Industrial Strength: Stereosonic cops blame for SFX earnings dip; How Lorde ruined a $100m deal; Canberra music venue goes dark; The Drones launch label; New festival for Surfers

Stereosonic cops some blame for SFX earnings dip

Australia’s Stereosonic festival is partly to blame, its US parent company SFX Entertainment said when it posted a weak fourth quarter and a loss of $131 million on revenue of $354.4 million for 2014.

In the fourth quarter, pro forma revenues declined 7.6% to $95.9 million from $103.9 million.

SFX CFO Richard Rosenstein said greater interest (in Australia) in single-day shows meant “tickets sales did not meet expectations" for Stereosonic. Pro forma attendance for all SFX events around the world rose 8.9% to 88 from 71 in 2013. Pro forma festival attendance increased 1.5% to about 2.9 million and attendance at non-festival events increased 19.5% to about 2.4 million. Excluding the Rock in Rio festivals, festival attendance in 2014 grew 18.7%.

SFX expects 2015 revenues to exceed $500 million, with investor sponsorship and brand partnership revenue to hit $100 million, from $35 million last year.

How Lorde ruined a $100 million deal

When US label Lava Music’s deal with Universal Music Group expired last year, its CEO Jason Flom set out to woo Warner or Sony to buy in a US$100 million stake. Of Lava’s ten acts, Flom’s trump card was Lorde, whose Pure Heroine had as of November 2014 sold 2.7 million copies worldwide. Alas, Lorde couldn’t go with Lava, as she is signed to Universal Music NZ.

As a result Warner lost interest and pulled out. A source sniffed to the New York Post, “Lava is worth way less without Lorde.” Lava is also home to Jessie J, but “she’s not going to be worth what Lorde is to Lava’s future.”

New national venue operator Perth Stadium Management launches

A new national stadium management company has officially launched in Perth. Called Perth Stadium Management, it is an alliance between the West Australian Football Commission, Live Nation, Ticketmaster and catering service Delaware North.

The company this week formally took over managing Domain Stadium in Perth, and is also bidding for the rights to the upcoming 60,000-capacty stadium in Burswood, for which the nationwide operator AEG Ogden has also submitted an Expression of Interest. Eventually Perth Stadium Management will also bid for stadiums in other states.

As part of Perth Stadium Management’s launch, Stonefield played half time entertainment at the Eagles vs. Dockers clash at the Domain last Sunday. It was to signal how Live Nation can provide major Australian and international acts to play at the stadiums.

Domain Stadium GM Gavin Taylor said, “It’s a good example of how our partnership with global entertainment provider Live Nation gives us the ability to deliver different types of innovative content into the venue and ensure that fans enjoy great experiences at Domain Stadium.”

Another Canberra music venue goes dark

Canberra musicians are minus another venue after Smith's Alternative went dark on the weekend. Owner Dominic Mico broke the news at its regular Canberra Musicians’ Club showcase last Wednesday. He blamed severe public service cuts. Shows were at full capacity but spending at the gigs declined drastically. Income fell by as much as 50% in the last two months. “The money ran out and I didn’t have deep pockets to keep going,” he said.

The Drones launch Tropical Fuck Storm Records

The Drones have launched their own label Tropical Fuck Storm Records (TFS Records) as part of the 10th anniversary of the Wait Long By The River And The Bodies Of Your Enemies Float By album. Through 2015, the band will release their seventh album as well as a reissue of their back catalogue starting with the 75-minute Here Come The Lies debut (along with a first-time gatefold vinyl LP) and a new range of merch through a new online shop. At Vivid Sydney (May 24), the Drones will play numbers off Wait Long by the River… (out on vinyl for the first time in October) and preview new material.

New festival for Surfers Paradise

The inaugural Surfers Paradise LIVE festival is staged free over three nights and five outdoor stages May 8 to 10. It is produced by the Surfers Paradise Alliance, which hopes to draw at least 30,000 to the area during the quiet May month. “Surfers Paradise has always been a place where live music thrived and launched new acts,” President Mike Winlaw said.

Acts include Sneaky Sound System, Phil Jamieson, Lisa Hunter, Ngaiire, Casey Barnes Trio, Mason Rack Band, The Kite Machine, Milan Martin and Bree Bullock.

Hoodoo Gurus farewell one axe-grinding era, embrace new drummer

The Hoodoo Gurus have announced a new era will begin for them in late winter, when their new drummer joins them. Nik Rieth (Celibate Rifles, Tumbleweed, New Christs) will play with Radio Birdman through June in Europe before officially taking over at a Gurus gig set to be in August.

To mark the end of an era, the Gurus play their final date with Mark Kingsmill at Vivid Sydney. On May 23, their Be My Guru: The Evolution Revolution, A Sound And Light Spectacular, features all past and current members. This is the second time they’ve attempted this: the first was last November in Scarborough Beach, WA. Starting with their first (no bass) line-up in 1982, they evolve through their history, each of the four incarnations playing the songs they made famous. The finale is all eight members jamming together on a two drummer, two bass player and six guitarist tribal rendition of first single Leilani. The show is held inside the Powerhouse Museum.

Dave Faulkner posted on his blog, “I can't think of a better way to farewell Mark than with this concert. It will also be a great celebration of our other past members: (guitarist) Rod (Radaj), (bassist) Kimble (Randall), (drummer) James (Baker) and (bassist) Clyde (Bramley). Brad (Shepherd), Rick (Grossman) and I will probably steal a bow or two on the night, I'm sure.”

Their last “conventional” show with Kingsmill after 30 years of service was at the Aireys Inlet Open Mic in Victoria when they were a surprise act. The set suffered from fluctuating power but “it didn't seem to affect our show too much,” Faulkner said.

Kiwi FM tuning off

After ten years of championing home grown New Zealand music, Kiwi FM will be turned off on March 31 by its owner MediaWorks. It launched in 2005,initially playing 100% NZ music but this reduced to 70%. About 28,000 listeners tuned in each week. It was responsible for 1% of homegrown music aired on NZ radio, said MediaWorks’ Group CD for Radio Leon Wratt. "There are now more options than ever to discover and listen to home grown music, and it is time for us to focus on other priorities, including extending George FM and Mai FM's (dance and hip hop) nationwide reach," Wratt pointed out.

Jon Stevens out of Dead Daisies

The Dead Daisies singer and co-founder Jon Stevens is not involved in the band’s current recording sessions in Sydney with US producer Craig Porteils. Instead vocals are being done by John Corabi (Mötley Crüe /Ratt). The Australian/US band was set up as an ever-changing collective, and Stevens is currently doing solo shows until April 25. Obviously Corabi would front the band when it opens for Kiss for 13 arena dates in Europe (June 2 to 22) and six in Australia (October 3 to 13) behind the album release. A representative of the band was contacted by email last night for comment.

A media release related that those involved in the second album are guitarist and co-founder David Lowy (MINK, Red Phoenix), bassist Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy/ Whitesnake), keyboard player Dizzy Reed (Guns N’ Roses), lead guitarist Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses/The Psychedelic Furs) and drummer Jackie Barnes. The album is due in June. It is called Revolución, inspired by its recent trip to Cuba where some recording took place at Abdala Studios Havana with US producer Ben Grosse.

Five acts get recording grants

The PPCA and the Australia Council gave out five grants of $15,000 to help acts record new music. Mia Dyson will cut three EPs over 12 months, each in a different city with a different producer (Joe Pisapia, Erin Sidney, Ben Tolliday). The Growl record a third album in LA. Alex Masso with Sydney jazz group The Vampires cut their fifth album featuring a collab with West African-born US-based guitarist/vocalist Lionel Loueke and produced by Lloyd Swanton (The Necks). Genevieve Campbell will create a body of new work based on traditional Tiwi songs. Luke Howard makes a second album of contemporary chamber music.

Abbey Road sets up Academy in Sydney, Melbourne

The world famous Abbey Road Studios in London has launched the Abbey Road Institute offering a 12 month Advanced Diploma in music production and sound engineering co-designed with its engineers. The academies will be held all over the UK as well as in Sydney, Melbourne and Germany. Students can also use the famed studio’s gear. See www.abbeyroadinstitute.com.

Consultation on ACT Arts Policy Framework

Community consultation is open for the ACT Arts Policy Framework Review as the ACT Government works out how to best support its artists and arts associations. Consultation will consist of an online survey, community forum and call for written submissions. It will close on April 27, with the revised ACT Arts Policy Framework expected in June 2015. See www.arts.act.gov.au.

The Chart hits Rage

ABC-TV’s Rage has a new segment. The Chart is a Top 20 countdown of the videos lighting up the ARIA Singles Chart and predictions of chart activity.

New funding for Byron festivals, events

Byron Shire Council has set up a new fund of $10,000 to help promoters of local and emerging festivals and events. Up to five a year will be selected. More info at www.byron.nsw.gov.au, applications deadline is April 17.

Native Tongue launches composers initiative

Native Tongue Music Publishing launched The Composer Series, showcasing its screen composers from A/NZ. Founder Chris Gough said “We have a long history of working with film composers that pre-dates the formation of Native Tongue so it I very exciting for me to see this new initiative which will enhance the way composers work with the film and television industries.”

Headlining The Composer Series from the current roster are award-winning names as Dale Cornelius, Aaron D’arcy, Plan 9 and David Long. The series also highlights emerging talent as Claire Cowan, Karl Steven, Erin McKimm, Henrique Dib, Kelsey James,Marc Earley and Thomas Rouch. Along with the 2015 show reel (https://vimeo.com/121968146) where they talk about their composing, are online tools for clients to interact with the talent.

Arts Party founder calls for performing arts school in regional NSW

Arts Party founder PJ Collins, standing as an independent for the Legislative Council in the NSW elections this weekend, is pushing for five more performing arts schools in regional NSW. Nine of the state’s ten schools are in Sydney. His other policies include more live music opportunities, a film fund for low budget films, guaranteed digital broadcast rights to community radio and TV, and free entry to under-16s for state-funded galleries and museums.

Festivals update

* Soundwave 2016 will take the dates left by Big Day Out – Brisbane (Jan 23), Sydney (24) and Melbourne (26). What this means for BDO’s planned return in 2016 remains to be seen. Soundwave also reverts to a one-day format after this year’s experiment to two days proved not to increase ticket sales.

* NSW’s Yazzfest, showcasing Yass musicians at the Yazzbar, so enthused by the turn-out for mid-March bash that another is planned for late spring.

* Tasmania’s Deloraine StringFest, a celebration of players and makers of stringed instruments, drew about 2,000 visitors over three days.

SLAM / Bakehouse duo wins prize

Helen Marcou and Quincy McLean, who run Bakehouse Studios in Melbourne and set up SLAM (Save Live Australia's Music), won this year’s $20,000 Facilitators Prize at the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards. The judges cited the pair's history as "musicians, agitators and living proof that genuine and lasting change can be brought about if strongly enough desired".

Roach lauded for lengthy career

The Australia Council bestowed singer songwriter Archie Roach with the Don Banks Music Award for his outstanding and lengthy career. Eligible for all aged over 50, past winners include Mike Nock (2014), Kev Carmody (2013), Jon Rose (2012), Belinda Webster (2011) and Warren Fahey (2010).

Live Performance Australia seminar for emerging producers

Live Performance Australia is holding a Producer Development Seminar tomorrow (Wed March 25) at the Brisbane Powerhouse for emerging and independent producers. The one-day workshop will cover copyright protection globally and in the digital realm, building a sustainable business, partnering with festivals and venues, government assistance, international and local touring, and creating compelling content for social media.

Empire still struggling

Despite its huge ratings in America, musical drama series Empire has not translated well for Ten Network. On Sunday night, despite its 8.30pm slot, it drew just 142,000 and was ranked 75th most watched show of the night.

And a few other things…

With Sheppard’s Bombs Away album entering the US Top 40, interest has risen Stateside. In the past month. their Wikipedia page had 20,000 views, 12,000 Twitter mentions and a 40% rise to 1.5 million YouTube detection video views in the US.

Byron Bay’s In Hearts Wake announced their official split from long time drummer Caleb Burton. On their current US they were using Mike Montgomery of US metalcore band iwrestledabearonce.

To launch his new album Holiday From Me, EDM act Paul Mac is taking fans and friends on a choo-choo ride on Wed April 8 from Sydney’s Central Station Platform 1. "Trains are inherently forward moving. They don’t go backwards, they reveal a constantly changing range of vistas, landscapes and time-lapse landscapes in a general rhythmic soundtrack wrapped in metal.”

Apple is reportedly talking to US programmers about a possible September launch for Apple TV, comprising of 25 channels.

The fall-out from the X-Factor NZ “bullying judges” continues. Funding body NZ On Air is not helping next year. The NZ Herald estimated that had major sponsor McDonalds pulled out in anger, the show would have lost $1.2 million. X Factor UK judge Louis Walsh gave Natalia Kills a good kicking on Irish radio station RTE2fm: “She obviously has no class, no taste, she'll never work again. Who's going to hire her? Nobody."

For the promotion of his new Funemployed album, The Bedroom Philosopher has outsourced his interviews. You can’t speak to him about it, but you can chat to Courtney Barnett, Benjamin Law, Kate Miller Heidke, Scott Edgar (Tripod), Paul Livingston (Flacco), Tony Martin, Scott Edgar, Lawrence Greenwood (Whitley) or Damian Cowell of TISM.

The original Taxiride lineup is playing gigs after 15 years.

MONA founder David Walsh’s quest to install a boutique in-house casino is still a go-er. The Tasmanian Government is in talks about an exception with the Federal Group, which has an exclusive casino deal in Tassie until 2023.

The thief who swiped 17 Wiggles tickets from an unlocked station wagon in Gladstone, Queensland, will have a problem making money out of the $152 theft. Cops are scrutinising social media and online classified sites for anyone unloading the tix for the July show. Staff of Gladstone Entertainment Centre will report anyone asking for a refund on tickets. At the show, cops will be at hand to “greet” the real ticket holders (who can still attend) and the double-ups who bought them from elsewhere.

A funny thing happened to Sinéad O’Connor at WOMAD NZ when she sang her hit Nothing Compares 2 U for the very last time ever. During the line “It’s been so lonely without you here, like a bird without a song,” a duck clambered out of the small lake between the audience and the stage and loudly went “Quack! Quack!” O’Connor laughed so much she had to leave the stage without finishing the song.

Ed Sheeran and Kylie Minogue had a catch-up in Brisbane last Saturday night when their tours hit the city at the same time. Earlier on, Sheeran made an unscheduled appearance at an Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience session at the State Library with Jeremy Marou and Tom Busby. He advised the kids that if they did music because they loved it, and not for any other reason, the music would look after them.

Another push began for a bronze statue for Billy Thorpe in Melbourne. Details at: www.change.org/p/billy-thorpe-s-bronze-statue-in-melbourne-city-put-up-a-bronze-statue-of-billy-thorpe-a-legend-in-australian-music.

Speaking of Thorpie, his widow Lyn was among those feted in Sunbury as a celebration of the iconic ‘70s Sunbury Festival as part of the 39th SunFest. A parade of 1970s cars drove festival founders John Fowler (now retired and running the Lake Boga Observatory) and Peter Evans, stage producer Adrian Anderson, artist Rob McKenzie and publicist Paul Murphy.

People who lined the streets yelled out, “I was there!” and “I was conceived there!” There was also an exhibition of photos and mementoes from 1972 to 1975 in a hall while the Sunbury movie along with archival footage of performances and interviews screened non-stop. At one of festivals, Thorpe & The Aztecs hired every PA stack in Melbourne to make the loudest noise possible. A pub ten miles away sent a message asking them to turn it down!