Promoters warned over fake Dire Straits agents

A spokesman for Mark Knopfler has warned concert promoters of a “flurry” of phoney agents claiming to represent the guitarist or his former band, Dire Straits.

“Certain unauthorised agents are offering Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler shows to unsuspecting promoters across the globe,” says a representative for Knopfler. “In particular, there seems to have been a flurry in South America recently.”

He adds there are “no plans whatsoever” for any shows by Dire Straits, who disbanded in 1996 and have not played together since a charity gig in 2002, and that “any Mark Knopfler shows should be booked only through Brent Smith at William Morris [Endeavor] for North America and Andrew Zweck at Sensible Events for the rest of the world.

Knopfler, who is signed to Universal Music Group, is one of several performers known to be licensing their performance royalties directly, through PACE Rights Management.

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