Live Nation has struck a franchise deal with The Comedy Store, bringing stand-up events under the brand to more cities across the UK.

The strategic partnership marks the first initiative of its kind for The Comedy Store, which has collaborated with Live Nation on more than 500 shows under the banner over the past six years.

“The Comedy Store has a rich heritage of nurturing the brightest stars in comedy while delivering top-tier live experiences to audiences,” says Live Nation’s president European comedy touring Ian Coburn. “This agreement underscores our belief in the enduring appeal of live comedy and The Comedy Store’s ability to cultivate talent and connect with audiences.”

The Comedy Store, which debuted in the UK in 1979, hosts 3,500 attendees weekly in its 450-cap London venue in Soho, and has launched the careers of comedians such as Eddie Izzard and Jimmy Carr. It also launched a Manchester site in 2000.

“By creating more comedy club venues, we’re ensuring that audiences across the UK can enjoy the very best in stand-up comedy”

“We are proud to play a part in The Comedy Store’s next chapter,” adds Anna Cooke, Live Nation’s VP of European comedy touring. “This partnership reflects our commitment to fostering platforms where talent can thrive. We’re committed to offering audiences across the UK the very best in stand-up comedy, while offering new stages for both emerging and established performers.”

The Comedy Store’s founder and CEO Don Ward describes the link-up as a “natural evolution”.

“This partnership with Live Nation is a natural evolution for The Comedy Store,” he says. “With nearly 45 years of history, we’ve built a reputation as a leader in stand-up comedy. This franchise agreement enables us to bring our signature experience to new markets, meeting the growing demand for live comedy.”

Meanwhile, Deadline reports that Live Nation Productions is teaming on new comedy flick Rolling Loud. Based around the eponymous hip-hop festival, it will star Owen Wilson and Matt Rife. Wilson made a surprise appearance during Travis Scott’s headline performance at the Miami edition on Saturday (14 December) to shoot a scene for the film.

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AEG Presents UK’s Georgie Donnelly has shared her ambitions for the company’s rebranded comedy and entertainment division in an interview with IQ.

Donnelly has overseen an intense period of development for the department since becoming AEG’s first head of comedy in the UK in 2022, leading its expansion into other forms of live entertainment.

Previously head of comedy & podcasts at Moment House, Donnelly also served stints as an agent at UTA and established the comedy department at promoter Kilimanjaro Live prior to joining AEG, which already boasted a significant existing comedy footprint in the US.

“The initial conversation was really exciting,” she recalls. “I’d always liked the people I’d worked with there and it’s a very respected company with big reach. So the combination of that powerful network and my passion and knowledge for comedy made the role very appealing.

“AEG already had a foot in comedy, so growing that felt like a natural next step. Obviously we’re a long way from being as established and impressive as AEG’s networks across music, but we’ll strive [to get there].”

Donnelly has worked with the likes of Jonathan Van Ness, Hasan Minhaj, Daniel Howell, Yvonne Orji, and Russell Peters, while her AEG remit also included the London debut of Just For Laughs festival at The O2 in March 2023.

“There were projects I knew I was going to be working on from the off, which were really exciting to me. I knew I’d be hitting the ground running”

“[AEG UK CEO] Steve Homer, in particular, had dipped his toe in comedy and that’s how we originally met – we co-promoted a Rob Lowe show when I was at Kili,” she notes. “[AEG] had done bits like Russell Peters and some podcasts, like My Dad Wrote A Porno, but they hadn’t formally broken into the comedy scene.

“There were projects I knew I was going to be working on from the off, which were really exciting to me. I knew I’d be hitting the ground running and building from there. One was the Just For Laughs London festival [at The O2], and Steve was already working on My Dad Wrote A Porno and The Guilty Feminist [podcasts], so I took those on as well. We produced every single element of the Graham Norton Variety Show at JFL last year and that was a career highlight.”

Notable successes so far have included a tour of politics podcast The Rest is Politics, a book launch by Stranger Things star Millie Bobbie Brown, a live Q&A with Ryan Reynolds at The O2 in London, the Alan Cumming Not Acting His Age one-man show and a live version of BBC radio institution Desert Island Discs, in addition to a performance by Indian comic Zakir Khan at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

“That was first time that an Indian comedian has headlined the Royal Albert Hall and done a full headline show and the first time someone’s done a full show in Hindi at that venue,” says Donnelly. “We’ve grown the number of shows, but also the variety of genres that we’re working on, even more than we anticipated. It’s something I’m quite proud of actually.

“We’ve grown AEG’s UK footprint in comedy primarily, but have also moved into other areas. Podcasts is a big part of that – about 30% of our output – but we’ve also  done book launches, cabaret and musical theatre shows.”

She continues: “Digital creators is another area that we’re really growing. A lot of them have really engaged audiences who want to see their favourite YouTuber or TikToker in the flesh, so it’s good to be part of that scene. We’ve also had some family tours and a tour with Camp Binface, so even political candidates. It’s a long list, which shows the breadth and number of shows that we’re working on.”

“We never want to go in too hot if it is completely new”

Hosted by former Downing Street director of communications and strategy Alastair Campbell, and ex-cabinet minister Rory Stewart, smash-hit podcast The Rest is Politics embarks on its biggest tour to date this autumn – capped by a 12,000-cap arena show in the round at London’s The O2.

“They’ve done London Palladium, the Royal Albert Hall and other theatres around the UK before, and it’s worked beautifully because even though they’re big theatres, you still get that intimacy that people want from a podcast,” says Donnelly. “We don’t want to lose that when we take it to The O2, which is why we decided to do it in the round – so that even people at the back won’t be that far away from the stage.”

Finding the right venue for unproven touring acts, regardless of other metrics, can be a challenge, suggests Donnelly.

“You do have to take a bit of a punt, but social media numbers help,” she says. “When it comes to digital creators, for example, you have their number of followers to go by, but also their engagement rates. But if they haven’t done a live tour, you don’t know if it’s going to work on stage – especially with audiences that are not used to seeing live shows because they’re used to seeing stuff on screens. So we sometimes get quite involved in the creative production, working with their teams to build a high quality show.”

When it comes to setting the correct price point, monitoring other markets can prove useful.

“Some of these shows may have played in America before and we can use that as a little bit of a gauge,” she says. “We never want to go in too hot if it is completely new, whether it’s the first time someone’s toured, or whether it’s just a completely new concept altogether. So the first time, we might be a bit conservative and respond to that depending on how it does.”

“We absolutely encourage people to submit ideas, because I can’t listen to every single podcast or be aware of every TikTok comedian”

Recent highlights have included shows by Canadian comedian Steph Tolev, while tours are coming up with the likes of comics Dylan Mulvaney, Aaron Chen, Maggie Winters and Randy Feltface, as well as reality TV stars Lucinda Light from Married at First Sight Australia and Captain Lee from Below Deck.

The division’s promoting team has tripled to three since Donnelly’s appointment, although she points out there is a “huge” amount of synergy across the various AEG UK offices.

“There is a lot of support and excitement for this department across all the other teams,” she discloses. “We absolutely encourage people to submit ideas, because I can’t listen to every single podcast or be aware of every TikTok comedian, so people are always suggesting acts for me to check out. There is crossover in terms of how it all works.”

And as for the bread and butter of the comedy circuit, Donnelly reports that it is “still going very strong” in the wake of the 2000/2010s boom in stand-up arena tours.

“There aren’t a huge number of comedians who can sell an arena, but there are enough to keep it busy,” she reflects. “But I personally think the sweet spot for comedy is that Hammersmith Apollo-level.”

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AEG Presents UK has renamed its comedy arm the Comedy and Entertainment division to reflect its expanded offering of shows.

The company named Georgie Donnelly as its first head of comedy in late 2022, and the department has gone on to branch out into other forms of live entertainment.

Recent events have included a tour of politics podcast The Rest is Politics, a book launch by Stranger Things star Millie Bobbie Brown, a live Q&A with Ryan Reynolds at The O2 in London and a live version of BBC radio institution Desert Island Discs. As a result, its comedy arm is now being repositioned as comedy and entertainment.

“Over the last year we have been building the range of shows that the department promotes so it made sense to have a new name which reflects that,” says Donnelly. “Whilst the comedy scene in the UK continues to be so vibrant, there are all kinds of shows that we’ve found audiences are interested in coming to. We have had a big focus on podcasts for example having grown The Rest is Politics Live show from the London Palladium to the upcoming O2 performance. Myself and the team are excited and energised for the year to come.”

AEG UK has also hired junior promoter Ophelia Francis, with further additions expected to follow

Previously head of comedy & podcasts at Moment House, Donnelly also served stints as an agent at UTA and established the comedy department at promoter Kilimanjaro Live prior to joining AEG.

Variety reports the division, which will continue to promote stand-up comedy from established stars through to emerging talent, has also hired junior promoter Ophelia Francis, with further additions to the team set to be announced in the coming months.

Meanwhile, AEG’s All Points East festival recently named Mitski as its final 2024 headliner. Kaytranada, Loyle Carner, LCD Soundsystem, Justice, Pink Pantheress, The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie will also top the bill at the London concert series, which runs in Victoria Park from 16-18 and 23-25 August.

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French trade association Prodiss has rebranded following a merger with the National Union of Private Theatres (SNDTP) and the Union of Cabarets and Music Halls (CAMULC).

The association will now be called Ekhoscenes, marking its expansion to all stages including music, theatre, comedy and cabaret.

Its membership comprises 600 companies and tens of thousands of employees including show producers, concert hall operators, theatre and cabaret directors, broadcasters and festival organisers.

Ekhoscenes says its objectives are representing the scenes in all its diversity, relaying the expectations and challenges of entertainment entrepreneurs, and developing an ever more daring and inclusive culture.

Ekhoscenes’ membership now comprises 600 companies and tens of thousands of employees

“From 2024, Ekhoscenes will be fully mobilised to meet the many current challenges that live performance actors, in all their diversity, are facing: the sequence of the Olympic and Paralympic Games which will greatly disrupt the activities of the live performance sector,” reads a statement from Ekhoscenes.

It continues: “The structuring of the National Music Center by contributing to an overhaul of aid and support programs in line with the evolution of the ecosystem; the strengthening of the Association for the Support of Private Theater (ASTP); the question of artificial intelligence and the need for recognition of the rights of show producers and the challenge of ecological transition with the transformation of models.”

Created in 1984, Prodiss was the first national union representing private performing arts. Its members in the live music industry include Accor Arena in Paris, the Bataclan in Paris, Live Nation France Festivals, Live Nation SAS and Mama.

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On the heels of the appointment of Lucy Noble as AEG Presents’ inaugural artistic director, the company has named Georgie Donnelly as its first head of comedy.

Previously head of comedy & podcasts at Moment House, Donnelly has also served stints as an agent at UTA and established the comedy department at promoter Kilimanjaro Live.

Donnelly’s hiring is considered central to AEG’s plans to expand its footprint beyond music and exponentially grow its comedy portfolio, which includes the London debut of Just For Laughs festival, which takes place at The O2 from 2-5 March 2023.

“I am absolutely delighted to join the team at AEG Presents who are synonymous with live music and entertainment,” says Donnelly, who has worked with the likes of Jonathan Van Ness, Hasan Minhaj, Daniel Howell, Yvonne Orji, and Russell Peters. “I am so excited to be expanding the live comedy aspect of the business and look forward to bringing some of the biggest stars and events in global comedy to the UK.”

“With Just for Laughs, as well as the arrival of Georgie to this newly created role, our plan is to really accelerate our comedic footprint”

AEG Presents UK CEO Steve Homer adds: “Georgie is immersed in the comedy world and has incredible experience booking and running tours and shows across multiple comedic genres. It’s an area AEG Presents is increasingly taking up residence and with Just for Laughs, as well as the arrival of Georgie to this newly created role, our plan is to really accelerate our comedic footprint.”

Donnelly’s arrival comes just weeks after it was announced that Royal Albert Hall artistic director Lucy Noble will be joining AEG’s European senior leadership team, assuming responsibility for setting the artistic direction across the company’s live touring and events business.

Noble, who is tasked with overseeing content creation as well as the production of new events, also assumes responsibility for promoting and touring shows, with an initial focus on the UK, followed by an eventual expansion into Europe and other territories.

Meanwhile, Stormzy has been announced as the first headliner of AEG’s All Points East 2023 festival in Victoria Park, London. In a UK exclusive, the grime artist will star in his own curated This Is What We Mean Day on Friday 18 August.

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Live Nation has announced the strategic acquisition of Australasian comedy artist management company Jubilee Street.

The two companies, which will act as co-promoters for domestic comedic talent, previously united to stage the Together Again series in New Zealand in 2020, as well as shows by comedian Russell Howard, who became the first international artist to tour both Australia and New Zealand post-lockdown in 2021.

Established in 2018 by Bec Sutherland, Jubilee Street currently manages 11 artists, including Australian and New Zealand comedians Julia Morris, Urzila Carlson, Nazeem Hussain, Kate Langbroek, Melanie Bracewell and Becky Lucas.

“We are extremely proud to be taking our long-standing relationship with Jubilee Street to the next level,” says Roger Field, President of Live Nation Asia Pacific. “This deal gives us the opportunity to continue working alongside Bec Sutherland, who was a valued member of the Live Nation team for a long time, and one of the country’s best comedy talent managers and comedy promoters.

“Together, we are dedicated to nurturing and showcasing the best of Australian and New Zealand comedy, while strengthening our position as a world-class comedy destination.”

“This is an exciting next step in my career and for the development of the amazing talent I represent”

Sutherland also served as a strategic leader of Live Nation’s comedy touring business across the region. She will step down from her role as VP of comedy at Live Nation APAC to focus on her responsibilities as MD of Jubilee Street, and will continue to promote her roster through LN.

“Both Jubilee Street and Live Nation are committed to driving the careers of Australian and New Zealand comedic talent locally and globally, and this is an exciting next step in my career and for the development of the amazing talent I represent,” she says

Andy Curtain, Live Nation Asia Pacific’s head of comedy, will continue managing operations and leading on all other comedy talent across the region.

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FKP Scorpio is further expanding its portfolio with a new department for spoken word and comedy acts.

The Hamburg-headquartered, pan-European concert and festival promoter says the establishment of the department is “the next logical step” after a series of successful collaborations in the spoken word and comedy world.

The live entertainment behemoth has previously co-operated with acts such as Iliza Shlesinger, Trevor Noah, Jimmy Carr, Jimm Jeffries, Hannah Gadsby, Daniel Sloss, Russell Howard and John Cleese.

Currently, FKP Scorpio is touring Markus Krebs, Thomas Schmidt and Shlesinger, and has announced upcoming tours with the likes of Bastian Bielendorfer.

“Our goal is to build a broad and diverse roster, which we have already achieved very well in a short period of time”

“I am very happy about the trust [FKP] has placed in me and about the tasks ahead of us. Our goal is to build a broad and diverse roster, which we have already achieved very well in a short period of time,” says Thilo Elsner, who has been named the head of FKP’s spoken word and comedy department.

“We are very happy to be able to present Bastian Bielendorfer, a well-known artist right at the start of the new department, who is a perfect fit for us and also fits in perfectly with our previous successes.”

Stephan Thanscheidt, CEO of FKP Scorpio, adds: “This new department enables us to deepen our previous work in this exciting segment and to continue strategically. The portfolio of FKP Scorpio has never been as diverse as it is today.”

The core business of the CTS Eventim-backed company includes tours, festivals, local events, arena operas, shows and comedy.

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Leading Nordic live entertainment company All Things Live has acquired ROA, a Swedish booking agency and management company for comedians, speakers, actors, screenwriters and authors.

Stockholm-based ROA becomes part of All Things Live’s comedy business, which also includes Norway’s Stand Up Norge and Sweden’s Blixten & Co. All ROA employees will remain in their jobs following the acquisition, terms of which were not disclosed.

“I am very pleased that we finally become part of All Things Live,” says Sabina Donoukará, the agency’s CEO. “It is a step in the right direction for ROA as a company, for our clients and our staff. Having the opportunity to realise our full potential feels good.

“This is the ultimate proof of the fantastic job our staff and us have done over the years. I am excited and looking forward to what is to come.”

“We are pleased and proud to welcome ROA and their many gifted comedians to the All Things Live family”

“We have owned this company for 13 years, and it is now time for us to step down as coowners and just be comedians,” says Johan Glans, a comedian who co-founded ROA in 2007 alongside David Batra, Thomas Järvheden, Özz Nûjen, Hasse Brontén and Måns Möller. “We are handing over the reins to people who can really make ROA reach its full potential. And the close collaboration with our Nordic neighbours will, of course, be extra exciting.”

Adds Henrik Berndtson of All Things Live Sweden: “We are pleased and proud to welcome ROA and their many gifted comedians to the All Things Live family. We are looking forward to strengthening our common platform in Sweden and exchanging talent, productions and experience across the other Nordic countries.”

Founded in 2018, All Things Live – backed by private-equity firm Waterland – also includes ICO Concerts and ICO Management and Touring (Denmark), Friction and Atomic Soul Booking (Norway), Maloney Concerts, Monkfish and Big Slap festival (Sweden) and Weekend Festival (Finland).

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Pan-Nordic live music group All Things Live has acquired Stand Up Norge, Norway’s biggest comedy promoter.

Founded in 1997 by Elina Krantz, Stand Up Norge is a full-service entertainment company which represents 67 comedians (17 permanent and 50 affiliated) and organises nearly 2,000 stand-up shows a year, for an expected 2019 turnover of 200 million krone (€20m).

Stand Up also owns Latter in Oslo, Norway’s biggest comedy club.

With the acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, All Things Live says it aims to export successful Norwegian comedians to the other Nordic countries.

“We have achieved a lot in Norway, and we now turn to the Nordics to delight our neighbours as well,” says Krantz (pictured), who joins All Things Live as a partner and co-owner.

“We have achieved a lot in Norway, and we now turn to the Nordics to delight our neighbours as well”

“We look forward to working with our colleagues in All Things Live aiming to attract even more international stand up stars to Norway.”

All Things Live, backed by private-equity firm Waterland, was formed in December 2018, and includes ICO Concerts and ICO Management and Touring (Denmark), Friction and Atomic Soul Booking (Norway), Blixten & Co and Maloney Concerts (Sweden), and Weekend Festival (Finland).

The combined company has 85 employees, represents over 150 artists and produces more than 3,000 events annually.

“Stand Up Norge is a well-run company with many talented comedians and great prospects in Norway and beyond,” says Kim Worsøe, CEO of All Things Live. “We look forward to strengthening our position in Norway and introducing talents, texts and experiences from Norway in the other Nordic countries.”

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Comic duo Cabaret DivertiMento have broken the record for the highest-ever ticket sales for a single tour of Switzerland.

The pair’s Sabbatical tour, which began in September 2016, has sold more than 350,000 tickets to date. In recognition of the new record, Christof Zogg, CEO of ticket agency Starticket, presented DivertiMento’s Jonny Fischer and Manuel Burkart with a ‘golden ticket award’ before their recent show at the Messehalle in Berne.

Zogg said the level of DivertiMento’s success has not been “achieved by other [local] greats such as Cabaret Rotstift, Marcocello, Cabaret Götterspass, the Schmirinskis or Peach Weber, nor international superstars like AC/DC or Metallica. We congratulate the duo on this success.”

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