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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Ticketmaster launches global Livestream product
Following the success of livestream campaigns with Niall Horan and Dua Lipa, Ticketmaster has combined its international artist services and US music teams to create a new global music team overseeing the launch of its Ticketmaster Livestream service worldwide.
The platform, which launched in 2020, has sold tickets for some of the biggest live streams to date, including Dua Lipa’s Studio 2054 and Niall Horan live from the Royal Albert Hall (125,000 tickets), as well as virtual shows by RBD, Megan thee Stallion, Mika, Glass Animals, Biffy Clyro and Dermot Kennedy.
David Marcus, the former head of Ticketmaster’s North American music division, will head up the global music team as executive vice-president of global music, working closely with UK-based Sam Isles, Ticketmaster senior vice-president of artist services.
“The live experience is the ultimate moment of connection between an artist and fan, and it’s our job to power these moments,” comments Marcus.
“The beauty of virtual shows is that we’re seeing global viewing – performances in London or LA are selling tickets to fans in NZ, Spain or Singapore”
“Now with this expansion, our offering is a global one-stop-shop run by a global team with local expertise. Our mission is to work with artists to make it as easy as possible for fans to experience the live music they love.”
Available in ten languages and 135 currencies, Ticketmaster Livestream has already sold tickets for virtual events to fans in more than 180 countries. The “platform-agnostic” service is compatible with any streaming service of the artist’s choice.
“Our technology quickly pivoted to selling streaming tickets at scale, and the acceleration in artists going virtual to engage has been remarkable,” continues Marcus. “So, too, is the readiness of fans to pay to access their favourite artists in this way.
“The beauty of virtual shows is that we’re seeing global viewing – performances in London or LA are selling tickets to fans in New Zealand, Spain or Singapore, [and] it’s revolutionising the way artists can connect. Nothing will replace the live experience, but this represents a new form of entertainment with its own rewards, and it’s definitely something that will remain for years to come.”
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