Deutsche Entertainment (DEAG) has spun off its hip-hop booking division into a standalone brand called District Live.

The Berlin-headquartered firm says this is “the next logical step” after launching the division in 2022, with Alexander Handwerker at the helm.

The division, which focuses on booking for up-and-coming hip-hop talents, sold 70,000 tickets in its first year.

District Live’s artist roster includes Tream, who has already sold over 100,000 tickets for his second tour in 2024; Bausa, who will be performing 17 shows in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in February 2025; and Avaion, who embarked on a sold-out European tour in May.

“With District Live, we are deliberately creating a brand that gives urban/hip-hop acts a strong representation and optimal staging”

“With District Live, we are deliberately creating a brand that gives urban/hip-hop acts a strong representation and optimal staging,” says Alex Handwerker, managing director of District Live.

“As a booking agency, we focus on up-and-coming artists at an early stage so that we can accompany them on their way from the very beginning. We also work together with established artists to further develop their performances and give them a new, unique standing in the scene.”

Detlef Kornett, CEO DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG, adds: “With District Live, the DEAG Group has gained a strong, internationally operating brand for the entire urban culture and hip-hop sector. We are particularly proud that this foundation with Alex Handwerker comes from our own ranks, and we wish Alex and District Live, together with DEAG, every success in the future and look forward to further cooperation within the entire group.”

The upcoming July/August edition of IQ will spotlight the German hip-hop market.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

AEG Facilities has appointed Jose ‘Jochi’ Dávila Carlos to oversee sponsorship and programming at its new Puerto Rican venue at District Live! in San Juan.

The 6,000-capacity music and entertainment venue was first announced last October, with AEG Facilities president Bob Newman expressing his hope it will “instantly become one of the area’s most visited destinations for both residents and tourists alike”.

Dávila (pictured), who was from January 2002 to September 2015 regional vice-president of business development at rival arena operator SMG, will report directly to Newman and be responsible for both booking and corporate sponsorships throughout the District Live! development and nearby Puerto Rico Convention Center.

“Having Jochi join our team marks another great milestone for this project”

“Having Jochi join our team marks another great milestone for this project,” says Newman. “His track record in developing amazing corporate partnerships and positive client relationships in the market is unparallelled.”

Dávila adds: “I am extremely happy to be officially part of the AEG Facilities family and contribute to the development of District Live!, a much-needed project for the district authority and the entertainment industry in Puerto Rico.”

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

AEG Facilities is to operate new 6,000-seat music and entertainment venue in San Juan, Puerto Rico, set to open in early 2019.

Located next to the Puerto Rico Convention Center (pictured), operated by AEG since July, the venue will be part of the District Live! tourist region, which will also include cinemas, a luxury hotel, radio and TV studios, a 500-capacity club and a number of outdoor stages.

“This new venue for live entertainment is the perfect anchor for what we believe will be the region’s most vibrant and popular setting for events, conventions and performances of all types, says AEG Facilities’ president, Bob Newman.

“District Live! will instantly become one of the area’s most visited destinations for both residents and tourists alike”

“Situated just steps from one of the most picturesque waterfronts, as well as a thriving convention centre and nearby urban core, District Live! will instantly become one of the area’s most visited destinations for both residents and tourists alike.”

“For a world-class project such as this, we needed an alliance with a world class player such as AEG,” adds Federic Stubbe Jnr, the president of Prisa Group, one of the companies behind District Live!. “District Live! will be an innovative entertainment centre with world-class leisure activities that will capture the energy, joy and gusto of the Puerto Rican people.”

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.