important step for DEAG where we can really funnel growth, and that’s what DEAG has been all about these years,” says Kornett. “We have had a very impressive growth curve and I believe this acquisition will help us to continue on that path.”
Indeed, DEAG has been on an acquisition spree in the past 12 months, entering the Spanish market in late 2023 with the launch of subsidiary Get Rock Live (GRL) and acquiring three companies in the first six months of 2024. With the acquisition of MC² Live, DEAG is now present in Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Ireland, Denmark, Spain and Italy.
“Benelux, The Netherlands is an obvious gap in our marketplace, and at the same time it’s not an easy market – it’s set in a certain way – so the right opportunity would need to arise for us to expand there,” explains Kornett. “That doesn’t mean that we’re not in conversations, it is just not right yet.”
Though the company is bullish in its international expansion, Kornett insists that being a pan-European company is not the main goal.
“Obviously, there are still so many white spots for DEAG on the European map and we will continue to explore those opportunities”
“Obviously, there are still so many white spots for DEAG on the European map and we will continue to explore those opportunities but the partnership has to fit,” he explains.
“The importance is really on the people, the way they conduct business and relationships, and the fit. The way Andrea maintains his relationships, the way he budgets for his events, the way he settles his events fits very well with us.”
Kornett says he’s excited to capitalise on the opportunities available in the Italian live music market alongside MC².
“There’s a huge opportunity for international rock and pop in the market and the Italian language music sector is very important and very big, but it’s also very divided between some major players,” he says.
“There are only very few independents left but now Andrea has a strong partner to continue to be independent in that market. Italy is no different to the UK or Germany, there are opportunities for independent, boutique-type promoters like us, and we intend to take full advantage of that.”
DEAG has set its sights on becoming “a company with more than €500 million in revenues”
The company has already shared ambitions to take some of its pre-existing event brands to the Italian market and introduce some new ones.
“MC² and Andrea have traditionally been focused on Italian artists and international rock and pop,” he says, nodding to the firm’s upcoming shows with Iron Maiden, Pantera, Skunk Anansie and Falling in Reverse.
“I think there are elements within rock that we can add but we would look for synergies the other way. We do all kinds of events in the non-music sector from the spoken word events to the light trails to the family shows to the classical music to jazz. – so we will explore all of these opportunities. Is the market ready for it? Does it work? If it works, then let’s give it a shot!”
While DEAG continues to expand in Europe, the firm has set its sights on becoming “a company with more than €500 million in revenues”. Its highest-ever revenue was €325 million in 2022.
“We will go some way towards that goal in 2025 but it’s more of a three-year plan,” says Kornett. “It’s all in the bottom line, so we have to find the right balance in our portfolio in order to achieve that. We’ve been at 8–9% margin – another thing we hope to grow next year. This year nothing was easy but I generally feel that the business will be in a better flow in 2025.”
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Music streaming service Mixcloud has announced the acquisition of booking platform Encore.
The UK companies say the deal will unite the companies in an effort “to build tools for communities to grow, monetise and connect through music”. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Founded 15 years ago, Mixcloud is home to 25 million monthly active users and serves as a global platform for DJs, radio communities and music producers.
The acquisition also sees Mixcloud co-founder Nikhil Shah join Encore as its new chair, having been an angel investor in the company since 2019. Shah will provide strategic guidance as Encore enters a new phase.
“We are excited to welcome Encore into the Mixcloud family,” says Nico Perez, CEO of Mixcloud. “Both companies share a deep passion for music, and by working together to use Mixcloud’s global reach and resources, we can provide even greater support to musicians and creators, helping them to earn a living and connect with their audiences in new and innovative ways.”
“I’m excited about unlocking the next chapter of Encore’s growth with the support of Mixcloud”
Since launching in 2014, Encore says it has facilitated more than 50,000 bookings, helping musicians earn £25 million (€22m) through live performances. The firm will continue to operate as an independent brand under the Mixcloud umbrella, booking musicians, bands and DJs for a variety of events.
“This is a big moment for us at Encore,” says Encore CEO James McAulay. “Teaming up with Mixcloud, a company we’ve long admired who have made an enormous impact on music culture, feels like the perfect next step.
“I’m excited about unlocking the next chapter of Encore’s growth with the support of Mixcloud to build a larger ecosystem and deliver more opportunities, earnings, and tools to our incredible musicians.”
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Indian event ticketing platform Paytm Insider has been acquired by food delivery giant Zomato in an all-cash deal valued at Rs 2048.4 crore (€220m).
In a filing with the stock exchanges, Zomato said the purchase from former owner One 97 Communications Limited (OCL) “is in line with our strategy of investing in our going-out business”.
Zomato has recently been doubling down on its ‘going out business’ which comprises its restaurant, live events and cinema ticketing verticals, and also runs a food festival called Zomaland.
The firm recently secured global pop sensation Dua Lipa for Zomato Feeding India Concert (ZFIC), a benefit concert slated for 30 November in Mumbai, which sold out in less than 24 hours. It also hosted US musician Post Malone’s India tour in December 2022.
In a recent report, brokerage firm UBS valued Zomato’s going-out business at $1.6 billion.
In a recent report, brokerage firm UBS valued Zomato’s going-out business at $1.6 billion
One 97 Communications Limited (OCL) was founded in 2000 by Vijay Shekhar Sharma. The Noida-headquartered firm offers digital payment and financial services to consumers and merchants in India.
OCL launched Paytm in 2010. In 2017, the firm acquired Insider.in, a ticketing platform backed by leading festival promoter Only Music Louder (NH7 Weekender, EDC India).
Speaking about the acquisition, a Paytm spokesperson said: “We built the entertainment ticketing business by addressing the market needs of the time … This move (to sell the business) allows us to continue focusing on long-term growth in our core areas and value creation for all stakeholders.”
The deal, which is expected to close within the quarter, will be among the largest buyouts for Zomato after it acquired Uber Eats in 2020 and took over quick commerce platform Blinkit (then Grofers) in 2021.
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