Ticketmaster renews with Electric Group
Ticketmaster has renewed its partnership with UK-based independent music venue operator Electric Group.
Formed in 2013, the Group runs Electric Brixton (cap. 1,700) in London, SWX (1,800) in Bristol, and NX (2,100) in Newcastle.
The collaboration with Ticketmaster comes as NX (the former O2 Academy Newcastle) hosts its first concert since undergoing a £2.7 million redevelopment.
SWX has also been given a redo, costing £3.2m, after an arson attack damaged the building. The restored venue reopened in early September, just over a year after the incident.
“I’m delighted to renew our long-term ticketing partnership with our friends at Ticketmaster,” says Dominic Madden, Electric Group CEO.
“It’s a great and easy fit and I know that we will receive the focus that is required to support our existing venue estate and the mighty new NX Newcastle.”
“Spaces like these are the heartbeat of the live industry, a breeding ground for talent”
Today’s announcement coincides with the appointment of Sam Isles as senior vice president of Ticketmaster Clubs International, heading up the division across Europe.
Already a veteran of club venue ticketing with a stint at Brixton Academy, Sam joined Ticketmaster to lead TicketWeb UK, and then launched the international arm of Ticketmaster’s Artist Services division, leading its market expansion.
In her new role, Isles will drive Ticketmaster’s ongoing investments in creating industry-leading technology and DIY solutions to serve the unique ticketing needs of clubs and independent venues with innovative tools and solutions to grow their business.
“Having worked with the team at Electric Brixton for more than ten years and now SWX Bristol, we know they’re going to bring a one-of-a-kind vision to NX Newcastle,” says Sam Isles, SVP Clubs International.
“Spaces like these are the heartbeat of the live industry, a breeding ground for talent and where fans discover the artists they’ll love for decades to come. They are vital, and our mission at Ticketmaster is to provide the world-class tools and support that can empower these iconic rooms.”
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Stabbings at Roddy Ricch concert in London
Three men were stabbed after a fight broke out during a Roddy Ricch concert at Electric Brixton (1,789-cap.) in south London last night.
Police and paramedics were called to the venue at 10.30 p.m. after three men in their twenties suffered knife wounds at the concert. The men were taken to hospital and released following treatment.
The violence broke out at the end of Ricch’s set. The rapper has spoken out about the “unfortunate event”, saying that “I send prayers to the people who were involved in any difficult situation last night.” Ricch states he had no involvement with the incident.
An Electric Brixton spokesperson comments: “Electric Brixton has never experienced an incident like this in its history because we pride ourselves on our stringent and rigorous security procedures.
“Electric Brixton has never experienced an incident like this in its history”
“The safety of our guests is paramount and as such, wand searches and body searches are used by security personnel before entry; these processes are in accordance with police guidelines.
“We will work with the authorities to examine what happened and if new measures need to be put in place,” adds the spokesperson.
Knife crime continues to be a serious issue across London and the UK, with a 45.7% average increase in knife-related offences in 34 English and Welsh counties since 2010.
In July, four festivalgoers were stabbed in the VIP area of Garage Nation Festival in London.
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Electric Brixton owner takes over Bristol’s SWX
The new owner of UK venue SWX is to work with local and national promoters to bring more live music to what it calls “the best 1,100-capacity room in Bristol”.
Electric Group, which also runs London’s 1,700-cap. Electric Brixton (formerly the Fridge) completed a deal for SWX last month after being impressed with its atmosphere, production and sightlines.
Backed by box-office and marketing support from TicketWeb, Electric Group will manage the SWX live diary from Brixton under its head of music, Mike Weller.
Dominic Madden, Electric Group co-founder, comments: “We operate with an independent mindset, shaping an easy and collaborative culture for promoters to embrace SWX with as few financial strings attached as possible.
“We are focused on providing a perfect platform for shows so we can help promoters smash ticket sales”
“Having invested substantially to make the venue production complete, we are focused on providing a perfect platform for shows so we can help promoters smash ticket sales.”
DHP Family and local promoter MJR have put several profile acts into SWX this year, including Thee Oh Sees, Ride and Django Django, with Aldous Harding, Saint Etienne and Beans on Toast and Skinny Lister coming up over the next few weeks.
SWX, on Nelson Street, is the latest incarnation of a music venue that started life as a Top Rank ballroom, hosting performances by luminaries including the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Cream and The Beach Boys. As well as live shows, it also hosts DJ nights (upcoming sets include Clean Bandit, Sigma and Sigala) and club nights, the latter of which attract more than a quarter of a million Bristol students to the venue annually.
“A venue’s success depends on the people that work there,” concludes Electric Group, a joint venture between Dominic Madden and River Island owners the Lewis family. “Electric Group is picking a team to underpin the live element of the business and support the fantastic staff already in place, led by a GM who has been at SWX for eight years.”
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