The New Bosses 2024: Nikoline Skaarup, Down The Drain Concerts
The 17th edition of IQ Magazine’s New Bosses, in association with Futures Forum, was revealed in IQ 129, recognising 20 of the most promising 30-and-unders in the international live music business.
To get to know this year’s class a little better, IQ conducted interviews with each one of 2024’s New Bosses, discovering their greatest inspirations and pinpointing the reasons for their success.
Nikoline started her career in music with an internship at Danish online music media Bands of Tomorrow, where she quickly rose to become editor-in-chief. Having found a part-time position as marketing assistant at Down The Drain Concerts (DTD) in 2019, when Covid hit she split her time between working with youth activism at Danish non-profit organisation Rapolitics and with gender equality as music editor at global impact agency Girls Are Awesome. When DTD asked her to return in 2021, she didn’t hesitate and has since become a booker and promoter in her own right.
You have a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Communications. Is there anything from your university studies that helps you in your day-to-day life as a promoter?
I think in general it’s given me a natural habit of always viewing things from different angles and questioning a lot of things that may just be routine for others – which is probably also a bit annoying sometimes haha! One very concrete thing I’ve brought with me from my studies is what my professor in Ethics called “The Bullshit Detector” which was basically just tools to analyze arguments. I guess it’s always good to be able to detect a bad argument when you meet it.
You have been a champion for upcoming female artists. Who do you think people in the international music business should be keeping their eye on for the year ahead?
Oh my, where to start! There’s a new Danish artist I keep recommending to everyone. Her name is ILMA and she’s one of the coolest new artists I’ve heard in a long time. It’s her stage presence, songs, and her whole artistic universe that I’m super impressed with. Elyanna, METTE, Zsela and Karin Ann are some artists I’m also really excited about at the moment.
You have an impressive background in music journalism. Does working on that side of things help you develop any narratives when it comes to promoting talent?
I don’t really do any sort of music journalist anymore but I’m definitely still using what I’ve learned from back then when it comes to describing music and having opinions about music. I wrote so many music recommendations and I still use it today when I think about booking an act. I instantly start asking myself the same questions as I would then: Why is this artist interesting? What makes this artist stand out? Why should you prioritise seeing this act? If I can’t answer these questions, I probably wouldn’t recommend the artist back then, and I probably shouldn’t be booking that artist today.
What one thing would you like artists, fans, and other music industry professionals to learn about your country to persuade them to visit, or listen to some Danish bands and artists?
I would definitely highlight the audience culture here. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve heard a lot of artists saying that it’s special to play shows in Denmark because the crowd is so supportive. And I often have the same feeling when I’m at shows here.
“There’s definitely a movement of people wanting this industry to become more sustainable in the long run for its employees”
What is your favourite venue?
Ugh that’s a very hard question! But I think I’ll have to say VEGA in Copenhagen. It’s where I went to my first proper concert and it’s just such a beautiful house…
What has been the highlight of your career, so far?
Last year I booked a really incredible artist called Yemi Alade for NorthSide. It was her first show in Denmark, and I was in the crowd with some of my friends. There were these two girls just dancing and really enjoying themselves next to us, and after the show, my friend (who’s pretty outgoing) told them that I was the one who’d booked her. I got a bit embarrassed haha, but then one of the girls asked if she could give me a hug because she’d been waiting so long to see Yemi Alade who was also the reason why she’d bought her ticket. She was almost crying because the show had been everything she’d hoped for. That was a quite special moment to me because I felt so grateful that I could actually do something, that made another girl so happy!
What events, tours or festivals are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?
Soon, I’ll be going to a small festival in Tromsø, Norway, called Buktafestivalen. I’ve never been there before but it looks so, so beautiful! The War On Drugs are playing and I can’t imagine a better place to see them than surrounded by the amazing Norwegian nature. In November I’m promoting a show in Copenhagen with Saint Levant, an artist I really admire. I saw him at G Festival in The Faroe Islands last summer and just instantly fell in love with his music. So I’m very excited for that tour to kick off!
You’re obviously enjoying learning about the business as your career progresses. How would you encourage the next generation to choose the live music sector for their chosen career path?
I was very nervous about the whole business when I first started out. I’ve never been a super extroverted person so the whole networking part of the industry was quite a mouthful to me. Also, I’d heard all the stories about this being a super tough industry and about people being super nasty to each other. I’m not a thick-skinned person at all, and words can definitely get to me, so I was quite nervous about whether I was “right” for this type of industry or not. But it turned out – for me at least – that it wasn’t as scary in reality. Most people I’ve met have been super, super nice and kind people who share the same passion as me. I think there’s definitely a movement going on of people wanting this industry to become more sustainable in the long run for its employees. And I have so much faith in the next generation being even better at this.
“It’s easier said than done to ask stupid questions but it can be really crucial to do sometimes”
Do you have a mentor, or anyone you rely on to bounce ideas off?
I’m very lucky to be working closely with our head promoter Mads Sørensen who’s been in this business for decades. I had to learn everything from scratch as I had absolutely 0 experience from the promoting side of things when I initially started out as a promoter assistant. He’s always saying that there are no stupid questions and I think that is the most important thing someone can say to you when you’re new to something. It’s easier said than done to ask stupid questions but it can be really crucial to do sometimes.
As a New Boss, what one thing would you change to make the live entertainment industry a better place?
If I was an actual boss, I think the most important thing to me would be to hire a diverse group of people for my team and create a healthy work environment for them. I feel like diversity in the live industry is often measured through posters and festival lineups. But having a diverse group of people working behind what the audience sees is just as important and probably the best way to secure diversity on stage as well.
What would you like to see yourself doing in five years time?
It’s pretty crazy to be saying because it’s such a privilege, but I hope to see myself doing what I already do: booking festivals.
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Xenia Grigat joins Denmark’s Smash!Bang!Pow
Denmark’s Smash!Bang!Pow! has hired one of the country’s most experienced concert promoters, Xenia Grigat.
Grigat joins the FKP Scorpio-backed concert promoter, booking agency and artist management company from Luger Denmark and prior to that, Down The Drain Concerts (formerly Beatbox), where she worked for 13 years.
She has previously worked with artists including The National, FKA Twigs, First Aid Kit, Idles, Ed Sheeran, Passenger, Caribou, Sigrid, Moses Sumney, Robyn, Lisa Hannigan, Jungle, King Krule, Jamie xx, Hozier, The Knife and Foals.
Grigat will assume the role of senior promoter at Smash!Bang!Pow! from 1 October and will work with the promoter’s international roster, which includes The War On Drugs, Future Islands, Tash Sultana, Rex Orange County, Hans Zimmer, Grimes and Snoop Dogg among others.
“At Smash!Bang!Pow! We have an ambition to develop and produce shows with international acts at the absolute highest level and I see Xenia Grigat as a cornerstone in those plans,” says CEO Nikolaj Thorenfeldt.
“I have always had the greatest respect and admiration for Xenia’s work, and I am very proud that she sees her future as part of Smash!Bang!Pow! team.”
“I see Xenia Grigat as a cornerstone in [our] plans”
Folkert Koopmans, CEO of FKP Scorpio Group, adds: “We have worked with Xenia before and were happy for that cooperation. We want to be the best partner for the artists and fans. Therefore it is a very good fit for our plans in Denmark and the Nordics.”
Smash!Bang!Pow! recently expanded the team with the appointment of Katrine Kamp as promoter coordinator, effective from 1 April. Kamp has several years of experience with international acts and festivals at Down The Drain Concerts.
Thorenfeldt ends: “With Xenia and Katrine on board, we are well geared to embrace future opportunities and reach the ambitions and targets we set for ourselves as a company – both in regard to new formats and larger capacities. Both Xenia and Katrine have a great deal of experience working with large arena shows and outdoor events.”
FKP Scorpio became an international partner to the company after acquiring a 25% stake in late 2018.
The Smash!Bang!Pow! international roster also includes Kacey Musgraves, Slowdive, Fontaines DC, Mac DeMarco, Skepta, Sturgill Simpson, Khruangbin, and Blood Orange.
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DTD’s Karolina Hansen joins Live Nation Sweden
Danish promoter Karolina Hansen, formerly of DTD Concerts, has joined the international concerts division of Live Nation Sweden.
A Copenhagener, Hansen started her career as an intern at UTA in London and joined DTD (Down the Drain) Concerts, then known as Beatbox Entertainment, in 2015. Her roster roster includes Khalid, Billie Eilish, Ski Mask the Slump God, Little Simz, 070Shake, Men I Trust, Steve Lacy, Emotional Oranges, Conan Gray and Refused.
She was also one of IQ’s New Bosses in 2019, and will appear on the Meet the New Bosses panel at Futures Forum this March.
“I’m really excited to have Karolina join our team – in Denmark she has proven herself to be a great promoter and gained wide experience in the business in a short time,” says Anna Sjölund, Live Nation Sweden’s president of festivals and concerts.
“Working outside of Denmark is a new role for me that I’m really looking forward to”
“Karolina’s love for music and her passion for the talent she works with is exceptional, and it makes me really proud that she has chosen to become a part of our team.”
Adds Hansen: “I look forward to starting this new adventure in Stockholm, and to join a team of great promoters at Live Nation Sweden. Being a part of a Scandinavian team and working outside of Denmark is a new role for me that I’m really looking forward to take on.
Hansen’s first day at Live Nation – Sweden’s largest promoter of concerts, tours and events – will be on Monday 2 March 2020.
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Xenia Grigat joins Luger Denmark
Three months after stepping down from her role at Down the Drain Concerts, Xenia Grigat, one of Denmark’s most experienced concert promoters, has joined Luger Denmark.
Luger, a Swedish promoter and booking agency owned by Live Nation, expanded into Denmark in early 2018 when it opened an office in Copenhagen. At Luger, Grigat will lead the company’s Danish expansion, as it transforms from being an agency for local artists to promoting shows by international acts.
Sarah Sølvsteen, director of Luger Denmark, comments: “There are good days and then there are absolutely fabulous days, like today, when we can announce the addition of Xenia Grigat to our Danish Luger team. With her sublime taste and love for her artists, Xenia is a perfect match with Luger Denmark’s philosophy and values, and it makes me really proud that she has chosen to become part of our team.”
Ten acts, including Lord Siva, Efterklang, Ida Laurberg and Hugorm, have joined Luger Denmark this year. They join a roster that includes established artists such as Mø, the Minds of 99, Jada and Phlake.
Grigat, named head of international artists, explains: “I’ve had amazing 12 years working at Beatbox and then Down the Drain promoting shows and festivals, but the time is right for me to take the next step in my career. The opportunity to create a new chapter with Luger Denmark and their team is an offer I can’t resist.
“The time is right for me to take the next step in my career”
“I’m really looking forward to getting started and present artists, agents and managers with a variety of new opportunities, such as our extended Scandinavian reach.”
Adds Ola Broquist, director of Luger Sweden: “It’s a big day for our Scandinavian Luger family. In Sweden, we have clearly seen the synergies when working with both Swedish and international artists under the same roof and how it benefits the artists. With the new offerings structure in Denmark, we will collectively be positioned much stronger in the Scandinavia market.”
“We have clearly seen how Luger Sweden has been able to develop their business for a number of years by heavily focusing on their artists as both agent and promoter,” says Jesper Christensen of Live Nation Denmark. “With Xenia Grigat’s addition to the team, we will have a star capacity on board, which will strengthen Luger Denmark’s position both locally and internationally.
“I have great respect for Xenia as a promoter, and have always admired her unique ability and special care for the many strong artists she has worked with over the years”.
From today (1 November), Luger Denmark’s team consists of Sølvsteen, Grigat, Emma Markvad, Dorthe Hyllested, Freja Becker Anthonsen and Martin Rintza.
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The New Bosses 2019: Karolina Hansen, DTD Concerts
The New Bosses 2019 – the biggest-ever edition of IQ‘s yearly roundup of future live industry leaders, as voted for by their peers – was published in IQ 85 last week revealing the twelve promising agents, promoters, bookers and execs that make up this year’s list.
To get to know this year’s cream of the crop a little better, IQ conducted interviews with each one of 2019’s New Bosses, to discover their greatest inspirations and proudest achievements, pinpoint the reasons for their success and obtain advice for those hoping to be a future New Boss. Snippets of the interviews can be found in the latest IQ Magazine, with all interviews being reproduced in full online and on IQ Index over the coming weeks.
The next New Boss is Karolina Hansen (29), a promoter at Down the Drain Concerts in Denmark. Born in Szczecin, Poland, Hansen has lived in Denmark since she was three years old. She began her career at Down the Drain Concerts (then known as Beatbox Entertainment) as a promoter assistant in 2015, after an early career that saw her working in the punk and hard-core scene in Copenhagen, and interning at UTA in London.
Hansen’s roster now includes the likes of Khalid, Billie Eilish, Little Simz, Steve Lacy, and hard-core band Refused. (Read the previous interview with Melt! Booking’s Florian Czok here.)
What are you busy with right now?
I’m busy finalising the last headline shows for the fall, booking spring 2020 shows and putting together the festivals [NorthSide, Tinderbox and Haven] with the rest of the festival team.
Did you always want to work in the music business?
I didn’t know you could do this for a living to be honest. I started out doing non-profit punk shows and didn’t think about the fact that you could do this full-time. Later my mum sent me a link to a music management course and I realised that my hobby could become my work. Happy days…
What are some of the highlights of your career so far?
I am super proud of presenting artists that I believe are the sound of our generation right now, like Billie Eilish and Khalid – they are both amazing artists. In September I have my first arena show as a promoter with Khalid – that’s huge for me.
“I am super proud of presenting artists that I believe are the sound of our generation right now, like Billie Eilish and Khalid”
How has your role changed since you started out?
Dramatically and quickly. I started out at DTD Concerts as an intern after I finished school in spring 2014 and got the opportunity to start as an assistant. Two years later, I had booked my first show, and since summer 2018 I’ve been working independently as a promoter.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt while at DTD Concerts?
That it is okay to say “no” and believe in your gut. At first I agreed to promote everything sent my way because I thought I had to in order to keep everyone happy, but it is okay not to do that. However, if you really believe in something, push for it and do everything you can to make it happen.
What, if anything, would you change about how the live industry is run today?
I would like for everyone to believe in and listen to each other a bit more. We’re all experts in our own markets, and Denmark being a really small one, it is super important that you work on long term plans together.
What do you do for fun?
Right now it’s summer time, so going swimming in the harbours of Copenhagen is a current favourite.
“There are so many different things you can do in this business – find out what you want to do and just start doing it”
Do you have an industry mentor?
For the past four to five years my mentor has been Xenia Grigat, who was a promoter at DTD Concerts, but has now decided to start a new chapter in her professional life. She will be greatly missed – she has taught me a lot about standing your ground in this business.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to get into, or is new to, the business?
There are so many different things you can do in this business – find out what you want to do and just start doing it. You almost can’t have too much experience in this industry, so until you find where you belong, just try different things out.
Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?
I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else other than being a promoter. Nothing beats finding and presenting an artist to an audience, standing in the corner and getting excited about everyone having a great time. I hope that feeling is still there in 10 years.
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Down the Drain celebrates festival success
Independent Scandinavian promoter Down the Drain Group has hailed the 2019 festival season a success so far, with fair weather, high attendance and advances in sustainability.
Down the Drain Group, the promoter behind several Danish festivals and the parent company of concert organiser Down the Drain Concerts (formerly Beatbox Entertainment), acquired Tinderbox and Northside from FKP Scorpio in April 2018.
Tinderbox, which took place from 27 to 29 June in the Danish city of Odense, welcomed a record 45,000 festivalgoers this year to see performances from Neil Young, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, the Chainsmokers and more.
Elsewhere, 35,000 attended the tenth edition of Aarhus-based NorthSide (6 to 8 June), which saw 100% organic food options at and a ban on single-use plastic bottles. Danish brewery Tuborg launched recyclable glasses at both Tinderbox and Northside this year.
The environmental effort harnessed praise from Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon: “We’ve been to about a hundred billion festivals and this is the first one where there are absolutely no plastic bottles,” said Vernon. “That seems just a little bit more important than drums, guitars, and bass.”
“With Superstruct backing the group, we are very much looking forward to taking these amazing festivals to the next level”
“Five years with Tinderbox have flown by and it’s incredible to think that we have created 20 editions of festivals including Northside, Tinderbox, Haven and GrimFest in just ten years,” says Down the Drain Group chief executive, Brian Nielsen.
“In this time Down The Drain Group has emerged as a serious contender on the festival market – not just domestically, but throughout Europe. Now with Superstruct backing the group, we are very much looking forward to taking these amazing festivals to the next level.”
Providence Equity-backed Superstruct Entertainment invested in the Danish promoter in May. Superstruct owns and operates festivals across Europe including Sziget (Hungary), Sónar (Spain), Øya Festival (Norway) and Flow Festival (Finland).
Early Bird-ticket options for the 2020 edition of Northside have already sold out (4 to 6 June), with some remaining for Tinderbox (25 to 27 June).
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Superstruct partners with Down the Drain
Providence Equity-backed Superstruct Entertainment has invested in Down the Drain Group, forming a partnership with the largest independent concert and festival promoter in Denmark.
Down the Drain Group is behind a number of Danish festivals including North Side and Tinderbox, and is the parent company of concert organiser Down the Drain Concerts, formerly Beatbox Entertainment.
The news marks a busy few weeks for James Barton’s Superstruct. The company took control of Global’s festival arm at the end of April, acquiring festivals including South West Four, Truck, Tramlines and Boardmasters.
Superstruct split the festival portfolio with former Global partner Broadwick Live.
“Our ambition is to be part of the world elite when it comes to music experiences, and with Superstruct as part of the team, we can match the global competition for the greatest artists,” says Brian Nielsen, Down the Drain Group chief executive.
“Our ambition is to be part of the world elite when it comes to music experiences, and with Superstruct as part of the team, we can match the global competition for the greatest artists”
“Superstruct represents the strengths and values that we value as a company, and what we create our festivals from. We can, in other words, not imagine a better match, ” adds Nielsen, who will continue to run the daily management of Down the Drain along with Flemming Myllerup and Mads Sørensen.
“The Down the Drain team has built an impressive platform and series of events over the past nine years, and we look forward to combining our expertise with the strong brands and take the company to an even higher level,” says Superstruct chief executive and Creamfields founder Barton.
With the partnership, Superstruct gains a further foothold in the Nordic region, following the acquisition of Finland’s Flow Festival in November and August’s investment in Øya Festival in Norway.
Other festivals under Superstruct’s control include Sónar in Barcelona and Hungary’s Sziget festival. The company has also invested in Spanish promoter Elrow.
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Beatbox Entertainment becomes Down the Drain Concerts
Scandinavian concert and festival promoter Beatbox Entertainment has rebranded as Down the Drain Concerts, after its parent company, Down the Drain Group.
Aarhus, Denmark-based Down the Drain Group, which describes itself as the largest independent concert organiser in the Nordics, is behind festivals such as Haven, Tinderbox and Northside, the latter two it acquired from FKP Scorpio last April.
Copenhagen-based Down the Drain Concerts, which began life in 2005 as Beatbox Concerts, organises more than 200 shows annually, and has worked with artists including Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Arctic Monkeys. Mads Sørensen, founder of Beatbox and now CEO of Down the Drain Concerts, joined Down the Drain Group last year.
Sørensen describes the merger as a “natural step for all of us”. “The year-round process of booking artists for festivals, and other concerts, hangs inseparably together,” he comments. “With a strong team of people with broad experience from both the festival industry and the touring industry, we can ensure optimal utilisation of the synergies of the merger.
“I am very proud that what started in 2011 as a booking collaboration now ends up in a joint company”
“I look forward to joining the management and helping to lift Down the Drain Group to the next level.”
“It has been a fantastic journey for us,” adds Down the Drain Group CEO Brian Nielsen. “Mads and his team have been one of the leading forces in the creation of Northside, Tinderbox, and Haven Festival. I am very proud that what started in 2011 as a booking collaboration now ends up in a joint company under the Down the Drain Group banner.
“Mads Sørensen is one of the most reputable and successful concert organisers both in Denmark and internationally, and, together with his fantastic team, Down the Drain Group is strongly geared to the future.”
Already announced shows for Down the Drain Concerts in 2019 include Shawn Mendes, Tenacious D and two sold-out Ed Sheeran open-air dates.
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