EB Producciones launches in ‘untapped’ Central America
EB Producciones CEO Eduardo Basagana has spoken to IQ about the company’s first foray into the “untapped” Central America market.
The Miami (US) and Buenos Aires (Argentina)-headquartered company organises festivals such as PWR, the biggest all-female festival in Latin America, and has promoted tours for the likes of Karol G, Aitana and Aerosmith among others.
In addition to its presence in North and South America, EB Producciones has now formally launched operations in Costa Rica and Guatemala.
And the promoter has already had its first big success in the market with Argentine rapper Wos selling 2,000 tickets in one hour to a show at Pepper Club in San Jose, Costa Rica.
“Central America is a very interesting market for us because there’s high consumption of music but not a lot of competition”
“Central America is a very interesting market for us because there’s high consumption of music but not a lot of competition,” explains Basagana.
“Super mature markets like Europe or the US are difficult because there’s a lot of money, competition, and people – but there’s less going on in Central America. Being based in Miami, we want to become a competitive option alongside giants such as Live Nation and Move Concerts and aim to buy artists’ full Latam tours.”
The promoter also recently expanded into Spain via a partnership with Madrid-based record company 33 Producciones and is soon to announce a first show at the capital’s WiZink Center (cap. 17,000) with a renowned Latin artist.
Basagana also revealed that PWR festival, which takes place at Buenos Aires’ Movistar Arena and Mexico’s Pepsi Center, will be exported to Spain.
In addition to promoting activities, EB is also known for launching +VIVO – the “most important livestreaming platform in Latam,” according to Forbes – during the pandemic and broadcasting the first-ever online concert from a K-pop group in Latin America – for which, Basagana was awarded a special mention by the Korean government.
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Nine dead in Guatemala music festival stampede
At least nine people have died, including two 12-year-old children, following a stampede at a rock music festival marking Guatemalan Independence Day.
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Thursday (15 September) in the city of Quetzaltenango, about 125 miles west of Guatemala City.
More than 20 people were also injured in the incident, with several requiring hospital treatment for suspected fractures. Thousands of concertgoers were reportedly in attendance at the annual outdoor show in Central America’s most populous country. The event, which started on Wednesday afternoon, was reportedly sponsored by a beer maker and held on a field often used for music shows.
“The Guatemalan Red Cross and volunteer firefighters stabilised more than 20 injured people and nine people died at the scene”
“The Guatemalan Red Cross and volunteer firefighters stabilised more than 20 injured people and nine people died at the scene,” tweeted the relief agency.
Incidente #MúltiplesVíctimas en Quetzaltenango 🚨
Estampidas humanas se registraron durante evento masivo en 9a. Calle 0-20 zona 9 de Quetzaltenango.#CruzRojaGT junto a @CVBxela estabilizaron a más de 20 personas heridas y 9 personas fallecieron en el lugar. pic.twitter.com/sPlvWurrsT
— CruzRojaGT (@CRGuatemalteca) September 15, 2022
The Associated Press reports that a number of attendees were crushed during rock band Bohemia Suburbana’s closing performance, as people tried to leave as others were entering.
“Because of the rain there was a lot of mud,” says Nancy Quemé, who attended the concert. “I think because of this the people couldn’t move and they fell.”
Social media videos show dozens of concertgoers smashing into each other and people piled on top of one another on the ground. CBS News notes that shouts can be heard calling for people to stop pushing and to move to one side so those who fell could be rescued.
The report adds that Quetzaltenango city manager Amilcar Rivas said the event had a permit but organisers did not have a grip on security and crowd control.
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