UNIFIED Music Group’s Post

Municipalities are right to question and challenge any proposed large festival proposal. A solid reputation for the promoter is a good start but THAT is not a plan. A responsible promoter will present a detailed planning document covering every aspect of health and safety, security, traffic management plan, physical site design, sanitary and medical, Communication plan , command and control structure, …. And this is only a small part of the overall package. Public safety officials, law enforcement, Public health officials, need to understand, and determine if a permit should be issued. Mass gathering events are high risk. Detailed contingency planning is mandatory. Festivals can be great fun… or disastrous.

Watching the Eras Tour in theatres didn't make me a Swiftie, but it did cement my respect for the brilliant Ms. Taylor. She is a sophisticated business woman and it's clear that she knows EXACTLY how to leverage and monetize her talent, her brand and her intellectual property. "Taylor's Version" has record labels scrambling for a tighter grip over artists' rights to their music. It's not going to work. Record labels cannot demand an increase in the grant of rights for an extended term while simultaneously providing less value to the artist. A&R is practically non-existent, marketing and promotion relies heavily on the artists' own social media platforms, and labels have not adequately adapted their profit model in the face of streaming and the low margins of touring. So why in the world would artists (and their representatives) agree to increased limitations on their ownership? Before these c-suite middlemen demand more from the creative class, they need to do some deep introspection to determine why, if at all, the creative class even needs them.

The future

Music is Economy— PERIOD!!! A centralized statewide office Makes it All Make Sense!!! A main key to success is organization. Let’s create the equilibrium needed, and collectively be drivers of effective change in the “gig” /“creator” economy.

Reflecting on Paul Hodgins' observations, the resurgence of music events post-pandemic underscores the enduring appeal of in-person experiences. This sentiment resonates deeply with me, especially as someone who appreciates digital content but finds solace in the authenticity of face-to-face interactions. My recent engagements with The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and Creative Generation reaffirm the widespread desire for in-person connections, confirming broader trends indicating a notable uptick in attendance compared to early pandemic metrics. However, amidst these positive trends, the classical music sector presents a complex narrative. While it shows signs of revival, there's an urgency to address longstanding issues of diversity and relevance. As an advocate for inclusivity, I recognize the importance of celebrating successes while holding the sector accountable for fostering greater representation and innovation. Conversely, the nonprofit theater and dance sectors confront a more challenging landscape, marked by closures and uncertainties. Recent surveys reveal a sobering reality, with top-tier regional theaters projecting a significant decline in productions compared to pre-pandemic levels. This decline prompts critical reflections on programming choices and audience engagement strategies. Furthermore, it begs the question: Is it time for a reassessment of the aims and structure of the regional theater ecosystem? In my view, the key to revitalizing the arts lies in fostering intergenerational collaboration and embracing fresh perspectives. However, entrenched systems and prolonged tenures in leadership positions pose formidable obstacles to innovation. To overcome these challenges, we must advocate for pathways that empower individuals at every stage of their careers, coupled with a commitment to change. As Michael Bobbit (Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council) suggests, addressing these complex issues requires a collaborative effort involving diverse stakeholders. We must look beyond traditional boundaries and seek insights from disciplines such as economics, entrepreneurship, and futurism. By fostering inclusive dialogue and leveraging expertise from diverse fields, we can chart a path toward a more vibrant, resilient, and sustainable future for the arts. #Arts #Culture #Music #Theater #Dance #Innovation #Diversity #Inclusion #AudienceEngagement #CommunityEngagement #Leadership #Collaboration #Resilience #FutureOfWork #COVID19

How can we save British nightlife from collapse? Small venues are the heart of our musical culture. Here’s the excellent Gilles Peterson with a plan to keep that heart beating. 'We need to find new economic systems for funding these smaller clubs so they can thrive, not just barely survive...But perhaps we could also look at models of community ownership and cooperative practices that could shore up the foundational layer of smaller venues.' Full article: https://lnkd.in/eaeJFj4p #musicvenues #grassrootsmusic #coops #communityownership #cooperatives

Featuring some of my concert photography and my writing! My first article has been published!    #photography #concertphotography #press #photographer 

NEWS AND INFORMATION AWARDS SEASON GUIDE 2023-24: EVERY DATE YOU NEED FOR THE GOLDEN GLOBES, GRAMMYS AND MORE (By ET Online Staff) ET has put together a guide for all the major film, TV and music awards being handed out in 2023 and 2024. As the awards season landscape begins to get back on track following several years of pandemic-related delays and changes, the now-settled WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes shake up the awards show calendar once again. Music awards shows -- including the GRAMMY Awards and the Billboard Music Awards -- have been less impacted by the strikes, and are scheduled to go on as planned. Meanwhile, some film and TV-based awards that were postponed have been rescheduled. Click the below link to view ET's handy calendar that will be continuously updated with all the key dates and details as they learn more about what's to come from the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, GRAMMY's, BAFTA Awards and more: https://lnkd.in/gVcUmuW5 — #awardseason #GoldenGlobes #GrammyAwards #SAGAwards #baftaawards #emmyawards #AcademyAwards #TonyAwards

THE ROLE OF IMPLIED CONSENT TO CONTACT WHEN ATTENDING CONCERTS Attending concerts and other crowded activities often involves physical contact among participants. As you know, we live in a crowded world, and there is some level of contact that we are implicitly given in order to function in this world. No place is more evident of this than a concert or sporting event. In Illinois, the law recognizes the concepts of assault and battery, which govern the limits of physical contact. This article aims to explore the interaction of implied consent with the law of Battery and Assault. Assault and Battery Under Illinois Law Under Illinois law, assault and battery are separate offenses, each with https://lnkd.in/g2jAyArc

🎼 "a whopping 76% of first-timers said that they were likely or very likely to return within the next year. They felt so welcome, and had such a good experience, that they want to do it all over again." Before we suggest that change is needed in how we market classical music to new audiences, it's a good idea to read the statistics. A positive and insightful article from Jo Johnson, Head of Marketing at @bachtrack, discusses recent findings. "Classical and opera audiences are the most engaged arts attenders, with 21% attending at least once a month, compared to 15% for drama." When did you last review your statistics and talk to your audience properly? Are the changes in your marketing based on solid evidence? If you need help fine tuning your marketing and content strategies get in touch with us at @AitkensMedia